13th Annual Focus on Pharmacology Conference

D6915

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The purpose of this conference is to provide pharmacology information in multiple areas and to promote clinical excellence by improving the quality of care to patients.

The primary audience is nurse practitioners, physician assistants and advanced practice clinicians; however, the program content is relevant to the broader health care community.

Abstracts for posters are being accepted for this activity.

The poster abstract deadline is Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

Submit abstracts here

This activity includes two hours of opioid continuing education.

Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP, FAAN, DCC, FNAP

Dr. Fitzgerald’s presentations cover the following areas of expertise:

• NP Certification Preparation
• Clinical Pharmacology
• NP Professional Issues
• Pathophysiology
• Laboratory Diagnosis

Dr. Fitzgerald is the founder and principal speaker of Fitzgerald Health Education Associates (FHEA), an international provider of nurse practitioner (NP) certification preparation and continuing education for health care providers. An internationally recognized presenter, Dr. Fitzgerald has provided thousands of programs for numerous professional organizations, universities, and national and state health care associations on a wide variety of topics, including clinical pharmacology, clinical assessment, laboratory diagnosis, health care and nurse practitioner practice. For more than 25 years, she has provided graduate-level pharmacology courses for NP students at a number of universities. In addition, she practices at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Lawrence, MA, providing multigenerational primary and urgent care. Dr. Fitzgerald also holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, where she received the Alumni Association Award for Clinical Excellence and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor. Dr. Fitzgerald is a member of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at AllWays Health Partners in Boston, MA.

Dr. Fitzgerald is the recipient of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties’ Lifetime Achievement Award, given in recognition of vision and accomplishments in successfully developing and promoting the nurse practitioner role, the American College of Nurse Practitioner’s Sharp Cutting Edge Award, the Outstanding Nurse Award for Clinical Practice by the Merrimack Valley Area Health Education Council and one of the 50 Leaders in 50 Years by the Solomont School of Nursing, UMass Lowell. In addition, Dr. Fitzgerald received the Loretta C. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Nurse Practitioner Symposium for demonstrating longevity, integrity, professional achievement and advocacy in advanced practice nursing. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a charter fellow in the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Fitzgerald is a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association and is the first nurse practitioner to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation in recognition of excellence and integrity as a speaker. She is also certified by the American Board of Comprehensive Care as a Diplomate of Comprehensive Care (DCC), a designation available to DNP graduates who are licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and nationally certified in an APRN specialty. Dr. Fitzgerald is an editorial board member of The Nurse Practitioner, Ameri-can Nurse Today, Prescriber’s Letter and Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice.

She is widely published, with more than 200 articles, book chapters, monographs and audio and video programs to her credit. Her book, Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep (now in the 6th edition), received the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award for Advanced Practice Nursing and has been published in English and Korean. She has provided consultation to nursing organizations worldwide. Dr. Fitzgerald is an active member of numerous national and local professional organizations.

Friday, April 14, 2023

• 5 p.m. | Registration/Light Reception
  
• 6 p.m. | Opioids – An Update on the Epidemic and Overview of Prescribing and Weaning Strategies (Opioid Credit)
  David Giampetro, MD

  Objectives

  • Discuss the status of the opioid epidemic in the US and three things a provider can do to help.
  • List the steps in properly assessing and monitoring a patient for opioid therapy, the “5 A’s” mnemonic and five signs/symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
• 7 p.m. | Closing Remarks

Saturday, April 15, 2023

• 7:30 a.m. | Check-In/Continental Breakfast/Visit Exhibitors
• 8 a.m. | Welcome
  Carol Forsyth, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, Committee Chair
• 8:15 a.m. | Keynote Presenter – Unexpected Consequences: The Positive and Negative Impact of Psychotropic, Diabetic and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication
  Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP, FAAN, DCC, FNAP

  Objectives

  • Discuss the concept of unintended consequences.
  • Describe the positive and negative effects of select medications; psychotropic, diabetic and OTC medications.
• 9:15 a.m. | CONCURRENT SESSION 1
  1A PEDIATRIC TRACK
  Anti-Obesity Medications for Pediatric Weight Management
  Marsha Novick, MD, FAAFP, DABOM

  Objectives

  • Apply evidence-based pharmacological management to develop a personalized care plan for adolescents with obesity.
  • Describe the mechanism of action, efficacy, tolerability and safety of pharmacological therapies.
  • Integrate the clinical use of pharmacological therapies when caring for patients with obesity.

  1B ACUTE CARE TRACK
  Pulmonary Hypertension – Five Different Diseases and Treatment Options
  Barbara Birriel, PhD, ACNP-BC, FCCM

  Objectives

  • Compare and contrast the five pulmonary hypertension groups.
  • Develop a pharmacologic treatment plan for patients with pulmonary hypertension based on etiology and pathophysiology.

  1C PRIMARY CARE TRACK
  Adult Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Simple, Recurrent and Complicated
  Joseph Clark, MD

  Objectives

  • Define UTIs and discuss diagnosis and evaluation.
  • Discuss UTI treatments and when to refer.
• 10:15 a.m. | Break/Visit Exhibitors
• 10:30 a.m. | Keynote Presenter – Dangerous Liaisons: Drug-Drug, Drug-Nutrient Interactions
  Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP, FAAN, DCC, FNAP

  Objectives

  • Identify mechanisms of common drug-drug, drug-nutrient interactions.
  • Describe commonly encountered and potentially hazardous drug-drug, drug-nutrient interactions.
  • Develop strategies to avoid the above-mentioned interactions.
• 11:30 a.m. | Lunch/Visit Exhibitors
• 12:30 p.m. | View Posters
• 1 p.m. | CONCURRENT SESSION 2
  2A PEDIATRIC TRACK
  Treatment of Common Dermatologic Conditions
  Brian Green, DO, FAAD

  Objectives

  • Discuss the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
  • Discuss the use of biologic medications in children.

  2B ACUTE CARE TRACK
  Post-Operative Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues in the Acute Care Setting
  Elizabeth Sodomin, MD

  Objectives

  • Define post-operative ileus and dysmotility and medication management.
  • Explain the management of liver failure and cirrhosis in the post-operative setting.

  2C PRIMARY CARE TRACK
  Get Your Patients Moving! Exercise Rx and Special Considerations
  Jayson Loeffert, DO

  Objectives

  • Explain how to effectively and efficiently prescribe exercise.
  • Discuss medication considerations for your exercising patients
• 2 p.m. | Break/Visit Exhibitors
• 2:15 p.m. | CONCURRENT SESSION 3
  3A PEDIATRIC TRACK
  Pediatric Infectious Disease (ID) for the Generalist
  Jessica Ericson, MD, MPH

  Objectives

  • Review how drug pharmacokinetics affects antibiotic use in clinical practice.
  • Discuss antibiotic treatment for common pediatric infections.

  3B ACUTE CARE TRACK
  Pharmacological Options for Perioperative Pain Management
  Bunty Shah, MD

  Objectives

  • Review pharmacological options for pain management.
  • Review the perioperative management of patients maintained on buprenorphine and methadone.

  3C PRIMARY CARE TRACK
  Ache, Burn, Numb – Pearls in Arthritis Pain
  Shirley Albano-Aluquin, MD

  Objectives

  • Discuss how to evaluate aching, burning and/or numbness in patients with joint pain in a 20 to 40-minute visit.
  • Explain a targeted approach to treating joint pain.
• 3:15 p.m. | Closing General Session: Wake Up! An Overview of Naloxone for Clinicians (Opioid Credit)
  Jennifer Morrow Forsyth, PharmD

  Objectives

  • Identify patients who are at greatest risk for opioid overdose and common symptoms.
  • Assess approaches for recommending naloxone to patients, caregivers or other individuals.
  • Differentiate between the various naloxone formulations available.
  • Describe the process of implementing a Controlled Substance Agreement.
• 4:15 p.m. | Adjournment

Carol Forsyth, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC
Committee Chair
Family Nurse Practitioner
Penn State Bone and Joint Institute

Directed and Supported by the Advanced Practice Advisory Board

Betsy Avinash, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
Department of Urology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

David Brinton, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
Manager Advanced Practice Providers
Department of Surgery
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Suzanne Frazier, MS, CRNP, CHFN, NP-C
Heart Failure Nurse Practitioner, Heart Failure Disease Management Program
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute

Rachel Fultz, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

David Giampetro, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Director of Inpatient and Outpatient Opioid Stewardship
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Jaime Halin, MHS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Penn State Bone and Joint Institute

Robin Kingston, MSN, CRNP, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Home Ventilator Program
Penn State Children’s Hospital

Marnie ODonnell, MS, PA-C
Children’s Heart Group, Physician Assistant
Pediatric Electrophysiology
Penn State Children’s Hospital

Samantha Raudensky, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Division of Pediatric Complex Care
Penn State Children’s Hospital

Bonnie Wilson, MS, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, ANP-C
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Shirley Albano-Aluquin, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Barbara Birriel, PhD, ACNP-BC, FCCM
Assistant Research Professor, Nursing and Bioethics
Director, MSN Nurse Practitioner Options
Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
The Pennsylvania State University

Joseph Clark, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Urology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Jessica Ericson, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Jennifer Morrow Forsyth, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Value-Based Operations and Population Care Management
Penn State Health Medical Group

David Giampetro, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Director of Inpatient and Outpatient Opioid Stewardship
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Brian Green, DO, FAAD
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine 

Jayson Loeffert, DO
Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine 

Marsha Novick, MD, FAAFP, DABOM
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Division of Adolescent Medicine
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Bunty Shah, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Division of Chronic Pain Management
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Penn State College of Medicine

Elizabeth Sodomin, MD
Clinical Fellow, Department of Surgery
Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery/Bariatrics
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Please note: Recordings of the concurrent sessions will only be available for two weeks following the activity for registered participants. To receive the maximum credit of 13.5 hours, you must attend or view all of the sessions listed on the agenda within the two-week time frame. The plenary and poster sessions will not be recorded and must be attended in person.

AMA

Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

• Friday, April 14, 2023 – 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)
• Saturday, April 15, 2023 – 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)
• Recorded sessions – 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)

Nurse practitioners, please note:
This program includes a maximum of 13.5 hours of pharmacology continuing education as required for certification renewal by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). All presentations qualify for pharmacology education.

• Friday, April 14, 2023 – 1 hour pharmacy continuing education
• Saturday, April 15, 2023 – 6.5 hours pharmacy continuing education
• Recorded sessions – 6 hours pharmacy continuing education

Opioid Credit

This program includes a maximum of 2 hours of identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids as required for certification renewal by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Please see the agenda for the presentations marked with (Opioid Credit).

• Friday, April 14, 2023 – 1 hour opioid continuing education
• Saturday, April 15, 2023 – 1 hour opioid continuing education

Nurses using AMA credit

Nurses will receive a certificate from Penn State College of Medicine verifying their participation in approved continuing medical education. Continuing education activities which are approved by accredited institutions of higher education and that are relevant to patient care or professional nursing meet the requirements of mandatory continuing education for registered nurses in Pennsylvania, as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing recommends that nurses retain their certificates for a period of at least five years. Additional information is available through the State Board of Nursing at: ce.med.psu.edu/nurse-credits.

These credits meet the criteria set by the ANCC, American Nurses Credentialing Center as contact hours that are acceptable for renewal certification. Additional information is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center at: www.nursingworld.org/certification/faqs/#renewal

• Friday, April 14, 2023 – 1 hour
• Saturday, April 15, 2023 – 6.5 hours
• Recorded sessions – 6 hours

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

This activity is eligible for ACPE credit; see final CPE activity announcement for specific details.

The fee is $230 per person for Friday and Saturday or $180 for Saturday only and includes the cost of instruction, online handout materials and all listed meals.

Student Discount: $175 for Friday and Saturday; $125 for Saturday only.

To receive the reduced student rates, email verification of student status to ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Thursday, April 13, 2023, will incur a $25 late fee.

Cancellations received after Friday, April 07, 2023, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Great educational activity. I am looking forward to in person learning again!
2022 Participant

This conference is always well done. Dr. Fitzgerald is such an amazing highlight.
2022 Participant

I love Pharmacology Conferences. There is always a takeaway on knowledge to improve practice outcomes.
2022 Participant

A completed evaluation is required in order to receive a certificate for attending this activity. Please complete and submit the evaluation within the specified time frame.

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund any program registration fees paid but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Program registrants who are experiencing illness or have been exposed to anyone who is ill should contact the Continuing Education office before attending any in-person activities.

Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

On-campus educational activities provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education are required to follow healthcare facility guidelines. Off-campus events provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education follow the COVID-19 requirements of that venue. We ask that all participants respect that some attendees may still choose to wear masks for activities. Check the venue website for the latest requirements and recommendations. Please do not attend this activity if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. By attending the activity, you attest that you do not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell or any other sign of illness.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Participants who anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or who have questions about the physical access provided should contact the Continuing Education office at least one week in advance of participation or visit.

It is Penn State policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all educational programs. Faculty and course directors have disclosed relevant financial relationships with commercial companies, and Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any conflict of interest. Complete faculty disclosure will be provided to program participants at the beginning of the activity.

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