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ForwardVentricular Assist Device (VAD) Symposium
Welcome Heart Institute Team Members and Heart Affiliates
This conference will focus on a review of mechanical circulatory support of acute and chronic heart failure. This course has been designed to combine lectures from the multidisciplinary team in addition an optional hands-on session with the different ventricular assist devices. Children’s Hospital Colorado pediatric cardiologists, surgeons, interventionalists, and other VAD team members will lead the lectures, sharing their experience in the management of supporting pediatric patients on mechanical circulatory support.
Target Audience
Pediatric cardiologists, cardiology fellows, advance practice providers, nurses, and other members of the multidisciplinary team as well as heart affiliates.
Learning Objectives
- Define indications for implant including timing and device selection
- Describe surgical and interventional considerations of implant
- Explain post-op management and imaging considerations
- Recognize and manage adverse events while on support
- Identify special populations and considerations while on support
- Discuss discharge and outpatient management and effects in the peri-op period of transplant
Learner Outcome
At the conclusion of this event, learners will report new knowledge related to providing circulatory support for patients with acute and chronic heart failure.
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 VAD Symposium Brochure_Updated July 1.docx | 2.04 MB |
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
(All times are mountain standard time)
8:00a Our own VAD Program Intro
Rob Hyslop, BSN, RN, CCRN
8:20 Indications for Implant, Timing and Device Selection
Matt Stone, MD, PhD
8:40 Mechanical Support of Acute Heart Failure: When do we need an oxygenator?
Maria Fouad Abou Nader, MD
9:00 Impella Support for Acute Heart Failure
Ryan Leahy, MD, MS
9:20 Preparing for the VAD placement: Pre-Implant Management of the Durable VAD Candidate
Stephanie Nakano, MD
9:40 Surgical VAD Implantation
Emily Downs, MD
10:10 Break
10:10 Q&A
10:20 Perfusion Considerations for VAD Implantation and Management
Craig McRobb, CCP
10:40 Anesthesia for Pediatric Patients Requiring VAD Support
Richard Ing, MD
11:00 Imaging of Patients Requiring VAD Support
Trevor Williams, MD
11:20 Post-Operative Management of the Pediatric VAD Patient
Jessica Persson, MD
11:40 Management of the VAD patient in the Peri-operative Period of Transplant
Melanie Everitt, MD
12:00p Q/A
12:10 Lunch (optional hands-on session)
13:10 Cardiac Catheterization of the VAD Patient
Gareth Morgan, MD
13:30 Anti-Thrombosis Therapy for Children on VAD Support
Ben Olsen, MD
13:50 Adverse Events on VAD Support
Monica Lehman, MD
14:10 Driveline and Cannula Site Management
Sara Sullivan, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CCRN
14:30 Discharge and Outpatient VAD Management
Allison Reichhold, APRN
14:50 Q/A
15:00 Break
15:10 Therapies and Rehabilitation for Children on VAD Support
Andrea Gerk, OTD/OTR/L, BCP
15:30 Psychiatric and Psychological Aspects of Supporting Children on VAD
Laura Reinman, PhD, Elizabeth Christofferson, PhD
15:50 Special Populations: Congenital Heart Disease VAD Support- Single Ventricles
Kathleen Simpson, MD
16:10 VAD Considerations in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease ACHD
TBD
16:30 Parent Perspective
Ollie’s POC (Sarah Mackey & Anthony Wagner)
16:50 Q/A & Evaluation
17:00 Adjourn
Hybrid Format - Live In-Person or Virtual - Select location with registration type.
This activity will take place in the Medical Conference and Education Center located on the 2nd Floor at Children's Hospital Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus. Virtual learners will be sent a Zoom link prior 1-3 days prior to.
Parking
Children's team members must use their designated parking. Guests may park free in Lot 10 located to the east of the hospital. Enter Lot from Victor Street. Visitor structure is reserved for patients.
Health Screening
Health screenings are required for guests coming into the hospital. Please plan extra time for this process. If you are having flu or COVID symptoms, please stay home and reach out to us.
Additional Faculty
Maria Abou Nader, MD
Liz Christofferson, PhD
Emily Downs, MD
Melanie Everitt, MD
Andrea Gerk, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Richard Ing, MD
Ryan Leahy, MD, MS
Craig McRobb, CCP
Gareth Morgan, MD
Stephanie Nakano, MD
Ben Olsen, MD
Jessica Persson, MD
Laura Reinman, PhD
Kathleen Simpson, MD
Matthew Stone, MD, PhD
Trevor Williams, MD
Medical
Children’s Hospital Colorado is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Children’s Hospital Colorado designates this Live activity for a maximum of 7.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing
Children’s Hospital Colorado is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This educational activity for 7.75 nursing contact hours is provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Non-Physician Attendance
A certificate of participation will be provided to other health care professionals. Participants should ensure in advance that their credentialing or licensing organization accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Completion Criteria
Logging attendance and completing an evaluation within 14-days of the event are required to collect credit.
Available Credit
- 7.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 7.75 Attendance
- 7.75 Approved Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) education
- 7.75 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 7.75 NCPD
Price
The Planning Committee reserves the right to modify the agenda or cancel this conference in the event of an unforeseen circumstance.
Children’s Hospital Colorado sets registration fees in accordance with federal guidelines to ensure compliance with regulations governing financial relationships in healthcare.
Registration is required. In-Person or Virtual Option provided. Virtual access will be provided 1-3 days prior to the course.
Attendance code provided on the day of the event. Attendance verification and evaluation required to obtain professional credit within three weeks.
Thank you for your participation and feedback.