17th Annual Pulmonary Conference (2026)

Friday, May 1, 2026, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Shaheen Auditorium, PAH, Atlanta, GA


AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (12.00 hours), AAPA Category 1 Credit(s) (6.00 hours), ANCC Contact Hour(s) (12.00 hours), CRCE Credit(s) (6.00 hours), General Attendance (6.00 hours), IPCE Credit (12.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (6.00 hours)

Respiratory Therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals need to have knowledge of the latest best practice guidelines, patient management strategies, and other challenges they face, to enhance professional growth and their ability to provide quality patient care. Clinical practice guidelines change according to latest research and innovations in medicine. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of these changes in order to stay up to date with best practices. This conference offers the opportunity to learn about heart failure management, pulmonary management of neuromuscular disease patients in the ICU, as well as rehabilitation approach to tracheostomy and laryngectomy patients, end-of-life impact on the respiratory workforce, and how to incorporate radiology into mechanical ventilation.  6.0 hours of CRCE credit through AARC is pending.

1. Identify, define, and distinguish between Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock, and management strategies for each.
2. Review of various mechanical circulatory support methods.
3. Recognize the clinical signs and bedside parameters (vital capacity, NIF, respiratory pattern changes) that indicate impending respiratory failure in patients with neuromuscular disease.
4. Identify appropriate indications and contraindications for noninvasive ventilation versus endotracheal intubation in neuromuscular respiratory failure.
5. Describe the role of respiratory therapists in monitoring, airway management, and ventilator weaning strategies for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenic crisis, and other neuromuscular emergencies.
6. Recognize ICU-acquired weakness as a cause of ventilator wean failure and identify modifiable risk factors.
7. Overview of the role of clinical operations in supporting patient care workflows and emergency preparedness.
8. Discuss the importance of healthcare documentation.
9. Discuss the emotional impact of end-of-life care on healthcare professionals and strategies for coping with and managing emotional stress.
10. Discuss the differences between tracheostomy and laryngectomy, and their significance during oxygen therapy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
11. Explain rehabilitation goals for tracheostomy patients and communication options post laryngectomy.
12. Identify underlying conditions based on radiographic data, and how to use imaging data to determine best mechanical ventilation strategies.

Piedmont Healthcare Employees - $45

 Students (valid student ID - must be presented day of the conference) - $35

Non-Piedmont Employees - $85

10% Early bird discount (before April 15) - Use Promotional Code 17PULM10 at checkout.

No confirmation letters will be sent by mail. All fees must be paid in full on or before May 1, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: The billing/shipping address on the registration form must match the address/ZIP the credit card issuer has on file or the payment will be declined.

Cancellation Policy:

To receive a refund of your registration fee, written notification of your request must be received by April 15, 2026. No refunds will be made after April 15, 2026.

In support of improving patient care, Piedmont Healthcare 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.

In addition to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM for physicians, ANCC credit for nurses, and ACPE credit for pharmacists, Piedmont Healthcare also offers AAPA Category 1 Credit for PAs, APA credit for psychologists, ASWB ACE credit for social work, BOC credit for athletic trainers, CPEU CDR credit for dietitians, and IPCE credit. 

Cancellation Policy

Piedmont Healthcare reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Piedmont Healthcare is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact Continuing Education at [email protected].

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Piedmont Healthcare adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Piedmont Healthcare adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

The two afternoon sessions following lunch are not eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM or ANCC credit.