PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR QUALITY CARE
Spring CME Conference Agenda
April 13-14, 2026 | Des Moines, Iowa
Monday, April 13, 2026
List of Services
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7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Hours Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Registration Desk OpensItem Link
Please arrive promptly by 7:15 a.m. for the first breakfast session.
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7:15 a.m. - 8 a.m. - BreakfastSpeaker: Bryan Hannon List Item 1
Session Title: To Be Determined
Speaker: To Be Determined
Sponsored by To Be Determined
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8 - 8:15 a.m. - Welcome and AnnouncementsSpeaker: List Item 2
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8:20 - 9:05 a.m. - IPAS Legislative UpdateList Item 3
Speaker: Dentons Davis Brown Team & Jim Earel
They will share the latest developments from the Iowa legislative session and their impact on PAs across the state.
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9:10 - 9:55 a.m. - Hematologic & Oncologic EmergenciesSpeaker > Dr. Tom Benzoni, DO List Item 4
Speaker: Amy McGraw
Course Description:
- Identify Hematologic and Oncologic emergencies
- Order and interpret appropriate workup for Hematologic and Oncologic emergencies
- Diagnose and manage hematologic and oncologic emergencies
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9:55 - 10:25 a.m. - Exhibit Hall BreakItem Link
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10:25 a.m. - 11:10 p.m. - Anatomy of Medical Malpractice LawsuitSpeakers > Dentons Team
Speakers: Cory Vaudt, DO
Course Description: Brief Overview of a malpractice lawsuit and what it means for the provider
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11:15 - 12:00 p.m. - Curious Cases and Clinical Conundrums in Dermatology.Speaker > Dr. Tom Benzoni, DO
Speakers: Katy Duffy, PA
Course Description:
Walk through the diagnostic and treatment approach to real life dermatology cases including rashes and skin cancers.
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12:00 - 12:15 p.m. - Transition TimeItem Link
During this time, attendees with grab lunch from the buffet line for the 12:15 p.m. session.
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12:15 - 1:00 p.m. - Sponsored Lunch SessionSpeaker:
Sponsored by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Speaker:
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1:00 - 1:45 p.m. - Beyond the Masters: Exploring the PA Doctorate FontierSpeaker > Adam Bjornson, MSPAS, ATC, PA-C
Speaker: Wallace Boeve, EdD, PA-C, DFAAPA and Dr. Dave Asprey
Course Description
This session will provide the attendees with the latest information regarding the PA post-professional doctorate degree and the entry-level doctoral degree. The presentation will provide updates regarding the ongoing discussions to explore the roles, opportunities, and future direction of the appropriate credential for the PA profession.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate the primary PA doctorate pathways and emphases (Pros & Cons).
- Explore the return on investment related to professional and personal goals with obtaining a doctorate.
- Evaluate how earning a PA doctorate may impact clinical practice, leadership roles, academic positions, and career advancement opportunities.
- Explain the current national landscape regarding the entry level PA doctorate education.
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1:50- 2:35 p.m. - Polypharmacy Prevention and Risk ReductionSpeaker > Dr. Autumn Brunia
Speaker: Caroline Woods PA-C, MPH, CHES
Course Objectives:
- Define polypharmacy, deprescribing, and prevention at any level
- Define three key components of predicting medication adherence
- Review physiologic effects of dual stimulant–benzodiazepine use
- Learn the biochemistry of tramadol receptors and how tramadol differs from other opioids
- Define cultural humility and how it differs from motivational interviewing and cultural competency
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2:35 - 3:05 p.m. - Exhibit Hall BreakSpeakers
Speaker: To Be Determined
Course Objectives
To Be Determined
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3:05 - 3:50 p.m. - GLP1: Latest Updates and Emerging InsightsSpeaker > Dr. Hailey Huey
Speaker: Dr. Nora Steller & Michelle Bottenberg
Course Description:
- Identify the emerging therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 medications beyond weight loss and diabetes.
- Explain the mechanisms and clinical advantages of new multi-receptor agonist medications in the pipeline.
- Apply evidence-based patient education and counseling strategies to optimize GLP-1 therapy outcomes.
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3:55 - 4:40 p.m. - Knee and Shoulder Joint Injections for Primary Care ProvidersSpeaker
Speaker: Dave Roberts MSPAS, PA-C and Adam Bjornson MSPAS, ATC, PA-C
Objectives:
- Understand indications and contraindications for knee and shoulder injection
- Understand appropriate injection medications and dosages
- Demonstrate knee and shoulder injection landmarks and technique
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4:40 p.m. - 5:30 pm - Knee and Shoulder Joint Injections for Primary Care Providers Hands-on WorkshopItem Link
Speaker: Dave Roberts MSPAS, PA-C and Adam Bjornson MSPAS, ATC, PA-C
Objectives:
- Understand indications and contraindications for knee and shoulder injection
- Understand appropriate injection medications and dosages
- Demonstrate knee and shoulder injection landmarks and technique
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5:30 - 5:35 p.m. - Closing RemarksSpeaker:
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6:00 -7:30 p.m. - PAs in Bloom | Spring Social
Head to Lua Brewing to network and have a cocktail or mocktail with friends and colleagues.
Come and go as you please!
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
List of Services
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7:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Registration Desk HoursItem Link
Join us for breakfast. Note that the breakfast session will start promptly at 7:15 a.m.
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7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Exhibit Hall HoursItem Link
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7:15 - 8 a.m. - BreakfastList Item 1
Speaker: To Be Determined
Session Title: Stay Tuned!
Sponsored By: To Be Determined
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8 - 8:05 a.m. - Welcome & Announcements Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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8:05 - 8:50 a.m. - CT and US Imaging: Going Past the Black and White and Into the GrayAileen Berquist List Item 3
Speaker: Janelle Lala, MSPAS, PA-C
Course Objectives:
- Explain the general difference of CT versus US including radiation exposure, image quality, indications/contraindications
- Understand the imaging basics of both CT and US, including CT with contrast vs without, CTA, and various probes of US
- Interpret CT and US images for common conditions (pneumonia, abscess, cholecystitis, DVT, appendicitis, active bleed, thyroid mass, etc.)
- Differentiate when CT or US is the preferred imaging technique for various clinical situations
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8:55 A.M. - 9:40 A.M. - Classic Liver DiseasesAmy Epstein, CNM List Item 2
Speaker: Dr. Amol Agarwal, MD
Session Description:
Review of some of the classic, although still pretty uncommon, non-infectious liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, hereditary hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, and Gilbert syndrome
Objectives:
- Discuss clinical and biochemical presentation of Major Immune-Mediated Liver Disorders: Autoimmune Hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Discuss clinical features associated with infiltrative liver disorders (diseases of accumulation) Wilson disease, and hemochromatosis
- Discuss benign Gilbert disease
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9:35 - 10:05 a.m. - Exhibit Hall BreakItem Link
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10:10 - 10:55 p.m. - Risks and Benefits of Screening Factor V LeidenDr. Vuong Nayima
Speaker: Madison Taborek, PA-S2
Course Description:
This lecture is an overview of the research I have conducted for my capstone project during PA school. I hope to share with clinicians the importance of targeted screening for inherited thrombophilias such as Factor V Leiden and highlight the need for future research on the potential risks of screening asymptomatic individuals.
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11:00 - 11:45 a.m. - Cancer in Iowa: What We Know and How We Can Help Our PatientsSpeaker
Speaker: Jason Semprini, PhD, MPP
Session Description:
This presentation will begin with a brief review of cancer in Iowa. Then, the presentation will identify the types of cancer driving Iowa’s cancer burden. Finally, the presentation will conclude with a discussion on what we can tell our patients to help reduce the risk of getting or dying from cancer.
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11:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Transition TimeItem Link
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12:00 - 12:45 p.m. - Sponsored Lunch SessionSpeaker
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12:45 - 1:25 p.m. - Glutamate- Moving Beyond the Monoamines in Depression TreatmentItem Link
Speaker: Laura Cunningham DMSc, PA-C, Psych-CAQ, CPAAPA
Description:
GLP-1 receptor agonists have rapidly evolved from glucose-lowering agents into transformative therapies with benefits extending across multiple organ systems—both through weight loss and through weight-independent mechanisms. This presentation will equip healthcare providers with the latest evidence on the expanding therapeutic landscape of GLP-1 and related multi-receptor agonist medications. Participants will explore emerging indications, next-generation agents in the pipeline, and practical counseling strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Objectives:
- History and challenges of treating major depressive disorder
- The roles of glutamate in the brain
- Glutamate dysfunction in psychiatric conditions and glutamate as a potential treatment option
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1:25 - 1:30 p.m. - Transition TimeSpeaker: Dr. Stephen Rinderknecht, DO
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1:30 - 2:15 p.m. - AAPA Update
Speaker: AAPA President Todd Pickard DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO
Course Description: AAPA President Todd Pickard will present virtually an update on AAPA. This session will provide timely insights into national advocacy efforts, legislative priorities, and strategic initiatives impacting the PA profession. Attendees will gain a broader perspective on how AAPA is advancing practice authority, protecting the profession, and supporting PAs across the country, along with updates on resources and opportunities for engagement.
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2:15 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. - Exhibit Hall Break Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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2:30 - 3:15 p.m. - A-fib: A Potpourri of Presentations
Speaker: Tom Benzoni, DO
Course Description:
- Atrial fibrillation defined, including relevant anatomy and physiology
- Review of the different types of atrial fibrillation
- Clinical presentation, including symptoms and potential consequences
- Diagnosis and detection methods
- Recommended clinical actions and management considerations
- Current treatments and updates in therapy
- Key takeaways and practical insights to apply in practice
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3:20 P.M. - 4:05 P.M. - Discussing False Health Beliefs
Speaker: Rachel Reimer, PhD
Course Description:
- Review key terms related to false information, misinformation and disinformation.
- Review themes related to false health information
- Discuss evidence based techniques to address false information and beliefs
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4:05 - 4:15 p.m. - Closing RemarksSpeaker
Stay for the final announcements for a chance to win prizes!