2026 Nelson Critical Care Conference

October 9, 2026

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Hotel at Kirkwood

7725 Kirkwood Boulevard SW

Cedar Rapids, IA

SCHEDULE

8:30 a.m.      Registration

9:00 a.m.      Welcome and Introduction

9:15 a.m.      SVT Management in the Acute and Longitudinal Phases of Care

10:15 a.m.     Break and Exhibitors

10:30 a.m.   Beyond the Diagnosis: Sickle Cell​ Disease & Trauma Informed Care

11:30 a.m.    Nelson Award Recognition/ Lunch/Exhibitors

12:30 p.m.   Detection to Diagnosis: A Patient’s Lung Nodule Journey

1:30 p.m.      Break and Exhibitors

1:45 p.m.     Breaking the Chains of Human Trafficking

2:45 p.m.     Break and Exhibitors

3:00 p.m.      Restrained: When Safety, Sedation, and Treatment Collide

4:00 p.m.      Conclusion and Evaluations

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Tyler Rasmussen, MD, PhD

UnityPoint Clinic, St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

Lexi Davelaar, PhD    

Health Psychologist, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital

Angie Mollenhauer, BSN, RN, CHPN

Palliative Care, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital

Monica Farmer, RRT, RRT—NPS, RRT-ACCS

Supervisor, Respiratory Therapy, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital

Connie Dietiker, RN

RN Navigator-Oncology, Oncology Administration, Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center

Christine Luebe, RN

Development/ Donor Relations Coordinator, Chains Interrupted

Sydney Bean, DNP, RN, CHSE

APN ICU, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital

PURPOSE

To enhance and celebrate nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals who promote the care of critically ill people and their families.

OBJECTIVES

·     Examine current evidence-based approaches to the identification and management of complex conditions encountered in acute and critical care settings.

·     Explore strategies for improving patient outcomes through timely diagnosis, longitudinal care planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

·     Discuss the impact of trauma-informed, equitable, and patient-centered care on clinical decision-making and patient experiences.

·     Apply emerging knowledge and best practices to enhance care delivery across diverse patient populations.

Continuing Education

UnityPoint Health is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

•        Nursing: 5.0 Contact Hours

•        Paramedic/EMT: 5.0 CEH

•        Social Work & Respiratory Therapist: inquire with your accrediting agency

Event Location / Accommodations

Hotel at Kirkwood Center | 7725 Kirkwood Boulevard SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 | (319) 848-8706

*In the event the conference moves to a virtual format, please include your email in the registration section for communication and instructions.

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this program due to insufficient registration, inclement weather, or COVID-19 safety precautions. If cancellation occurs, we will attempt to reach you. If weather causes the cancellation, St. Luke’s Marketing will post the information on the St. Luke’s website at www.unitypoint.org. In either event, a full refund will be made. If maximum registration has been reached, your check will be returned in full.