2026 Quad Cities Area APN-PA Alliance Conference

Davenport, IA US
November 6, 2026

Join us on November 6, 2025, at the Adler Health Education Center for the 2025 Quad Cities Area APN-PA Alliance Conference.

The conference will provide valuable, evidence-based education for healthcare providers, particularly in primary care, addressing critical gaps in current practice.

Annual membership in the Quad Cities Area Nurse Practitioner / Physician Associate Alliance is included with your registration! We welcome providers and students.

Statement of Need and Purpose

Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Associates, and Pharmacists play a critical role in delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care. However, several professional practice gaps persist that hinder optimal outcomes in primary care settings. This conference is designed to address these gaps by enhancing clinical knowledge and confidence in these key areas:

  • TBD

This educational activity will empower attendees with actionable, evidence-based strategies and clinical “pearls” to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. Throughout the conference working together and communication among the healthcare team will be emphasized, By bridging these knowledge gaps, the conference aims to foster greater confidence and competence in everyday practice.

Elements of Competence

This educational activity is designed to change learner competence and focuses on the following competencies:

  • Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)/Nursing: XXX       
  • National Academy of Medicine (NAM)/Nursing: XXX
  • Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE): XXX
  • Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competencies: XXX

Intended Audience

The audience for this conference includes Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Associates, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Students from these professions.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participation in this conference, members of the healthcare team will be able to:

  • TBD

Financial Support

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Quad Cities Area APN-PA Alliance gratefully acknowledge the unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca. 

Exhibitors

Thank you to our exhibitors
  • Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.
  • Alkermes, Inc.
  • Bayer Pharmaceuticals
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • Gilead Sciences, Inc.
  • Grifols
  • Novo Nordisk
  • Project of the Quad Cities
  • Scott County Health Department
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 3.25 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 3.25 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 3.25 ANCC Contact Hours
    • 2.00 ANCC Pharmacotherapy Contact Hours
  • 3.25 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
Registration opens: 
06/17/2026
Course expires: 
12/21/2026
Event starts: 
11/06/2026 - 11:00am CST
Event ends: 
11/06/2026 - 5:00pm CST
Cost:
$50.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
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Agenda

Friday, November 7, 2025


Time (in CT)


Activities, Topics, Speakers & Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Location

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Registration & Visiting with Exhibitors *

External Exhibitor Area
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 
Sponsored Lunch & Presentation by AstraZeneca *

Breztri-Triple Therapy for COPD

Steve White, MD

No continuing education credit will be offered for this presentation.
Main Conference Area
12:30 - 1:00 PMNetworking & Visiting with Exhibitors *External Exhibitor Area
1:00 - 1:50 PM
KEYNOTE

Buprenorphine Basics in Practice: Strategies and Supports for All Clinicians

Dia Welch, MSN, ARNP, ANCC-BC 

  1. Explain the pharmacology, and risks and benefits of using buprenorphine as a treatment modality.
  2. Examine indications for buprenorphine use that clinicians may encounter in practice such as opioid use disorder, and chronic and acute pain management.
  3. Critique potential biases of healthcare team members towards patients treated with buprenorphine and strategies to address them. 
  4. Implement practical strategies to manage the use of buprenorphine in clinical scenarios.
Main Conference Area
1:50 - 2:40 PM

A Review of Bipolar Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder in the Primary Care Setting

Maria Sonnack, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

  1. Diagnose and select appropriate treatment(s) for bipolar and related disorders.
  2. Diagnose and identify management strategies for patients with borderline personality disorder.
  3. Value and implement substance abuse screenings for bipolar and personality disorder patient populations.
  4. Identify when to refer patients with bipolar and/or personality disorders to other members of the healthcare team and important information to communicate.
Main Conference Area
2:40 - 3:10  PM
Alliance Update and CARES Award *
Main Conference Area
3:10 - 4:00 PM

Blood Sugar and Beyond: The Expanding Therapeutic Landscape of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

  1. Describe the mechanisms of action, dosing strategies, and common adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists to support safe prescribing and patient counseling.
  2. Evaluate the evidence for GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond diabetes, including weight management, sleep apnea, cardiovascular risk reduction, and emerging therapeutic areas.
  3. Identify common barriers to initiating or maintaining GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy and formulate strategies to address them.
  4. Discuss collaborative approaches for monitoring efficacy, managing side effects, and supporting patient outcomes for individuals using GLP-1 RAs within an interprofessional care team
Main Conference Area
4:00 - 4:50 PM

Dermatology for Primary Care

Gretchen Parris MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Derm

  1. Examine common dermatologic disorders and diseases.
  2. Describe different types of skin biopsies and when to use them. 
  3. Select evidence-based treatments, including medications for dermatological conditions. 
  4. Differentiate among patients who need further consultation dermatological conditions through triage and assessment
  5. Compare and contrast the selection and application of topical steroids.
Main Conference Area
4:50 - 5:00 PM
Q & A / Complete Evaluations
Main Conference Area
5:00 PMAdjourn


*NO CREDIT PROVIDED

Program Changes

Situations occasionally occur that may necessitate topic or speaker changes. The University of Wisconsin-Madison ICEP reserves the right to alter or substitute a topic or speaker without prior notification.

Adler Health Education Center
1236 East Rusholme Street
Lower-level Genesis Heart Institute
Davenport, IA 52803
United States
+1 (563) 421-1000
Adler Health Education Center - Davenport, IA

Keynote Speaker

Speakers

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Planning Committee

*Cara Voelliger, ARNP

Jennifer Hook, NP

Lu Olson, ARNP

Pamela ViPond, NP

Mary Jo Bloominger, DMSC, MPAS, PA-C

Heather Hunemuller, ARNP

Lauren Rumburg, DNP, ARNP

 

Danita Harrison, DNP, ARNP

Katherine Lothe, DNP, RN, FNP, APNP, Clinical Associate Professor, UW-Madison School of Nursing

Kate Salsberry, DNP, FNP, PMHNP

 

*Conference Director

Policy on Disclosure

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies** held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE).  In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

 

NameRoleFinancial Relationship DisclosuresDiscussion of Unlabeled/ Unapproved uses of drugs/ devices in presentation?
Cara Voelliger, ARNPConference Director, Planner  
Nina Berge, BACommittee MemberNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Mary Jo Bloominger, DMSC, MPAS, PA-CPlanner  
Sue Gaard, MS, RNCommittee Member  
Danita Harrison, ARNPPlanner  
Jennifer Hook, NPPlanner  
Heather Hunemuller, ARNPPlanner  
Tracy Mrochek MPA., RN, NPD-BCCommittee Member  
Katherine Lothe, DNP, RN, FNP, APNPPlanner  
Lu Olson, ARNPPlanner  
Rob Poehnelt, BSCommittee Member  
Lauren Rumburg, ARNPPlanner  
Kate Salsberry, DNP, FNP, PMHNPPlanner  
Pamela ViPond, NPPlanner  

**Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

The University of Wisconsin provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements. The University of Wisconsin fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant in this educational activity is in need of accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) and the Quad Cities Area APN-PA Alliance. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Credit Designation Statements

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of XXX ANCC contact hours (XXXof which are eligible for pharmacotherapeutic contact hours)

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) logoThe University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this in-person and virtual live activity for a maximum of XXX hours of knowledge-based CPE credit. Credit can be earned by successfully completing the activity, the assessment, and the evaluation. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion.

Universal Activity Number (UAN):  XXX

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for .XXX CEUs or XXX hours.

Available Credit

  • 3.25 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 3.25 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 3.25 ANCC Contact Hours
    • 2.00 ANCC Pharmacotherapy Contact Hours
  • 3.25 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours

Cost:
$50.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Registration for this activity can only be completed through the ICEP Learning Portal. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored. UW-Madison ICEP is not able to refund fees paid through unaffiliated registration sites, such as eMedEvents.com, MedConfWorld.com, EventEgg.com, and 10times.com. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations to [email protected].

Accessibility

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodation for this event. Please contact [email protected] as soon as you can make a reasonable accommodation request.

Exhibitor Opportunity

Would your company or organization like to be a conference exhibitor? Contact Heather Hunemuller, ARNP or Lu Olson, ARNP for more information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Cancellation requests received at least 96 hours prior to the conference will allow a full refund except for the nonrefundable processing fee of $10 (if applicable). No refunds will be made for cancellations received less than 96 hours prior to the activity start date.

Required Hardware/software

Free, current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or other .pdf reader.