Learn from leadership experts who map out clear strategies for success

Network with a community of like-minded nurse leaders to share best practices and challenges

Stay at the forefront of industry trends, products and services

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WHAT OUR NURSE LEADERS

Have To Say!

“For me the biggest takeaway was realizing I was not alone. Everyone in leadership always seemed so together and confident but through multiple sessions I learned everyone felt insecure at some point. Knowing that they had overcome gave me the confidence to continue forward and evolve into a better leader.”

“I have been coming to Synova conferences for 20 years. When I first started to come, I was a really young leader.  I don’t even know if I considered myself a leader and I grew so much as a leader during those years and I have to credit so much of that to the Synova conferences.”

“Sometimes as a leader you have to dig really deep to support your team and I really believe that the NICU Leadership Forum and the mentors I have gained through this community have made me a better leader.   Even though it’s hard right now we have to keep growing together.”

“The forum of people is such a great group that I have gotten to know over the years that gives you an incredible amount of support not just at the conference but all year long.”

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

TLC: Trust, Listen, Create

This year’s Perinatal Leadership Forum will center on the pivotal role nurse leaders play in shaping healthcare team culture and effectiveness. Excelling in this capacity demands a commitment to trust and active listening to both teams and patients, serving as fundamental principles of leadership. Leading with trust involves creating an environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and encouraged to voice concerns and collaborate openly. By trusting in their team’s capabilities, nurse leaders foster ownership, accountability, and innovation in patient care. This demands courage to advocate for what’s right and drive change while prioritizing the well-being of patients and staff. Through attentive listening and fostering trust, nurse leaders can inspire creativity and create an environment where new ideas flourish, leading to improved patient outcomes and a more resilient healthcare system.

At the 2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum, we will:

  • Learn to lead with compassion by nurturing trust and connection 
  • Enhance team engagement through positive culture changes 
  • Create a safer and more equitable environment by listening to the needs of staff and patients 
  • Collaborate with other nurse leaders to find solutions to ongoing challenges

Registration for the 2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum is now closed. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Call For Abstracts

Call for Abstracts for the 2023 Perinatal Leadership Forum is closed.

Are you interested in submitting an abstract for a 60 or 20 minute speaking spot, or a poster?

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

PERINATAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

Speaker Lineup

Keynote Speaker

Captain Sandy Yawn

Captain Maritime Industry

Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm

Embark on a transformative journey with Captain Sandy Yawn, esteemed superyacht captain and beloved star of Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean. In her captivating keynote address, Captain Sandy imparts invaluable leadership wisdom derived from her experiences in leading teams and navigating the high seas with resourcefulness and resilience.

Through compelling anecdotes and real-world examples, Captain Sandy demonstrates the art of finding equilibrium amidst chaos, leading with compassion, and embracing the power of choice in the face of adversity. Attendees will glean actionable strategies for building resilience, fostering teamwork, and weathering even the most daunting challenges with grace and fortitude.

Join Captain Sandy Yawn as she shares her unparalleled expertise, leaving you inspired to navigate your own leadership journey with confidence, authenticity, and unwavering resolve.

Featured Speakers

Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP

CEO & Founder, Healthy Workforce Institute

Cultivating a Healthy Workforce by Addressing Disruptive Behaviors: Strategies for Perinatal Leaders

Katherine A Meese, PhD

Assistant Professor and Director, Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Maximizing the Human Margin in Nursing

Luanne Smedley, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC

Executive Director & Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health

Us vs Them: Why "We" Always Wins

Michelle Rockwood, ACC

Founder, Unscripted Sales Coaching & Training

It’s All In The Delivery: Feel First For A Lifetime of Impact

Michael Ruma, MD, MPH

Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Perinatal Associates of New Mexico

Antenatal Corticosteroids: Timing, Controversy, and Implementation in Practice

Katrina Johnson MSN/Ed, RNC-OB, C-EFM

Perinatal Safety Nurse, Huntington Health Hospital

Nursing Leadership: Mindfulness, Equity, and Resilience

Marissa Nunes-Moreno, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Empowering Every Journey: Inclusive Perinatal Care for Gender Diverse Patients

Kaley Curtis, PhD

Psychologist, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Empowering Every Journey: Inclusive Perinatal Care for Gender Diverse Patients

Featured Panel

“It’s All My Fault – Lessons in Accountability”

Novant Health – Forsyth Medical Center

Featured Panel

Kendra Coles DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, NEA-BC

Director of Women’s & Children’s Services, UM, Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Panel Moderator

Pam Bowman, RNC-MNN, C-ONQS

Clinical Coordinator, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Jessica Chiappelli, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, C-ONQS

Clinical Practice Development Coordinator, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Karen Hall, MSN, RNC- MNN, C-EFM

Nurse Manager Mother Baby and Special Care Unit, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Nancy Richardson, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM

Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery, Center for Advanced Fetal Care, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

PERINATAL NURSE LEADERSHIP FORUM

Pre-Conference Events

New Leader Bootcamp (FULL DAY)

Whether you are new to leadership or just need fresh inspiration on your leadership journey, this course is for you! This dynamic and interactive pre-conference will include practical ways to grow your leadership abilities. We will explore the fundamental elements of leading processes and leading people—because strong leaders must do both! Session topics include budget and finance, regulatory compliance, core measures, leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and managing differences among team members. You don’t want to miss this one!

Faculty:

Bobbie Smith, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, ANLC-P, Labor & Delivery/Fetal Surgery Center Manager, Children’s Hospital Colorado
Kristi Wilkerson, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, ANLC, Education Program Manager, Synova Associates
Lori Gabriel Gunther, MS, CPXP, Chief Executive Officer & Partner Synova Associates

RATES:

$299 USD

Registration for the 2023 Perinatal Leadership Forum is now closed. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

How You Show Up to Coach & Mentor Your Staff (HALF DAY PM)

In this preconference we will explore how you show up to lead through the lens of coaching and mentorship. We will dive into the fundamentals of coaching, equipping participants with mindsets, practices and frameworks to bring a coach-like way of BEING to your leadership. We will explore the importance of mentorship – both in BEING a mentor and in mentoring others. We will link the science of wellBEING to the practice of coaching, offering tangible take-aways to create a psychologically safe environment intentional to cultivate learning and growth through a strengths-based, appreciative, coaching approach that fosters individual flourishing and effective teamwork.

Faculty:

Diane M. Rogers, PCC, CPXP, Founder & CEO, Contagious Change

RATES:

$175 USD

Registration for the 2023 Perinatal Leadership Forum is now closed. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

APPLY FOR A

Conference Scholarship

Synova Associates and conference sponsors will be granting tuition scholarships for nurse leaders to attend Perinatal Leadership Forum. The scholarship application deadline is June 7, 2024. If accepted, you commit to attend the event.

[THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED]

Apply Now!

PERINATAL NURSE LEADERSHIP FORUM

Rates

MAIN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

$799 USD Early Bird Registration (Ending July 26, 2024)

$899 USD Regular Registration

$949 USD Late Registration (After September 27, 2024, if available)

PRE-CONFERENCE

Single Half Day Session: $175 USD

Full Day Sessions: $299 USD (includes lunch)

Registration for the 2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum is now closed. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Code of Conduct Policy

Cancellation Policy

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR

Brochure & Agenda

Brochure

Take a look at our Perinatal Leadership Forum brochure for an overview of the 2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum Event.

LEARN MORE

Agenda

Our agenda is ever expanding. Take a look to see what we’ll be talking about at this year’s event.

View the Agenda!

2024 PERINATAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

Conference Details

  • Who Should Attend?

    • Labor and Delivery & Mom/Baby Directors, Managers, Assistant Managers & Charge/Supervisors
    • Leaders of Perinatal Quality and Safety Initiatives & Perinatal Safety Nurses
    • Perinatal Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Practice Specialists
    • Directors & Managers of Perinatal Outpatient or Virtual Services
    • Director & Manager of Lactation Services
    • VP/Executive Directors of Women’s Services or Patient Care Services
    • Director of Nursing
    • Advanced Practice Providers & Nurse Midwives

  • When & Where

    2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum will be held at the Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor, FL, November 10th – 14th.

  • Program Changes

    Synova reserves the right to make necessary changes in speakers, topics or schedule. The most up-to-date agenda is online.

  • ACCREDITATION

    The 2024 Perinatal Leadership Forum is approved for approximately 17 contact hours through Abbott Nutrition Health Institute. The pre-conferences will be awarded contact hours depending on the length of the program.

  • TRAVEL

    HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

    The 2024 NICU Leadership Forum will be held at the Sunseeker Resort.

    Sunseeker Resort
    5500 Sunseeker Way
    Charlotte Harbor, FL

    At Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, escape to an endlessly entertaining, totally relaxing waterfront destination where life is so simple — and simply amazing. Stay and play here. Eat and drink here. Meet and greet here. Feel like a pampered guest whether you stay at our hotel or in one of our signature Sunsuites™.

    Conference room rates (resort fee is waived):

    • Standard room: $229
    • One bedroom/one bathroom suite: $259
    • Two bedroom/two bathroom suite: $289
    • Three bedroom/two bathroom suite: $339

    Booking link: https://book.passkey.com/go/SYNOVAPerinatal24

    Reservations must be made by October 17, 2024; rooms will be available as space allows. The normal daily resort service charge is complimentary for this event. Should you need to cancel your reservation, please ensure that you do so at least 72 hours prior to arrival to prevent a cancellation fee of one night’s room and tax.

    AIR & GROUND TRANSPORTATION

    Punta Gorda Airport and Fort Myers Airport (RSW) are the closest airports to the conference center. Rental cars, taxis and Ubers are available.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE VENUE:

Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor, FL