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DTX41: DialysisTechConneXion41

General Session Descriptions

March 25 28, 2024

General Session - Monday

The Spark in You - ReVisionary Thinking™

Courtney Clark

The Science and Strategy of Adapting to Change

Can you reach your goals, even if things aren’t going the way you expect? Most people (and organizations) are good at setting goals and making plans, but not very good at revising those plans when things change. But that’s the real work of resilience. Backed by Courtney’s data-driven research, ReVisionary Thinking offers concrete strategies for building “future readiness” and blazing a new path when the goalposts move on you.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to…

Avoid the typical mistakes people make when confronted with change

Improve mental flexibility as individuals and teams

Understand why gut instinct fails you in unfamiliar situations—and how to counter it

Generate more (and more innovative!) ideas when solving problem

General Sessions - Tuesday

Solidarity

Michelle Carver, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Vice President Nursing and Clinical Services, Fresenius Medical Care

Amanda Myers, Facility Administrator, DaVita Kidney Care

Unini Odama, VP Medical Affairs, Infection Prevention & Management Health Equity, DaVita Kidney Care

The work required to keep our patients safe, and healthy is bigger than any one of us and it keeps getting more complex. Therefore, staying in your own silo is no longer an option, and lanes must be crossed. In other words, the hidden work and contributions of technicians must come to the forefront. And technicians must equip themselves to engage and lead in all areas of healthcare: Administrative, infectious disease, emergency planning, safety, social risk identification and mitigation, planning and development and training etc., it is a matter of solidarity with one goal in mind— the wellbeing of all our patients.

Professionalism in the Workplace: Building Relationships

Building strong relationships in the workplace is a continuous effort that requires genuine care, respect, and a commitment to professional growth. These relationships not only enhance your job satisfaction but also contribute to the overall well-being of patients and the entire healthcare team.

The Leader in You: How to move forward

Climbing your professional ladder is a journey, not a destination. It requires dedication, continuous learning, adaptability, and a proactive approach to your career development. By combining these strategies with your skills and passion, you can successfully navigate your career path and reach new heights.

General Sessions - Wednesday

Diversity in Dialysis: Cultural and Generational Competence

Ercelene Kinnebrew, Clinical Educator, Northwest Kidney Centers

Tina Livaudais, Chief Nursing Officer, DaVita

Ras'on Hunter, Regional PCTIII Preceptor, Fresenius Kidney Center

Understanding and effectively interacting with individuals from different cultures and generations is essential in today's diverse world. Remember that the goal is not to eliminate all differences, but rather to appreciate and leverage those differences for more effective communication and collaboration. By taking a proactive and respectful approach to understanding people from different cultures, you can help create an inclusive and productive environment that benefits everyone involved.

Sustainability in Dialysis

Mark Gray, VP Technical Services, Fresenius Kidney Care

Brian Steers, Vice President, Biomedical Services, DaVita

Jimmie Jones, PhD Researcher Capella University

Providing dialysis care in a way that minimizes environmental impact, while also ensuring that patients receive high-quality care, and retention and attraction of talented staff are the critical components of sustainability in dialysis. Dialysis is a resource-intensive process, with significant energy and water consumption, and waste generation. It is also personnel intensive with a high rate of burnout.

Conflict Resolution and De-escalation

Troy Burleson, Owner Hard Target Training Solutions, LLC

Life is filled with conflicts… with peers, family, patients, co-workers, supervisors and even the guy behind you who wants you to hurry up. Sometimes these conflicts are just small annoyances – and sometimes they become a huge stumbling block to accomplishing your goal. While you can’t defuse every situation, there are ways that you can help resolve a conflict before it comes to blows. By approaching conflicts with patience, empathy, and a willingness to find common ground, you can prevent small annoyances from becoming major stumbling blocks and create a more harmonious environment in your personal and professional life.

General Sessions - Thursday

Patient/Family Perspective

Mary Margaret Kipp, Director, Patient Advocacy, Satellite Healthcare

Christina and Michael Gilchrist, Living on Dialysis

Hear firsthand accounts from dialysis patients and their dedicated caregivers, as they share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, as well as an experienced Director of Patient Advocacy. These incredible individuals will give you invaluable insights that will forever change the way you view your role as a dialysis technician. With their wealth of knowledge and expertise, you'll gain a fresh perspective on the patient's family plays in the dialysis process and how to elevate your practice and create a truly patient-centered environment.

Discover the power of enlisting the patient's family as an integral part of the healthcare team. Learn effective strategies to engage, educate, and empower families, ultimately enhancing the overall dialysis experience for both the patient and their loved ones.

This session is specifically designed for dialysis technicians like you who are committed to providing exceptional care and making a real difference in the lives of your patients. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical tools that will transform the way you approach patient care.

Speak Your Spark: Ignite the Flame of Inspiration

Brad Weaber, DTX41 Emcee

After three days of immersion in a sea of knowledge and inspiration, it's time to let your voice be heard. Join us for an electrifying session where you, as a dialysis provider, will have the extraordinary opportunity to share the sparks of wisdom you've gathered during this transformative event.

In this interactive and dynamic session, we invite you to reflect on your learnings and experiences, and unleash the fire within by sharing your newfound insights with your colleagues. Together, we will create a symphony of inspiration that will reverberate through the corridors of your patient care team and workplace.

You'll witness the magic of audience participation as the room fills with passionate voices, each igniting a spark that has the power to illuminate the path towards exceptional patient care. As you share your own unique spark, you'll discover the strength of unity, as your colleagues nod in agreement, inspired by your words.

Let your voice resonate with the passion that brought you to this profession. Embrace the power of storytelling and let it breathe life into the experiences that have shaped you as a dialysis provider. Together, we will create a tapestry of inspiration, where every thread weaves a powerful narrative of dedication, empathy, and excellence.

Join us in this extraordinary session, where your voice matters, and your spark has the potential to ignite a flame of transformation. Together, let's speak our sparks and illuminate the future of patient care.

Taking Your Spark Home

Felicia Speed, VP Social Work, Fresenius Medical Care

This electrifying session will build upon the inspiration you've experienced so far in the conference. Join one of our favorite DTX speakers, Felicia Speed, Vice President of Social Work at Fresenius Medical Care, as she shares invaluable tips and ideas on how to effectively share the wealth of knowledge you've gained at DTX.

Prepare to be moved, uplifted, and motivated as Felicia leverages her years of expertise to empower you to introduce groundbreaking ideas into your dialysis facility or workplace. You'll discover innovative ways to ignite change and revolutionize the dialysis experience for your patients and colleagues.

With Felicia's infectious laughter, powerful anecdotes, and well-honed strategies, you'll leave this session equipped with the tools to spark a transformation that will resonate far beyond the conference walls. It's time to unleash the fire within and become a catalyst for positive change in your dialysis facility.