Leadership Summit at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025

Change the OR. Change the World.

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Leave a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” — Maya Angelou

Strong leadership drives innovation, improves patient care, and secures the future of the operating room. At the Leadership Summit for perioperative professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to build your legacy by engaging with visionary leaders, exploring state-of-the-art technologies, and discovering groundbreaking solutions tailored to perioperative care.

Why Attend the Leadership Summit?

Become a Leader Who Walks the Walk

• Boost Performance: Gain actionable insights from industry experts to enhance your team’s effectiveness and achieve measurable results and learn new nurse leadership skills.
• Improve Patient Care: Stay ahead with the latest evidence-based practices to ensure your team consistently delivers the highest standards of care.
• Increase Efficiency: Discover innovative strategies to streamline perioperative workflows, reduce delays, and optimize resources.
• Shape the Conversation: Join critical discussions on today’s most pressing OR challenges. Your voice can help advocate for meaningful change.
• Inspire Growth: Return with actionable insights to elevate your facility, strengthen your team, and foster a culture of excellence.

Unique Dual Conference Experience

The Leadership Summit is a conference-within-a-conference that includes access to the entire AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience.

What You’ll Experience

• Dynamic Four-Day Event: Covering specialized and broader healthcare topics led by top minds in perioperative care.
• Comprehensive Education: Access up to 60 contact hours through conference education, posters, Expo Hall education and hands-on workshops, on top of Leadership Summit sessions.
  
• Interactive Learning: Participate in skill-building exercises designed to enhance your team’s performance and improve patient care outcomes.
• Professional Growth: Connect with mentors, expand your network, and enhance your visibility within the perioperative community.

Keynote Speaker: Mike Lee

In the high-pressure world of perioperative nursing, staying focused and composed is key—but that's easier said than done. That's where Mike Lee, a renowned leadership coach and this year's leadership summit keynote speaker, comes in.

With a background in coaching elite athletes and overcoming his own struggles with anxiety and depression, Mike has developed a powerful approach that blends mindfulness, peak performance, and leadership. His work with companies like IBM and Cisco, along with high-performing professionals, makes him the ideal speaker to help perioperative nurses build mental resilience, sharpen focus, and thrive under pressure.

Mike's strategies can help nurses enhance team dynamics, improve patient care, and boost personal well-being in the OR. Don't miss this chance to transform your approach to the demands of perioperative care.

Keynote Speakers: Hannah Spell, Lead for Care & Catherin Washington, Executive Director Children’s National Hospital

Hannah and Catherin founded their company Lead for Care when they observed new nurse managers struggle to rise to the immense challenges that comes with stepping into a leadership role. Through Lead for Care their mission is to inspire and educate ALL nurses and leaders so that no one has to struggle again.

Their session explores the critical role of nurse managers, highlighting their impact on turnover, clinical outcomes, and team satisfaction. Despite the immense influence that nurse managers carry, too many lack formal preparation, leading to high burnout and turnover rates.

This session aims to fix that through intuitive solutions such as microlearning, mentorships, and hands-on applications. Leave this session with a strategy to improve succession planning and measurable outcomes to improve your team.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Teodor Grantcharov

Session: “Disruptive OR technologies to Empower People, Optimize Processes, and Improve Outcomes”

Dr. Teodor Grantcharov is the Founder of Surgical Safety Technologies and the developer of the OR Black Box® platform. A Professor of Surgery and Associate Chief Quality Officer for Innovation and Safety at Stanford Healthcare, Dr. Grantcharov has received numerous national and international awards for his contributions to surgical education and safety.

He has served as the Founder of the International Centre for Surgical Safety and previously held the Canada Research Chair in Simulation and Surgical Safety. With extensive expertise in human factors, healthcare innovation, and clinical research, Dr. Grantcharov continues to advance surgical safety worldwide.

Back by Popular Demand: The Ambulatory Track

The Ambulatory Track at Leadership Summit offers a specialized curriculum tailored for leaders in ambulatory surgical centers. With interactive sessions and real-world strategies, this track addresses the unique challenges faced by ambulatory care professionals.

What Makes the Ambulatory Track Unique?

• Stay informed on the latest regulatory changes and compliance best practices.
• Learn strategies to manage fast-paced environments while prioritizing ensuring patient safety.
• Network with other ASC leaders to share solutions and strategies for success.

Networking Opportunities

Build Meaningful Connections

At the Leadership Summit, you’ll find unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals who share your dedication to perioperative excellence. From casual coffee breaks to structured roundtable discussions, this event is designed to foster collaboration and relationship-building.

Exclusive Networking Lounge

Take advantage of the Leadership Networking Lounge, an exclusive space to:

• Discuss critical challenges impacting your surgical teams.
• Collaborate with peers to develop actionable solutions.
• Relax and recharge in a supportive environment.