Carroll College faculty continue to make an impact well beyond campus. Earlier this month, two of Carroll’s healthcare leaders, Dr. James Petrovich, Professor, Department Chair, and MSW Program Director, and Lauren Swant, DNP, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNE, CPHQ, Associate Professor of Nursing, Director of Nursing, and Department Chair, served as presenters at the 2025 Montana Healthcare Conference, which brought together more than 500 healthcare professionals, educators, and advocates from across the state.
Dr. Petrovich led a session titled “Beyond the Checklist: Integrating Trauma-Informed Principles into Program Evaluation.” His presentation emphasized how traditional evaluation and quality improvement methods can better serve vulnerable populations when grounded in trauma-informed principles such as safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. The session provided practical tools for healthcare administrators to reduce harm, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and enhance the ethical use of data in program evaluation.
Lauren Swant participated in both the CNO & DON Roundtable and a panel discussion, “Growing the Nursing Workforce Through Innovation.” Drawing on her experience as an educator and nurse leader, Swant joined statewide peers to discuss challenges and opportunities in addressing Montana’s urgent nursing workforce needs. The conversation explored creative solutions for expanding clinical placements, supporting nursing faculty, and preparing graduates to enter the workforce with confidence and competence.
Their involvement reflects one of the many ways Carroll College faculty share their expertise and serve the broader Montana community. Through professional conferences, research, and community partnerships, Carroll’s educators continue to contribute meaningfully to their fields – advancing knowledge, shaping policy, and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to lead with compassion and excellence.