Meet Our Speakers

Tena is an empathy educator, inspirational speaker, and patient advocate. With over 20 years of experience, she has motivated professionals and individuals with her insightful approach to the patient experience.

Tena’s unique position as a patient with lifelong chronic illnesses allows her to elevate patient care profoundly. She has created and conducted training for thousands of dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and medical students, speaking at prestigious institutions such as the FDA, Mayo Clinic, Geisinger Clinic, and medical schools nationwide.

Tena is the only professional patient advocate who regularly delivers workshops at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) national conferences. Her AAD workshop, “How to Have an Unforgettably Positive Office Visit,” has been one of the most highly rated and attended offerings at the conference for 12 years. As a speaker, Tena guarantees to touch your heart and inspire you to live a “positively unforgettable” life.

Dr. Lindsey Harris is a doctoral-prepared family nurse practitioner.

As a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow, Lindsey worked in Representative Lauren Underwood’s office and is now a Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor of Health Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing.  Dedicated to Nursing and the community at large, Dr. Harris has served as the President of the Alabama State Nurses Association and the Birmingham Black Nurses Association. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. Dr. Harris graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Business.  She is also a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, receiving her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor in Nursing Practice. She is now completing the Harvard Nursing Leadership Program and currently participating in Leadership Birmingham.

Why I Do This Work

I’ve stood in your shoes. As a former System Chief Nursing Officer, I know firsthand the weight of leading environments where every decision matters. I’ve felt the pressure of balancing organizations’ priorities with team well-being, and I understand the complexities of driving results without sacrificing people or values. That is why I have teamed up with the RENEW well-being workshop, another tool in my belt to further the nursing profession.

Teshieka K. Curtis-Pugh (T.K.) is a nursing executive, health policy strategist, and advocate for healthcare equity. As Executive Director of the South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA), she represents more than 100,000 nurses, advancing policies that strengthen the profession and improve access to quality care.

With experience as a Chief Nursing Officer and healthcare leader, T.K. has championed initiatives that enhance patient care, support the nursing workforce, and drive organizational growth. She is a respected voice in health policy, engaging with state, national, and global leaders on issues impacting healthcare and underserved communities.

T.K. also serves as Director of Global Engagement for the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute, is Founder and CEO of Nurse T.K., LLC, and serves on the Editorial Board of the American Nurse Journal. A sought-after speaker and mentor, she is dedicated to advancing leadership, diversity, and excellence in nursing.

Motto: “Do it with passion or not at all.”