Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Cultivating Connections Day 1 & 2 Schedules

Day 1 Schedule - April 13, 2026

Time Event Speaker Conference Room
7 a.m. Yoga Yoga Instructor: Jillian Jacklin Sandstone 3
8–9 a.m. Registration & Networking Breakfast
9–9:15 a.m. Conference Welcome Jill Denson, PhD, MSW – assistant professor, UW Prevention Research Center Director, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom
9:15–10:15 a.m. Keynote – “Barriers from Birth: Complexities in the Care of Extremely Preterm Infants”

For full details visit the keynote page.

 Claudette Onyelobi, MD – assistant professor, Division of Neonatology & Newborn Nursery, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom
10:15–10:30 a.m. Break/Transition
10:30–11:30 a.m. Workshops:

  • Bridging Care: A Smooth Transition From Homebirth to Hospital Care
  • Family Spirit: A Home Visiting Curriculum, Our Work with Precision Home Visiting and Social Support Visit Structure Training
  • Finding Mental Health Resources for Children: A Partnership Approach
  • Powerful Voices for Change: How Strategic Storytelling Can Transform Local Maternal and Child Health
  • Practical ‘In-the-Moment’ Strategies to Support Early Relational Health
  • Public Health Approach to Childhood Obesity: Family Healthy Weight Programs

 

 For full details on workshop presenters, session overviews, workshop locations and learning objectives, visit the workshop overview pages.
11:30–11:45 a.m. Break/Transition
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Poster Session For full details on the poster session, including poster titles and authors, visit the poster session page. Wilderness Ballroom
12:45–1:45 p.m. Networking Lunch Sandstone Ballroom
1:45–2:45 p.m. Keynote – “Fetal Infant Mortality Review and Child Death Review in Action: Using Data to Drive Community and Health Department Collaboration”

For full details visit the keynote page.
  • Ryan McAdams, MD (moderator) – professor, Division of Neonatology &Newborn Nursery, Division of Global Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

  • Melissa Seidl – Public Health Strategist, City of Milwaukee Health Department

  • Abbigail Brown – Public Health Nurse, Rock County Public Health

  • Kristi Ferrara, RN, BSN – Public Health Nurse, Rock County Public Health

  • Joanna O’Donnell, GC-C – Program Manager, Injury Prevention and Child Death Review, Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin

  • Cateryn Morateck, MPH – Epidemiologist, Injury Prevention and Death Review, Wisconsin’s voice for Children’s Health

  • Sarah Dobbins, DNP, RN – Public Health Supervisor, Public Health Madison and Dane County

 Sandstone Ballroom
2:45–3 p.m. Break/Transition
3–4 p.m. Workshops:

  • Advancing Maternal and Child Health via Strengths-based Intervention
  • Childcare Incubator Program
  • Improving Health for Justice-Involved Birthing People through Community-Engaged Research
  • Navigating Healthcare Complexities during Pregnancy
  • System Approach to Restoring Family Trust in Early Childhood Programs
 For full details on workshop presenters, session overviews, workshop locations and learning objectives, visit the workshop overview pages.
4–4:15 p.m. Closing remarks for day 1 Jill Denson, PhD, MSW – assistant professor, UW Prevention Research Center Director, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom
5:15–6:15 p.m. An Evening of Art & Connection:

Join us for an evening of connection and creativity! Enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar while viewing the Visual Stories of Maternal and Child Health. This is a perfect opportunity to network, reflect, and celebrate the diverse voices within our community.

 Sandstone Ballroom

Day 2 Schedule - April 14, 2026

Time Event Speaker Conference Room
7 a.m. Yoga Yoga Instructor: Jillian Jacklin Sandstone 3
8–9 a.m. Registration and Networking Breakfast    
9–9:15 a.m. Conference Welcome Day 2! Jill Denson, PhD, MSW – assistant professor, UW Prevention Research Center Director, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom
9:15–10:15 a.m. Keynote – “It All Starts by Listening: Community Identified Suggestions for Building Trust in Healthcare”

 

For full details visit the keynote page.

 Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH – assistant professor, Division of Neonatology & Newborn Nursery, Division of Neonatology & Newborn Nursery, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom
10:15–10:30 a.m. Break/Transition  
10:30–11:30 a.m. Workshops:

  • Beyond the Bedside: Systems-Level Change Through Doula Partnerships
  • Data to Action: Moving Maternal Health Recommendations into Practice
  • From the Ground Up: Building a High-Risk Group Prenatal Care Program
  • Humanizing Care: Practical Steps for Trauma-Informed Practice
  • Implementing a Cardio OB Clinic: A Model for Integrated Cardiac Care During Pregnancy and Beyond
 For full details on workshop presenters, session overviews, workshop locations, and learning objectives, visit the workshop overview pages.  
11:30–11:45 Break/Transition  
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Keynote – “The Importance of Fathers’ Mental Health in Perinatal Families”

For full details visit the keynote page.

 Sheehan Fisher, PhD – Associate Dean, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Success, The Graduate School, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Sandstone Ballroom
12:45–1:45 p.m. Networking Lunch  Sandstone Ballroom
1:45–2:45 p.m. Workshops:

  • Advancing Black Perinatal Health Through Equitable Physical Activity Promotion
  • Food is Medicine and Connections to Maternal and Child Health
  • From Listening to Action: Translating Community and Clinical Insights into Improved Maternal Hypertension Care
  • Removing Stigma and Bias When Engaging Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Families

 

 

 For full details on workshop presenters, session overviews, workshop locations and learning objectives, visit the workshop overview pages.  
2:45–3 p.m. Conference Closing Remarks & Prize Announcements

 

 Jill Denson, PhD, MSW – assistant professor, UW Prevention Research Center Director, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Sandstone Ballroom