8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
KEYNOTE |
Stop Waiting for Permission: How Nurse Practitioners Become the Leaders Healthcare Needs Now
You’ve done everything right — got the credentials, served the patients, followed the rules. But if you’re still feeling stuck, unseen, or undervalued, it’s not because you’re not ready. It’s because the system was never built to recognize you in the first place. In this powerful and unapologetic keynote, Dr. Efrat LaMandre — NP, PhD, and founder of one of the largest NP-led practices in the country — pulls back the curtain on the real barriers holding clinicians back. And spoiler: it’s not just the laws, the billing codes, or the physicians. It’s the mindset we’ve inherited from a system designed to keep us small.
Through personal story, actionable strategy, and real-world case studies, Dr. E shows you what happens when you stop asking for permission — and start building what doesn’t yet exist. Whether you're launching your own practice, innovating inside a system, or redefining your role altogether, this talk will challenge everything you think you need — and show you what’s already in your hands.
This isn’t just inspiration. It’s a call to arms for every NP, PA, educator, and provider ready to lead healthcare into its next era. |
Efrat LaMandre |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
Advanced Chest X-ray Interpretation: Mastering Patterns, Differential Diagnoses, and Limitations
Sharpen your diagnostic skills in this advanced chest X-ray interpretation session designed specifically for nurse practitioners. You'll learn to confidently identify key radiographic patterns, differentiate common and uncommon pathologies, and understand the clinical implications behind each finding. The session will walk you through structured interpretation approaches, high-yield cases, and practical tips to avoid common pitfalls. Emphasis will be placed on formulating differential diagnoses based on imaging appearances and integrating findings into clinical decision-making. Limitations of chest X-rays and when to escalate to further imaging will also be addressed. Elevate your imaging confidence and improve patient outcomes with this expert-led session. |
Julia Rogers |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
The Drive to Deprescribe
This timely and practical session explores the growing movement to deprescribe — safely reducing or discontinuing unnecessary medications to improve patient outcomes. Designed for nurse practitioners, the session will examine the clinical, ethical, and economic reasons driving deprescribing, along with common barriers and strategies for success. Learn how to identify high-risk medications, engage patients in shared decision-making, and apply evidence-based guidelines to streamline polypharmacy. Real-world case studies will highlight opportunities to optimize therapy across settings and populations. Join this session to enhance your prescribing practice, reduce medication-related harm, and promote safer, more effective care — one thoughtful change at a time. |
Amy Siple |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
Straight Talk on Crooked Lines — EKG Findings Everyone Must Know
Cut through the complexity of EKG interpretation in this engaging, high-yield session designed to give nurse practitioners the essential tools to recognize critical patterns with confidence. Straight Talk on Crooked Lines breaks down the must-know EKG findings that signal life-threatening conditions, common arrhythmias, ischemic changes, and conduction abnormalities. You’ll learn a step-by-step approach to interpretation, with clear explanations and real case examples that reinforce pattern recognition and clinical decision-making. Whether you're in primary care or acute settings, this session will sharpen your EKG skills, reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and empower you to act quickly when every second counts./td>
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Michael Sharma |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
Non-Surgical Alternatives for treatment of an Osteoarthritic Knee
Explore the full range of non-surgical options available for managing osteoarthritic knee pain in this evidence-based, clinically focused session. Nurse practitioners will gain a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis and learn how to individualize treatment plans that improve mobility and quality of life. The session will cover pharmacologic therapies (NSAIDs, intra-articular injections, topical agents), physical therapy approaches, weight management strategies, assistive devices, and emerging treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid injections. Empower your patients to delay or avoid surgery through multimodal, patient-centered care that supports long-term joint health and functional independence. |
Christina Marie
Kurkowski |
| 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
Code Shock: Recognizing and Managing Shock
In this fast-paced, high-impact session, nurse practitioners will learn to recognize the early signs of shock and initiate timely, evidence-based interventions. Code Shock provides a clear framework for identifying the different types of shock — hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive — using clinical clues, vital signs, and diagnostic findings. Through real-life scenarios and practical algorithms, you’ll gain the skills to rapidly assess, stabilize, and manage patients in both acute and primary care settings. Emphasis will be placed on pathophysiology, fluid resuscitation, pharmacologic support, and escalation strategies. Leave this session more confident in your ability to act decisively when every second matters. |
Anne Dabrow Woods |
| 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
The Aging Client: Process for Determining Clinical Competency
As the population ages, nurse practitioners play a critical role in assessing cognitive and functional abilities to ensure safe, effective care. This session offers a practical framework for evaluating clinical competency in older adults, with a focus on recognizing subtle signs of decline and differentiating normal aging from pathological conditions. Learn how to conduct comprehensive assessments, engage in sensitive conversations with patients and families, and apply clinical tools to guide decision-making around independence, medication management, and consent. Case-based examples will highlight ethical considerations, red flags, and referral pathways. Equip yourself to support aging clients with dignity, safety, and informed care.
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Amy Siple |
| 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
Precision Medicine for ADHD
Discover how precision medicine is transforming the diagnosis and management of ADHD in this forward-thinking session for nurse practitioners. Explore how genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors influence symptom presentation and treatment response, paving the way for more personalized care. The session will cover emerging tools such as pharmacogenomic testing, brain imaging insights, and individualized behavioral strategies to optimize outcomes for both pediatric and adult patients. Learn how to move beyond the one-size-fits-all model to select the right medication, at the right dose, for the right patient. Stay ahead of the curve in ADHD management with this innovative, evidence-based approach. |
Josh Hamilton |
