2026 Pediatric Program
35th Symposium on Pediatric Dialysis
February 26-March 1, 2026
Kansas City, Missouri
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Pediatric Nursing “Meet and Greet”
12:00- 12:50pm
Moderators: Brandy Begin, BSN, MBA, RN, CNN; Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN; Amy Nau MBA, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC; Katie Plomaritas, BSN, RN
Meet and network with other nurses and advanced practice providers working with children with kidney disease.
Pediatric Nutrition “Meet and Greet”
12:00- 12:50pm
Moderators: Kirsten McFadyen, RD; Nonnie Polderman, BSc, RD
Meet and network with other dietitians working with children with kidney disease.
12:55pm: Welcome – Steven Alexander, MD
Session 1: Fundamentals and Advances in Dialysis for Children, Part 1
1:00pm–3:00pm
Moderators: Bradley Warady, MD; Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN
1:00 Physiology of Blood Purification– Jordan Symons, MD
1:40 Peritoneal Dialysis Prescription and Adequacy Monitoring – Annabelle Chua, MD
2:20 Hemodialysis Prescription and Adequacy Monitoring – Cherry Mammen, MD
3:00-3:30 pm Break
Session 2: Fellows Case Conference: Stump the Consultants
3:30-5:00pm
Moderator: John Mahan, MD
Consultants: Jordan Symons, MD; Cherry Mammen, MD; Rukshana Shroff, MD; Annabelle Chua, MD
5:00pm Adjourn
Friday, February 27, 2026
Session 3: General Session – Awards and Keynote Presentations
8:00-10:00am
8:30 Welcome – Ramesh Khanna, Anjay Rastogi, Richard Barohn
8:45 Award Presentations (include pediatric abstract awards)
Keynote Presentations
9:00 Rising Tides or Perfect Storm? Critical Lessons from the ETC Model for the Future of Dialysis Care – Suzanne Watnick, MD
9:30 Home Again: The Resurgence of Peritoneal Dialysis –Joanne Bargman, MD
10:00am Break
Session 4: Fundamentals and Advances in Dialysis for Children, Part 2
10:30am-12:00pm
Moderators: Steven Alexander, MD; Nonnie Polderman, BSc, RD
10:30 Pediatric Dialysis Nutrition Guidelines-Kirsten McFadyen, RD
11:00 Growth and Growth Hormone Therapy-Melissa Muff-Luett, MD
11:30 Management of Bone Disease in Children on Dialysis: The Basics – Rukshana Shroff, MD
12:00 Lunch
Session 5: Nursing Breakout 1
12:15- 1:45 pm
Moderator: Katie Plomaritas, BSN, RN
12:15 Fundamentals of PD Access -Brandy Begin, BSN, MBA, RN, CNN
12:35 Fundamentals of HD Access- Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN
1:00 Perspectives on Treatment Modality Selection – Kathleen Mallett, FNP-C, CNN-NP, FNKF
1:30 Questions and Discussion
Session 6: Nutrition Breakout 1
12:15- 1:45pm
Moderator: Nonnie Polderman, BSc, RD
New to pediatric nephrology? This session provides an overview of key professional, clinical and patient resources to support your development and build confidence in practice.
12:15 From Tools to Practice: Resources for the Pediatric Renal RD: Nonnie Polderman, BSc, RD
1:00 Case Study: Nutrition for a Child on Dialysis – Janelle Hanick, RDN, LD
Session 7: Fundamentals and Advances in Dialysis for Children, Part 3
2:00-4:00pm
Moderators: Alicia Neu, MD; Amy Nau, MBA, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC
2:00 Cardiovascular Complications – Franz Schaefer, MD
2:40 Renal Anemia: The Basics- Bradley Warady, MD
3:20 Major Infectious Complications-Rebecca Same, MD
4:00 Break
Session 8: Nutrition Breakout 2
2:00-4:00 pm
Moderator: Kirsten McFadyen, RD
An evidence-based exploration into practical strategies and tools that are shaping the future of pediatric renal nutrition.
2:00 Updates from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce: Nonnie Polderman, RD
3:00 Protein Intake and PRAL: Striking a Balance: Jessica Tower, MS, RD, LD
Faculty Guided Tours of the Pediatric Posters
4:30-6:00pm
Pediatric faculty will lead small group tours of the pediatric posters with the hopes of engaging interaction with the poster presenters. Everyone is welcome! Details surrounding the group designation will be provided earlier in the day during the conference.
6:00 Adjourn
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Session 9: Hot Topics
8:00-10:00am
Moderator: Franz Schaefer, MD; Katie Plomaritas, BSN, RN
8:00 Hemodiafiltration Is the Chronic Hemodialysis Modality of Choice for Pediatric Patients: An Update – Rukshana Shroff, MD
8:30 Epoprostinal: The Return of the Prostacyclins –Ayse Akcan-Arikan, MD
9:00 The Selective Cytophorectic Device (SCD) – David Humes, MD
9:30 Home Hemodialysis for Children in North America…Where Has It gone? Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN
10:00 Break
Session: 10: Nutrition Breakout 3
8:00-10:00pm
Moderators: Kirsten McFadyen, RD & Nonnie Polderman, RD
New Frontiers in Weight Management: How Emerging Therapies are Reshaping Nephrology Practice –Jessica Tower, MS, RD, LD; Tyson Moore, MSN, ARPN, FNP-C, CPN, CNN-NP
This dynamic session explores the impact of modern weight management strategies on pediatric dialysis through current evidence, practical cases and implications for changing clinical practice.
Session 11: Pediatric Keynote and Best Abstracts
10:30am-12:00pm
Moderators: Bradley Warady, MD; Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN
10:30 Pediatric Keynote: From Nephrologist to CEO: Why Complexity Has Always Been the Job
Alexandro Quiroga, MD; CEO, Children’s Mercy Kansas City
11:15 Best Abstracts
12:00 Lunch Break
12:00-2:00 Lunch
Session 12: Nursing Breakout 2
12:15-1:45pm
Moderator: Katie Plomaritas, BSN, RN
12:15 Utilization of Dialysis Technicians in the Pediatric Unit -Amy Nau, MBA, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC
12:45 Epidemiology of Catheter Infections in Dialysis Patients – Rebecca Same, MD
1:30 Discussion
Session 13: Nutrition Breakout 4
12:30 to 1:45 pm
Moderator: Nonnie Polderman, RD
Healthy Guts: Fiber in Practice – Past, Present and Future: Janelle Hanick, RDN, LD
Join us for a practical look at how fiber’s role in gut health has shifted over time and what new evidence means for future clinical practice.
Session 14: Initial Dialysis for Neonates Weighing <3kg: Should it be PD or HD?
2:00 – 4:00pm
Moderators: Bradley Warady, MD; Alicia Neu, MD
- Hemodialysis Therapies (Carpe, Aqua, CKRT) Are the Best Way to Manage These Babies Until They Reach 3-4kg – Ayse Akcan-Arikan, MD
- Peritoneal Dialysis (manual, low volume) Is the Best Way to Manage These Babies – Melissa Muff-Luett, MD
4:00 Break
Session 15: Fundamentals for Families
4:30-6:00pm
Moderators: Bradley Warady, MD; Jessica Geer, MSN, CPNP-PC, CNN-NP, RN
Learn from patients and families as we hear their experiences and ways the medical team can improve care. This informal session brings great discussion surrounding the lived experience of patients/families on dialysis
6:00pm Adjourn
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Session 16: Symposium: Promoting Emotional Health and Well-Being of Youth with Advanced CKD
8:00-10:00am
Moderators: Rebecca Johnson, PhD, ABPP
8:00 Overview of Educational and Vocational Outcomes for Youth with ESKD – Rebecca Johnson, PhD, ABPP
8:15 Attendance and Access to Education: The Forgotten Social Determinants of Pediatric Health- Amanda Deacy, PhD
9:00 Quality of Life and Emotional Health of Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients – Paige Seegan, PhD
9:45 Discussion
Session 17: Symposium: United for Better Outcomes: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Tackling Fluid Overload in Pediatric Dialysis
10:30am -12:00pm
Moderator: Cherry Mammen, MD, (confirmed) & Nonnie Polderman, RD
Panelists: Jennifer Spies, MSN, RN, CPN; Kirsten McFadyen, RD; Brad Wardy, MD; Jessica Greer, MSN, C-PNP, CNN, RN
Join an interactive multidisciplinary session exploring real-world challenges of fluid overload in pediatric dialysis. Through case-based discussion, diverse clinical perspectives, and live audience engagement, we will uncover practical strategies that drive better outcomes for children on PD and HD.
12:00 Meeting Concludes