Updates in Management of Complex Surgical Airways: Restoring Communication and Managing Swallowing Post Tracheostomy

October 21, 2021

The Veterans Healthcare Administration and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are excited to announce a cutting-edge educational opportunity. This six-part monthly LIVE webinar series will focus on management of surgical airways.

The presence of a tracheostomy or laryngectomy has life-altering implications and caring for these patients can be difficult and often high risk with regards to complications, morbidity and mortality. The literature supports the expertise of a variety of professionals for optimal management of these patients. This interprofessional series for medical professionals will provide innovative education on airway management, rehabilitation, and advances in clinical practice recommendations for respiration, communication, and swallowing needs for patients with a surgical airway. Most sessions will also include interdisciplinary panel discussions to provide robust discussion and Q&A.

Target Audience

This series is designed for medical providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists and speech-language pathologists.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
03/16/2021
Course expires: 
06/30/2022
Event starts: 
10/21/2021 - 2:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
10/21/2021 - 3:30pm EDT

Topics and dates
07.15.21 | Vents 101 and Care of the Chronic Vent-dependent Patient — Speaker: Charles Atwood, MD
08.19.21 | Emergency Management of Patients with Surgical Airways —Speakers: Christopher Brackney, DO and David Eibling, MD
09.16.21 | Interdisciplinary Total Laryngectomy Care Across the Rehab Continuum — Speaker: Trish Cavanaugh, SLP
10.21.21 | Restoring Communication and Managing Swallowing Post Tracheostomy — Speakers: Kimberly Eichhorn, SLP and Lisa Markley, SLP
11.04.21 | Airway Teams: Do They Really Matter? — Speakers: Gerry Gutierrez, SLP, Christine Matthews, SLP, and Ronda Winans-Mitrik, SLP
12.09.21 | Special Considerations for Patients with Surgical Airways During COVID-19 — Speakers: Liza Blumenfeld, SLP and Kristen Linnemeyer, SLP


Jul 15, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM
Aug 19, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM
Sep 16, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM
Oct 21, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM
Nov 4, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM
Dec 9, 2021 2:00 - 3:30PM

Time shows in Central Time (US and Canada)

Live Virtual Conference

Faculty Disclosure:  

No members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and The Veterans Healthcare Administration Health Foundation. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.5 contact hours. 

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity. 

Available Credit

  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
Please login or register to take this course.

Once registered for the webinar series, you will automatically receive your link to access the webinars and reminders so you don't miss an event. Your link is unique to you and cannot be shared with others.

If you miss one of the live events, do not worry! Your registration provides unlimited access to the recorded webinars which will be available from December 1-31, 2021.