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ForwardMidwest Region Surgical Services Director's Annual Event 2026
This program is designed for nurse leaders, perioperative directors, managers, and emerging healthcare leaders seeking to enhance leadership effectiveness, improve patient outcomes, and advance operational excellence within surgical services.
Participants will explore current topics impacting perioperative care, including artificial intelligence (AI), surgical site infection prevention, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), healthcare technology, patient safety, quality improvement, and workforce engagement. The program will also address leadership development, staff well-being, organizational culture, and strategies for building high-reliability healthcare teams.
Through expert-led presentations and interactive discussions, attendees will gain practical knowledge and evidence-based strategies to improve clinical quality, strengthen team performance, implement innovative solutions, and support excellence in perioperative care.
This conference is being held in person.
NOTE: Please note this activity will be presented 9:00am – 4:00pm CST / 10:00am - 5:00pm EST
Target Audience
This course is intended for nurses and other health care professionals.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, learners should be able to:
- Discuss emerging AI technologies and their impact on perioperative practice and healthcare operations.
- Identify evidence-based strategies to improve surgical quality outcomes and patient safety.
- Examine innovations in healthcare technology and electronic health records that support operational excellence.
- Apply leadership and engagement techniques to support workforce development and team performance.
- Evaluate the impact of surgical errors on patients, caregivers, and healthcare organizations.
- Recognize wellness practices that promote resilience and sustainable leadership.
Course summary
- 5.50 AttendanceAttendance Credit
- 5.50 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. 5.50 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
AGENDA
Midwest Region Surgical Services Director’s Annual Event October 13, 2026 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Aurora Medical Center – 12500 Aurora Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Agenda | ||
Time | Agenda Item | Presenter/Facilitator |
8:30 – 9:00 | CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST* |
|
9:00 – 9:10* | Welcome* | Lynette Wilkos-Prostran/Chuck Wesolowski |
9:10 – 9:20* | Ice Breaker* | Kristin Church |
9:20 – 10:20 |
| Betty Jo Rocchio
|
10:20 – 10:30 | MID-MORNING BREAK |
|
10:30 – 12:00 | Leadership Development & Engagement | Matt Danek |
12:00 – 12:30 | LUNCH |
|
12:30 – 1:00 | ERAS/Standardized Normothermia Initiatives | Dr. Susan Evans |
1:00 – 1:30 |
| Emily Hayes |
1:30 – 2:00 | “What is coming next year in EPIC & AI?” | Dr. Robert Whitcomb |
2:00 – 2:30 | Normothermia | Kayla Schwartz |
2:30 - 3:00 |
| Maureen Spencer/Peter Graves |
3:00 – 3:30 | “What is the Cost of Surgical Error?” | Tami Waterman/Sarah Landeros |
3:30 – 4:00 | Meditation Session and Chair Yoga * | Lynn O’Brien |
4:00 – 4:15* | Touch Stone Awards* | Cassie Ciavarella/Katrina Spears |
4:15 – 4:30* | WRAP UP* | Lynette Wilkos-Prostran/Chuck Wesolowski |
* - Non-CNE Accredited Education
Faculty
Betty Jo Rocchio, DNP, RN, CRNA, CENP, EBP-C-EVP, CNE Advocate Health
Maureen Spencer, M.Ed., BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC-CEO, Surgical Infection Consultants
Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR -CEO, Clinical Solution, LLC
Susan Evans, MD, MBA, FACHE, ELUM-Change Leadership Officer-Advocate Health
Kayla Schwartz, RN-PACU Aurora Medical Center
Emily Hayes; Advocate Health
Matt Danek-Leadership Development Program Manager; Advocate Health
Tami Waterman -Associate VP Clinical Risk Management -Wisconsin Division
Sarah Landeros, JD MS RN CPHRM-Associate VP Clinical Risk Management-Illinois Division
Lynn O'Brien-Account Executive EAP; Advocate Health
Lynette Wilkos-Prostran, MSN, RN-Director of Surgical Services at LGH
Charley Wesolowski; Advocate Health
Mary Kay Pulito, MHA, BSN, RN; Advocate Health
Kimberly MItchell-MSN, APNP, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, CNOR-CNS; Advocate Health
Kristin Church, RN, MSN, CAPA-Director of Surgical Services Aurora Medical Center Summit
Cassandra Ciavarella, MSN, RN -Director of Surgical Services Christ Medical Center
Katrina Spears, MAOL Manager of Business and Materials Good Samaritan Hospital
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 Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.50 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Available Credit
- 5.50 AttendanceAttendance Credit
- 5.50 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. 5.50 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
Price
How to Register
Click “Take Course” to register and/or claim credit for this program.
For those attending, this conference is in person.
Participation Options
This course is available to Advocate Health providers (employed and independent) and team members only.
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]
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