This session was presented on January 19, 2026
This webinar highlights some of Dr. Michelle Acorn’s major system-change initiatives, developed and demonstrated over the past fifteen years through her executive and clinical leadership roles. These four initiatives were originally articulated in her Leadership Impact Paper for the College’s Fellowship Program. Each project illustrates innovative approaches to addressing persistent gaps in primary and specialty care systems in Ontario, across Canada, and internationally. A central theme across her work is the full integration of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) as a vital, future-ready health workforce solution, advancing equitable access to care, strengthening evidence-informed clinician leadership, and improving recruitment, retention, and professional satisfaction.
The webinar examines the policy, cultural, investment, and governance reforms necessary to achieve sustainable system transformation. Evidence-informed advocacy, measurable outcomes, and diverse local-to-global partnerships are threaded throughout, offering a clear view of Dr. Acorn’s legacy of leadership and system impact. Her reflections on long-term influence, both for population health and for the advancement of the NP profession, and provide practical insight into what is required to drive meaningful, lasting change.
