Cultivating Healthier Futures Through Education, Innovation, and Equity

Inspirational health and nursing leaders collaborated to create a better future at Unitek’s virtual conference

Newport Beach, California – On September 13, 2024, Unitek hosted their ninth annual conference. More than 1,000 participants attended this pioneering event from around the world. Meg Soper, a professional speaker and nurse leader, served as the keynote speaker. The virtual conference focused on the theme of “Cultivating Healthier Futures: Education, Innovation, and Equity.” Guest speakers from academia, practice institutions, and advocacy organizations explored megatrends in teaching and healthcare delivery shaped by responses to the most widespread public health crises of our time.

“We were honored to host such forward-thinking and inspirational thought leaders at the conference.
Together, their ideas bridged the gap between the present and future of healthcare and education,” said Jeff Conlon, Chief Executive Officer at Unitek Learning. “At Unitek, we will continue to cultivate new ideas to expand our educational offerings. For us to prepare future healthcare professionals, we must focus on academic transformation so that we can help change the trajectory of education.”

Throughout the conference, each speaker presented topics that touched on subjects like a diverse
educational experience and the future of workforce development. Panelists examined strategic initiatives, caring science, and innovative practices that shape the current and future state of workforce development for healthcare professionals. In this rapidly changing world, the role of leadership in workforce development is more critical than ever.

During her keynote speech, Meg Soper celebrated the accomplishments of nurse educators and healthcare partners for their extraordinary efforts. Meg also explored strategies to bolster people’s resilience and sense of balance in an ever-changing world. Other panels included a discussion on allied health, where speakers delved into the advancement of surgical technology education. This panel further analyzed the evolving landscape from classroom to operating room. Another panel was designed for students and centered around the first-year experience from their perspective.

“One of our primary goals was to emphasize the importance of caring partnerships in healthcare,” said Dr. Abdel Yosef, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Unitek Learning. “This conference focused on creating sustainable solutions through educational pathways and innovative approaches. Our theme was particularly relevant considering the global emphasis on sustainable practices in healthcare and the impact of digitalization in higher education. Together, we can build a better future through education, innovation, and equity.”

Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek EMT, Unitek Training Healthcare, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. In addition, Unitek offers healthcare workforce solutions through clinical partnerships and collaborations with major hospital systems nationwide. Unitek programs teach clinical practices and theory used in the field today. Equipped with a multitude of sought-after skills, Unitek graduates are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare and nursing.

To learn more about the conference, visit our website and watch several presentations through August 2025.