DELETE-2026 Quad Cities Area APN-PA Alliance Conference

Davenport, IA US
November 6, 2026

Join us on November 6, 2026, 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

XXX 

Exhibitors

Thank you to our exhibitors
  • XXX
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 - 11:30am CST
Event ends: 
11/06/2026 - 5:00pm CST
Cost:
$50.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
0

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

Dia Welch, MSN, ARNP, ANCC-BC

Dia Welch, MSN, ARNP, ANCC-BC 

Dia Welch, MSN, ARNP, ANCC-BC 

Dia is a seasoned Nurse Practitioner with over 21 years of clinical experience, specializing in pain management, opioid safety, and interdisciplinary care. She currently serves as the Facility Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Coordinator at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, where she leads initiatives focused on evidence-based practice, suicide prevention, and high reliability organization (HRO) principles. Dia is board-certified in both Adult Nurse Practice and Pain Management Nursing, and she has been instrumental in implementing the Stepped Care Model for pain management across her facility. Her leadership extends to national and regional committees, including chairing the VISN 23 Pain Committee and co-leading the Opioid Review Task Force. A recognized educator and speaker, Dia has presented extensively on pain care and opioid safety. Her integrative approach and commitment to veteran care have earned her multiple awards, including the VA HCS HERO Award.

Speakers

Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Dr. Maes received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2017. Following graduation, Dr. Maes completed a general practice residency (PGY-1) at Michigan Medicine/University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, followed by a specialty residency (PGY-2) in ambulatory care with a focus in family medicine at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Maes is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS) and ambulatory care pharmacist (BCACP). She currently serves as a primary care pharmacist at the UWHealth Belleville Clinic. Her clinical focus is on managing endocrine conditions within a primary care setting with a focus on diabetes, weight management, and women’s health.

In education, Dr. Maes is dedicated to helping students bridge classroom learning with practical application in patient care. She coordinates didactic, skills, and experiential courses for third-year PharmD students, emphasizing applied learning, critical thinking, interprofessional collaboration, and advancing health equity. Her research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in pharmacy education. Dr. Maes has been an active member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Women’s Health Practice and Research Network since 2019 and has served as an officer since 2022.


Gretchen Parris MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Derm
Gretchen Parris MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Derm

Gretchen Parris MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Derm

Gretchen Parris has worked as a dermatology Physician Assistant since 2018.  Upon completing her MPAS studies at St. Ambrose University in 2017, she went on to complete a post graduate APP dermatology residency with the University of Iowa. She currently sees patients at the UIHC outreach clinic in Bettendorf, IA.  She appreciates the positive impact on patients’ lives that result from diagnosing and treating a diverse range of skin conditions.  As a native Quad Citian, she enjoys being able to serve her community.  In her free time, she enjoys oil painting, running and gardening.

Maria Sonnack, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Maria Sonnack, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Maria Sonnack, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Inspired by her dad, also a Psychiatric PA, Maria has been helping people realize their potential using integrative therapy since 2014. After completing her Psychiatric PA program, Maria went on to become trained in Ketamine and Nutritional Psychiatry, making her a perfect fit for our holistic approach to patient wellness. Having studied at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI), she learned to resolve the underlying causes of mental illness so her patients could go beyond symptom reduction while attaining a true state of wellness. She also completed - and served as a translator for - two medical mission trips! || The truth is, there are many hard truths about mental illness and the largest is that the industry is failing people. Maria humbly strives to make an impact that is truly life-changing for her patients rather than simply applying a small bandage to a gaping wound.

Planning Committee

*Heather Hunemuller, ARNP

Mary Jo Bloominger, DMSC, MPAS, PA-C

Rita Ledbetter, MS, APN, CNM

Pamela ViPond, NP

*Lu Olson, ARNP

Danita Harrison, DNP, ARNP

Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Cara Voelliger, ARNP

*Lauren Rumburg, DNP, ARNP

Jennifer Hook, NP

Kate Salsberry, DNP, FNP, PMHNP

 

*Conference Co-Chairs

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?
Heather Hunemuller, ARNPCo-Chair, PlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Lu Olson, ARNPCo-Chair, Planner, Expert ReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Lauren Rumburg, ARNPCo-Chair, PlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Nina Berge, BACommittee MemberNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Mary Jo Bloominger, DMSC, MPAS, PA-CPlanner, Expert ReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Sue Gaard, MS, RNCommittee MemberNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Danita Harrison, ARNPPlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Jennifer Hook, NPPlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Rita Ledbetter, MS, APN, CNMPlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Marina L Maes, PharmD, BCPS, BCACPSpeaker, PlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseYes
Tracy Mrochek MPA., RN, NPD-BCCommittee MemberNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Gretchen Parris MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-DermSpeakerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseYes
Rob Poehnelt, BSCommittee MemberNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kate Salsberry, DNP, FNP, PMHNPPlanner, Expert ReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Maria Sonnack, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-PsychSpeaker

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Independent Contractor - Consultant), Axsome Therapeutics (Independent Contractor - Consultant)

No
Pamela ViPond, NPPlanner, Expert ReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Cara Voelliger, ARNPPlannerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Dia Welch, NPSpeakerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseYes

**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 (XXX of 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 XXX 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.