The Program and Meetings Committee has been diligently working to plan CNOC’s 13th Annual Scientific Sessions “Climbing to New Heights in Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Care & Research” happening September 17-19 in Denver, Colorado. Call for abstracts and nominations for the Newburger-Bellinger Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Award and the Cardiac Neurodevelopment Advocacy and Engagement Award are now open.
In addition to the amazing conference itself, exciting highlights for this year’s session:
Hybrid Breakout Sessions on Thursday September 18 with topics ranging from:
- Educational Support for Inpatient/Outpatient CHD patients: in-hospital programming, outpatient follow-up clinic integration, navigating IEPs, and financial implications.
- Building and Sustaining a Neurodevelopmental Program with a focus on inpatient and outpatient follow-up care
- Neuromonitoring in the CHD Patient: Application, Research, and Clinical Innovation
Celebration Dinner on Thursday, September 18 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Schlessman Lobby and Ansuchtz Family Sky Terrace. Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner and two drink tickets; purchase tickets for your guests, too!
Post Conference Workshops on Saturday, September 20, 8:00 am-12:00 pm with sessions including:
- Basecamp to Summit: Navigating the Challenges, Applications, and Impact of the Bayley Assessment
A hands-on, interactive workshop designed for professionals looking to refine their skills in administering and interpreting the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Please note: This is NOT a Bayley Certification course. Instead, this workshop offers practical experience with Bayley administration, scoring, report writing, and in-depth discussions on special population considerations and research implications. Participants will engage in case-based learning, hands-on practice, and collaborative discussions to enhance their clinical and research applications of the Bayley Assessment. - Taking Neuroimaging in CHD to New Heights
This post-conference will provide a deeper dive into neuroimaging for the CHD population. Data will be presented on how early brain injury leads to long-standing alterations in brain structure and function and how these changes can predict neurodevelopmental outcome. This session will include cutting-edge knowledge in CHD, as well as the latest research from other cognitive neuroscience studies, to improve understanding of adverse brain and neurodevelopmental outcomes for CHD and to stimulate discussion on how these methods might be applied to CHD.
Cardiac Newborn Neuroprotective Network (CN3) SIG
The Cardiac Newborn Neuroprotective Network (CN3) SIG has been very busy with the inclusion of at least nine new members this year! Regular meetings connect professionals who support improvements in the care of infants with complex CHD. Recent presentations at the meeting, including updates on skin-to-skin care and utilizing the infant positioning assessment tool (iPAT) to improve developmentally supported positioning of neonates in the heart center, have been well received. CN3 SIG also participated in the first ever CHD multicenter Skin to Skin-A-Thon to encourage positive touch in infants in the CICU and step-down units. Please also see below in Share Your Science for a recent paper published from this SIG.
Cardiac Education Liaison SIG
Since launching in January 2025, the Cardiac Education Liaison SIG has held monthly meetings to connect professionals who support the educational needs of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Key initiatives include defining the education liaison role, developing school-facing resources, and collaborating with Dr. Adam Cassidy (Mayo Clinic) on an article aimed at informing school psychologists about CHD and its neurodevelopmental impacts. Two workgroups are forming to guide these efforts. Members continue to actively share challenges, solutions, and best practices across institutions.
To learn more, visit our Google Site.
Recent Webinars
CNOC was proud to team up with Conquering CHD to present an education series for patients and families entitled “The Heart-Brain Connection: Supporting Neurodevelopment in CHD” on April 22 to discuss the latest insights about how CHD impacts neurodevelopment and ways to support CHD patients.
Save the Dates!
CNOC’s Cardiac Newborn Neuroprotective Network and the Congenital Heart Academy are pleased to continue this ongoing complimentary webinar series entitled, “Advanced Strategies to Optimize Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Neonates and Infants with CHD,” featuring surgeons, nurses, intensivists, therapists and cardiologists. Please join us for the two remaining talks:
- May 16: Feeding the Newborn with CHD: Challenges and Best (Safe) Practices
- June 27: Optimizing Analgesia, Sedation, and Non-Pharmacologic Strategies to Treat Pain and Agitation