2025 Cooperative Caregiving: Maternal & Newborn Essentials Conference

2025 Cooperative Caregiving: Maternal & Newborn Essentials Conference

September 23, 2025 | 7:45 am - 4:15 pm

Location

Blank Children's Hospital

Education & Research Center (ERC)

Virginia Thompson Auditorium

1415 Woodland Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50309

*If you are using GPS, make sure you chose Des Moines and not West Des Moines

*The ERC is located on Level 1 of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center parking garage on the west side of the campus

*Park in parking garage and take southeast elevators to Level 1

*Traffic can be very busy in the mornings in this area, so we suggest leaving early/giving yourself plenty of time to reach the conference venue.

*Conference center is large and temperature control can be difficult. We recommend dressing in layers or bringing a sweater/jacket for your comfort.

Intended Audience

Nurses and other interested healthcare professionals in perinatology- obstetrics, neonatal care, pediatrics and family practice.

Purpose

To enable the learner to apply evidence-based information to the care of the perinatal family.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Agenda

7:45 – 8:00 | Welcome & Announcements 

Amy Groen, DO, MHA, FAAP, Medical Director of Pediatric and Women’s Services | Blank Children’s Hospital | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines 

8:00 – 9:00 | Early Prenatal Exposure to Nitrates in Iowa's Public Drinking Water 

Jason Semprini, PhD, MPP, Assistant Professor | Des Moines University College of Health Sciences 

BREAKOUT OPTION #1 THOMPSON AUDITORIUM 

9:10 – 10:10 | Gestational Diabetes: When the Placenta Causes Trouble 

Jill Bartlett, MSN, ARNP | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Perinatal Center 

BREAKOUT OPTION #2 KELLY CONFERENCE ROOM 

9:10 – 10:10 | SHINE Perinatal & Pediatric Palliative Care – Infant Loss 

Melissa Lipovac, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, SHINE Perinatal & Pediatric Palliative Care | Blank Children’s Hospital | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines  

10:10 – 10:40 | Break 

BREAKOUT OPTION #1 THOMPSON AUDITORIUM 

10:40 – 12:10 | Toxicology Testing for Substance Abuse in Pregnancy 

Alison Lynch, MD, MS, DFAPA, FASAM, Program Director | UI Addiction Medicine Fellowship  

Director | UI Addiction and Recovery Collaborative Clinical Professor 

Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine | University of Iowa Health Care 

BREAKOUT OPTION #2 KELLY CONFERENCE ROOM 

10:40 – 12:10 | Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Neonates 

Laura Pabich, DNP, ARNP, NNP | Blank Children’s Hospital | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines 

12:10 – 1:00 | Lunch Break 

1:00 – 1:45 | A Novel Treatment Approach for Adults with Postpartum Depression (PPD) 

Dave Arndt, PhD, Sr. Medical Science Liaison, Neuropsychiatry | Biogen Medical Affairs 

BREAKOUT OPTION #1 THOMPSON AUDITORIUM 

1:45 – 2:45 | The Big Challenge: Obesity in Pregnancy & Providing Quality Care for a Growing Population 

Marcus Hemesath, DO, UnityPoint Clinic Ankeny OB/GYN | UnityPoint Health  

BREAKOUT OPTION #2 KELLY CONFERENCE ROOM 

1:45 – 2:45 | Congenital Heart defects 

Jill Shivapour, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist | Pediatric Cardiology PC - Des Moines 

2:45 – 3:00 | Break 

3:00 – 4:15 | Compassion Fatigue 

Kaelee Otto, Program Coordinator, Division of Behavioral Health | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services 

4:15 – 4:30 | Closing Remarks 

Continuing Education

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, awards 6.5 contact hours(s) for full attendance, as this program aligns with Iowa Nursing Board 655, Chapter 5 with appropriate subject matter. Full attendance is required to be eligible for CEUs.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is accredited by the Iowa Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Photos

Your registration gives us consent to take photos at the conference. Photos may be used on our website or at future conferences.

Questions

Please contact Talia Greve at talia.greve@unitypoint.org with any questions or concerns.