2026 Neonatal Quality Conference at Hot Topics Agenda

Registration Opens
Continental Breakfast

Welcome and Introductions
Stephen Pearlman, MD, MSHQS

A Parent Perspective on NICU Safety
Martha Sharkey

Keynote Address
Beyond Zero Harm: Reimagining Safety in Children's Hospitals — Anne Lyren, MD, MSc

The People Side of Safety
Moderator: Heather Kaplan, MD, MSCE

• Safety Starts at the Bedside: Supporting NICU Nurses to Achieve Best Outcomes for Babies and Families — Heather L. Tubbs Cooley PhD, RN, FAAN
• Burnout Is Not a Personal Failure: Redesigning NICU Systems to Support Clinicians — Amy Nathan, MD, MMM

Morning Break

Safety at the Bedside
Moderator: Lynn Fuchs, MD, MSHQS

• STEPP In and Out: Perioperative Safety and Quality Improvement — Anthony Piazza, MD
• Skin Safety in the NICU: Building Reliable Care for High-Risk Neonates — Lauren Stracuzzi, MSN, RNC-NIC, ACCNS-P
• Visualizing Vulnerability: A Video-Based Approach to Improving Patient Safety — Heidi Herrick, MD, MSCE

Lunch (on your own)

Year in Review+
Neonatal Quality at Hot Topics Planning Committee

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

• Best Practices for Communication of Unexpected Outcomes: Parental and Clinician Perspectives — Stephen Pearlman, MD, MSHQS and Martha Sharkey
• The Power of Prevention: Proactive Tools for a Safer NICU — Heidi Herrick, MD, MSCE; Anne Lyren, MD, MSc; and Anthony Piazza, MD

Afternoon Break

Concurrent Breakouts Sessions (repeated)

Lessons Learned and Things You Can Do Next Week
Neonatal Quality at Hot Topics Planning Committee

Quality Poster Showcase* and Reception | Exhibit Hall

Adjourn