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1st Annual Baystate Geriatric Conference
Thursday, March 5, 2026 ~ 7:15-3:30pm
Goal:
The goal of the First Annual Baystate Geriatric Conference is to enhance the knowledge, competence, and collaborative practice of healthcare professionals by addressing key issues in geriatric medicine. Through evidence-based education on topics such as nutrition, skin integrity, polypharmacy, delirium, Alzheimer’s disease, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and palliative care, participants will strengthen their ability to deliver comprehensive, compassionate, and patient-centered care that improves health outcomes, independence, and quality of life for older adults.
Provided by:
Baystate Medical Center NICHE Program on Daly 6A & Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education
Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and all professionals involved in geriatric care.
Learning Objectives
As a result of participation in this educational series, members of the healthcare team will be able to:
- Differentiate between delirium, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease using evidence-based diagnostic criteria.
- Apply the Beers Criteria and pharmacokinetic principles to identify high-risk medications and optimize medication management for older adults.
- Recognize early signs of delirium using the CAM tool and outline appropriate interventions for prevention and management.
- Implement safe mobility and repositioning techniques to reduce functional decline and improve patient outcomes.
- Use effective behavioral de-escalation strategies tailored to the geriatric population.
- Collaborate across disciplines to improve care transitions, comfort measures, and end-of-life care for older adults.
- Identify medication-related risks in polypharmacy and evaluate appropriate PRN use in older adults.
- Apply behavioral and psychological intervention strategies to support elderly patients experiencing agitation, confusion, or cognitive decline.
- Demonstrate interprofessional teamwork strategies to improve outcomes in hospitalized older adults across nursing, medicine, pharmacy, therapy, and behavioral health.
Conference Schedule | |
| 7:15-7:45 | Registration |
| 8:00-8:30 | Welcome and Introduction Caitlyn Waddell, MSN, RN,HNB-BC, GERO-BC |
| 8:30-9:00 | Optimizing Patient Safety: Medication Reconciliation and Pharmacologic Considerations in Older Adults Christopher Merrick, PharmD, BCPS |
| 9:00-9:30 | Establishing Cognitive Baselines: Enhancing ED Transitions and Geriatric Care Amanda Rilla, M.Ed., LMHC, LPC |
| 9:30-9:45 | Break |
9:45-10:15 | Nutritional Vigilance in Geriatrics: Identifying and Addressing Malnutrition Risk Bridget Ondrick, MS, RDN, LDN and Laura Owens, MA, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC |
10:15-11:00 | Understanding Dementia: Diagnosis, Impact, and Management in Older Adults Stephen Bonasera, MD, PHD |
11:00-11:30 | Behavioral Medicine in Geriatrics: Compassionate Strategies for Managing Agitation Megan Maynard, M.Ed., LMHC, Lindsay McDonald, RN, MSN |
| 11:30-12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:00-12:15 | Round Table Q&A: Engage, Learn, Connect: An Interactive Geriatric Care Forum Caitlyn Waddell, MSN, RN, HNB-BC, GERO-BC |
| 12:15-12:30 | Geriatric Care in Action: A Hands-On Clinical Decision- Making Experience Christopher Merrick, PharmD, BCPS and Stephen Bonasera, MD, PHD |
| 12:30-12:45 | Optimizing Outcomes in Geriatric Orthopedics: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Austin Buckner PA-C |
| 12:45-1:15 | Maintaining and Restoring Function: A Collaborative Approach to Geriatric Discharge Planning Jennifer Holley, PT, DPT, CSRP, CFPS & Julia Zezinka, OT, CBIS, & Allyssa Llewelyn SLPD, CCC-SLP |
| 1:15-1:30 | Break |
| 1:30-2:00 | Navigating Discharge: The Role of Social Work and Case Management in Geriatric Care Cheryl Robinson, RN and Carlie Gomez, RN, Kelli Allard, LICSW and Lindsey Steele Muratori MSW, LICSW |
| 2:00-2:30 | Navigating the Transition: Understanding Inpatient CMO and Hospice Care Emily Zametkin, MBBS, HMDC |
| 2:30-3:00 | Spirituality and Caring for the Geriatric Population Ute Schmidt |
| 3:00-3:15 | Geriatric Care in Action: A Hands-on Clinical Decisions-making Experience Jennifer Holley, PT, DPT, CSRP, CFPS and Julia Zezinka, OT, CBIS, Allyssa Llewelyn SLPD, CCC-SLP |
| 3:15-3:30 | Full Circle Care: Honoring the Live of Our Elders Caitlyn Waddell, MSN, RN,HNB-BC, GERO-BC |
Maps & Directions
The Baystate Health Education Center is the primary location for many of Baystate's continuing education, orientation and other Baystate sponsored programs.
FACULTY
Name of Individual | Individual's Role in Activity | Financial Relationship Disclosure | Discussion of |
|---|---|---|---|
Caitlyn Waddell, MSN, RN, HNB-BC, GERO-BC | Course Director | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Debra Baker, MSN, RN | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Constance Blake, EdD, MSN, RNC-OB, HNB-BC | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Cidalia Vital, PhD, RN, CNL, CRRN | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Richard Conroy, PA-C | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Amanda Rilla, M.Ed., LMHC, LPC | Planning Committee Member, Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Christopher Merrick, PharmD, BCPS | Planning Committee Member, Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Susan Megas, DNP, APRN | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Michon Terra, BSN | Planning Committee Member | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Bridget Ondrick, MS, RDN, LDN | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Laura Owens, MA, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Stephen Bonasera, MD, PHD | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Megan Maynard, M.Ed, LMHC | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Lindsay MCDonald, RN, MSN | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Austin Buckner PA-C | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Jennifer Holley, PT, DPT, CSRP, CFPS | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Julia Zezinka, OT, CBIS | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Allyssa Llewelyn SLPD, CCC-SLP | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Cheryl Robinson, RN | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Carli Gomez, RN | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Kelli Allard, LICSW | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Lindsey Steele Muratori MSW, LICSW | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Emily Zametkin, MBBS, HMDC | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
| Ute Schmidt | Presenter | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Faculty Disclosure
The design and content of Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education (CE) activities support quality improvement in healthcare and provide fair and balanced views of therapeutic options. Any relevant financial relationships are mitigated prior to the educational activity.
None of the planners or faculty for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
In support of improving patient care, Baystate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses
Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.5 contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physician Assistants
Baystate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credits for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 6.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credit(s). PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Pharmacists
Baystate Health designates this activity for a maximum of 6.5 contact hours (s) for pharmacists. Pharmacists should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Mental Health Counselors (NBCC)
Baystate Health is an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. (ACEP #5684). Mental Health Counselors completing this course receive 6.5 clock hours.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team and learners will receive 6.5 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Available Credit
- 6.50 AAPA Category 1 CME creditBaystate Health 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 6.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PA’s should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
- 6.50 ACPE Contact Hours
- 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 6.50 ANCC Contact Hours
- 6.50 IPCE Credit Hour(s)
- 6.50 NBCCBaystate Health is an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP™) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for events that meet NBC requirements. The ACEP solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Price
Please Note: Your registration must be paid in order to be considered complete.
- Each participant must register themselves for the program.
- Registration must be paid either by credit card or *Baystate Interdepartmental transfer
*If your Baystate department is covering the registration fee, YOU MUST
- Notify your Education Coordinator/ Supervisor that you have enrolled in the course. For questions email [email protected].
- Once an interdepartmental funds transfer form has been received, your registration will be paid and you will have access to the course.
If you have not received confirmation of your paid registration, check to be sure all steps above have been completed.
In order to receive CREDIT, the evaluation must be completed by: Fri, 04/03/2026 - 5:00pm
We appreciate your business and sincerely wish to meet your educational needs. We understand that the schedule of a busy professional, like yourself, is subject to change. Therefore, we have included information about our refund/cancellation policies for your convenience below.
Cancellation:
If you must cancel, telephone Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education at 413-322-4242 and follow your call with a written/email request. All cancellations will incur a $25.00 fee. Please note that we cannot refund cancellations received less than two weeks (10 business days) before the program date.
Refund Policy:
Your refund, less a cancellation fee, will be processed within two (2) weeks from the date we receive the written notification. For credit card refunds, please allow one to two (1-2) billing cycles for the credit to appear on your statement.
Specific Aids or Services:
Please call the Office of Continuing Education at 413-322-4242 if, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you require specific aids or services during your visit to this continuing education program.