Eighth Annual Neurocritical Care Conference

D7134

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Poster abstracts are now being accepted.

Submission guidelines are included in the form below.

Submit a poster abstract

Deadline to submit: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

The purpose of this activity is to provide the participants with current, evidenced-based information to assist them in meeting the complex needs of the neurocritical care patient.

This activity is designed for physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists and other health care providers who care for neurocritical care patients.

Stroke hours, pharm education and PT credit sessions designed in parentheses after title.

• 7 a.m. | Check In, Exhibits, Posters
• 7:55 a.m. | Welcome
  Jacquelyn Ryer, DNP, AG-ACNP, CCRN
• 8 a.m. | Adolescent Brain and Spine Trauma (PT credit)
  Brent O’Neill, MD

  Objectives

  • Review the unique challenges and pathophysiology in adolescent TBI.
  • Compare adolescent spine injuries to adult injuries.
• 8:30 a.m. | When Trauma Meets Stroke: A Case of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (stroke)
  Melissa Linskey Dougherty, MD

  Objectives

  • Explain the etiology, presentation, and diagnosis of BCVI.
  • Discuss management strategies for BCVI including antiplatelet medications, anticoagulation, and endovascular treatment.
• 9 a.m. | Cardiac Causes of Stroke (stroke)
  Kalkini Durai, DO

  Objectives

  • Explain the cardiac causes of stroke.
• 9:30 a.m. | Break/Visit Exhibitors/Posters
• 10 a.m. | Ventilator Liberation the Neuro Critical Care Patient (stroke) (PT credit)
  Lenny Shamus, AGACNP

  Objectives

  • Describe key difference between neurocritical care patients and general ICU populations in the context of ventilator liberation.
  • Explain what parameters help best to predict successful extubation in the neurocritical care setting.
  • Review what modalities are best to prevent reintubation.
• 10:30 a.m. | Management of Malignant Hematology Emergencies: Case Review and Presentation
  John Bufalini, MD

  Objectives

  • Review common malignant hematology emergencies.
  • Discuss management of malignant hematology emergencies.
• 10:45 a.m. | Brunch
• 11:45 a.m. | “B” Wise (stroke) (pharm education)
  Sarah Monger, MS, RD, LDN

  Objectives

  • Describe critical role of B Vitamins within the body.
  • Characterize clinical presentation of B-Vitamin deficiencies.
  • Utilize current treatment methods for B-Vitamin deficiencies.
• 12:15 p.m. | What’s “SUP?” Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Neurocritical Care Patients (stroke) (pharm education)
  Hunter Kline, PharmD

  Objectives

  • Describe the pathophysiology of stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding and identify risk factors for ICU patients.
  • Apply current guideline recommendations to determine appropriate initiation, agent selection, and duration of stress ulcer prophylaxis in the ICU.
• 12:45 p.m. | Break
• 1 p.m. | Not So Sweet: Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (stroke) (pharm education)
  Jess Wilcox, PharmD

  Objectives

  • Identify medications and patient specific risk factors associated with euDKA.
  • Develop an evidence-based management plan for patients with suspected euDKA.
• 1:30 p.m. | The Role of MMA EMBO in SDH Management
  Scott Simon, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe the current evidence supporting the use of mma embolization.
  • Explain when in clinical course mma embo should be utilized.
• 2 p.m. | Under Pressure: Blood Pressure Management in Acute Ischemic Stroke (stroke) (pharm education)
  Kelsey Coleman, DO

  Objectives

  • Interpret current evidence and guideline recommendations for blood pressure management in acute ischemic stroke.
  • Recognize the risks of both hypertension and hypotension, including hemorrhagic transformation and infarct expansion.
• 2:30 p.m. | Post-ICU Recovery (stroke) (PT credit)
  Nicole Herbst, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe challenges experienced by patients following critical illness through a case presentation.
  • Define post-ICU syndrome and risk factors.
  • Review strategies to prevent and treat post-ICU syndrome.
• 3 p.m. | Adjournment

Jackie Ryer, DNP, AGACNP
AGACNP Program Coordinator, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
Neuroscience Critical Care Unit
Penn State University
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Kayla Bardzel, PharmD, BCCCP
Critical Care Pharmacy Specialist
Neuroscience Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Mary Jane Bijelic, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, SCRN
Neuro Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
Department of Neurosurgery
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Lori Cox, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM
Program Director, Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Kristen Fulton, MSN, ACNP-BC, SCRN
Nurse Practitioner, Neuro Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Sarah Hutchinson, CRNP
Nurse Practitioner, Neuro Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Meaghan Lloyd, BSN
Clinical Staff Leader
Neuroscience Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Maura Navarro, BSN
Clinical Staff Leader
Neuroscience Critical Care Unit
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Katherine Pavlos, MPAS, PA-C
Critical Care Physician Assistant
Department of Neurosurgery
Neurocritical Care
APP Critical Care Fellowship – Advisory Board
Instructor of Neurosurgery
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Mallory Peterson, MD
Neurosurgery Resident
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

John Bufalini, MD
Hematology/Oncology Fellow, Chief Fellow AY 26-27
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Kelsey Coleman, DO
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Melissa Linskey Dougherty, MD
Assistant Professor, Surgery and Neurosurgery
Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Critical Care Surgery
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Kalkini Durai, DO
Neurology Resident, Department of Neurology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Nicole Herbst, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hunter Kline, PharmD
Pharmacy Resident
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Sarah Monger, MS, RD, LDN
Clinical Dietitian Specialist
Department of Clinical Nutrition
Department of Nursing
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Brent O’Neill, MD
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital

Lenny Shamus, AGACNP
Pulmonary/Critical Care
Mount Nittany Medical Center

Scott Simon, MD
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Jess Wilcox, PharmD
Pharmacy Resident
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

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 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PSNA

This activity has been submitted to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for approval to award contact hours. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This knowledge-based activity has been assigned the Universal Activity Number of 0322-0000-26-012-L01-P. It has been approved for 5.25 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers. The attendee list will be uploaded into CPE Monitor approximately two weeks after completion of the program. Statements of credit indicated in contact hours and CEUs will be available through CPE Monitor. Successful completion includes signing in at registration with personal NABP number and date of birth, attending the entire conference (no partial credit will be awarded), and completing the activity evaluation. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Education.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Penn State is a pre-approved provider as defined by Title 49, Chapter 40 Pa Code 40.67 (d)(1) with a physical therapist assistant educational program accredited by CAPTE. Physical Therapists licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn 1.5 clock hours of continuing education for completing this course. See the agenda for presentations that qualify for physical therapy continuing education credit.

Nurse practitioners, please note

This program includes a maximum of 2 hours of pharmacology continuing education as required for certification renewal by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). See the agenda for presentations that qualify for pharmacology continuing education credit.

Stroke

This program qualifies for 4 stroke credit hours. See the agenda for presentations that qualify.

Patient Safety

This program includes 5.25 hours of patient safety/risk management education as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.

The per person fees include the cost of instruction, online handout materials and all listed meals.

• $150 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers
• $100 Nurses and others
• $75 Student Fee (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, Dec. 3, will incur a $25 late fee.

Cancellations received after Friday, Nov. 27, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Monday, Nov. 30.

Accommodations are the responsibility of the participant. A list of Hershey area lodging is available upon request or online.

Join us in Hershey

Hershey is conveniently located in central Pennsylvania, just 90 minutes from Baltimore and Philadelphia, two hours from Washington, D.C., and three hours from New York City.

• Harrisburg-Area Attractions
• Hershey Attractions
• Tanger Outlets in Hershey
• Historic Gettysburg
• Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish Country

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 activities. Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any relevant financial relationships with commercial companies disclosed by faculty, course directors and planning committee members. Complete disclosure information will be provided to participants at the beginning of the activity.

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