Nurse Coordinator Collaborative Course
Advancing Excellence in Fetal Cardiac Coordination
Chaired by Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC and Kelsey Connor, RN, BSN, CPN
This event will have an emphasis on the importance of the Fetal Cardiac Nurse Coordinator role, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach to care, patient education, collaboration, fetal intervention, psychosocial support, and challenging care coordination cases. We will incorporate the opportunity to collectively brainstorm programmatic development to bring back to your program, further enhancing and impacting the care of your patients and families.
Agenda
7:45 - 8:00 a.m.
Welcome Introduction and Ice Breaker
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC Kelsey Connor, BSN, RN, CPN
8:00 - 8:15 a.m.
Nuts and Bolts of Fetal Cardiology
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
8:15 - 8:35 a.m.
Collaborative Fetal Care: Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Intervention, and Referrals
Sarah Smiley, MD
8:35 - 8:55 a.m.
Inside Fetal Intervention Nursing: Coordination, Care, and Family Support
Terra Lafranchi, NP-C
8:55 - 9:15 a.m.
Advancing Fetal Cardiac Intervention: Innovation and Outcomes
Wayne Tworetzky, MD
9:15 - 9:30 a.m.
Navigating the Patient Journey in Fetal Cardiology
Katelyn McMahan
9:30 - 10 a.m.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Fetal Cardiac Intervention: A Panel Discussion
Wayne Tworetzky, MD
Terra Lafranchi, NP-C
Katelyn McMahan
10 - 10:30 a.m.
BREAK
10:30 - 10:50 a.m.
The Evolution of the Fetal Cardiology Nurse Coordinator: Leadership, Advocacy, and Innovation **Key Note Speaker**
Nathalie Dutil, RN, BSN
10:50 - 11:10 a.m.
Bridging Generations: Fetal Care for Patients with Adult Congential Heart Disease
Tiffany HackettStuart, MHA, BSN, RN
11:10 - 11:30 a.m.
Maternal Mental Health in Fetal Care: Evidence, Impact, and Support Strategies
Shantel Hinnen, LCSW, PMH-C
11:30 - 11:50 a.m.
Reimagining Patient Education: Innovation, Branding, and Family Resources
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
11:50 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Q&A
12 - 1 p.m.
LUNCH
1 - 1:20 p.m.
Building Family Support in Fetal Cardiology: Pathways, Resources, and Parent Connection
Kelsey Connor, BSN, RN, CPN
1:20 - 1:40 p.m.
Coordinating Care of the Fetus with D-TGA: Intervention, Strategies, and Clinical Insights
Joseph Graziano, MD
1:40 - 1:55 p.m.
Developmental Care for Newborns with Complex Cardiac Diagnoses the NEST/NTC Approach
Noelle Hays, RN, BSN
1:55 - 2:15 p.m.
Heart-Centered Support: Bereavement and Hospice Care in Fetal Care
Amanda Sahli, MCS, LAMFT
2:15 - 3:05 p.m.
Interactive Case Review: Chest Pain Presentations in Fetal Cardiology
3:05 - 3:30 p.m.
BREAK
3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Interactive Case Review: Chest Pain Presentations in Fetal Cardiology (Discussion and Results)
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
Kelsey Connor, BSN, RN, CPN
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Collaborative Conversations in Fetal Cardiology: Panel & Round Table Discussion
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
Kelsey Connor, BSN, RN, CPN
Tiffany HackettStuart, MHA, BSN, RN
Nathalie Dutil, RN, BSN
Noelle Hays, RN, BSN
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
The Heart of Coordination: The Lasting Impact of the Nurse Coordinator Role
Laura Bardeguez, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC
Kelsey Connor, BSN, RN, CPN
4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Learning Objectives
- Discuss foundational principles of fetal cardiology care and the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient outcomes.
- Describe current approaches to fetal cardiac intervention, coordination, and communication between maternal-fetal medicine, cardiology, and outside institutions to advance excellence in fetal cardiology care.
- Identify best practices for nursing coordination and care navigation for patients with complex fetal cardiac diagnoses.
- Review management strategies and clinical pathways for fetuses and neonates with congenital heart disease, including D-TGA and pregnant ACHD patients.
- Recognize the impact of developmental care and neuroprotective strategies in newborns with complex cardiac conditions and the implementation of continuing care.
- Evaluate the emotional and psychological impact of fetal cardiac diagnoses on patients and families, and the utilization of maternal mental health resources.
- Explore approaches to bereavement support, comfort care, and family-centered communication
- Assess innovative patient education tools, family resources, and peer-support initiatives, designed to improve the patient and family experience.
“Case that Gave Me Chest Pain Nursing Edition”
Call for Case Presentations
Submit your most challenging or unique Fetal Cardiology Nursing Care Coordination case for a 7-minute presentation, engage in live discussion, and compete for a featured case award.
Symposium registrants are invited to submit a “Case that Gave Me Chest Pain” for oral presentation during the Fetal Nurse Coordinator Advanced Educational Session. A “Case that Gave Me Chest Pain” presentation will be no longer than 7 minutes with no more than 8 PowerPoint slides. Presentations should feature a fetal cardiac case that highlights multidisciplinary care and clinical challenges, while demonstrating an innovative approach to the complexities of nursing care coordination. There will be approximately 3 minutes for moderator and audience discussion after the presentation.
The deadline for submitting cases is Monday, September 7. Submit your Chest Pain Case using the intake form provided on this page. Authors will be notified by email no later than Sunday, October 4, 2026 with the acceptance status of the case.
Presentations will occur during the Fetal Nurse Coordinator Collaborative Advanced Education Session on Thursday, November 5th. Presenters will receive notification of the date and time of their presentation by email. If your case is accepted for presentation, please bring your presentation on laptop or thumb drive ensuring that any video clips play smoothly. Presenters should bring their laptop or thumb drive to the AV table at the back of the main ballroom no later than the break prior to the scheduled presentation time.
A $100 registration discount will also be given to the author of each accepted case presentation for the GENERAL SESSION. A discount code for use at the time of registration will be provided upon acceptance.
In the spirit of fun competition, the Symposium Organizers will announce the winner of the best case presentation prior to the end of the Nursing Pre-Conference day to present the first ever “Heart of Gold” award. Judging will be based on the quality of presentation, the interesting nature of the case, and the severity of chest pain induced to the audience!
Meet our
Speakers
Our speakers bring a depth of expertise in nurse coordination, patient education, and multidisciplinary collaboration, with extensive experience supporting complex patient populations. Drawing from diverse clinical backgrounds, they offer practical insights, real-world strategies, and innovative approaches to enhance care coordination and improve outcomes for patients and families
Laura Bardeguez RN, MSN, RNC-NIC, Nurse Coordinator Fetal Cardiology Phoenix Children's
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Kelsey Connor RN, BSN, CPN, Nurse Coordinator Fetal Cardiology Phoenix Children's
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Nathalie Dutil, RN, BScN, Clinical Nurse Coordinator Fetal Cardiac Program
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