2025 Neuroscience Nursing Annual Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance

Pre-Conference Workshops

8:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT

(001) 3D Functional Brain Anatomy Related to Stroke, Truama, and Pathology Across the Lifespan

Linda Littlejohns, MSN RN SCRN CNRN FAAN

8:00 am – 11:00 am CDT

(002) Best Pracitces in Neuroscience Orientation

Cynthia Bautista, PhD APRN FNCS FCNS
Lorin Daniels, MSN APRN AGACNP-BC CNRN RNFA
Mary McKenna Guanci, MSN RN CNRN SCRN FNCS
Lori Rhudy, PhD APRN CNS ACNS-BC CNRN
Marianne Beare Vyas, PhD RN

Lunch with Exhibitors

12:00 – 1:00 pm CDT

Pre-Conference Workshops

1:00 – 3:00 pm CDT

(003) Spine Anatomy and 3D Correlation to Trauma and Degenerative Disease

Linda Littlejohns, MSN RN SCRN CNRN FAAN

(004) Basic Neuroimaging: More Than Fifty Shades of Grey

Cathy Cartwright, DNP RN-BC PCNS FAAN
Rachel Malloy, DNP RN CNRN SCRN

Break with Exhibitors & Posters

3:00 – 3:30 pm CDT

Concurrent Sessions (2 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CDT

(100) Debunking the Mystique: Breaking Down the Neuro Assessment for Novice Neuro Nurses Utilizing Simulation

Level: Beginner
Track: Anatomy/Physiology/Neuroassessment
Denelle Hebert, BSN RN SCRN
Anna Ellis, BSN RN CCRN SCRN

(101) Empowering Nurses: Tools and Techniques for Epilepsy Care Using Simluation and Human Factors

Level: Intermediate
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Minna Masor, MSN Ed RN CCRN SCRN
Jen Hernandez, MSN RN CCRN
Stasia Rouse, MD

Concurrent Sessions (2 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hour)

4:40 pm – 5:10 pm CDT

(102) Transsphenoidal and Sinus Surgery Precautions: Science or Just a Self-Perpetuating Myth

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics
Shaun Golden, MS CNRN SCRN

(103) Thinking Like a Neuro Nurse: The Development of a Novel and Meaningful Neurological Clinical Decision Aid Tool and High-Fidelity Simulation Program to Recognize Neurological Emergencies

Level: Beginner
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Eugena Bergvall, DNP APRN ACNP-BC CCNS-BC ACCNS-AG CCRN CNRN

Newcomers Reception for First Time Attendees

5:30 – 6 pm CDT

Everyone who is attending their first AANN conference is invited to this session. Mingle with other first time attendees, the AANN Board of Directors, and committee volunteers.

Opening Reception with Posters and Exhibitors

6:00 – 7:30 pm CDT

Sponsored by UCB, Inc.

Attend the Opening Reception in the exhibit hall to view the posters and mingle with exhibitors. Have a free headshot taken in the back of AANN booth #201.

Opening Remarks, AANN/ABNN/JNN Awards, and Agnes M. Walker Keynote Address

8:00 – 9:30 am CDT

Finding Strength in Adversity: My Path to Neurosurgery
Betsy Grunch, MD FAANS FACS FCNS

Breakfast with Exhibits and Posters

9:30 – 10:15 am CDT

Networking

10:15 – 11:15 am CDT

Network with other attendees on different topics that apply to your role as a neuro nurse and make a new neuro nerd friend!

Concurrent Sessions (3 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

11 am – 12 pm CDT

(200) Past President Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics

(201) Paint Your Circle of Willis

Level: Beginner
Track: Anatomy/Physiology/Neuroassessment
Denelle Hebert, BSN RN SCRN
DaiWai Olson, PhD RN CCRN FNCS

(202) Clinical Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) After Hyperacute Phase: Not Out of the Woods Yet

Level: Beginner
Track: Neurotrauma
Denise Li, PhD AGACNP-BC CNS
Pharmacology hours: 0.25

(203) Supporting Families and the Care Team Through a Diagnosis of Brain Death

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics
Maureen Lall, PhD APRN FNP-BC COHN-S SCRN NEA-BC
Merrilee Littlewood, BSN RN CCRN SCRN

Lunch with Exhibits and Posters

12:00 – 1:00 pm CDT

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hours)

1:00 – 1:30 pm CDT

(204) AMWF Research Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development

(205) The Impact of COVID-19 on Esthesioneuroblastoma: Diagnostic Challenges and Innovative Solutions

Level: Intermediate
Track: Neuro-Oncology
Ebonye Green, DNP ACNPC-AG CNRN SCRN APRN FNCS

(206) Neuroscience: A Growing Specialty and Philosophy

Level: Advanced Practice
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Della Mathew, PhD MSN RN

(207) Paperwork vs. Patients: How Coordinator and Navigator Role Delineation Enhances Stroke Outcomes

Level: Expert
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke
Caitlin Wilschevick, MSN CCRN CNRN SCRN
Rachel Campbell, BSN RN SCRN

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hour)

1:40 – 2:10 pm CDT

(208) Journal of Neuroscience Nursing (JNN) Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development
DaiWai Olson, PhD RN CCRN FNCS

(209) Matters of the Heart: Recognizing Large-Vessel Occlusion Strokes in Cardiovascular Surgery Patients

Level: Intermediate
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke
Breanna Cabecerias, MSN RN PHN CNL ASC-BC CNRN SCRN
Jessica Newsom-Wilkinson, MSN PHN
Dharati Trivedi, MD BSc CCRC ACRP

(210) Managing a Lifetime of Neurological Autoimmune Disease Variability: A Patient-Clinician Neuroscience Nursing Customized Process Framework and Toolset

Level: Expert
Topic: Movement Disorders/Neuromuscular/Neurodegenerative
Caroline Piselli, DNP MBA RN FACHE SSBB
Pharmacology hours: 0.25

(211) Pick Up the Beat: A Call to Action for Improving Social Determinants of Health, Racial Inequality, and Healthcare Inequities in Chronic Neurologic Health Management

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics
Melissa Moreda, MSN APRN ACCNS-AG CDCES CNRN SCRN
Pharmacology hours: 0.5

Break with Exhibits and Posters

2:40 – 3:10 pm CDT

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hours)

3:10 – 3:40 pm CDT

(212) Epilepsy Foundation Session: Epilepsy Disparities 

Level: Intermediate
Track: Epilepsy

(213) Risk for Hospital Readmission for Neurovascular Patients: An Opportunity for APRNs

Level: Advanced Practice
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke
Teresa Connolly, PhD RN ACNS-BC
Kim Paxton, DNP APRN ANP-BC LHITC IHMC

(214) Addressing the Nursing Shortage: Enhancing Onboarding to Reduce Turnover

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics
Jillian Cosgrove, MSN RN CCRN
Sonya Lester, BSN RN CCRN

(215) Support and Resources for the Neuro-Oncology Patient: From Diagnosis to Survivorship

Level: Beginner
Track: Neuro-Oncology
Jaclyn Garcia, BSN RN CNRN SCRN

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

3:50 – 4:50 pm CDT

(216) American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development

(217) Unraveling the Mystery of Migraine: How to Assess, Diagnose, and Treat

Level: Expert
Track: Special Topics
Amy Larson, APRN CNP
Pharmacology hours: 0.5

(218) Implementing Anti-Racism Education in Neurocritical Care: A Pathway to Reducing Racial Disparities

Level: Advanced Practice
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Ebonye Green, DNP ACNPC-AG CNRN SCRN APRN FNCS

(219) Brain Injury Behavior Management

Level: Intermediate
Track: Neurotrauma
Cynthia Bautista, PhD APRN FNCS FCNS
Pharmacology hours: 0.5

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hours)

5:00 – 5:30 pm CDT

(220) In Our Right Mind: Keeping Our Right Hemisphere Damage Patients Safe in the Acute and Post Acute Period

Level: Intermediate
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke

(221) Fostering Inclusion and Allyship: Reducing Biases in Gender Identity and Sexuality in the Neuroscience Population

Level: Beginner
Track: Special Topics
Holly Wirth, DNP RN NE-BC CNE SCRN

(222) Jazzing Up the Awareness of Sensory Impairment and Innovative Ideas to Optimize the Music of Daily Living

Level: Expert
Track: Anatomy/Physiology/Neuroassessment
Melissa Moreda, MSN APRN ACCNS-AG CDCES CNRN SCRN

(223) SEEG Surgery Journey as an Epilepsy Nurse and a Caregiver

Level: Intermediate
Track: Seizure/Epilepsy
Amy Matzkanin, BSN RN CNRN

AANN/ABNN/AMWF Update

8:00 – 8:30 am CDT

Hear an update on the accomplishments of AANN, ABNN, and AMWF over the past year. Learn more about AANN membership, CNRN and SCRN certification, and AMWF grants.

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

8:30 – 9:30 am CDT

(300) Delphi Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development

(301) Managing Neurological Autoimmune Disease Lifelong Evolving Symptoms: A Patient-Clinician Experience and Outcomes Driven Approach

Level: Intermediate
Track: Movement Disorders/Neuromuscular
Caroline Piselli, DNP MBA RN FACHE SSBB
Pharmacology hours: 0.25

(302) To Go or Not to Go? Bypassing the ICU: A Nurse's Role in Craniotomy Pathway Implementation

Level: Intermediate
Track: Special Topics
Amy Cheung-Taylor, BSN RN CCRN CNRN SCRN
Anastasia Tsiantoulas, BSN RN CNRN SCRN
Kelly Ann Wong, BSN RN CCRN SCRN

Pharmacology hours: 0.25

(303) A Patient’s Journey with Rare Peripheral Neuropathy: Learning About Guillain-Barre Syndrome and CIDP from Patients Themselves

Level: Intermediate
Track: Movement Disorders

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 0.5 CE contact hours)

11:00 – 11:30 am CDT

(304) The Neuro Response Nurse: An Innovative Approach to Supporting the Rural Level 1 Academic Medical & Comprehensive Stroke Center

Level: Beginner
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Carmen-Lee Westenfeld, MSN RN CNR
Shawna-Markie Malynowski, RN
Elle McGraw, BSN RN SCRN
Bridgette Normandin, BSN RN
Serphore Thomas-Mathurin, MSN

(305) A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Identifying the Pitfalls to Early Recognition of Posterior Circulation Stroke

Level: Intermediate
Track: Anatomy/Physiology/Neuroassessment
Dawnielle Feucht, BSN RN SCRN
Rita Muldoon-Laccone, MSN RN-BC SCRN

(306) Dirty Mouth? Clean It Up! Optimizing Oral Care Practice in a Stroke Unit

Level: Intermediate
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke
Ashley Higgins, MSN APRN ACCNS-AG CCRN CNRN SCRN
Christine Bass, MSN RN CNL

(307) I Don't Want to Use Medications! How to Help Patients Manage Mirgraines Without Medication

Level: Expert
Track: Special Topics
Amy Larson, APRN CNP

Break with Posters

10:10 – 10:40 am CDT

Concurrent Sessions (4 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

10:40 – 11:40 am CDT

(308) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Session

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development

(309) APP Role Survey

Level: Intermediate
Track: Professional Development

(310) Does Seating Matter? A Trial of Therapeutic Specialty Chairs on the Neurosciences Units

Level: Intermediate
Track: Quality/Safety/Process
Jennifer Johnson, BSN RN CNRN
Michelle Donoughe, BSN RN CNRN
Melissa Robinette, MSN BS RN

(311) "Why Is My Patient on Two Steriods?" and Other SAH Conundrums

Level: Intermediate
Track: Pharmacology
Ashley Higgins, MSN APRN ACCNS-AG CCRN CNRN SCRN
Mavis Robinson, RN SCRN
Pharmacology hours: 0.5

Concurrent Sessions (2 sessions, 1 CE contact hour)

11:50 am – 12:50 pm CDT

(312) Lather Rinse Repeat: The Role of the Glymphatic System in Maintaining a Helathy, Happy, and Homeostatis Brain

Level: Intermediate
Track: Anatomy/Physiology/Neuroassessment
Samuel Melada, MA RN NPD-BC CNRN SCRN
Kyna Seale, BSN RN CNRN SCRN

(313) Achieving a Median Door in-Door out Time of 75 Minutes or Less for Endovascular Stroke Therapy Across 21 Facilities is Hard but Doable

Level: Intermediate
Track: Cerebrovascular/Stroke
Patricia Zrelak, PhD RN NEA-BC ASC-BC CNRN SCRN CCRN FAHA