AALNC Forum in Review: What You Missed in Louisville

By Mary Flanagan, BSN, RN, CNOR(E), LNCC

Thursday afternoon April 27:

Attendees took advantage of 2 half-day workshops. Elizabeth Murray and Barbara Davis-Monte offered a comprehensive session on report writing and chronologies (and much more) including one-on-one sessions with seasoned LNCs providing additional “speed coaching. “CSI Louisville” had 3 speakers, Denise Kilburn, Shelly Combs, and Teresa Devitt-Lynch who presented a well-rounded look into LNC Forensics.

Thursday evening April 27: Time to kick back, enjoy adult beverages and live music, and network with so many legal nurse consultants.

Friday, April 28:

Two Breakout sessions with Stephen Cohen, MD, and Dennis McWeeney, DO both back by popular demand. AALNC President, Lisa Mancuso then officially welcomed everyone to the 2023 Forum. A general session followed with Suzanne Smithwick (an in-house defense LNC) who presented a fascinating, yet so tragic, case in which she played an integral role in resolution. The morning ended with two more Breakout sessions. Jaimee Gerrie introduced the world of pre-trial mediation and how an LNC fits so well there, and Jacquelyn Maki taught us all the many barriers when marketing yourself (and how to overcome them).

Following a boxed lunch break and more networking attendees could choose from Dr. Michael Amendola who spoke about current modalities when recognizing and treating DVTs or Rhonda Sullivan who “dissected” avoidable limb loss and what the LNC needs to know.

We enjoyed another networking break before our annual awards presentations. Our Distinguished Service Award went to Cheryl Gatti. There were two deserving Volunteers of the Year, Alyssa Brandeberry and your very own, Stormy Green. Marilyn McCullum won the JLNC Article of the Year.

 

Friday’s sessions ended with Dr. Kayur Patel who presented a fascinating general session on Systemic Errors in health care. Scary and very enlightening at the same time.

Saturday, April 29:

RaDonda Vaught told her story of her highly publicized criminal prosecution. You could hear a pin drop as she went step by step and day by day of her ordeal. This session on the heels of Dr. Patel’s the day before made a deeply personal and compelling session.

Saturday morning included two breakout sessions. Jane Heron gave a presentation on TBI and Jennifer Parks (and panel) taught us about DMEs. A general session with Jane Shufro and her attorney-client followed. They walked us through how a firm prepares an expert before testifying.

After another networking lunch, nurse attorney Richard Bays spoke about healthcare fraud while Judy Young (and panel) prepared interested LNCs on how to publish a manuscript.

Our fun annual Passport to Prizes was held before the final sessions.Several lucky attendees won terrific prizes including full registration for the 2024 Forum in Pittsburgh.

Since it was Derby Week, the home stretch was neck and neck with Dr. Emma Patterson (back by popular demand) speaking about bariatric surgery litigation while the attorney/LNC combo of Jordan Stanton and Barbara Levin had us on the edge of our seats untangling a case they successfully worked on together.

Save the Date - see you next April 18-20 at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh!