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SATURDAY, April 25, 2026
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM: ASPAN Board of Directors Meeting
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Preconference Registration
8:00 PM – 5:30 PM: $ Preconference Offering – Comprehensive Perianesthesia Care: Preop Through Phase II 8.0 contact hours: Nancy Strzyzewski MSN RN CPAN CAPA
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Host / Hostess Orientation
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Credentials Desk Open
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Session Moderator Orientation
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Opening Rehearsal
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Meet the Candidates
SUNDAY, April 26, 2026
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM: Registration Desk Open
7:30 AM – 8:50 AM: Credentials Desk Open
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Perianesthesia Leadership Academy Registration
8:00 PM – 5:00 PM: $ Perianesthesia Leadership Academy ASPAN wants to be a part of preparing you to be an exceptional leader. Perianesthesia nurse leaders are fundamental to the leadership and management of clinical excellence, healthcare facility success and the promotion of a just culture. Our Clinical nurses need effective leaders to thrive at the bedside. ASPAN has answered the call to support our Perianesthesia leaders to develop and advance their skills. This program will provide the nursing leader with contemporary information and materials to support their success as a transformational Perianesthesia leader. 7.25 contact hours: Myrna Mamaril DNP RN NEA-BC CPAN CAPA FAAN FASPAN, Ashlynn Penna DNP RN CPAN CAPA, Carrie Royse BSN RN CAPA
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Representative Assembly The Representative Assembly, facilitated by President Ursula Mellinger, will meet for informal hearings during the morning to discuss questions, issues, and topics related to where ASPAN is today. The candidates for national office will also be presented.The formal session will be held in the afternoon to conduct ASPAN business and determine ASPAN’s future. Attendee participation is key! While members of the Representative Assembly are required to attend, all are welcome.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: RA Hearings
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Candidate Presentations
1:45 PM – 2:10 PM: Credentials Desk Open
2:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Formal Session of the RA
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm: (001) Item Writing Workshop Are you curious about how the CPAN® and CAPA® exam questions are developed? Do you have a great idea for a question? If you are CPAN and/or CAPA certified, you are invited to learn what makes a good exam question and practice writing CPAN/CAPA questions at this free workshop.This session is perfect for those interested in volunteering to write exam questions or serving on CPAN and CAPA exam development committees. You can showcase your commitment to fostering excellence in perianesthesia nursing while increasing your own skill set. Attendees will learn how to write quality, reliable, and valid exam questions, earn 4 contact hours, and network with colleagues from around the country regarding practice issues. Previous experience with writing questions is not required.You must pre-register for this exciting workshop by emailing ABPANC at abpanc@cpancapa.org using the subject line – Item Writing Workshop. Registration is limited. Please note: You may not receive item writing training if you are planning to sit for the CPAN® or CAPA® exam within the next three (3) years. In addition, if you are currently an ABPANC Certification Coach, involved in teaching examination review courses, or serving on an ABPANC Committee for the Education Division (Professional Development or Exam Preparedness) you may not participate due to a possible conflict of interest. 4.0 contact hours: Eileen M. Talbot, BSN, RN, CAPA; Tracy Wyman, MSN-Ed, RN-BSN, CPAN; and Francine Mitrakos, ICE-CCP, PSI
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Component Presidents’ Luncheon (by invitation only)
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM: First Timers Orientation
MONDAY April 27, 2026
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM: First Timers Orientation (Repeat)
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Opening Ceremony Processional, National Anthem, Welcome, Introduction of Guests and Awards ASPAN Presidential Address: “Moving to the Future and Accepting the Challenges” Ursula Mellinger BSN RN CPAN CAPA
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: (002) Keynote Speaker The Power of Transformation This transformational program confronts the inevitability of change in our lives and careers, understanding why we resist change, strategies to embrace change and stay relevant, and how in the end, change will help us to create a vibrant future for ourselves and our profession. Without change, there is no growth and if you're not growing, you're stagnating! 1.0 contact hour: Donna Cardillo MA RN CSP FAAN
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM: (003) CPAN®/CAPA® Celebration Luncheon* Join us as we honor the dedication, expertise, and impact of CPAN and CAPA certified nurses at ABPANC’s annual Celebration Luncheon. This special event brings our certified community together for an afternoon of recognition, inspiration, and connection. Guests will enjoy a full lunch, recognition of award recipients, and the opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized keynote speaker whose message will inspire both personally and professionally. 0.75 contact hour: Graze Bautista MSN RN CPAN CAPA *Registration is open only to current or retired CPAN® and CAPA® certified nurses. Additional charge to attend. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: CONCURRENT SESSIONS
(004) ASPAN’s 2027-2028 Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations, and Interpretive Statements: What’s New ASPAN Standards continue to underpin perianesthesia practice. Learn what has changed in the newest revision and how clinical practice trends drive that content. 1.0 contact hour: Jacque Crosson DNP RN CPAN FASPAN
(005) Clinical Practice Hot Topics This presentation is a review of the Clinical Practice Committee functions and services that it provides to members and non-members. It reviews the implications of the questions submitted and the topics. There will be a review of actual submissions and the topics of clinical practice. 1.0 contact hour: Lori Erni BSN RN CCRN CPAN
2:30 PM – 6:45 PM
(006) Tips, Tricks and Skill Development for Gamification and Learning Reinforcement This multi part workshop will address educational fundamentals, hands on how to, and successful deployment of gamification in the PeriAnesthesia setting. Participants will learn to create PeriAnesthesia specific educational games for both technical skills and staff engagement. 4.0 contact hours: Melissa Schimdt MSN RN CNL CPAN CAPA EBP-C, Roxann Llewellyn BSN RN CCRN CPAN, Michelle Meadows MSNed RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC and Carrie Royse BS RN CAPA
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
(007) Augmented Intelligence: Think Outside the Box in PACU Staffing The postanesthesia care unit (PACU) continues to be an area of focus for perioperative efficiency. Staffing and unavailable bays can cause patients to be held in the ORs causing further downstream delays in room turnover and patient flow. Can predictive modeling assist with having the right number of nurses in the right place at the right time? 1.0 contact hour: Jacque Crosson DNP RN CPAN FASPAN
(008) How to Write an Abstract and How to Apply for Contact Hours This session will provide tips for submitting a successful abstract to be presented at a national conference. The process for applying for contact hours through the ASPAN Approver Unit will also be presented. 1.0 contact hour: Antoinette Zito MSN RN CPAN CAPA FASPAN, Jessica Gentes MSN RN CHSE CPN, and Linda Wilson PhD RN CPAN CAPA NPD-BC CNE CNEcl CHSE-A ANEF FAAN FSSH FASPAN
(009) Back Home Safely: Mitigating Perioperative Cognitive Deterioration Risk Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) affects up to 40% of patients over 65 years of age within one week of surgery, with significant implications for patient recovery, cost of care, and quality of life. This session examines the multifactorial pathogenesis of POCD, including neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, and anesthetic neurotoxicity mechanisms. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for identifying high-risk patients through preoperative cognitive screening protocols and developing individualized care plans incorporating depth-of-anesthesia monitoring, neuroprotective anesthetic selection, and multimodal inflammatory response management. 1.0 contact hour Lynn Reede DNP MBA CRNA FNAP and Brian Cammarata MD
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
(010) ABPANC Certification Insights Achieving the CPAN® or CAPA® or certification improves patient care and safety, enhances employer confidence, validates professional experience and increases earning potential. This session will give you the tools you need to make the case for certification to your manager, help you choose the exam that’s right for you, and provide test taking tips and strategies for success. Join us for coffee and snacks as we discuss how you can take the next step in your perianesthesia nursing career through CPAN or CAPA certification. 1.0 contact hour Representatives from the ABPANC Board of Directors.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(011) Pediatric Post-Operative Recovery Advancements: Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy in the PeriAnesthesia Setting This session highlights evidence-based advancements in post-operative care for pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patients, with a focus on the PACU nurse’s critical role in airway safety, pain management, and family-centered recovery. Attendees will gain practical tools and protocols to identify complications early, support psychosocial needs, and optimize outcomes through tailored pediatric care strategies. 1.5 contact hours: Tara Wright MSN RN CNE and Amy Berardinelli DNP APRN FNP-C NE-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
(012) The Duty and Privilege of Perianesthesia Nurses to Advocate for Marginalized Populations As nurses, our profession holds us accountable to advocate for those we serve. Many nurses find themselves ill-equipped to engage in advocacy. This lecture will discuss advocacy (what it is and is not), our professions support of advocacy, understanding the needs of a few marginalized populations, and how you can get engaged and make a difference. 1.0 contact hour Meg Beturne MSN RN CPAN CAPA FASPAN and Elizabeth Steffen BSN RN CAPA KNA LAA Fellow
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Exhibit Grand Opening
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Silent Auction Open
TUESDAY, April 28, 2026
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Research/EBP/QI Poster Grand Rounds
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Celebrate Successful Perianesthesia Practices Poster Grand Rounds
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Exhibits Open
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Silent Auction Open
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM: (013) ABPANC Recertification Insights For those who already hold either (or both!) of the prestigious CPAN or CAPA designations! Achieving the CPAN® or CAPA® certification improves patient care and safety, enhances employer confidence, validates professional experience and increases earning potential. Join us for coffee and morning snacks as we discuss how to utilize ABPANC’s Learning Builder technology platform, get more information on the updated Recertification guidelines, put your certification into practice, and become a leader and mentor to other nurses. 1.0 contact hour: Representatives from the ABPANC Board of Directors
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM: Registration Desk Open
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: CONCURRENT TRACKS For a list of sessions see the concurrent session page.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Research/EBP/QI Poster Grand Rounds
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Celebrate Successful Perianesthesia Practices Poster Grand Rounds
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Exhibits Open
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Silent Auction Open
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM: (014) Celebrate Successful Perianesthesia Practice Oral Presentations (Session 1) In this session selected members will present their perianesthesia successful practice, discuss the implementation and share results. 1.5 contact hours
2:15 PM – 5:45 PM: CONCURRENT TRACKS For a list of sessions see the concurrent session page.
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Exhibits Open
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Silent Auction Open
WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2026
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Exhibits Open
7:00 AM – 8:45 AM: Silent Auction Open
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM: Registration Desk Open
9:00 AM – 11:45 AM: CONCURRENT TRACKS For a list of sessions see the concurrent session page.
12:15 PM –1:45 PM:
(015) Clinical Inquiry Consultations: Personalized Consultations with Experienced Researchers This session will offer personalized research consultations with experienced researchers who can continue this mentorship after the session is completed. Examples: refining research hypothesis, research design, synthesizing the evidence, IRB 101, etc. The session will have limited attendance, and mentors will be selected from the research, EBP and clinical practice committees. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop. Seating is limited. (No Contact Hours Will be awarded): Amy Berardinelli DNP APRN FNP-C NE-BC CPAN CAPA FASPAN
(016) Celebrate Successful Perianesthesia Practice Oral Presentations (Session 2) In this session selected members will present their perianesthesia successful practice, discuss the implementation and share results. 1.5 contact hours
(017) Research/EBP/QI Oral Presentations The oral research presentations represent completed perianesthesia nursing studies. Selected research studies will be presented by the primary investigators. 1.5 contact hours
2:00 PM – 5:30 PM: CONCURRENT TRACKS For a list of sessions see the concurrent session page
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: President’s Reception You are all invited to join ASPAN President Ursula Mellinger and ASPAN Leaders in a celebration of the success and achievements of the past year. All conference participants are invited to attend! Enjoy a variety of music and dance the night away! Come dressed in your favorite style of “party attire” See you there!
THURSDAY, April 30, 2026
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Closing Ceremony Installation of ASPAN Board Presidential Address: Ronda Dyer MSN BSPA RN CPAN CAPA FASPAN **You must register on your registration form to attend.
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: Preview to 2027 Conference
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Closing Address (018) Change the Game: Using Humor to Manage Stress and Build Resilience In Perianesthesia Care 1.0 contact hour Tim Gard CSP CPAE
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Postconference Registration
11:30 AM – 4:00 PM: $ Postconference- Perianesthesia Pediatric Priorities 4.0 contact hours Hasima Hajdini
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