NEANN’s Annual Conference

March 24-25, 2024 | Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa | Newport, Rhode Island 

The NEANN Annual Conference brings together neonatal clinicians from all over the region, in a community of learning, laughter, and professional growth. The charming seaside town of Newport, known for its sunsets and sailboats, provides the stage for this premier event. From its gilded-age mansions, to boutique shopping and peaceful oceanside walks, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

  • Fifteen expert neonatal speakers from 10 New England hospitals and universities 
  • Inaugural meeting of neonatal transport clinicians and leaders
  • Fun planned activities to tour Newport 
  • Fantastic rate at a beautiful seaside hotel
  • Discounted rate for conference attendees at the hotel spa
  • Annual meeting of the Leadership Collaborative, an opportunity to meet with NICU leaders from around New England
  • Poster session, highlighting QI and research
  • Remembrance walk along the ocean in honor of those special infants who have spread their angel wings
  • Speed networking session, a fun guided session on topics of interest and a great way to find out how others provide care
  • Potential for 10.0 Contact Hours
  • Vendor hall showcasing the latest in neonatal products, technology and opportunities to advance your career 
  • Annual business meeting of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses

Meet NICU leaders, difference-makers and amazing nurses from around New England; share ideas; and learn new practices from one another! The conference audience comprises those interested in the care of infants, their families, and one another, including:

  • Registered nurses
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Neonatal therapists
  • Nurse leaders
  • Students and faculty
  • Lactation consultants

AGENDA

Sunday, March 24

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NEANN Leadership Collaborative (Lunch Service)

Annual gathering of formal and informal neonatal leaders. Presentation Topic: Generational Differences in the NICU.

Megan Flynn, MSN, RN, CNL, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW

Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME

12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. Self-Care Break/ Visit with Industry Partners in Vendor Hall
1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Neonatal Transport Collaborative

Inaugural gathering of neonatal transport clinicians from the region. Transport topics will be presented, followed by tabletop discussion.

 

Allison Winchester, MSN, APRN

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH

Jamie Moore, MSN, NNP-BC

Critical Care Transport Team, Boston Children’s Hospital

3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Remembrance Walk along the Newport Waterfront with Candle Lighting

This walk serves to honor babies who have spread their angel wings and left a mark on our lives. It will also provide support for “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep”, a non-profit organization which provides remembrance photography for families experiencing infant loss.

4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Speed Networking Session

Fun, facilitated session designed to accelerate information exchange over short segments of time.

5 p.m.-6:15 p.m.

Author Attended Poster Session

Light Appetizers and Cash Bar

6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Evening Dinner Event

 

Fetal Surgery: Past, Present, and Future

Timothy Crombleholme, MD, FACS, FAAP

Connecticut Children’s, Hartford, CT

 

What is the meaningfulness of preterm birth, later in life?

Amy D’Agata, PhD, RN

University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

 

Annual NEANN Business Meeting

All attendees are welcome!

NEANN Leadership Team

Presentation of Scholarship & Poster Awards

 

Monday, March 25

7 a.m.- 8 a.m. Registration & Breakfast with Exhibitors in Vendor Hall
8 a.m.-8:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks – Welcome!

 

Deanna Hill, MSN, RNC-NIC, NPD-BC

President, NEANN

8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

What it takes to address adverse social determinants of health in the NICU

 

Gaby Ramos, MD

Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA

9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Milk Matters: Enhancing Preterm and Ill Neonatal Outcomes with Human Milk

Carrie- Ellen Briere, PhD, RN, CLC

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Connecticut Children’s, Hartford, CT

10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Self-Care Break/Visit with Industry Partners in Vendor Hall
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

NWAS- Now What? Development of a Neonatal Withdrawal Assessment Score

 

Cheryl Slater, MSN-Ed, RNC, NIC, NPD-BC

Elisha Wachman, MD

Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Surfactant Delivery Techniques- The Thrill of the Instill

 

Justin Rearick, MS, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, C-NPT, CPHQ

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, CT

 

Coby Kellner, MD

University of Connecticut

12:45 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Lunch & Visit with Exhibitors in Vendor Hall
2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

QI Power Hour

  1. The Golden Hour: A Gentler Transition to Extrauterine Life, A Quality Improvement Project
  2. Eliminating Invasive MRSA Infections in a Neonatal ICU
  3. The Power of Touch: A collaborative, family-centered approach to making Skin-to-Skin Care Safe and Accessible for Infants on High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV)

 

Rachel Coportino, MSN, NNP-BC

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

 

Lindsey Garcia, DNP, MBA, MS, RN-CENP

Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT

 

Gina Story, MSN

Ellery Spencer, BSN, RN

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

3:45 p.m.-4 p.m. Self-Care Break
4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Feeding infants on HFNC/CPAP: Is it safe? Does it get babies home sooner?

 

Britt Pados, PhD, NNP, CLC

Founder, Infant Feeding Care. Boston, MA

4:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Closing Remarks

 

Deanna Hill, MSN, RNC-NIC, NPD-BC

President, NEANN

DIRECTIONS & PARKING


The hotel charges a $10 parking rate for all attendees over the event dates (based on availability in the hotel’s parking garage).

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships support NEANN and allow for events like the Annual Conference.

POSTER ABSTRACTS

Applications for poster abstracts are now being accepted. If you would like to present a poster at the Annual Conference, please click below.

BOOK YOUR LODGING

Conference attendees receive a discounted rate at the Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa. Click below to book a room at this special rate.

Mention NEANN when booking spa services and receive a 10% discount. (Click flyer to enlarge.)

INDUSTRY PARTNERS – PLATINUM LEVEL

INDUSTRY PARTNERS – GOLD LEVEL

INDUSTRY PARTNERS – SILVER LEVEL

INDUSTRY PARTNERS – NON-PROFIT

CONTACT HOURS

This nursing continuing professional development activity will be submitted for approval for Contact Hours by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. More information to come.