Forward Pediatric Alliance Research Retreat

Milwaukee, WI US
September 24, 2026

Forward Pediatric Alliance is proud to host its inaugural Research Retreat, bringing together the pediatric heart research community to share innovative research projects, spark new collaborations, and accelerate breakthroughs for our patients.  

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Advanced Practice Practitioners
  • Registered Nurses
  • Researchers
  • Clinical Technologist
  • Trainees

Learning Objectives

This activity is designed to change the knowledge of participants by the sharing of current interdisciplinary, inter-institutional research progress in the area of congenital heart defects. The participants are expected to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the current state of the field.

Additional information

Contact

Name: 
Kerri Dibb
Phone Number: 
+1 (414) 266-2434
Email: 
[email protected]

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
    AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
  • 5.25 Hours of Participation
    Hours of Participation credit.
Course opens: 
08/11/2026
Course expires: 
11/13/2026
Event starts: 
09/24/2026 - 8:00am CDT
Event ends: 
09/24/2026 - 4:30pm CDT
Cost:
$0.00
Add to calendar: 
Forward Pediatric Alliance 1st Annual Research Retreat
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Thursday, September 24, 2026
8:00-8:30 AM
Breakfast/Check-in
 
8:30-9:00 AM
Opening Keynote
 
Tim Nelson, MD, PH.D.
Co-Founder/CEO
Heart Works
 
Innovation for Congenital Heart Defects - Finding new ways to Accelerate research into clinical practice
 
9:00-10:00 AM
 
Session 1: Basic Science Foundations
Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms
09:00-09:15 AM
Andrew Spearman, MD
Associate Professor
Assistant Director of Basic Science Research
Department of Pediatrics
Medical College of Wisconsin
 
 
Single ventricle pulmonary arteriovenous malformations... more than hepatic factor?
09:15-09:30 AM
Jingshing Wu, MD, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 
 
Friend or Foe: Oxygen and its Role in Postnatal Cardiac Development
09:30-09:45 AM
Joy Lincoln, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Chief
Pediatric Cardiology
Medical College of Wisconsin
 
 
Model systems of human aortic valve disease
09:45-10:00 AM
Emily Farrell, Ph.D.
Scientist II
Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 
 
In search of early cellular responses in HCM to identify novel therapies
10:00-10:40 AM
Morning Break and Networking
 
10:40-10:45
Collaborative FPA SEED Awards
(Joy Lincoln, Amy Peterson)
 
 
10:45-11:15 AM
 
Session 2: Panel Discussion
“Cell Bank” Opportunities
 
Joy Lincoln, HHI Cell and Tissue Bank
Tim Nelson, Stem Cell Bank
Seth Taapken, Introduction to WiCell
11:15-12:15 PM
 
Session 3:  Clinical Practice
Navigating Pediatric Clinical Complexity
11:15-11:30 AM
Catherine Allen, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 
 
Pediatric to adult health care transition for the congenital cardiologist
11:30-11:45 AM
Janette Strasburger, MD
Fetal cardiologist, Children's Wisconsin
Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin
 
Quantum Sensors: Recent Advances and Clinical Applications in Fetal Magnetocardiography (fMCG)
11:45-12:00 PM
Alexandra Erdmann, MD
Assistant Professor, Associate Fellowship Director
Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 
 
Sound Hearts Study: 
Utility of Carotid Ultrasound as Screening Tool for Repaired Coarctation Patients
12:00-12:15 PM
Margaret Samyn, MD, MBA
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Medical College of Wisconsin
 
Year 5 Update:
The PEACE Study
Non-invasive Pediaction of Early Cardiac Transplant Rejection, (NIH-5R01HL164995)
12:15-1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
1:00-1:45 PM
Poster Session
1:45-2:45PM
 
Session 4: Translational Progress
Advancing Bio-Integrative Solutions
1:45-2:00 AM
Eric Schmuck, Ph.D.
Research Operations Director
Center for Biomedical Swine Research and Innovation
University of Wisconsin-Madison
 
Accelerating Translation: Large-Animal Models and Collaborative Research Opportunities at the Center for Biomedical Swine Research and Innovation
2:00-2:15 PM
Lu Han, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Medical College of Wisconsin
 
 
Cardiac Regeneration:
How to make new cardiomyocytes
2:15-2:30 PM
John LaDisa, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Medical College of Wisconsin
 
 
Toward Improved Treatments for CHD by Compensating for Adverse Mechanical Stimuli
2:30-2:45 PM
Bo Wang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering Department
Medical College of Wisconsin/Marquette University
 
 
Developing Small-Diameter Vascular Grafts with HAM
2:45-3:15 PM
Afternoon Break
3:15-4:00 PM
Session 5: Rapid Fire
Trainee Research Presentations
 
4:00-4:30 PM
Closing Keynote
 
Amy Peterson, MD, MS
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 
 
Finding Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Wisconsin
4:30 PM
Discussion of Future Research Activities
5:00-7:00PM
Reception
Hub Terrace (9th floor)
Alumni Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd
Medical Education Building - Room M1060
Milwaukee, WI 53226
United States
Activity Director: 
Josephine Allen, Ph.D.
Professor 
Director of Pediatric Tissue Engineering
Department of Pediatrics, MCW
 
 
Planning Committee:
 Lu Han, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin
 
Willem De Lange, Ph.D.
Scientist
Division of Cardiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
 
Xiao Zhang, Ph. D.
Clinical Research Scientist
Division of Cardiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
 
 
 
Speakers:
Josephine Allen, Ph.D.
Amy Peterson, MD, MS
Tim Nelson, MD, Ph.D
Jingshing Wu, Ph.D.
Emily Farrell, Ph.D. 
Joy Lincoln, Ph.D.
Andrew Spearman, MD
Catherine Allen, MD
Alexandra Erdamann, MD
Janette Strasburger, MD
Margaret Samyn, MD
John LaDisa, Ph.D.
Lu Han, Ph.D.
Eric Schmuck, Ph.D.
Bo Wang, Ph.D.
Seth Taapken

 

In accordance with the ACCME® Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Standard 3, all persons in control of content must disclose any relevant financial relationships. It is the policy of the Medical College of Wisconsin to identify, mitigate and disclose the absence or presence of all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education. The following in control of content had no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

 

  • Josephine Allen, Ph.D.
  • William De Lange, Ph.D.
  • Emily Farrell, Ph.D.
  • Lu Han, Ph.D.
  • John LaDisa, Ph.D.
  • Joy Lincoln, Ph.D.
  • Andrew Spearman, MD
  • Janette Strasburger, MD
  • Seth Taapken
  • Jingshing Wu, Ph.D.
  • Xiao, Zhang, Ph.D.

The following persons in control of content disclosed the following financial relationships which were reviewed via the MCW conflict of interest mitigation process and addressed:

 

Name

Company

Role

 Amy Peterson, MD, MS
 Novartis Pharmaceuticals
 Advisory Committee
 Eric Schmuck, Ph.D.
 Cellular Logistics Inc.
Owner Interest
Advisory Committee
Margaret Samyn, MD
GE Healthcare
 

 

 

ACCME Accreditation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
Hours of Participation for Allied Health Professionals:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this activity for up to 5.25 hours of participation for continuing education for allied health professionals.

Available Credit

  • 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
    AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
  • 5.25 Hours of Participation
    Hours of Participation credit.

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Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.
To register for this event, please use this link:
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026

 

For Abstract submissions, please use the following link:
Abstract submission details:
 
  • Body text is limited to 2,500 characters
  • Up to 1 image/graph is allowed
  • Include names and affiliations of all authors
  • PDF format only
  • Deadline: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026