2026 Pediatric Nursing Conference

29th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference

Date

Tuesday, November 10

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

7:45 – 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 | Unlocking POTS and Dysautomonia

Jill Shivapour, MD, Pediatric Cardiology | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines

Amanda Croxton, DO, Pediatric Neurology | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines

9:00 – 10:00 | Trauma Informed Responses to Behavioral Escalation in Pediatric Patients

Amanda Privitera, LISW | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines

10:00 – 10:30 | Break & Exhibitors 

10:30 – 11:45 | Cystic Fibrosis: What’s New in the Presentation, Treatment and Discoveries 

Rebecca Weiner, MD, Program Director | UIHC Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center 

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics - Pulmonary Medicine | University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

11:45 – 12:45 | Lunch 

12:45 – 2:00 | From Novel to Notorious: Emerging Threats in Youth Substance Use

Linda Kalin, BS, RN, CSPI, Executive Director | Iowa Poison Control Center

2:00 – 3:00 | DKA: Where have we been and where are we going?  

Grant Perry, MD, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines 

3:00 – 3:15 | Break

3:15 – 4:15 | ChildLife & Family Centered Services

Beth Allin, MS, CCLS | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines

Olivia Trevino, MS, CCLS | Blank Children’s Hospital | UPH – Des Moines

4:15 | Closing Remarks

Continuing Education

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, awards: 6.5 nursing contact hours for full attendance. No partial credit can be given.

Registration

Deadline to register is Friday, November 6, 2026.

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 Haylee Denney at haylee.denney@unitypoint.org with any questions.