Christopher Ward Pediatric Neuroscience Conference 2026
LIVE HYBRID ACTIVITY

This conference is specifically for providers and other interested staff that care for children with conditions affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. It will provide clinical updates and address current topics relevant to the nursing care of this growing patient population.
Target Audience
The target audience for this activity includes Nurse Practitioners and other APRN's, Physician Assistants, Physicians, Registered Nurses, EEG technologists and other clinical staff involved with neuroscience patient care.
Learner Outcome
- Learners will report increased knowledge regarding care of children with neurological conditions.
- Learners will report at least one practice change they plan to make as a result of this activity.
Scholarship Assistance
Full scholarships are being offered. To apply complete this application form by Saturday, June 6, 2026. Notification of award will be sent by Friday, June 12, 2026, along with instructions on how to register.
Click here to submit an application
Do not register for the conference prior to applying for a scholarship. Separate registration instructions will be sent directly to all scholarship recipients.
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 984.81 KB |
Agenda
Thursday, August 6, 2026
| 7:30 a.m. | Check-in | |
| 7:50 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | |
| 8:00 | Using Visuals to Improve Patient and Family Experience: Tips and Tricks from a Multidisciplinary Down Syndrome Clinic Allison Meyer, PhD Jennifer Harris, MSE | |
| 9:00 | Don’t Get Thrown Off Balance: Causes and Treatments for Pediatric Dizziness Chris Latimer, MD | |
| 10:00 | Break | |
| 10:15 | Perinatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Andra Dingman. MD Danielle Guez Barber, MD, PhD | |
| 11:15 | Traumatic Brain Injury and Abusive Head Trauma - Recognizing neurologic symptoms in the first week and after the dust has settled Ricka Messer, MD, PhD | |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:00 | Precision Therapeutics for Neurologic Conditions Scott Demarest, MD, MSCS | |
| 2:00 | When Kids Change Overnight: A Clinician’s Guide to PANS/PANDAS Anastacia Wall, PA-C | |
| 3:00 | Break | |
| 3:15 | Time Is Brain: Recognition and Acute Management of Pediatric Stroke Medha Parulekar, MD | |
| 4:15 | Wrap-up and Evaluation | |
| 4:30 | Adjourn | |
Children’s Hospital Colorado reserves the right to modify the agenda or cancel this conference in the event of an unforeseen circumstance.

The conference will take place in person in the Medical Conference and Education Center - Mt. Yale conference room. Virtual attendees will receive an email with a virtual link.
Faculty
Scott Demarest, MD, MSCS
Chief Precision Medicine Officer
Precision Medicine Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado
Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Andra Dingman, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Child Neurology
Program Lead, Neonatal Neurology
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Children's Hospital Colorado
Jennifer Harris, MSE
Learning Specialist III
Sie Center for Down Syndrome
Children's Hospital Colorado
Chris Latimer, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Section of Child Neurology
University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Ricka Messer, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Attending Neurologist - Inpatient and NABICC Clinic
Children's Hospital Colorado
Allison Meyer, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Director of Psychology
Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome
Children's Hospital Colorado
Medha Parulekar, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Neurohospitalist
Pediatric Neurovascular Clinic
Children's Hospital Colorado
Anastacia Wall, PA-C
Senior Instructor
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Headache Specialty Clinic | Neuroimmunology Clinic
Children's Hospital Colorado
Financial Disclosure
None of the planners for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
- Dr. Scott Demarest faculty for this educational event, is a consultant for: SRC (Capsida), Lundbeck, Mahzi Therapeutics, Neurocrine Biosciences, Praxis Medicines.
- Dr. Ricka Messer faculty for this education event, is a research sponsor for Ultragenyx.
All of the relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated.
Continuing Education Credit
Registration, attendance, and completion of the online evaluation are required for successful completion. Claim only the hours you attend.
Nursing: Children’s Hospital Colorado is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This education activity for 7.25 nursing contact hours is provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado.
General Attendance: A general certificate of attendance will be available for all other care providers.
Available Credit
- 7.25 Attendance
- 7.25 NCPD

The Christopher Ward Pediatric Neuroscience Conference 2026 will be held at the Children’s Hospital Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. This is a great opportunity to network with nurses and other child health providers caring for this growing and complex patients with conditions affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Exhibitor Fee
An exhibit booth for this event is $500 for the day.
This includes a registration for the conference, a table, a chair, and meals at the event. Space is available on a first come basis and display table measures 5 x 2 feet. Each exhibitor is allowed one space only. If you prefer you can rental a table cloth for your table for $22.
There is a discounted rate for non-profit organizations, so please reach out for further details.
Exhibitor Registration
If you would like to exhibit please complete the Exhibitor Reply Form.
Questions
If you have any questions or need a Children's Hospital Colorado W9 form please reach out:
Ray Cuellar, 720-777-6101, [email protected]
Price
Registration Fees
Registration Type | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
Students – with proof | $20 | |
CHCO Team Member | $20 | $40 |
ACNN Member - with proof | $20 | $40 |
Community Partner | $75 | $100 |
Cancellation and Refund Policy
A registration refund, minus a $10.00 cancellation fee, will be issued if the cancellation request is received at least 14 calendar days prior to the activity date. No refunds will be granted after this deadline or for non-attendance. However, a substitute may attend in your place if you notify the conference coordinator at least three days before the activity.
Children’s Hospital Colorado reserves the right to modify the agenda or cancel the activity due to unforeseen circumstances or if minimum registration is not met by July 31, 2026. In such cases, a full refund will be issued to registered participants.
For additional information, please contact Ray Cuellar at [email protected].
If you require special assistance or accommodations to fully participate, please notify us at least four weeks in advance of the activity.

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