Keynote Speakers
21 CME
Credits by DOH
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil
Founder & Chairman,
Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Howard Catton
Chief Executive Officer,
International Council of Nurses
Howard Catton
Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses
Howard was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in February 2019. He is committed to ensure that ICN effectively represents nursing worldwide, advances the nursing profession, promotes the wellbeing of nurses and advocates for health in all policies.
Throughout his career Howard has worked and written extensively on issues relating to the Nursing and Healthcare Workforce and he co-chaired the first ever State of the World’s Nursing Report. He has led ICN’s work to respond to and support nurses globally during the pandemic and has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of and investment in the nursing profession.
Howard joined ICN in April 2016 as the Director, Nursing, Policy and Programmes. His team led the development of ICN policy and position statements. He also co-ordinated ICN Programmes and projects and oversaw the development of scientific programmes for ICN events.
Howard qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1988 and held a variety of nursing posts in England and the United States and worked for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation. He studied Social Policy at Cardiff University (BSc Econ Hons) and Industrial Relations at Warwick University (MA) and then worked as a Personnel and Organisational Change Manager in the National Health Service in the UK. For 10 years Howard was Head of Policy & International Affairs at the Royal College of Nursing in the UK.
Janet Sohal
DNP, RN, NEA-BC Regional Director, Nurse Scholars Academy
Janet Sohal is currently the Regional Director, for the Nurse Scholars Academy at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. In her role she oversees Magnet, Caring Science, Research and Innovation and Professional Excellence.
She has been in nursing for over 40 years. Her clinical experiences have been in the ICUs and step-down units. She joined the nationally acclaimed patient centered care program – Planetree in 1989 as the Patient Education Coordinator. In 1994, Janet moved into a staff developer role at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and then joined Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center as a Clinical Educator in 2001. Her career at Kaiser Permanente has provided her the ability to try on several different roles. She took on the role of Director of Performance Improvement, moved into the Care Experience Leader role, transitioned into the role as Director of Leadership Development and Learning, and prior to her regional role was the Director of Clinical Education and Informatics.
Janet has a BSN from the University of Phoenix, an MSN from Dominquez Hills State University in Southern California, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from University of San Francisco. She serves as adjunct faculty at University of Phoenix, a LDDP mentor, Caritas Coach and is a Heartmath certified trainer.