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2025 Educational SessionsThis program is approved for up to 8.75 hours of AEUs and up to 2.50 hours of IPCHs by BASC Provider #6240. For more information, please review the BASC Approval Letter and Content Breakdown. This conference is also designed to meet contact hours for the Minnesota Board of Nursing continuing education requirements. Certificates will be sent to attendees within two weeks of the event. View the full agenda
Tane Danger slides 9:40—10:40 AM Unscripted Success: Building Better Teams Through Improv Workshop Leaders: Jim Robinson and Duck Washington, Danger Boat Productions AEU Category: Human Resources Take the energy and insight from the keynote one step further in this interactive breakout led by facilitators from Danger Boat Productions. Designed for ASC leaders and team members alike, this session dives deeper into how improv principles can help teams navigate real-world challenges—whether it's managing tough conversations, building trust, or adapting in the moment. Through hands-on exercises, group discussion, and a healthy dose of humor, you’ll gain practical tools to strengthen collaboration, boost morale, and lead with confidence through change. Learning Objectives:
From Burnout to Balance: Mindfulness in Real Time Hannah Dufek, Director of Clinical Services, CARE Counseling AEU Category: Human Resources In the fast-paced world of healthcare, stress is unavoidable—but it doesn’t have to be unmanageable. In this session, licensed therapist Hannah Dufek from CARE Counseling introduces participants to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a research-supported method for reducing stress, improving focus, and building emotional resilience. Through guided mindfulness exercises and practical takeaways, attendees will learn how to bring a greater sense of calm and clarity into their workday—whether supporting patients, teams, or themselves. No prior experience with mindfulness is required. Come as you are and leave with tools you can start using right away. Learning Objectives:
Hannah Dufek slides 9:40—10:40 AM H2-Oh No! Preventing Instrument Damage from Water Impurities Angela Ritchey, Clinical Education Specialist, STERIS AEU Category: Quality Management IPCH Category: Instrument/Equipment Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization Beneath the surface of every reprocessing cycle lurks an invisible threat: water impurities. Left unchecked, these contaminants can corrode instruments, compromise sterilization, and create costly damage that haunts your sterile processing department. Learn how to recognize the telltale signs of water-related damage and distinguish them from residual soils. Explore best practices for protecting instruments from the slow creep of impurity-related harm—and the critical role technicians play in keeping water quality crystal clear. Leave with actionable tools to preserve your equipment, ensure patient safety, and keep your SPD free of costly surprises. Learning Objectives:
Unlock the Future of Risk Management in Surgery Centers Nels Dyste, Branch Vice President, Gallagher | Dyste Williams AEU Category: Regulatory and Legal Issues Are you prepared for the evolving landscape of insurance and risk management in healthcare? Join us for a dynamic 60-minute session tailored to Minnesota Surgery Center administrators and teams. This briefing will cover the most pressing trends and actionable strategies for 2025, including the latest in cyber liability threats and coverage, rising malpractice verdicts and their impact on insurance markets, updates on the MN Candor Act and broader risk trends—from staffing challenges to emerging technologies—that are shaping the future of healthcare. Whether you're a Surgery Center Administrator, Risk Manager, Practice Owner, or part of an insurance or compliance team, this session is designed to equip you with smart, practical insights to protect your patients, your team, and your bottom line. Learning Objectives:
Nels Dyste slides 1:00—2:30 PM Best Practices for Reducing the Risk of SSI’s Using an Infection Prevention Bundle Melissa Kelly, BBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, Medical Liaison, Solventum AEU Categoary: Delivery of Patient Care IPCH Category: Infection Prevention Education and Training Preventing surgical site infections requires a smart, integrated strategy. This session explores how ASCs can enhance patient safety and improve outcomes through a comprehensive preoperative patient prep bundle. Covering key interventions such as nasal antiseptics, skin preparation, and prewarming protocols, participants will learn how each element contributes to infection prevention. Real-world case studies will highlight successful implementation strategies, workflow integration, and measurable benefits. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and practical tools to standardize prep practices, support staff training, and ensure patients enter surgery with the best possible protection. Learning Objectives:
Melissa Kelly slides 1:00—2:30 PM Roundtable Exchange: Navigating Uncertain and Challenging Times AEU Categoary: Regulatory and Legal Issues Join fellow ASC leaders and industry experts for an interactive session designed to explore some of the most pressing challenges facing surgery centers today. This format features four 20-minute small-group discussions, each focused on a different issue led by a rotating facilitator. You’ll choose a table and remain there for the duration of the session, while a new facilitator joins your group every 20 minutes to introduce a fresh topic, pose key questions, share insights, and guide peer-to-peer conversation. Learning Objectives:
AI-Driven Innovations Transforming Outpatient Surgery Gopal Khanna, Chairman and Senior Fellow, Health AI Institute Ikram Khan, Board of Advisor, Health AI Institute Explore how ASCs are currently using AI tools, barriers to implementation, practical strategies your can put into action, and opportunities for collaboration across Minnesota ASCs. Resource: AI Innovation handout PFML Planning: Managing Employee Leave Ryan Reger, Area Vice President | Producer/Consultant, Health & Welfare Consulting, Gallagher Kristy Jackson, Employee Benefits Account Manager, Gallagher Discuss how ASC employers are navigating Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law and learn how private plan options can reduce disruption and simplify administration. Resource: PFML handout Staffing the Critical Roles on Your ASC Team Dan Solomon, Dual-Training Pipeline Manager, MN Dept. of Labor & Industry Summer Hagy, MN HOSA State Advisor/Executive Director and HOSA, Inc Board - Central Region State Advisor Identify recruitment and retention strategies for hard-to-fill positions like surgical techs, sterile processing staff, and rad techs. Learn about pipeline programs and training partnerships, and explore creative hiring approaches. Resources: Dual-Training Pipeline handout HOSA handout Mitigating Tariff Turbulence and Supply Chain Disruptions Robert Mayhew, Vice President Supply Chain, Simply Supply Megan DeHart, Executive Director, Edina Specialty Surgery Center Unpack how global tariffs and supply chain volatility are affecting ASCs—and exchange strategies for mitigating risk, managing inventory, and maintaining operational continuity. 3:00—4:20 PM Survey Readiness from Every Angle Participating Moderator: Dan Erickson, Administrative Director, MNGI Digestive Health Presenters: Nicole Dahl, Regional Operations Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Health Rick Huston, Deputy State Fire Marshal, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Susan Tomasovic, Surveyor, AAAHC Wade Parker, Field Director, Joint Commission AEU Category: Quality Management Get a 360-degree view on preparing your ASC for survey success through a dynamic series of flash talks featuring insights from MDH, accreditation experts, and a life safety leader from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Topics will cover current survey and accreditation trends, life safety compliance, common pitfalls, and real-world strategies for building a year-round culture of readiness. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways on everything from documentation to inspections, fire safety to team training—tools your ASC can use immediately to stay survey-ready every day. Learning Objectives:
Nicole Dahl slides Rick Huston slides Susan Tomasovic slides Wade Parker slides Friday, October 10, 2025 8:15—9:15 AM 2025 State & Federal Legislative Update Tom Poul, MNASCA Lobbyist, Poul Haas PA Stephen Abresch, Director of Government Affairs, ASCA AEU Categoary: Regulatory and Legal Issues Get up to speed on key outcomes from the 2025 legislative and special sessions—and what they mean for ASCs. Learn about major policy changes, preview issues likely to surface in 2026, and explore the potential impact of looming federal budget cuts. A must-attend session for anyone tracking regulatory and funding shifts at the state and national level. Learning Objectives:
Tom Poul slides Stephen Abresch slides 9:25—10:25 AM From Shortages to Solutions: Innovative Anesthesia Strategies for ASCs Moderator: Traci Albers, MBA, CEO, Surgical Management Professionals Panelists: Michael Bernard, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Ambulatory Anesthesia Solutions Andrew Dickman, CRNA, CEO, Twin Anesthesia AEU Category: Delivery of Patient Care Anesthesia shortages, rising costs, and declining reimbursement are creating complex challenges for ASCs nationwide. This dynamic panel will unpack today’s most pressing anesthesia issues—from staffing gaps to financial pressures—and offer practical strategies to strengthen your care model. Learn how ASCs are adopting innovative delivery models, optimizing scheduling, and partnering more effectively to maintain high-quality care. Walk away with actionable insights and proven solutions to enhance efficiency, contain costs, and ensure long-term sustainability. Learning Objectives:
Threading the Needle: Managing Workforce Challenges in a New Era Moderator: Todd Archbold, CEO, PrairieCare Panelists: Melissa Jones, Director of Operations, SCA Health Emily Ruhsam, Employment Counsel and Senior Director of Human Resources, Revo Health Caitlin Gehlen, Partner | Attorney, Lathrop GPM AEU Category: Human Resources Today’s ASC leaders are walking a fine line—balancing tight surgery schedules with rising employee expectations around flexibility, time off, and work-life balance. With growing concerns around burnout, engagement, and retention—plus new state policies like Earned Safe and Sick Time and Paid Family and Medical Leave—workforce management has never been more complex. We’ll tackle the real-world challenges ASC teams face and offer practical strategies for navigating shifting staff expectations while keeping operations running smoothly. Learn how to adapt your leadership style, communicate effectively, and build a workplace culture that supports both your team and your bottom line. Learning Objectives:
Closing Keynote Session Leadership Unfiltered: Ditch the Myths, Own Your Power, Lead with Confidence Sarah Ciavarri, President, Level Up Leadership AEU Category: Human Resources Forget the old playbook. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with clarity, courage, and purpose, especially when the pressure is on. In this high impact closing session, Sarah Ciavarri cuts through the noise and challenges three common myths that hold leaders back. Whether you're running an ASC or influencing from the floor, you’ll leave with a smarter mindset and simple, actionable practices to strengthen trust, build resilience, and lead with confidence. Learning Objectives:
Questions? For more information contact Laura Harris, MNASCA Executive Director, at [email protected]. Return to Annual Conference home page |
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