Regional One Health Senior Vice President and Chief Integration Officer Susan Cooper, MSN, RN, FAAN, is joining the prestigious Global Nursing Leadership Institute program. 

The program brings together nursing leaders from across the world, and this year Cooper is the only person selected to participate from the United States. 

Participants get an opportunity to engage in critical discussions on health policy and advance their skills as leaders in local, national, regional and global health. 

Regional One Health Senior Vice President and Chief Integration Officer Susan Cooper, MSN, RN, FAAN, has been selected by the International Council of Nurses to be part of the prestigious Global Nursing Leadership Institute program.

The program brings together nurses in senior or executive level positions from across the world, and participants are selected through an extremely competitive application process.  This year’s group of GNLI scholars includes 34 nurses from 33 different countries, and Cooper is the only person selected to participate from the United States.

“Ms. Cooper is one of a select group of GNLI 2024 scholars from across the globe. This highly competitive policy leadership program aims to prepare a cadre of nurse leaders equipped to engage in global and regional policy work that focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, all of which affect the health of the planet and its people,” said Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACN(Hon.), Program Director of GNLI.

Participants are divided into six regions worldwide, and each regional scholar’s cohort will meet in person and online over the next year to identify and develop both regional and individual projects. The scholars will also spend time at the World Health Organization and ICN headquarters in Geneva for an intensive, interactive learning experience where they will engage in critical discussions on the policy process, political context, and advance their skills as leaders in local, national, regional and global health.

GNLI scholars completing the program will use the skills learned in a number of important activities to improve health outcomes, including leading and contributing to key health policies, directing clinical developments, and conducting research to inform and evaluate general policy.

“I am honored to have been chosen to participate as a 2024 GNLI Scholar. Learning from the other scholars and the esteemed faculty will help me develop a deeper understanding of geopolitical contexts which impact health,” said Cooper.

“I look forward to gaining new policy skills and knowledge which will allow me to continue to advance health policy, advocate for change, and improve the health of our collective global communities. Sharing my experiences building programs for complex individuals with other scholars will aid in the development of regional projects that address social determinants and health policy on a global scale.”

ONE Health, Regional One Health’s complex care program, supports patients who face fragmented care due to lack of insurance and other socioeconomic factors, resulting in frequent emergency department visits and hospital stays. It provides the medical treatment they need and also addresses social determinants of health such as housing, transportation and food. Individuals face similar concerns and issues across the globe, and the GNLI helps nurse leaders build their skills to influence at multiple levels and improve health outcomes.

Cooper is no stranger to policy and public health.  Cooper first served as a Special Policy Advisor to Governor Bredesen and was subsequently appointed in 2007 to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Health, State of Tennessee.  She is the only registered nurse to have served in this capacity.  Before joining state government, Cooper was a faculty member and assistant dean at Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing.  She has experience in clinical, academic, governmental, and public health nursing.

Cooper joined Regional One Health in 2013 to lead the health system’s population health strategy and has since grown the complex care program into a national model for helping vulnerable patients by addressing both their medical and social needs.

“Susan Cooper is an advocate for patients as individuals. This means meeting the needs of the whole person, not just their medical needs, to improve health outcomes.  She was instrumental in the development of our complex care program at Regional One Health to support the most vulnerable in our community, making Regional One Health a global leader in this work.  Her participation in the GNLI will strengthen her skills and the knowledge of those around her to make positive impacts in the health of the communities we serve,” said Reginald Coopwood, MD, president and CEO of Regional One Health.