69th Annual Pediatric Spring Conference

69th Annual Pediatric Spring Conference

Hosted by Blank Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency Program and The Center for Advocacy & Outreach

Date

Thursday, April 23 & Friday, April 24

Location

Iowa Methodist Medical Center

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

Healthcare professionals who practice/participate in pediatric medicine.

Purpose

To enable the learner to apply evidence-based information and the tools learned to provide a positive outcome for all providers and their pediatric patients.

Tentative Agenda

Day 1: Thursday, April 23

7:30 – 8:00 | Registration  

8:00 – 8:15 | Welcome & Announcements  

8:15 – 9:30 | Every Sleep, Every Baby: Reducing the risk of SIDS and SUID 

Casey Manser, MS, CCLS | Iowa SIDS Foundation 

9:30 – 10:15 | The Brain and SIDS: Research and Clinical Practice

Marco Hefti, MD, Department of Pathology | UIHC 

10:15 – 10:45 | Break/Exhibitors  

10:45 – 11:30 | RUQ pain in the Pediatric Patient: When to Hold (evaluate), and When to Fold (refer) 

Michael Ishitani, MD, Pediatric Surgery | Blank Children’s Hospital      

11:30 – 12:15 | RLQ pain in the Pediatric Patient: Is It Poop, the Flu or the Appendix... 

Michael Ishitani, MD, Pediatric Surgery | Blank Children’s Hospital 

12:15 – 1:15 | Lunch Break  

1:15 – 2:15 | Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health in Young Athletes 

Aubrette Kinne, Ph. D. Associate Director of Sports Psychology & Student Athlete Mental Health | UIHC Owner of Persevere Counseling & Performance Psychology Services 

2:15 – 3:15 | Disordered Eating in Young Athletes 

Aubrette Kinne, Ph. D. Associate Director of Sports Psychology & Student Athlete Mental Health | UIHC Owner of Persevere Counseling & Performance Psychology Services 

3:15 – 3:30 | Break  

3:30 – 4:30 | Ready for the OR: Risk Stratification and Optimization for the Primary Care Pediatrician  

Blaine Schlawin, DO, Pediatric Anesthesiologist | Associated Anesthesiologists, PC 

4:30 | Closing Remarks 

4:30 – 6:30 | Social Event sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics Ia Chapter 

Day 2: Friday, April 24

7:30 – 8:00 | Registration   

8:00 – 8:15 | Welcome & Announcements  

8:15 – 9:15 | Comfort First: Improving Outcomes in Substance Exposed Newborns 

K. Dawn Forbes, MD, MS, FAAP, Founder & CEO NASCEND, PBC  

9:15 – 10:15 | Feeding Tubes in Pediatric Patients 

Brandon Brown, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology | Blank Children’s Hospital 

10:15 – 10:45 | Break/Exhibitors    

10:45 – 11:45 | From Fentanyl to Xylazine and Everything in Between (almost) 

K. Dawn Forbes, MD, MS, FAAP, Founder & CEO NASCEND, PBC   

11:45 – 12:45 | Lunch Break 

12:45 – 1:45 | Tips from the CBC to the PCP  

Christopher Rokes, MD, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology | Blank Children’s Hospital 

1:45 – 2:00 | Break 

2:00 – 3:00| The Autism Apocalypse: A Survival Guide for Primary Care

Nate Noble, DO | Blank Children’s Developmental Center  

3:00 – 3:15 | Closing Remarks 

Continuing Education TBD

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

Registration

Deadline to register is Friday, April 17, 2026. 

Registration is online only.

• American Express cards are not accepted.
• No refunds will be given.

Hotels

*Please note that several hotels cannot take room blocks for our conference dates as it is also Drake Relays. You are advised to book early if you need a hotel room.

Photos

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

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact Talia Greve at talia.greve@unitypoint.org