Stroke Symposium Education
Welcome Letter
Download the 2026 Stroke Symposium Welcome Letter for information on the event’s learning objectives, accreditation, and disclosures as well as instructions for symposium attendees to claim CME credit.
Continuing Education
Continuing education in Nursing, Radiology, Therapy (OT, PT, SLP), Social Work, and Pharmacy will be available to those who attend the symposium. CME will also be provided. Symposium content is 6.5 hours. Some disciplines may offer less credit depending on approved content per the organization.
2026 Symposium Agenda
8:00-8:05 |
Welcome |
8:10-9:10 |
Acute Medicine on the Road: EMS Evolution and Impact Damon Darsey, MD, FAEMSCEO, Paladin Emergency Services ConsultingRead BioDamon Darsey is a physician that holds two board certifications in emergency medicine and emergency medical services (EMS) with over twenty years of experience in public safety, field and emergency medicine. He was the founding physician of the Mississippi Center for Emergency Services. He is currently the medical director for several EMS agencies, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. He serves on several regional and national boards supporting public safety and speaks nationally on various topics related to field and emergency medicine. He lives in Ridgeland with his wife and four kids. |
9:15-10:15 |
The ABCs of ICH and SAH Mary Kay Bader RN, MSN, CCNS, FNCS, FAHA, FCCMProvidence Mission HospitalMission Viejo, CA Read BioMary Kay Bader, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, CCNS, FNCS, FAHA, FCCM has over 47 years of experience with an emphasis in neuroscience/ICU. Practicing in a variety of hospitals (teaching/community) across the country, Mary Kay Bader is currently employed as a neuroscience/critical care clinical nurse specialist working with teams developing clinical protocols and integrating technology into the care of the neuro, stroke and ICU patient populations at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo CA. Ms. Bader developed and implemented the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines at Mission Hospital in 1997 resulting in significant improvements in outcomes in traumatic brain injury population. As a result of the team’s work, the Joint Commission awarded Mission Hospital the Ernest A. Codman Award in 2000. Ms. Bader implemented the Rapid Response Program at Mission in 2006 and is the current clinical lead for the program. MH Rapid Response Program received the Ernest A Codman Award in 2008. Ms. Bader has lectured locally, regionally, nationally and internationally on subjects such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, increased intracranial pressure, brain oxygen, pupillometry, stroke, neurointerventional treatment, TTM, and aneurysms. She has over 70 publications including 4 books. Mary Kay was honored as a Fellow for AHA in 2009 (FAHA), NCS in October 2013 (FNCS), and SCCM in January 2023 (FCCM) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses/Secretary of WFCCN. She is also a Past President of the Neurocritical Care Society (2019-2020) and of AANN (2013-2014). She served as a member of 2014 NCS/ESICM Multimodality Monitoring Guidelines and the 2019-2022 AHA/NCS Post Cardiac Arrest Guidelines. |
10:15-10:30 |
Break/Exhibitors |
10:35-11:35 |
Through the Eye of the Needle – Case Studies in Stroke CareMary Kay Bader RN, MSN, CCNS, FNCS, FAHA, FCCMProvidence Mission HospitalMission Viejo, CA Read BioMary Kay Bader, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, CCNS, FNCS, FAHA, FCCM has over 47 years of experience with an emphasis in neuroscience/ICU. Practicing in a variety of hospitals (teaching/community) across the country, Mary Kay Bader is currently employed as a neuroscience/critical care clinical nurse specialist working with teams developing clinical protocols and integrating technology into the care of the neuro, stroke and ICU patient populations at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo CA. Ms. Bader developed and implemented the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines at Mission Hospital in 1997 resulting in significant improvements in outcomes in traumatic brain injury population. As a result of the team’s work, the Joint Commission awarded Mission Hospital the Ernest A. Codman Award in 2000. Ms. Bader implemented the Rapid Response Program at Mission in 2006 and is the current clinical lead for the program. MH Rapid Response Program received the Ernest A Codman Award in 2008. Ms. Bader has lectured locally, regionally, nationally and internationally on subjects such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, increased intracranial pressure, brain oxygen, pupillometry, stroke, neurointerventional treatment, TTM, and aneurysms. She has over 70 publications including 4 books. Mary Kay was honored as a Fellow for AHA in 2009 (FAHA), NCS in October 2013 (FNCS), and SCCM in January 2023 (FCCM) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses/Secretary of WFCCN. She is also a Past President of the Neurocritical Care Society (2019-2020) and of AANN (2013-2014). She served as a member of 2014 NCS/ESICM Multimodality Monitoring Guidelines and the 2019-2022 AHA/NCS Post Cardiac Arrest Guidelines. |
11:40-12:10 |
Stroke Survivor’s Story Lisa Fratesi, RPh, MHA, FACHEExecutive Director of Pharmacy, Singing River Health SystemRead BioLisa Fratesi is a seasoned hospital pharmacist with more than thirty years of experience in acute care and healthcare leadership. Her life took an unexpected turn when she became a stroke survivor—suddenly finding herself on the other side of the healthcare system she had long served. Navigating the patient journey challenged her in ways that textbooks and professional training never could, deepening her empathy and reshaping her understanding of the patient experience. Today, she draws on both her clinical expertise and her lived experience to advocate for stroke awareness. |
12:10-1:05 |
Lunch/Exhibitors |
1:10-2:10 |
Hypertension Management Panel Emily Dahlmann, DNP, RN, SCRNUSA Health University HospitalRead BioEmily Dahlmann has been a registered nurse for almost 15 years. She joined University Hospital, a DNV certified comprehensive stroke center, in 2019 as a stroke coordinator and became USA Health’s Stroke Program Director in 2024.  Candace Mittlesdorf, MSN, RN, CCRN, SCRNMemorial Health SystemRead BioCandace Mittlesdorf is the Stroke Program Development Manager for Memorial Health System. She graduated with her BSN from Mississippi University of Women in 2007 and obtained her MSN from William Carey University in 2018. She began her nursing career in the ICU, where she worked in multiple roles including unit educator and coordinator for 16 years. She also obtained her CCRN and SCRN. In 2023, she transitioned into her current role where she oversees the Memorial stroke program for Gulfport, Stone County, and Biloxi locations. Along with her team, she focuses on stroke patient quality outcomes, performance improvement, and utilizing clinical practice guidelines to achieve best patient care. When she is not focusing on stroke, she enjoys spending time with her family, adventuring outdoors, going to church, and crafting. Her three girls are always there to keep her on her toes!  Maggie Poole, RN, BSN, CCRN, SCRN, ASC-BCMobile InfirmaryRead BioMaggie Poole graduated from Coastal Alabama Community College with her ADN in 2019 and began working as a bedside RN in the Neuro ICU at Mobile Infirmary. In 2021 she became the Stroke Coordinator for their Primary Stroke Center and earned her BSN at the University of Alabama. She and her team achieved growth to a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Center in 2022, Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2024, and Achieving Acute Stroke Ready at their Freestanding ED in 2025. She has received certifications for Critical Care Registered Nurse, Stroke Certified Registered Nurse, and Advanced Stroke Coordinator Board Certified. She also works as a clinical adjunct for Coastal Alabama Community College. |
2:15-3:15 |
Different Strokes for Little Folks Cathy Cartwright, DNP, RN-BC, PCNS, FAANUniversity of Missouri Health CarePresident, World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Read BioCathy Cartwright is a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist from Columbia, Missouri, with 20 years’ experience in pediatric neurosurgery. She is the current president of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses, past president of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, co-editor of chapters in the AANN Core Curriculum, co-editor of three editions of the book Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing |
3:15-3:30 |
Break/Exhibitors |
3:35-4:35 |
Scoping Things Out! Kristen Kutza, CCC-SLPMemorial Health System and Encore RehabilitationRead BioKristen Kutza is a medical based speech-language pathologist with nearly 13 years of experience. She is currently a full-time employee at Gulfport Memorial Hospital and works PRN with Encore Rehabilitation, running their out-patient laryngectomy clinic. She has served in various roles and settings including early intervention, skilled nursing, in-patient and out-patient rehab as well as acute care. Kristen values a fast-paced environment, critical thinking, collaboration and evidence-based practice. She enjoys mentoring graduate clinicians, supporting them in their growth and sharing lessons learned. When not working, Kristen is more than likely on vacation, trying new restaurants, or being forced to throw tennis balls for her two labs. |
4:35-4:40 |
Closing/Evaluations |