Topics in Emergency Medicine

This conference offers 20.00 credits

Accommodations

Opal Key Resort & Marina

Schedule

Key West, Florida
November 19 - 22, 2026

Thursday, November 19

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0725

Welcome

NWS Staff
0730

Lytes On, Lytes Off...Deadly Electrolyte Emergencies

C.Pfennig
0830

A Different Kind of TWOfer: Trauma in Pregnancy

C.Pfennig
0930

Break
0945

Medical Errors / Practical Patient Safety

T.Sanson
1045

ENT Tricks of the Trade

T.Sanson
1145

Clinical Pearls in Managing Orthopedic Dislocations / Fractures

V.Dobiesz
1245

Adjourn

Friday, November 20

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

NSTEMIs and EKGs Not to Be Missed

V.Dobiesz
0830

I Want to Thrive Not Simply Survive: Healthcare Clinician Wellness - Is It Possible?

V.Dobiesz
0930

Break
0945

Resuscitative Sequence Intubation in the Hemodynamically Unstable Patient

C.Pfennig
1045

Dialysis Disasters: Management of the ESRD Patient

C.Pfennig
1145

Litigation Stress

T.Sanson
1245

Adjourn

Saturday, November 21

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

Back Pain: Special Cases

T.Sanson
0830

Violence in the Medical Setting

T.Sanson
0930

Break
0945

Low Defenses, High Stakes: ED Encounters With the Immunocompromised

C.Pfennig
1045

Glands Gone Bad

C.Pfennig
1145

How to Optimize Your Negotiating Style in the ED

V.Dobiesz
1245

Adjourn

Sunday, November 22

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

Is There a Healthcare Provider on the Plane: In-Flight Emergencies

C.Pfennig
0830

Sore Throats That Can Kill

T.Sanson
0930

Break
0945

Communication and Conflict

T.Sanson
1045

Pediatric Airways

V.Dobiesz
1145

Opportunities in Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine: Expand Your Horizons

V.Dobiesz
1245

Adjourn

20.00 CME / 20.00 CEC
2.90 Pharmacology? / 17.10 Clinical Management? / 2.00 Trauma? / 17.00 Patient Safety?

Faculty

Valerie Dobiesz, MD, MPH

Emergency Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital
Director for the Front-Line Indigenous Partnership (FLIP)
Faculty at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Professor
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

Camiron Leigh Pfennig, MD, MHPE

Associate Vice Chair of Academic Affairs
Emergency Medicine Residency Director
Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health - Upstate
Professor
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Clemson University School of Health Research
Clemson, South Carolina Program Coordinator

Tracy G. Sanson, MD, FACEP

Educator, Coach, Consultant
Founder TracySansonMD, LLC
Lutz, Florida

Location

Key West, Florida

With its charming lanes, quaint shops, and fabulous vintage “Conch Homes,” the scenery of Key West will enchant you. From lush tropical foliage to breathtaking turquoise waters, Key West is the perfect setting for unrivaled watersports, seaside dining, souvenir hunting, and local cultural experiences.

Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will not want to miss swimming amongst the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. Look out for parrotfish, multi-colored wrasses, grouper, butterfly fish, angelfish, hogfish, porcupinefish, trumpetfish, and snapper. Turtles, rays, lobsters, and dolphins also make their home in this living reef. Back on land, tee up at The Key West Golf Club, designed by golf legend Rees Jones. This course is suited to players of all abilities. Key West also hosts the former home of Ernest Hemingway, now accessible to thousands of visitors every year as a museum.

Shopping in Key West is a delight. Here, you’ll find treasures unlike anywhere else. Get beach ready with a pair of Kino sandals, made right in Key West, or stop into one of many unique art galleries for a native masterpiece to take home. When it’s time to eat, dining options are abundant and diverse, whether you’re barefoot or ready for china and silver. Take a food tour to sample fare from several prominent Key West restaurants.

Accommodations

Opal Key Resort & Marina

Opal Key Resort & Marina, a part of the acclaimed Opal Collection, offers the ultimate blend of luxury and relaxation in the heart of Key West. Its prime location adjacent to Mallory Square on the waterfront of Old Town Key West within a working cruise ship port, and just one block away from Duval Street, puts you right in the middle of all the excitement that Key West is renowned for. Indulge in the culinary delights of the resort while enjoying stunning ocean views and sunsets. The Sunset Deck provides the perfect setting for a memorable night out, complete with live entertainment and exceptional dining experiences.

Guest rooms are designed to cater to your senses, offering top-of-the-line amenities like plush bedding, luxurious bathrobes, premium bath products, single cup coffee maker, radio/alarm clock with iPod connection, iron/board, and more. Experience unparalleled comfort and leave feeling rejuvenated.

Opal Key Resort & Marina is located approximately 4.5 miles from Key West International Airport (EYW) and 163 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA). Parking is approximately $30 per day for self-parking and $40 per day for valet parking. Parking rates subject to change without notice. Please note the clearance height of the garage is 6'8". No parking available for oversized vehicles or trailers.

Rooms starting at

USD 475 per night *

Accommodation Rates and Details

External Booking Url
https://reservations.opalcollection.com/opal-key/availability.asp?startDate=11/18/2026&endDate=11/23/2026&requesttype=invBlockCode&code=4889237

Opal Key Resort & Marina
245 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040

Group room rates only available via NWS/NWWT reservation link (available approximately 1 year prior to program).

The discounted group rate is available for reservations made through October 15, 2026 or until the group block is full, whichever occurs first.

Rates are per night and subject to 12.5% tax. Tax rate subject to change without notice.

$35 plus tax, per room, per night Resort Fee* is waived for those who book their room through NWS/NWWT group reservation methods ONLY and will be reflected upon check out.

• Maximum 4 people per room.
• 1 King or 2 Queen beds, based on hotel availability at time of check-in.
• Reservation holder must be 21 years of age or older and must be present at the time of check-in.

*Resort Fee Includes: Unlimited local and toll-free phone calls; wireless high-speed internet (excludes meeting rooms); hotel lobby refreshments including Starbucks brewed coffee and fresh Florida orange juice in the mornings, and virgin mojitos in the afternoon; bottled waters in guest room and on arrival and check-out; in-room umbrellas and ponchos for use during the few days with liquid sunshine; use of two bathrobes and matching slippers in all guest rooms; pool towels for all watersports activities as needed; and poolside refreshments daily including fresh fruit kabobs and popsicles and iced towels. They will even polish your sunglasses for you. The resort charge also includes concierge service, in-room safes, in-room coffee service, and 24-hour access to Business Center and Fitness Center. Resort fee inclusions are subject to change without notice.

PARKING: Resort Parking approximately $30 per day for self-parking and $40 per day for valet parking. Parking rates subject to change without notice. Please note the clearance height of the garage is 6'8". No parking available for oversized vehicles or trailers.

Space is limited in our group room block.
Once this block is sold, rooms are on availability only and may be at a higher rate.
Room rates per night unless otherwise noted.
A portion of the room rate is used to provide refreshments during the meeting for participants only.
Early departure, late check out and no show fees may apply.
Please review your reservation for accuracy.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Group room rates only available via NWS/NWWT reservation link (available approximately 1 year prior to program).
Please verify total reservation costs, including resort fees, taxes, and any other mandatory charges when making your reservation on the hotel's group reservation link.

Rooms starting at
$475 per night

DEPOSIT REQUIRED

Credit card required for one night's stay plus tax at time of booking to hold your room. Approximately 7 days prior to arrival, the hotel will automatically charge the credit card provided for the entire remaining reserved stay plus tax.

Group room rates only available via NWS/NWWT reservation link (available approximately 1 year prior to program).

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations of room reservations accepted by the hotel until 7 days prior to arrival. Cancellation of room reservations received by the hotel inside 7 days of arrival will forfeit the entire reserved stay plus tax. Early departure fees apply. If you check out of the hotel before your scheduled departure date or are a complete no-show, you will be charged a penalty for your entire reserved stay, plus tax. Please review your reservation for accuracy. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Accreditation

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars designates this live activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for 20 hour(s) of ACEP Category I credit.

American Board of Anesthesiology: This activity contributes to the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s redesigned Maintenance of Certification in AnesthesiologyTM (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, www.theABA.org, for a list of all MOCA 2.0® requirements.

Canadian Physicians: This activity is eligible for Section 1 credits in the Royal College’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. Participants must log into MAINPORT to claim this activity.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 20 hours Class A CE credits; AANA approval number 1046361; Expiration Date 11/22/2026

Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accept CME from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Osteopathic Physicians: This program is eligible for Category 2 credit with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Physician Associates/Assistants: PAs may claim a maximum of 20 Category 1 credits for completing this activity. NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

Physician Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 20 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM), American Board of Pathology (ABPath), American Board of Pediatrics (ABP – only when applicable to individual program), American Board of Surgery (ABS), and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.

Registered Nurses: NWAS is an approved provider for the following state nursing boards: AR, DC, FL, GA, KS, MI, MS, NH, NM, SC, TN, WV, and WY (Provider Number 50-7480). This program offers 20 contact hours.

AANA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP #10862.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and all other medical care providers who must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of the emergency medicine specialty or are impacted by it.

Program Purpose

This emergency medicine continuing education series is designed to empower emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other healthcare providers with the latest knowledge, skills, and best practices essential for providing exemplary care in emergency medical situations. This comprehensive series of courses aims to meet the evolving needs of healthcare practitioners, ensuring they remain proficient, adaptable, and confident in delivering high-quality emergency medical care. By focusing on clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement, this program ensures that participants are equipped with the knowledge, strategies, and skills to provide exceptional care in any emergency situation, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and enhanced healthcare delivery.

Objectives

Improve knowledge, competence, and utilization of the most recent evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
Improve knowledge, skills, and strategies in the timely diagnosis and management of patients with complex comorbidities, emergency medical conditions, and less common conditions.
Increase knowledge of newer pharmacologic agents, thereby improving competence in medication management via anticipation of potential polypharmacy interactions and improved ability to provide sedation in the emergency department.
Increase ability to anticipate, prevent, and manage complications and emergency medical conditions, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality rates.
Strengthen and augment ability to apply and interpret diagnostic testing/imaging used in the emergency department.
Enhance ability to analyze complex situations from an ethical and legal perspective, protecting both patients and healthcare providers.
Refine and strengthen competence in assessing and managing trauma patients, including timely assessment, prioritization of interventions, and coordination of multidisciplinary care.
Improve confidence in ability to perform procedural skills, enhancing patient comfort and providing optimal quality of care.

Course Director

James F. Holmes, Jr., MD, MPH, Director UC Davis KL2 Research Career Training Program, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California

Medical Director

Mark T. Murphy, MD, Retired Anesthesiologist, St. Petersburg, Florida, Medical Director, Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars, Pasco, Washington

Tuition

MD/DO

$ 1000 Early Registration Fee

$ 1075 Regular Registration Fee

$ 1150 Late Registration Fee

$ 305 Daily Rate
CRNA/PA

$ 900 Early Registration Fee

$ 975 Regular Registration Fee

$ 1050 Late Registration Fee

$ 280 Daily Rate
Resident/RN/Others

$ 800 Early Registration Fee

$ 875 Regular Registration Fee

$ 950 Late Registration Fee

$ 260 Daily Rate

Course Cancellation Fee

$100 September 20th, 2026 to October 20th, 2026. No refund after October 20th, 2026; however, 50% of tuition paid may be applied toward tuition for another NWAS program within the next 12 months. Cancellation must be made in writing. No tuition credit or refund will be issued for attendees that are no-shows for the program.

Register Early

We recommend that you register early to assure your spot. We reserve the right to close registrations to a course at any time without notice. We may not be able to accommodate onsite registrations.

Lecture notes will be provided via download in PDF format.

While we strive for accuracy at all times with our published information, we cannot be responsible for typographical and other errors.

Please note that children and non-registered guests are not allowed to attend the lectures. The concierge can provide you with childcare information.

Travel at your own risk.

Please Note:

You must sign-in/log in every day you attend to receive credit.
We do not allow retroactive sign in.

Course Cancellation By Provider

We reserve the right to cancel a course for any reason. In such case, a minimum of days notice will be given to those registered and 100% of tuition paid will be refunded. NWAS/NWS and NWWT will not be responsible for any non-refundable airfare, hotel, or other liabilities you may incur. We highly recommend purchase of travel insurance. Travel at your own risk.

Schedule and Faculty Changes

Factors beyond our control sometimes necessitate changes in the schedule and faculty. If time permits, we will inform all registrants of any changes prior to the program. Changes on site due to local conditions will be announced in class.

Frequent Attendee Points (FAP)

We value your patronage and have a simple program to reward you. Our Frequent Attendee Points (FAP) program gives you an added bonus for money spent on our seminars, as well as cruise cabins booked through our in-house travel agency, Northwest Worldwide Travel.

You are automatically enrolled in this program with your paid registration. Click here for more information.

*Effective January 1, 2023, net hotel stays for 2023 and beyond will no longer be included in FAP calculations.