The 6th 2025 ASA/NSAA Annual Joint Conference
Conference Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will gain greater understanding of various surgical procedures and intraoperative concepts.
- Attendees will enhance their knowledge of updated surgical techniques and anatomy.
- Attendees will gain better understanding of legislative initiatives.
Schedule of Events and Presentations
Friday April 25th:
7:30 am-11:30pm Endovascular Vein Harvest Workshop (Cross Timber 2)
11:00 am-07:00 pm Registration at the Embassy Suites Grapevine DFW Airport North (Registration Office)
12:30 pm-4:30pm Aortic Valve Replacement Workshop (Cross Timber 3)
5:00 pm-5:30pm ASA/NSAA State of the Associations (Heritage Ballroom 6-8)
5:30 pm-06:30 pm Keynote Address: Kirk Offel (Heritage Ballroom 6-8)
Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO of OVERWATCH Mission Critical
Sponsored by Surgikal Assistants Inc.
06:30 pm-07:30 pm Welcome Reception Sponsored by Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting (Cross Timber 2 & Heritage Foyer)
Saturday April 26th:
07:00 am-09:00 am Registration at the Embassy Suites Grapevine DFW Airport North (Registration Office)
07:30 am-07:45 am Breakfast with Exhibitors (Cross Timber 1 & Heritage Foyer)
07:45 am-08:00 am Joint Welcome (Heritage Ballroom 6-8)
Fred Fisher, ASA President & Jim Pressley, NSAA President
08:00 am-08:50 am Working with a Grumpy Surgeon
Dr. Mark Pool & Mason King
08:50 am-09:15 am Professional Networking (Cross Timber 1 & Heritage Foyer)
09:15 am-10:05 am Management of Degenerative Spinal Deformities
Dr. Patrick Shih
10:05 am-10:45 am Pico Negative Pressure Wound Management
Michael Wuestenfeld – Smith and Nephew
11:45 am-12:30 pm Phasix Hernia Mesh: Beckton Dickinson
Taylor Twardowski
12:30 pm-01:45 pm Luncheon (Atrium)
01:45 pm-02:35 pm Ethical Changes in Surgical Decision-Making & Patient Advocacy
Luis F Aragon, MBA, CSA
02:35 pm-3:25 pm Legislative Updates
Legislative Panel
3:25 pm-3:50pm Professional Networking (Cross Timber 1 & Heritage Foyer)
03:50 pm-05:00 pm Round Table on the AASA Issue
ASA & NSAA Leadership Panel
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Venapax Endovascular Vein Harvest Workshop
Friday 7:30a-11:30a: $125 – 4-CEUs
An Endovascular Vein Harvest course which include a combination of didactic and video presentations featuring Venapax, an all-in-one comprehensive system that provides dissection and simultaneous branch ligation in a simple device. All training options are focused on helping allied health professionals gain the valuable experience and comfort they need to be prepared for that first case and beyond. It’s focus is not only on surgical technique but also on building a team approach to training that incorporates the harvesters and their cardiac teams.
Key Highlights:
- Experience the difference Venapax can make with its minimal-touch technique.
- Procedural training program shortens the Venapax EVH learning curve.
- Watch how Venapax dissects and simultaneously ligates.
Ross Procedure for Aortic Valve Replacement Workshop
Friday 12:30p-4:30p: $125 – 4 CEUs
The ROSS Procedure, also known as the Switch Procedure or Pulmonary Autograft Procedure, is Cardiac Surgery in which a diseased Aortic Valve is replaced with the patient’s own pulmonary valve. This is followed by the replacement of the Pulmonary Valve with a Pulmonary Allograft. The ROSS Procedure was first developed in the late 1960s and has been performed many times since. It is the only operation that allows for an Aortic Valve Replacement with a living valve substitute. This activity describes the indications, contraindications, and steps involved in the ROSS Procedure and highlights the role of the Surgical Assistant as part of the interprofessional team in the management of patients with Aortic Valve Disease.
Key Highlights:
- The Ross procedure is a complex surgical procedure requiring specialized surgical expertise and a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the aortic root and pulmonary valve.
- Review pathophysiology and key principles of Cardiac Surgery
- Discuss the rationale and indications for the ROSS Procedure
- Identify tips and tricks to improve procedural efficiency and clinical efficacy