Center for Continuing Education
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Agenda

Friday, October 30, 2026

7:30 a.m.
Registration / Breakfast / Exhibits
 
8:00 a.m.
Welcome / Opening Remarks
Ann Anderson-Berry, MD, PhD, FAAP, Professor and Chief, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, UNMC; Medical Director, NPQIC
Sydnie Carraher, DNP, APRN-NP, NNP-BC, C-ONQS, Executive Director, NPQIC
 
8:15 a.m.
Keynote
Rooted in Quality: Establishing a Strong Foundation for Continuous Improvement
Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD, MAS, FACOG, Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Health, Kenner, LA
 
9:45 a.m.
Break / Networking / Exhibits
 
10:15 a.m.
Breakout Sessions – Morning

  1. Caring for Families in Moments of Loss (Rural Areas)
    Shannan Johnson, RN (Moderator), OB Coordinator, NPQIC
    Amy Kent, IPPE-C, Community Engagement Coordinator, Star Legacy Foundation, Eden Prairie, MN
    Jenn Relerford, Doula, Sacred Hours, Sidney, NE
  2. Caring for Families in Moments of Loss (Urban Areas)
    Christina Phillips, MSN, RN, CLC, C-EFM (Moderator), Clinical Nurse Educator, CHI Health, Omaha, NE
    Robin Boudreau, Speaker/Consultant/CEO, No Foot Too Small, Iowa City, IA
    Elicia Devall, APRN, Omaha, NE

10:50 a.m.
Transition Time
 
10:55 a.m.
Beyond Respectful Care: Bringing TeamBirth to Nebraska
TBD (Moderator)
Trisha Short, MSN, BSN, RNC-OB, Director of Implementation, TeamBirth, Unravel Healthcare, Boston, MA
Amber Weiseth, DNP, MSN, RNC-OB, Founder & CEO, Unravel Healthcare, Boston, MA
 
11:50 a.m.
Awards
Kara Foster, MPH, Director of Quality and Strategy, NPQIC
Blaire Kratochvil, RN, MPH, Project Coordinator, NPQIC
Lindsey Steele, MPH, Director of Clinical Quality Improvement, NPQIC
 
12:00 p.m.
Lunch / Exhibits
 
12:45 p.m.
Transition to Breakout Sessions
 
1:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions – Afternoon

  1. Exclusive vs. Exclusivity: Breastfeeding Traditions and Uptake Across Cultures
    Chelsey Kennedy, DNP, WHNP-BC, PMHNP-BC (Moderator), Project Coordinator, NPQIC
    Fajr Peter, Doula, Sankofa Birth and Wellness, Omaha, NE
    Karina Ruiz-Vargas, IBCLC, Patient Partner; Chair of Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition, Omaha, NE
  2. Parents Are Born Here: Opportunities for Education and Relationship-Building in the Newborn Nursery
    TBD (Moderator)
    Chelsea McGowen, BA, Project Manager, Mount Sinai Parenting Center, New York, NY 

1:45 p.m.
Building Bridges
Kara Foster, MPH, Director of Quality and Strategy, NPQIC
Chelsey Kennedy, DNP, WHNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Project Coordinator, NPQIC
Lindsey Steele, MPH, Director of Clinical Quality Improvement, NPQIC
 
2:05 p.m. 
Break / Exhibits / Networking
 
2:15 p.m.
Maternal Substance Use in Nebraska: Referrals, Resources, and Recovery
Mikayla Wicks, BS (Moderator), Assistant Vice President, Medical Pathways, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Hickman, NE
Pamela Edwards, Training Support Specialist, The Bridge, Inc., Hastings, NE
Caitlin Morganflash, Homeless In Transition Coordinator, Grand Island Public Schools, Grand Island, NE
Erin Trausch, BS, Community Prevention Coordinator/PCOS Coordinator, Community Impact Network, Roseland, NE
 
3:00 p.m.
Simulation & Panel: Patient-Centered Care in Action
Todd Lovgren, MD, FACOG (Moderator), Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Methodist Health System, Omaha, NE
Shari Flowers, JD, General Counsel and Vice President of Compliance, Methodist Health System, Omaha, NE
Tracy Pella, MA, EdS, LMHP, Consultant/Speaker/Founder, Rooted Life Empowerment, Tecumseh, NE
David Soffer, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, UNMC
Liz Siedoff, BSN, RNC-MNN, Perinatal Safety Specialist, CHI Health St. Elizabeth/St. Mary's, Lincoln/Nebraska City, NE
 
4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Ann Anderson-Berry, MD, PhD, FAAP
Sydnie Carraher, DNP, APRN-NP, NNP-BC, C-ONQS

4:45 p.m.
Adjourn