Advocate Midwest Regional Concussion Symposium 2026

Milwaukee, WI US
June 10, 2026 to June 11, 2026

This two‑day continuing education course provides health care professionals with an interdisciplinary, evidence‑based framework for the assessment and management of concussion and persistent post‑concussive symptoms. Content integrates current research and clinical practice across sleep health, neuropsychology, sideline and acute management, functional neurological disorder (FND), nutrition and supplementation, post‑traumatic headache interventions (including occipital nerve blocks), vestibular rehabilitation, vision and neuro‑optometric care, and cervical spine assessment and rehabilitation.

Through didactic instruction, case‑based discussion, and question‑and‑answer panels, participants will learn how to identify symptom drivers, differentiate overlapping conditions (e.g., vestibular vs. cervicogenic dizziness), apply appropriate rehabilitation strategies, and coordinate interdisciplinary care to improve patient outcomes across sport, work, and daily life settings.

Concussion management has evolved from prolonged rest toward active, targeted rehabilitation; however, many clinicians continue to report uncertainty in differentiating overlapping symptom etiologies and determining appropriate referral pathways. Persistent symptoms such as dizziness, headache, sleep disturbance, visual dysfunction, cervical pain, and functional neurological symptoms are common and are associated with delayed recovery when not addressed early and appropriately.

Current literature supports vestibular rehabilitation, cervical spine management, sleep optimization, interdisciplinary rehabilitation, and selective procedural interventions for post‑traumatic headache; however, translation of this evidence into coordinated clinical practice remains inconsistent across care settings. This course addresses these gaps by synthesizing current research and providing practical, interdisciplinary strategies for evaluation, treatment, and referral.

Conference questions should be routed to: [email protected]

This conference is being held in person and virtually both days of the conference.

NOTE: Please note this activity will be presented 8:00am – 4:00pm CST on 6/10/2026 and 7:30am - 4:00pm CST on 6/11/2026

Target Audience

This course is intended for physicians, nurses, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other interested health professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify key clinical indicators of concussion‑related vestibular, sleep, cervical, visual, and functional impairments using evidence‑supported screening tools.
  2. Differentiate vestibular dysfunction from cervicogenic dizziness by applying current pathophysiological models and clinical testing strategies.
  3. Apply evidence‑based vestibular rehabilitation principles, including exercise selection, dosing, and progression, for individuals with post‑concussion dizziness.
  4. Describe the role of sleep disturbance in concussion recovery and implement at least two clinically appropriate sleep‑support strategies or referrals.
  5. Recognize positive clinical features of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and outline an appropriate referral and rehabilitation pathway consistent with current guidelines.
  6. Evaluate the current evidence for nutritional and supplement interventions following concussion and provide evidence‑informed patient education.
  7. Discuss indications, benefits, and limitations of post‑traumatic headache interventions, including occipital nerve blocks and related procedures.
  8. Integrate cervical spine clearance, proprioceptive training, and strengthening strategies into a comprehensive concussion rehabilitation plan.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 14.75 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 14.75 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 14.75 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 14.75 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
Course opens: 
01/31/2026
Course expires: 
12/31/2026
Event starts: 
06/10/2026 - 8:00am CDT
Event ends: 
06/11/2026 - 4:00pm CDT
Cost:
$0.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
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DAY 1

Time

Program (Topic and Speakers)

8:00AM-9:30AM

  • Kate Essad MD, Physician Neuro – Neurology, Aurora Advanced Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI
  • Keynote Speaker

9:30AM-10:15AM

  • Mouhammed Rihawi MD, Pulmonologist, Sleep Medicine Specialist, and Clinical Educator, Zenith Healthcare SC, Kenosha, WI
  • Sleep

10:15AM-11:00AM 

  • Emilie Franchow PhD, ABPP, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Aurora Medical Group, Milwaukee, WI
  • Neuropsych

11:00AM-11:30AM 

  • Neil A. Bhathela MD, Neurology, Atrium Health
  • What’s inside the Blue Tent: Perspectives from NFL Sideline Neurologist

11:35AM-11:40AM 

        5-minute Break

11:40AM-11:50AM 

         Poster viewing

11:50PM-12:25PM 

          Lunch

12:25PM-1:15PM

  • Sarah Danforth, Primary Care Manager, Aurora Medical Group, Milwaukee, WI
  • Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

1:15PM-1:20PM

         5-minute Break

1:20PM-2:30PM

  • Marco Caiazza, Director Rehabilitation GCM, Atrium Health, Pineville, NC
  • Aligning standards for optimal patient outcomes

2:30PM-3:15PM

  • Colin Stair MD, Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, Aurora Medical, Summit, WI
  • Occipital Nerve Blocks (ONB)

3:15PM-3:20PM

        5-minute Break

3:20PM-4:00PM

  • Concussion Panel (Open for Questions)

4:00PM

         Dismissal

 

 

DAY 2 SKILLS LAB

Time

Program (Topic and Speakers)

7:30AM – 9:00AM

  • Michael Mulroy PT, DPT, Physical Therapist Senior, Aurora Medical Group Pleasant Prairie, WI
  • Into to Cervical Spine

9:00AM-9:05AM

       5- Minute Break

9:05AM-10:30AM

  • Emily S. Jones PT, DPT, NCS, Supervisor Rehabilitation Service, Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, Downers Grove, IL
  • Intro to Vestibular Spine

10:30AM-10:35AM 

        5- Minute Break

10:35AM-12:00PM 

  • Justin Zweig PT, DPT, Physical Therapist Senior MW, Aurora Medical Group, Greenfield, WI
  • Intro to Advance Cervical Spine

12:00PM-12:30PM 

        Lunch

12:30PM-2:00PM

  • Jennifer Hauer OT, Occupational Therapist Senior MW, Aurora Medical Center West Allis, WI
  • Intro into Vision Therapy

2:00PM-2:05PM

        5- Minute Break

2:05PM-3:30PM

  • Lindsay Kastner PT, DPT, ATC, Physical Therapist Senior MW, Aurora Medical Group, Greenfield, WI
  • Advanced Vestibular

3:30-4:00PM

  • Kate Essad MD, Physician Neuro- Neurology, Aurora Advanced Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI
  • Closing Remarks

 

Aurora Conference Heil Center - Succeed Room
3031 W. Montana St
Milwaukee, WI 53215
United States

Faculty
 

Planning Team Members

  • Kate Essad, MD; Physician Neurology, Aurora Advanced Healthcare Milwaukee
  • Michael Mulroy, PT, DPT; Physical Therapist Senior MW - Outpatient Rehabilitation, Aurora Medical Group Pleasant Prairie
  • Sarah Wenszell, LAT, ATC; Athletic Trainer, Aurora Healthcare - Good Hope Rd
  • Taylor Janssen, LAT, ATC; Athletic Trainer, Aurora Healthcare - Good Hope Rd
  • Danielle Szudrowitz Warner, MSN, FNP-C; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Specialty - Non-Procedural - Neurology,Aur ora Advanced Healthcare Greenfield
  • Ivonne Ols, BSHCA; Project Coordinator of Clinic Operations, Aurora Sinai Medical Center
  • Jacki Klak; Administrative Assistant Senior, Aurora Health Care Metro, Inc., Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
  • Roland Walbrun, RN, BSN; Clinic Operations Manager, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center and North Market Neurosciences

Speakers

  • Sarah Wenszell, LAT, ATC; Clinical Athletic Trainer Senior, Aurora Advanced Healthcare - Good Hope Rd
  • Taylor Janssen, LAT, ATC; Athletic Trainer, Aurora Healthcare - Good Hope Rd
  • Kate Essad, MD; Physician Neurology, Aurora Advanced Healthcare Milwaukee
  • Mouhammed Rihawi, MD; Pulmonologist, Sleep Medicine Specialist, and Clinical Educator, Zenith Healthcare SC, Kenosha, WI
  • Emilie Franchow, PhD, ABPP; Clinical Neuropsychologist - Behavioral Health, Aurora Medical Group Sinai Medical Center
  • Neil Bhathela, MD; Physician Neurology, Atrium Heath
  • Sarah Danforth, MD; Primary Care Manager, Aurora Medical Group Milwaukee
  • Marco Caiazza, MHA, PT, MTC; Director Rehabilitation GCM, Atrium Health
  • Colin Stair, MD; Physician Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, Aurora Medical Center Summit

Disclosure

Faculty disclosures are being reviewed and will be presented to the audience in advance of the program.

 

Accreditation Statement
 

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health 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 Statement(s)
 

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.75 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 
 

Available Credit

  • 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 14.75 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 14.75 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 14.75 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 14.75 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

How to Register
 

Click “Take Course” to complete the enrollment(s) and this program. Then make selection of how you will attend the conference.

Please note that once registration is selected, it is final and enrollment changes are not permitted. 

Once you are marked attended, click "Take Course" to complete the evaluation and claim credit.

For those attending this conference virtually, a link to the meeting will be provided prior to the event.

For Further Information
 

If you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact the IPCE Office at [email protected]