(Left to right) BSN Honors Nursing student Jen Kalick, BSN Honors Nursing student Jacqueline MacWhinnie, EMCNEI affiliated faculty and Baystate Health Program Director in Nursing Research and Holistic Nursing Cidália Vital, and BSN Honors Nursing Madeline Stamp at the Art of Questioning event hosted by Baystate Health.
Art of Questioning Event Encourages Curiosity to Drive Innovation in Healthcare
Celebrating Curiosity as a Catalyst for Change
The Art of Questioning event centered on a simple idea: asking better questions leads to better solutions. Through keynote presentations, interactive discussions, and poster showcases, participants examined how thoughtfully framed questions can surface hidden challenges, illuminate unmet needs, and guide more effective innovation throughout the healthcare continuum.
Keynote Perspectives from Nursing and Engineering
Keynote speakers Karen Giuliano, PhD, RN, MBA, FAAN, and Frank Sup, PhD, Co-Directors of the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation, shared the value of the academic–clinical partnership between Baystate Health and UMass Amherst.
Their joint presentation highlighted how integrating frontline clinical experience with engineering design and academic research creates a powerful foundation for:
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identifying real-world problems,
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challenging assumptions,
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co-designing practical, evidence-based solutions, and
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accelerating innovation that directly benefits patients and caregivers.
They emphasized that interdisciplinary curiosity is not optional, it is essential for advancing healthcare systems that are safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of both clinicians and patients.
Showcasing Frontline Insight Through Posters
The event also featured 27 posters from Baystate nurses and Marieb Center contributors. These posters spotlighted:
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practice-based challenges observed at the bedside,
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quality improvement initiatives,
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nurse–engineer collaborative projects, and
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early-stage innovations emerging from day-to-day patient care.
Each poster reflected the power of curiosity-driven inquiry to uncover new possibilities and inspire creative solutions to persistent healthcare challenges.
Advancing a Culture of Inquiry and Partnership
Throughout the day, participants reaffirmed the shared commitment of Baystate Health and the Marieb Center to fostering a healthcare environment where questioning is encouraged, interdisciplinary partnerships thrive, and innovation remains grounded in real clinical needs. The Art of Questioning event demonstrated how curiosity, paired with collaboration and frontline insight, can drive impactful and sustainable improvements for patients, providers, and the broader healthcare community.
Published 12/02/25