The goal of the Deeper Dive Series is to offer a more robust and detailed discussion with (3) 1-hour webinars over three consecutive weeks. With this format, participants will receive in depth instruction in this challenging subject area and have the added benefit of multiple presenters building upon information from previous sessions. Up to 3 CE credits are available for Nurses and Social Workers for the 3 webinars.
9am PT / 10am MT / 11am CT / 12pm ET
Finding the Words: Supporting Children and Families Through Advance Care Planning
Presenters:
Jessica Pope, CLS, MT-BC, HPMT, NICU-MT
Oralea Marquardt, LCSW, ACHP-SW
Brave Dialogues at the Bedside: Nursing Focused Communication Skills for High Stakes Conversations
Presenter:
Lauren Hancock, RN, MSN, CHPPN, CPNP-AC
Bravery In Action: Advance Care Planning and DNRs
Presenter:
Jacinda Hays, DO, FAAP
Series bundle will be available for purchase in September.
Webinar #1: Supporting Children's Unique Spiritual Signatures in Palliative Care
Webinar #2: Art & Culture: Understanding the Spirituality and Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults
Webinar #3: The Spiritual World(s) of Parents and Caregivers of Children with Medical Complexity
Amanda Borchik, MDiv, BCC
Brief Description:
What do we know about how children see and experience the world? When does a sense of spirituality begin in childhood and how is it impacted by illness? Join us for the first session of the Deeper Dive series as we explore ways to support children and adolescents by creating conditions that nurture and support their spiritual strengths and needs in serious illness.
Presenter Bio: Amanda Borchik, MDiv, BCC
Amanda works at the intersection of child spirituality and health, serving as both a staff researcher for Transforming Chaplaincy at Rush University and as a board-certified pediatric chaplain at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. She is a PhD student at the University of Memphis studying Educational Psychology.Amanda’s clinical care and research seek to honor the natural spiritual expression of children in strengths-based, child-centered care. Amanda is committed to evidence-based practice within the field of pediatric chaplaincy and currently serves as Co-Convener for Transforming Chaplaincy & Pediatric Spiritual Care Research Network and as a board member of the Pediatric Chaplains Network. As an advocate for caring for the spirituality of children with life-limiting or life-threatening illness, she is also a member of the NCHPC Pediatric Palliative Care Division and has helped shape guidelines for pediatric palliative care.
Objectives:
Calvin Bradley Jr., PhD, CFLE, BCC, HEC-C; Robert Bennett, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, PMHS
Brief Description:
In this panel session, a nurse scientist and chaplain researcher will explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults living with serious illness. Projects using creative art modalities for expression will be shared as a means of learning about spirituality and culture. Dr. Bradley will draw upon his expertise from working with rural African American patients with sickle cell disease and Dr. Bennett will expand on his work with Hispanic patients in cancer survivorship.
Presenter Bios:
Calvin Bradley Jr., PhD, CFLE, BCC, HEC-C
Calvin Bradley is Director of Education and Assistant Professor in Patient Counseling, and faculty in the PhD in Health-Related Sciences program. Dr. Bradley earned his PhD from Nova Southeastern University in Conflict Analysis and Resolution Studies. He holds an M.Div. with a concentration in Chaplaincy and Counseling from Campbell University and an MS in Global and International Education with a concentration in Peace Studies from Drexel University. He has a BS in Rehabilitation Studies, BA in Religious Studies with a minor in African & African American Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Global Understanding from East Carolina University. He completed chaplaincy training at ECU Health and served as a pediatric chaplain for the Maynard Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services before joining VCU in 2022 as Pediatric Chaplain Team Lead at Children's Hospital of Richmond.He is a Board-Certified Chaplain, Healthcare Ethics Consultant, and Certified Family Life Educator with the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). He currently serves as President-Elect for the Pediatric Chaplains Network (PCN). He also serves as the Students & New Professionals Representative for the Religion, Spirituality, and Family Section of NCFR. A Hastings Center Sadler Scholar and Drexel “40 Under 40” honoree, his research focuses on pediatric and rural health equity, adolescent spiritual care, and communication in pediatric settings.
Robert Bennett, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, PMHS
Robert Bennett is a Nurse Scientist at Mayo Clinic, where he collaborates with the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology team. His research focuses on developing innovative digital interventions that use art to help AYAs express their experiences and hopes during cancer treatment and survivorship. Through visual storytelling, Dr. Bennett explores how creativeexpression can articulate emotions when words are insufficient, and foster resilience, improve psychosocial well-being, and support coping for adolescents facing advanced cancer and their families. Dr. Bennett earned his PhD in Nursing from the University of Colorado Denver and completed his postdoctoral fellowship in the Palliative Care and Aging Research T32 program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Bennett’s research provides a platform to help amplify the voices of AYA communities whose stories often go unheard. He has been invited to speak on the intersection between palliative care and AYA cancer survivorship at national and international forums, including advocacy events such as the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship symposium and Lobby Day in Washington, DC.
Objectives:
Cate Beaulieu-Desjardins, MDiv, MPH, MA, BCC
Brief Description:
How do families of highly medically complex children navigate the minefield of spiritual questions and changes they face as they parent under so much uncertainty? In this session we will explore the role of religion and spirituality for parents of children with medical complexity and life-limiting conditions - both the potential for experiencing acute and chronic spiritual struggle, and drawing strength and coping through their spirituality. We will also explore the role of faith and spirituality in high-stakes decision-making and the long-term spiritual impact of early decisions through the care trajectory.
Presenter Bio: Cate Beaulieu-Desjardins, MDiv, MPH, MA, BCC
Cate serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion, Health and Human Values at Rush University College of Health Sciences and is the Assistant Director for Research Development for Transforming Chaplaincy. Her work focuses on the spiritual lives of pediatric patients and their parents, with a particular emphasis on assessment, decision-making, and religious coping. She is committed to growing our understanding of the spiritual experiences of parents navigating parenting a child with medical complexity. Cate has published on topics ranging from chaplain leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, racial reckoning in chaplaincy leadership, and chaplaincy theory. She is co-editor of a forthcoming book, Case Studies in Pediatric Chaplaincy.
Objectives:
This 3-session virtual program series on pediatric pain and symptom management featured board-certified pediatric pharmacist, Melissa Hunt, PharmD, BCPPS. In this 3-part program designed for medical professionals, clinicians and providers, Dr. Hunt addresses the most pressing issues in pediatric pain and symptom management for children and adolescents with medical complexity and those receiving palliative care and possibly end-of-life care.
Webinar Dates and Titles (April 4, April 11, April 18, 2025)
Webinar 1 - Effective and Comprehensive Approaches to Pediatric Pain Management
Webinar 2 - Beyond the Prescription: Rethinking Nausea & Vomiting in Pediatric Palliative Care
Webinar 3 - Breath, Balance and Comfort: Managing Secretions, Constipation and Dyspnea
This webinar bundle will be available for purchase in January 2026.
Learning Objectives:
This 3-session virtual program series on perinatal and neonatal care features experts Dr. Brian Clark, Dr. Christopher Collura and Dr. Robert Macauley. In this 3-part program designed for medical professionals, clinicians and providers, the presenters address the most pressing issues and ethical considerations in perinatal and neonatal care.
Webinar Dates and Titles (October 3, October 10, October 17, 2025)
Webinar 1 - Critical Ethical & Relationship Considerations in Perinatal Palliative Care - Brian Clark, MD, FAAP
Webinar 2 - Periviable Birth: Integrating Neonatology, Ethics, and Palliative Care at the Limits of Viability - Christopher Collura, MD
Webinar 3 - Prognostic Uncertainty in the Neonatal Period - Bob Macauley, MD, FAAP
This webinar bundle will be available for purchase in January 2026.
Learning Objectives:
