Upcoming Events

2025 RNC-NICU Review Course

June 4-6, 2025 | Basin Park Hotel, Eureka Springs

$25 seat reservation fee. Nursing CE's provided.

2025 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

More details coming soon.

Past Events

2024 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Dr. Chris Stapley

Neonatologist, Sunflower Neonatology Associates

Overland Park, Kansas

Topic: Newborn Pulmonary Physiology and Support
Contact Hour: 1

Kathi Randall, RN, MSN, CNS, NNP-BC

Director of Education and Programs, Synapse Care Solutions

Las Vegas, Nevada

Topic: 5 Ways to Provide Neuro-Protective Care at the Bedside-What’s Hot in 2024

Contact Hour: 1

Rachel Neier, APRN, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Mercy Hospital

Joplin, Missouri

Topic: Baby Blood Gas Basics and Beyond
Contact Hour: 0.5

Media Esser, PhD, NNP-BC, APNP, CWOCN

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Columbus, Ohio

Topic: Tiny Hiney Care: Unraveling the Mystery of Diaper Dermatitis in the NICU

Contact Hour: 1

Kristin Evans, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC, C-NNIC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Mercy Hospital

Joplin, Missouri

Topic: NICU Trivia, Case Studies, and Discussion
Contact Hour: 0.5

Michelle Marshall, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Mercy Hospital

Kansas City, Missour

Topic: Caring for Infants with Congenital Cardiac Differences

Contact Hour: 0.75

Dawn Viets, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Lead Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Sunflower Neonatology Associates

Overland Park, Kansas

Topic: Burned Out, Stressed Out, and Compassionately Exhausted
Contact Hour: 0.5

Karolyn Schrage, RN, BSN

Executive Director, Life Choices Health Network

Joplin, Missouri

Topic: Looking Beneath the Surface

Contact Hour: 1

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2023 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

Speakers

Dr. David Matlock

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Neonatology

UAMS/Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Topic: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Ventilator Management and Concepts of Care
Contact Hour: 1

Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS

Professional Practice Neonatal Therapist and NICU OT

M Health Fairview, Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Topic: Neurodevelopmental Care: Components, Considerations, Care Planning, and Conclusions

Contact Hour: 1

Round Table Discussion

Moderated by Kristin Evans, APRN, NNP-BC

Featuring Laura Quillen, Rogers School District

Topic: How to Teach Critical Thinking in a Digital World
Contact Hour: 0.5

Lisa Kleinz, MA, SLP/L, CNT

Director of Education; Dr. Brown’s Medical

Topic: Safety and Quality of Oral Feedings in the NICU

Contact Hour: No contact hour awarded

Kailey Kelly, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist No Limits Pediatric Therapies, Mercy Hospital,

Rogers and Joplin

Topic: Feeding in the NICU
Contact Hour: 0.5

Media Esser PhD, NNP-BC, APNP, CWOCN

NNP Nurse Scientist, Assistant Professor, and Chair of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Topic: Small Baby Skin Care Practices: Don’t Forget the Skin

Contact Hour: 1

Elyse Nimmo, MSN, RN, CPN

Professional Practice Development Center Clinical Supervisor

Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO

Topic: Recognizing Unconscious Bias/ Trauma Informed Care
Contact Hour: 1

Beth Snyder Jones, MA, BCCC, BCCS, CTP

Director of Pastoral Care and CPE Supervisor

Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR

Topic: Why Can’t They Hear Me?

Contact Hour: 1

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2022 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved for 7.5 contact hours by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Colm Travers, MD

Assistant Professor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Topic: The Golden Week Program for Extremely Preterm Infants

Jeni Yeilding, OTR/L, NTMTC, CNT, CEIM, CLC

OT Children’s Hospital at Erlanger

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Topic: Core Concepts of Developmental Care in the NICU

Emily Wallace, RN

Round Table Discussion

Arkansas Children’s Hospital NW

Topic: Training New NICU Nurses in 2022

Juli Braswell, OTR/L, NTMTC, CNT, CEIM

OT Willow Creek Women’s Hospital

Johnson, Arkansas

Topic: Core Concepts of Developmental Care in the NICU

Misty Virmani, MD, FAAP

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology

University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock, Arkansas

Topic: What Hides in the Smoke: THC and Nicotine Exposure in Fetal and Neonatal Life

Tori Meskin RN, BSN, RNC-NIC

Clinical Nurse at UCLA Medical Center

Los Angeles, California

Topic: Nurses in Media! Real. Relatable. Reliable Health Information

Jessie R. Maxwell, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurosciences

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Topic: Prenatal Opioid Exposure: Management with the Eat, Sleep, Console Care Tool

Jennifer Habert, MA, BHS, RRT-NPS, C-NPT

Shift Coordinator, Children’s Mercy Critical Care Transport

Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri

Topic: The Latest and Greatest in the Prevention and Management of BPD

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2021 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

Speakers

Jacqueline Wessel, Med, RDN, CLE, LD

Neonatal Nutritionist

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio

Topic: Issues with Feeding Premature Infants

Amy J. Jnah, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Associate Professor & Director of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program at East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

Topic: Stayin’ Alive! The Basics of Blood Gas Interpretation

R Witt Hall, MD

Professor

UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Little Rock, AR

Topic: Covid 19 in Pregnancy and Beyond

LeAnn Rens, RNC-NIC, NTMNC

NICU Staff Nurse, Mercy Springfield Hospital

Springfield, MO

Topic: The Journey to Developmentally Supportive Care in the NICU

Tanya Hall, MS, BSN, ERYT-200, Thai Yoga Level 3 Certified

Community Health Clinical Instructor, University of Arkansas EMSON, Freelance writer, Yoga instructor

Fayetteville, AR

Topic: Jean Watkins’ Theory of Human Caring and its Application to ANA Recommendations re: Self Care for Better Patient Care

Christine Culpepper, MD

Attending Physician

Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR

Topic: Early Milk for the Early Bloomer: Supporting Mother’s Own Milk use for the Late Preterm Infant

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2020 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

Speakers

Melinda J. Elliott, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Topic: Clinical Benefits and Science Behind the Exclusive Human Milk Diet

Lindsay Schupbach, MEd

Topic: The Enneagram of Getting Along Under Pressure

Whit Hall, M.D., UAMS

Topic: Effects of COVID-19 on Maternal and Infant Health

Beth Snyder, MA, BCC, BCCS

Topic: Burnout, Boundaries and Self-Care in the NICU

2019 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

This activity has been submitted to the Midwest Multistate Division for approval to award nursing contact hours. The Midwest Multistate Division is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Colleen Peyton, PT, DPT

Assistant Professor

Northwestern University, Chicago IL

Topic: The Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy in High-Risk Neonates: Identification, Intervention, and Advocacy

Travis Anschutz, MD

Attending Neonatologist

Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and Northwest Medical Center, Bentonville, AR

Topic: Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Kacey Apple, APRN, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Mercy Hospital NICU, Rogers, AR

Topic: Delivery Room Management in the Extremely Preterm Infant: Tools, and Simulation

Beth Snyder MA, BCC, BCCS

Chaplain for Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale, AR

Topic: Helping Parents Navigate the Experience of the NICU

Nurse Blake, Blake Lynch, BSN

Owner of Nurse Blake LLC, Seattle, WA

Topic: Using your Voice to Influence Healthcare

Lesley Darnell Mason, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO

Topic: Neonatal Effects of Maternal Substance Use and Important Implications for Maternal-Child Nursing

2018 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

Speakers

Jonathan M. Fanaroff, MD, JD

Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Cleveland, OH

Topic: Fired for Using Facebook: Law, Ethics, and Professionalism in the Use of Social Media

Karen D'Apolito, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, FAAN

Professor & Program Director, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Topic: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): An Update

Ashlea D. Cardin, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, CNT

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Missouri State University

Certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Mercy Kids, Springfield, MO

Topic: Scientific Year in Review: Implications for Neonatal Brain-Shapers

Alan D. Mease MD, FAAN

Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Health, Family Health Branch

Center for Health Advancement Arkansas Department of Health

Little Rock, AR

Topic: Helping New Mothers Develop Secure Attachments With Their Infants

Franscesca Miquel-Verges, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, AR

Topic: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in the Neonate

Viswanathan Subramanian, MD

Staff Neonatologist, Division of Neonatal Critical Care Mercy

Springfield, MO

Topic: Nutrition in the Preemie World

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2017 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Dr. Lance A. Parton, M.D. F.A.A.P

Professor of Pediatrics

Maria Fareri Childrens Hospital, Valhalla, NY

Topic: Less Invasive Strategies for RDS & Personalized Genetics for the NICU

Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS

Developmental Specialist and Occupational Therapist at the University of Minnesota NICU

Topic: The Development of the Premature Infant Chest Wall

Rebecca Poliquin, BSN, RNC-NIC

Retired Nurse, Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC

Topic: Certifiably Great! Why You Should Certify, and How You Prepare

Kathryn L. Newkirk, BS Organizational Leadership and Management

Senior Talent Development Specialist, Mercy, Joplin, MO

Topic: The Why of Your Work

Dr. Saumitra Biswas, MD

Attending Physician, Cox Medical Center, Springfield, MO

Topic: Neonatal Congenital Heart Disease

Jennifer Wheeler, MSN, RN, NNP-BC

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Mednox Medical Group

Springfield MO

Topic: Hot or Cold? Its not a Game: Care of the Late Preterm Infant

DOWNLOAD SPEAKERS' HANDOUTS

2016 Audrey Harris Neonatal Conference

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Judith Mercer, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Professor Emerita, College of Nursing Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island; Research Scientist, WIH. Research interest of delayed cord clamping with multiple publications.

Topic: Umbilical Cord Clamping: First, Do No Harm

Mary Coughlin BSN, MS, NNP, RNC-E

President Caring Essentials Collaborative, LLC. Authored the NANN guidelines for age appropriate care in the NICU. She is internationally recognized as an expert in the field of trauma-informed age-appropriate care in the NICU and has authored 2 books on the subject.

Topic: Firs Do No Harm: Trauma-informed Age-appropriate Care in the NICU

Elizabeth Sellars, MD

Assist Professor of Genetics and Metabolism, University of AR for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. Medical director for the Disorders of Sexual Differentiation (DSD) clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In addition, Dr. Sellars participates in the new multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis clinic at ACH.

Topic: Genetics in the NICU Setting

Susan Averitt, MD

Pediatrician at Best Start Pediatrics, Springdale, AR. Founder and Keynote Speaker at Parents Left Behind Bereavement Seminar, 2014 and 2015.

Topic: Dealing with Neonatal Death

Jennifer Habert, RRT-NPS, C-NPT

Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri. With 20 years as an RT, Jennifer has spent the majority of her career on a Neonatal Critical Care Transport Team.

Topic: Taking Transport to New Heights

Christine Culpepper, MD

Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR. Attending Neonatologist with interest in feeding guidelines for preterm infants.

Topic: NEC: What is it and what can we do about it?

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