2025 Pediatric Nursing Conference

28th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference

Date

Tuesday, November 11

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 who participate in the care of pediatric patients and their families.

Purpose

To enable the learner to apply evidence-based information to the care of pediatric patients and their families.

Agenda

7:00 – 7:45 | Registration & Breakfast 

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 | 30 Years of the Iowa Child Death Review Team: Historical and Emerging Trends in Child Fatality in Iowa 

Abby Schueller, University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center 

Analisa Pearson, Child Death Review Team Coordinator | Iowa Department of Public Health 

Emily Jester, Unpaid Intern, Graduate Student | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Child Death Review Team, University of Iowa College of Public Health 

9:00 – 10:15 | What’s New in Pediatric Sedation 

Julie Anderson-Suddarth, MD, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Director, Pediatric Sedation | Blank Children’s Hospital | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines  

10:15 – 10:45 | Break/Exhibitors  

10:45 – 12:00 | Social Media: Impact on the Developing Brain and Mental Health 

Janelle Ballhagen, Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator | Blank Children’s Hospital 

Ken Cheyne, MD, Executive Director Medical Education Consortium | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines 

12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch Break  

1:00 – 2:00 | Pediatric Cancer Overview 

Nick Fustino, MD, Blank Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines 

2:00 – 3:00 | Vaccine Myths & Misinformation 

Joel Waddell, DO, Infectious Disease Clinic, Blank Children’s Hospital | UnityPoint Health – Des Moines 

3:00 – 3:15 | Break  

3:15 – 4:30 | Trauma Informed Care 

Elizabeth Wikle, MD, Stead Family Children's Hospital | University of Iowa Healthcare  

4:30 | Closing Remarks  

Continuing Education

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, awards: 6.75 nursing contact hours for full attendance. No partial credit can be given.

Registration

Deadline to register is Friday, November 7, 2025.

Registration is online only.

American Express cards not accepted.

No refunds will be given.

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.