Description: This is a two-day conference focusing on interdisciplinary palliative care principles of symptom management and psychosocial delivery of care based on current research, education and clinical practice.  

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, participants will be able to describe and share effective evidence-based methods for assessing and treating specific serious illness symptoms, identifying areas related to compassion fatigue, moral distress, and boundary setting to improve the delivery of palliative care.  

Contact Hours Applied For: At least 8 for the entire event

• NCPD for RN

• CME for MD/APP

• SW CE for LCSW

None of the planners or presenters for this activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies. There is no commercial support from ineligible organizations/ companies being received for this activity.

Day 1 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)

Program Schedule:

8:00-8:30: Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:40: Welcome, Review Plan for the Day and Highlights from Past Year

8:40-9:25: Three 10-Minute Oral scientific podium presentations with 3-4 minute Q & A each

(TBD based on Peer Review Abstract Review (Moderator: XXX)

9:25 -9:40: Break

9:40- 10:25: Three 10-Minute Oral scientific podium presentations with 3-4 minute Q & A each

(TBD based on Peer Review Abstract Review  Moderator: XX)

10:25-10:40: Oral Presentations Reflection: Maria Silveira, MD, MA, MPH, FAAHPM

University of Michigan and Ann Arbor VA Medical Center

10:40-11:00: Rapid Poster Presentations (1 min each, X posters)

 TBD based on Peer Review Abstract Review (Moderator: XXX)

11:00-11:40: Poster Viewing and Networking

11:40-11:55: Box Lunch for eating during Keynote

11:55-12:55: Keynote Presentation: Maria Silveira, MD, MA, MPH, FAAHPM

University of Michigan and Ann Arbor VA Medical Center

12:55-1:15: Closing Remarks and Evaluations

Day 2: (Friday, October 23, 2026)

Program Schedule:

7:00-7:45 Registration and Continental Breakfast

7:45-8:00: Welcome and Introductions: Hareklia Brackett, APRN CNS, ACHPN

8:00-9:00: Keynote: Pal care, cancer symptoms, telehealth for lung ca?

  Maria Silveira, MD, MA, MPH, FAAHPM

University of Michigan and Ann Arbor VA Medical Center

9:00 -9:10: Break

9:10 -9:20: State of the Science Article 1: Palliative Care Fellow: Austin Adair, MD

9:20-10:20: Yael Schenker, MD, MAS: Denver Health Chief Academic Officer

10:20-10:30: Break

1030-1050: State of the Science Article 2 and 3: Palliative Care Fellows:

Rebecca Epling, MD and Anna Leigh McVicar, MD

10:50-1200: Dyspnea, Delirium and Anxiety: Lynn Weber, PhamD, Elssa Kolva PhD

12:00- 1:00: Lunch Provided

1:00-1:50: Breakout Session # 1 (See Below - Each breakout is presented twice. Please sign up for two.)

1:50-2:00: Break and Switch Rooms

2:00-2:50: Breakout Session # 2 (See Below)- Each breakout is presented twice. Please sign up for two.)

2:50-3:00: Break and Switch Rooms

3:00-3:20: State of the Science Article 4 and 5: Palliative Care Fellows:

Thomas Mee, MD and Jason Worley, MD

3:20-4:20: Moral Distress / Compassion Fatigue

  Darcy Campbell, AGNP-C, ACHPN / Noelle Punessen, AGACNP-BC

4:20-4:30: Closing Remarks and Evaluations: Hareklia Brackett, APRN CNS, ACHPN

Breakouts: (at 1pm and 2pm)

A. Malignant Bowel Obstruction: Stephanie Grayson, MD

B. Palliative Care Consultation Prep: Pre/Post Debriefing

Hareklia Brackett, APRN, Andy Wood, MDiv & Megan Prescott, LCSW

C. Boundary Setting and Balance (between staff and patients)

 Melissa Palmer, LCSW and Jana Miner, M.Div

D. Use of Psychedelics and Marijuana in Palliative Care (Risks, Benefits, Burdens) 

 Expert Panel:

Jana Bolduan Lomax, PsyD, Angela Bryan, PhD, Darren Fisher, RN, Laurel Tropeano, LCSW