44th Annual Gore-Farha 
Critical Care Nursing Symposium

April 23-24, 2026 • Virtual Event

 

This 2-day Symposium is designed for critical care nurses, as well as other nurses and allied health professionals, desiring to enhance their critical care nursing knowledge base. An outstanding group of national and local speakers with critical care expertise comprise the faculty. 

Objectives

Learning: To disseminate the latest research and evidence-based practices
Inspiration: To inspire and empower critical thinking as a driver of patient safety

Register

The 43rd Annual Gore-Farha Critical Care Nursing Symposium will be held virtually. Attendees may choose to register for one or both days of the conference. 
April 23: $35.00  $25.00
April 24: $35.00  $25.00
Early Bird Deadline: March 23

Register

Agenda

Thursday, April 23
Time Session
8:00 am Welcome
8:10-9:25 am ABGs 101: Demystifying the Blood Gas
David Schmidt, DO, RN
  • Describe the basic physiology of pH, acids and bases.
  • List appropriate nursing interventions to improve acid-base disorders.
  • Explain the steps to interpret blood gasses.
9:35-10:50 am Skillful Management of Non-Invasive Ventilation
Douglas Houghton, DNP, APRN, ACNPC, NEA-BC, FAANP
  • Describe an evidence-based approach to airway management in acutely ill patients with respiratory failure. 
  • Decide when intubation is appropriate and describe optimal intubation techniques.
  • List at least 3 minimally invasive techniques to provide airway/respiratory support for appropriate patient populations. 
11:00-12:15 pm Mechanical Ventilation - Interpretation the Waveforms
Brenda Engler, BS, DNP, ACNP-BC
  • Review modes and parameters that can bet set on a mechanical ventilator 
  • Identify the components of waveforms and measurements on a mechanical ventilator
  • Use ventilator waveforms to optimize patient-ventilator interaction in case studies
12:15-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm Hot Topics in Chest Trauma: What Every Trauma Nurse Needs to Know  
Eleanor Fitzpatrick, DNP, RN, AGCNS-BC, ACNP-BC, CCRN
  • Review the current etiology and prevalence of thoracic trauma, especially in U.S. urban environments.
  • Identify the current recommendations for identifying the mechanism of chest injury, likely patterns and associated consequences.
  • Analyze current practices for management of severe thoracic injuries and prevention of complications associated with this type of trauma.
2:30-3:45 pm Care of Patient with Acute Aortic Dissection 
Mary Degges, DNP, RN, CCNS, CNL
  • Identify presenting signs and symptoms of an acute aortic dissection.
  • Discuss medical and surgical management approaches.
  • Participate in the interdisciplinary plan of care.
Friday, April 24
Time Session
8:00 am Welcome
8:10-9:25 am Brain Aneurysms
Mohammed Hussain, MD
  • Brain aneurysm prevalence, subarachnoid hemorrhage, endovascular and surgical treatments
9:35-10:50 am Pediatric Sepsis: Trends, Management and the Phoenix Criteria
Serena Kelly, MS, CPNP-AC, FNP-BC, CCRN
  • Identify the criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock
  • Describe the Phoenix criteria for pediatric sepsis
  • Demonstrate understanding of invasive group A strep infection and treatment
11:00-12:15 pm
ECMO: What Every Healthcare Worker Should Know
John Hunninghake, MD
  • Review the fundamental physiology of ECMO
  • Highlight the early identification and indications for ECMO
  • Discuss interactive case reviews to highlight critical care management
12:15-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm Night Shift: How Nurses and Patients Can Adapt to the Dark
Megan Brunson, PhD, RN, CCRN-CSC, CNL, FCCM
  • Explore the physical and physiological impact of night shift on nurses and patients
  • Provide resources to manage working night shift as a nurse by identifying steps to improve work-life balance
  • Discuss various approaches to support healthier environment for night shift nurses and minimize risk to patients in the hospital environment
  • Understand how patient care is impacted on night shift
2:30-3:45 pm Have the Courage to Soar Above Compromising Legal Issues
Sandy Salicco, MSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN
  • Discuss the basics of medical malpractice, as it pertains directly to nurses and their clinical practices. 
  • Review recent cases involving nurses, identify potential risks, and know when to question orders and decisions, to protect from malpractice.
  • Identify practical nursing actions to help the nurse understand legal jeopardy and thereby avoid being named in a malpractice claim.

Continuing Education

The Wichita State University College of Health Professions is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 15 contact hours (7.5 contact hours per day) applicable for RN, LPN, or LMHT relicensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number: LT 0090-0327. 

EMS: Self-submit to applicable licensing agency.

*Continuing Nursing Education credits and EMS credits will be available up to 9 days after the conference has ended. Participants must watch the sessions in their entirety and complete the evaluation by 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 3 in order to receive credit.

The Wesley Medical Center CEU Evaluator is pending approval of this program for 15 hours of Live Respiratory Continuing Education (7.5 contact hours per day) on behalf of the Kansas Respiratory Care Society, a chapter society of the AARC. Providership # KRCS 029 Credits for Respiratory are only available during the conference. 

Planning Committee

Cheryl Donelan, MSN, MBA, RN

Brooke Fisher, BSN, RN, TNCC
Float Pool
Wesley Medical Center

Rachel Love BSN, RN, CPPS
Manager
Risk Management
Wesley Healthcare

Tiffany Siroky, BSN, RN, CPN 
Coordinator 
Quality Performance Improvement 
Wesley Medical Center 

Ali Schlyer, BSN RN 
CNICU Manager
Wesley Medical Center