Early bird Special 

Save money and register prior to February 21, 2026!

A $10.00 discount will automatically be applied for a Full Day (individual or group) registration completed prior to midnight on February 20, 2026!  Both Ascension associates and community participants are included in this discount.


Group Registration

Groups of 4 or more save up to $35.00 per person!

Discount will automatically be applied to any group of 4 or more Full Day Conference registrations.  Both Ascension and community group participants qualify for the group discount.  Group registrations submitted prior to February 21st, 2026 also receive the additional "early bird" registration discount of $10.00 per person registered.  

  • Ascension associates - Group rate price per person (with early bird discount) is $40.00
  • Non Ascension participants - Group rate price per person (with early bird discount) is $65.00

Conference Recordings

This conference will be recorded.  Anyone who attends will have access to the content in its entirety with designated CE/CME credits.

We are honored to have following presenters share their time and talent at our Conference:

Joy Adeku MSN, RNNurse Practitioner - Atrium Health Levine Children's Specialty Center (Charlotte, NC)
Juan Gallegos DO
Neonatology Fellow - Ascension Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin, TX)
Helen Healy MD, MPHInstructor & Pediatrician - Harvard Medical School & Beth Israel Medical Center (Boston, MA)
Rose Horton MSM, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, FAANCurrent President of AWHONN & Founder - Not on My Watch Consulting Partners LLC  (Atlanta, GA)
Melissa Jecker BSN, RNNurse Navigator - Ascension Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin, TX)
Alicia Loncar BSN, RNClinical Nurse - Ascension Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin, TX)
Anna Palatnik MDProfessor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine - Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
Matthew Rysavy MD, PhDAssociate Professor & Director of Neonatal Research - McGovern Medical School - University of Texas Health Science Center (Houston, TX)
Stacey Schmiedecke MD, FACOGMaternal-Fetal Medicine - Ascension St. Vincent (Indianapolis, IN)
Melissa Schuman MSN, FNP-C, RNC-OBDirector of Women's Health & NICU - Ascension Seton Northwest Hospital (Austin, TX)
Tracey Vogel MDAnesthesiologist & Director of The Perinatal Trauma-informed Care Clinic - Allegheny Health Network (Pittsburg, PA)


All times are listed in Central Standard Time (CST)

8:00 am - 8:15 amWelcome & Opening

8:15 am - 9:30 amKEYNOTE: Trauma-informed Care as a Universal Precaution: Perinatal Trauma-informed Practices to Promote Respectful, Patient-centered, Holistic Care (Tracey Vogel, MD)

Psychological trauma that manifests any time in the peripartum period can have significant implications for maternal, fetal and neonatal health. The maternal mortality rate in this country is increasing, and it is now clear that deaths due to maternal mental health and trauma-related conditions comprise a significant percentage of these. Obstetric providers have not only an opportunity, but also a responsibility, to act as guardians of psychological safety in the peripartum environment. This lecture will address various perspectives of psychological obstetric trauma on the patient and provider, and explore strategies for intervention and prevention

9:30 am - 9:45 amBreak & Networking

9:45 am - 10:45 amBreakout Session I (choose one)

Vulnerable Newborns (and Their Families) Deserve Respectful & Equitable Care -Rose Horton MSM, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, FAAN

OR

Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Optimizing Antenatal Diagnosis and Delivery Planning - Stacey S. Schmiedecke, MD FACOG

10:45 am - 11:00 amBreak & Networking

11:00 am - 12:00 pmBreakout Session II (choose one)

Optimizing CPAP Weaning in Neonates: Findings from a Scoping Review - Joy Adeku, MSN RN

OR

Current Practices in Gestational Diabetes - Anna Palatnik MD

12:00 pm - 1:00 pmLunch Break & Networking

1:00 pm - 2:15 pmKEYNOTE: Care for Tiny Babies and their Families: What and How (Helen Healy MD, MPH & Matthew Rysavy MD, PhD)

This presentation will include a summary of what is known about the care and outcomes of infants born at the lowest gestational ages, as well as the variable approaches to care. Presenters will discuss unique aspects of physiology at 22 - 23 week's gestational age. Presenters will describe some of the approaches taken to improve care for this population, including the formation of hospital committees, teams, and specialized units.

2:15 pm - 2:30 pmBreak & Networking

2:30 pm - 3:30 pmBreakout Session III (choose one)

Low intervention Birth Experience: How We Can Best Support Our Birthing Families - Melissa Schuman, MSN, FNP-C, RNC-OB

OR

The Power of Touch: Bringing Babies and Parents Closer in the NICU - Juan Gallegos DO; Melissa Jecker BSN, RN; & Alicia Loncar BSN, RN

3:30 pmConclusion & Closing

Location Information

  • March 4th 2026 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM CST
  • Virtual Conference
  • 5000 W. Chambers Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53210 US
  • Google, Bing, MapQuest

The Annual Advances for Perinatal/Neonatal Care Conference has conditionally been approved for up to 5.5 CEs/CMEs


In support of improving patient care, Ascension is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 5.50 IPCE credit(s) for learning and change.

 

Ascension designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 


 

This activity is awarded 5.50 ANCC contact hour(s). (based on 60 minutes per contact hour)


Thank you to the following members:

  • Steven Bush MD, MPH, FACOG (Executive Sponsor)
  • Sara Esselman MN, CNL-BC, C-EFM, C-ONQS                    
  • Jennifer Frink DO
  • Menachem Graupe MD (Sponsoring Faculty)
  • Katie Havel DC, MHA
  • Svetlana Kozlovich MD
  • Teresa Lass BSN, RNC-MNN
  • Darcy Lorenzen MHA
  • Ash Mehra MD (Sponsoring Faculty)
  • Jamie Mendez RN
  • Amanda Patzke MN, RN, CNL - BC, C-EFM, C-OBE
  • Courtney Pickar MS, RNC-OB, ANCS-BC, C-ONQs, C-EFM
  • Nicole Shields MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB
  • Kathlyn Tambellini BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM
  • Michelle Uttke BSN, RNC - LRN (Conference Coordinator)
  • Miranda Wahnsiedler MSN, BS, AGCNS-BC, RNC-OB, C-ONQS 

For questions, concerns, or to cancel registration, please contact the Conference Coordinator, Michelle Uttke BSN, RNC-LRN at [email protected] or call 414-447-2622.

To request a full refund, e-mail [email protected]  by February 16, 2026

Partial Refunds will be issued until March 1, 2026

We are sorry, but refunds will NOT be issued on or after March 2, 2026

  • Select this option if you are paying individually. (Add coupon code at the end of registration provided by your leader if you have 4 or more in your group). Early Bird Pricing in effect until 2/16/2026. Automatic $10.00 discount given!

  • Select this option if you are paying individually. (Add coupon code at the end of registration provided by your leader if you have 4 or more in your group). Early Bird Pricing in effect until 2/16/2026. Automatic $10.00 discount given!

  • Select this option only if you are registering and paying for more than 3 people at a time! Groups of 4 or more FULL DAY conference participants will be charged the group rate per person registered. Early Bird Pricing in effect until 2/16/2026. Automatic $10.00 discount given!

  • Select this option only if you are registering and paying for more than 3 people at a time! Groups of 4 or more FULL DAY conference participants will be charged the group rate per person registered. Early Bird Pricing in effect until 2/16/2026. Automatic $10.00 discount given!

  • A fee of $20.00 per session will be charged for Ascension associates. Please choose below, what sessions you will be attending. (Session fees will tally at end of registration)

  • A fee of $25.00 per session will be charged for Non-Ascension associates. Please choose below, which sessions you will be attending. (Session fees will tally at end of registration)

AM Keynote Session - 8:15am-9:30am (CST)

  • Trauma-informed Care as a Universal Precaution: perinatal trauma-informed practices to promote respectful, patient-centered, holistic care - Tracey Vogel, MD

    Psychological trauma that manifests any time in the peripartum period can have significant implications for maternal, fetal and neonatal health. The maternal mortality rate in this country is increasing, and it is now clear that deaths due to maternal mental health and trauma-related conditions comprise a significant percentage of these. Obstetric providers have not only an opportunity, but also a responsibility, to act as guardians of psychological safety in the peripartum environment. This lecture will address various perspectives of psychological obstetric trauma on the patient and provider, and explore strategies for intervention and prevention

    Price $0.00

PM Keynote Session - 1:00pm - 2:15pm (CST)

  • Care for Tiny Babies and their Families: What and How: Helen Healy MD, MPH and Matthew Rysavy, MD. PhD

    This presentation will include a summary of what is known about the care and outcomes of infants born at the lowest gestational ages, as well as the variable approaches to care. The presenters will discuss unique aspects of physiology at 22 - 23 week's gestational age. They will also describe some of the approaches taken to improve care for this population, including the formation of hospital committees, teams, and specialized units.

    Price $0.00

Please select only one topic in each Breakout Session category. 

Breakout Session I - 9:45am - 10:45am (CST)

  • Vulnerable Newborns (and Their Families) Deserve Respectful & Equitable Care -Rose Horton MSM, RNC-OB,

    This nationally recognized expert will raise awareness of how bias and racism contributes to poor perinatal, neonatal outcomes and disrespectful treatment while recognizing and honoring the uniqueness and preferences of neonates in order to help eradicate disrespectful care and support the fundamental rights of women, parents and neonates.

    Price $0.00

  • Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Optimizing Antenatal Diagnosis and Delivery Planning - Stacey S. Schmiedecke, MD FACOG

    We will review current evidence and imaging modalities for accurate antenatal diagnosis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) in order to discuss evidence-based strategies for multidisciplinary delivery planning in patients to evaluate interventions and management pathways shown to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality associated with PAS.

    Price $0.00

Breakout Session II - 11:00am-12:00pm

  • Optimizing CPAP Weaning in Neonates: Findings from a Scoping Review - Joy Adeku, MSN RN

    This presentation will review current weaning approaches for CPAP in neonatal care based on recent literature in order to highlight variations and gaps in existing practices and protocols while discussing implications for care and potential areas for standardization .

    Price $0.00

  • Current Practices in Gestational Diabetes - Anna Palatnik MD

    This talk will cover current pharmacologic treatment options for gestational diabetes and will touch on the controversy surrounding metformin use as first line pharmacological agent for gestational diabetes. We will also discuss the use of continuous glucose monitoring for gestational diabetes.

    Price $0.00

Breakout Session III - 2:30pm - 3:30pm (CST)

  • Low intervention Birth Experience: How we can best support our birthing families - Melissa Schuman, MSN, FNP-C, RNC-OB

    We will review the physiological birth process and how to promote the use of non-pharmacological coping with low intervention methods in the hospital setting while supporting birthing parents when things do not go as planned.

    Price $0.00

  • The Power of Touch: Bringing Babies and Parents Closer in the NICU - Juan Gallegos DO; Melissa Jecker BSN, RN; & Alicia Loncar BSN, RN

    This NICU quality team will discuss the expanded practice of skin to skin care in NICU infants, particularly in premature and surgical infants and will also review thier change in practice involving the holding of infants during Therapeutic Hypothermia.

    Price $0.00
$0.00
$0.00

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