Hazel Downing at the 2025 International Council of Nurses conference in Helsinki, Finland.
HPU Associate Professor of Nursing Hazel Downing, RN, Ed.D., traveled to Helsinki, Finland, this summer to share her expertise at the International Council of Nurses (ICN), held June 9–13. The gathering brought together nurses and health leaders from more than 130 countries to explore pressing issues facing the global nursing community.
Downing delivered two presentations centered on artificial intelligence in healthcare, an area of significant importance for nursing professionals worldwide.
Her first talk, Preparing Nurses to Integrate Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, explored the current landscape of AI in nursing practice and highlighted key resources and educational strategies. “The adoption of AI technology in nursing practice necessitates reforms in global nursing education,” she emphasized.
Downing’s second presentation, Nursing Strategies for Safety, Equity & Ethics in Artificial Intelligence-Driven Healthcare, examined critical issues surrounding the ethical use of AI, patient safety, and global health equity. She identified key risk factors and offered strategies to reduce harm while promoting inclusive, responsible innovation.
“Attending the ICN conference allowed me to represent HPU’s School of Nursing, as well as my clinical work at Kuakini Medical Center,” she said. “It was a deeply rewarding experience. I gained valuable insights and had the chance to connect with nursing professionals from around the world who are all working to shape the future of healthcare.”
Downing’s work at HPU reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing nursing through education and global outreach. With a background in neonatal and adult critical care, a doctorate in education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, and recent training in genomics, she brings depth and vision to her teaching. She also launched a free online health education program for children in impoverished neighborhoods, one of many ways she continues to use education as a force for the common good. She received the HPU “Teacher of the Year” award in 2020.
To learn more about the HPU School of Nursing, go to: www.hpu.edu/nursing.
