7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Exhibitor Arrival / Setup
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast, Registration, Exhibitors
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM
Welcome Remarks by Dr. Heidi Sallee, MOAAP President
8:40 AM – 9:30 AM
Tina Maier
Founder & Executive Director, Megan Meier Foundation
Session 1: Megan’s Voice – Advocating for Mental Wellness in the Digital Age
Description:
Bullying and cyberbullying are not just schoolyard issues—they have profound and lasting effects on mental health, social development, and overall well-being. As professionals working with youth, it is essential to understand the evolving challenges young people face in today’s digital world.
In this engaging and thought-provoking session, Tina Meier, Founder & Executive Director of the Megan Meier Foundation, explores the intersection of bullying, cyberbullying, and youth mental wellness. Participants will gain insights into the psychological and neurological impact of bullying, the warning signs of digital distress, and the role of social rejection in adolescent development.
This session will provide practical, research-based strategies for intervention, communication techniques for supporting youth, and resources to help foster safer, more inclusive environments. Attendees will leave with the tools and confidence to recognize, respond to, and help prevent bullying-related mental health challenges, ensuring they can make a meaningful impact in the lives of the young people they serve.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Connection Between Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Youth Mental Health
- Participants will recognize the psychological impact of bullying and cyberbullying, including their links to anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk factors.
- Identify Effective Strategies for Prevention and Intervention
- Attendees will learn practical approaches for addressing bullying, supporting youth in crisis, and fostering a culture of empathy and resilience both online and offline.
- Empower Individuals to Take Action and Promote Digital Responsibility
- Participants will gain insights into the role of schools, parents, and peers in preventing harmful behaviors and ensuring safe, supportive environments for young people.
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM
Amruta Padhye, MD
University of Missouri Columbia – Children’s Specialty Center
Session 2: Updates in Communicable Diseases for the General Pediatrician
Description:
Current Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases for General Pediatricians
This session will provide an overview of the current epidemiology of infectious diseases that practicing general pediatricians should be aware of, including:
- Emerging and Changing Epidemiology: Diseases like measles, tuberculosis, and syphilis, which have experienced shifts in incidence and patterns.
- Potential Outbreak Risks: Conditions such as chickenpox and mumps, which pose increasing risks due to decreasing immunization rates.
- Updates on Diagnosis and Treatment: Important changes in clinical guidelines, especially regarding the management of tuberculosis and Hepatitis C in pediatric populations.
By the end of the session, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the evolving landscape of these infectious diseases and how to manage them effectively in clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Analyze the current epidemiology of communicable diseases in the United States, including measles, mumps, chickenpox, syphilis, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis C.
- Identify the clinical presentations of these infectious diseases in pediatric patients.
- Explain the recent updates in the treatment and prevention strategies for these diseases.
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM
Lindsey Jarrett, PhD
Center for Practical Bioethics, Vice President of Ethical AI
Session 3: AI Ethics in Healthcare: Balancing Risk and Opportunity
Description:
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace in what can feel like every sector of our lives, and healthcare is not exempt. In healthcare settings, AI assists in detecting, predicting, and monitoring health status, conditions, and behavior and assists in processes related to direct healthcare delivery. Amidst excitement, there is also growing concern around how AI can pose significant potential risk and harm across healthcare systems. How ought organizations, regulators, software vendors, and individual practitioners respond to these risks while still utilizing and appreciating the benefits of these technologies? A comprehensive solution is urgently needed in the AI space because practitioners and healthcare leaders are determined to realize the benefits and efficiencies of these technologies right now. Yet, standard processes that ensure human touchpoints, thoughtful consideration, and application of ethical principles to algorithm utilization are often underutilized or completely absent. Due to the lack of these processes and limited regulatory guidance, healthcare organizations are now working to fill the gap so they can use these tools responsibly. The Ethical AI Initiative at the Center for Practical Bioethics has completed pilot work with 2 large healthcare organizations and has developed our offerings through community-based participation, which has led to the creation of a diverse and practical framework. This talk provides practical guidance on how to start creating a system for the ethical use of AI so healthcare organizations can mitigate risks of AI and leverage it as a beneficial tool.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant should be able to correctly identify types of AI use cases in healthcare.
- Participants will be able to describe AI use cases in healthcare.
- Participants will be able to evaluate the risks associated with the use of AI in healthcare.
- Participants will be able to articulate policy and procedural considerations for AI ethics.
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
Linda Neumann, RN
Missouri Association of School Nurses – Past President
Session 4: Stronger Together – Strengthening Relationships between Pediatricians and School Nurses for Improved Child/Youth Outcomes
Description:
“The role of the school nurse has expanded to include critical components, such as surveillance, chronic disease management, emergency preparedness, behavioral health assessment, ongoing health education, extensive case management” (AAP 2016 & 2023). This session will review current surveillance data, the role of school nurses and existing MO laws that affect school nursing practice. Successful collaborations between pediatricians and school nurses will be highlighted as well as challenges. We will then discuss possible opportunities to strengthen professional relationships with school nurses
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the AAP Policy Statement on the Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health Services
- Recognize existing US and MO data of student health conditions and current communication challenges as well as current MO laws
- Explore successes of school nurse and pediatrician collaboration
- Discuss opportunities to strengthen professional relationships with school nurses
12:10 PM – 12:50 PM
Lunch
12:50 PM – 1:40 PM
Session 5: Panel in Development
Currently being finalized. Stay tuned for updates.
1:50 PM – 2:40 PM
Amanda Rubank, MSN, RN, CSPI
Missouri Poison Center
Session 6: Poison Centers: Safeguarding Against Poison Related Dares and Challenges
Description:
Interested in learning about the latest poison-related dares and challenges like the Benadryl challenge and BORGs? Join the Missouri Poison Center as they discuss these unusual trends. They will also cover prevention strategies and how the poison center can be integrated into your workflow.
Learning Objectives:
- Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to determine common substances that are used int poison related dares and challenges.
- Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to understand the harm reduction strategies related to poisonous dares and challenges.
- Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge about how poison centers can be used in an adjunct role to assist in the management of care of a poisoned patient.
2:40 PM – 3:30 PM
Margaret Rozier Chen, MD, NABBLM-C
Session 7: Breastfeeding and Lactation – An Emerging Field Within Pediatrics
Description:
Breastfeeding and lactation medicine is now a board-certified specialty and physicians who are certified are able to provide an extra layer of support to patients and families. In this talk, I will discuss the specialty as well as breastfeeding statistics, benefits, and barriers.
Learning Objectives:
- Bring awareness of breastfeeding and lactation medicine as a new board certification
- Discuss physiology, benefits, barriers, and contraindications to breastfeeding
- Discuss our role as pediatricians in supporting the breastfeeding dyad