Description: 

During these opening remarks, Sepsis Survivor Leslie Green will share her impactful story as a bilateral, below-the-knee amputee. She’ll also share how she has used her experience to advocate for those with limb loss and limb differences, as well as provide pre- and post-operative education, appropriate community resources, and emotional support to patients and their loved ones.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Leslie Green, MA, MA, MA, MA, MSW, Ed.S, Founder

Description: 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to patient safety, particularly in nursing homes, where vulnerable populations are at heightened risk. This keynote session explores the far-reaching consequences of antimicrobial resistance worldwide, highlighting its specific challenges in long-term care settings. Participants will examine key factors contributing to AMR, along with practical approaches to antimicrobial stewardship. By assessing effective strategies and tools, this session equips attendees with the knowledge to promote responsible antimicrobial use and improve patient outcomes in nursing homes.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025. 

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Identify and explain the global impact of antimicrobial resistance, with a focus on its burden in nursing homes; 
  
• Apply and evaluate antimicrobial stewardship strategies and tools to optimize antimicrobial use in the nursing home setting.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Ravina Kullar, PharmD, MPH, FIDSA, Infectious Diseases Consultant

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

C. difficile infections have evolved significantly over the past two decades, presenting new challenges in prevention and treatment. In response to gaps in the healthcare system, grassroots organizations have emerged as powerful forces for change. This session explores how patient advocacy groups are established, the driving factors behind their formation, and their essential role in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Using the real-world creation and work of the Peggy Lillis Foundation as an example of advocacy in action, this presentation highlights the impact of advocacy in shaping policy, advancing research, and improving patient outcomes. 

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Explain the changes in C. difficile epidemiology over the past two decades;
  
• Describe how grassroots organizations are founded in response to systemic failures;
• Analyze the key role patient advocacy groups play in the AMR ecosystem.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Christian John Lillis, Chief Executive Officer

Description: 

This sponsored session will highlight the essential role of blood culture quality in improving sepsis patient care and outcomes. The presenters will explore guideline-driven best practices for blood culture quality, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration from bedside to laboratory. The importance of precise organism resistance detection in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a focus on optimizing antimicrobial therapy and improving patient outcomes, will be highlighted.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by BD.

Jordan Cardinal, Microbiology Medical Science Liaison, U.S. Region, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions

Kayla Kirby, RN, MLS, ASCP, Global Medical Science Liaison

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by . 

Be sure to visit the exhibit hall and participate in the scavenger hunt during the break!

Description: 

 Bacteriophages, or phages, are emerging as a promising solution in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. This session explores the advancements and applications of bacteriophage therapy, offering a comprehensive overview of its current global landscape. Key topics include the dynamic interplay between bacteriophages, bacteria, and the human host, as well as an in-depth examination of research efforts and clinical trials aimed at bringing phage therapy into mainstream medical practice. Attendees will gain insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of this next-generation antimicrobial agent.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

•  Analyze the current landscape of bacteriophage (phage) therapy in the United States and globally;
• Evaluate the interactions between bacteriophages, bacteria, and the human host in the context of phage therapy;
• Assess the current research and clinical trial landscape for bacteriophage therapy, discussing potential pathways for mainstream adoption and clinical application 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Daria Van Tyne, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and fungal infections pose growing threats to global health, yet they remain underrecognized in policy discussions and funding initiatives. This session explores a strategic campaign designed to elevate awareness, drive robust policy changes, and secure critical resources. Key advocacy strategies, including stakeholder engagement with federal agencies, industry leaders, and global health organizations, as well as the role of media and public education in amplifying the conversation will be discussed. Gain insight into targeted policy recommendations, event-driven advocacy efforts, and the measurable outcomes that leverage collaboration and strategic communication to integrate fungal infections into AMR strategies and strengthen the global response to these pressing health challenges.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Analyze the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and fungal infections on public health, identifying key challenges and gaps in current policies;
  
• Evaluate strategic advocacy approaches, including stakeholder engagement, communication tactics, and policy recommendations, to enhance AMR and fungal infection awareness and funding;
• Develop an action plan to implement advocacy strategies that drive policy advancements, foster collaboration, and amplify public engagement in addressing AMR and fungal infections. 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Rob Purdie, Managing Director

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

This presentation discusses the impact of systems of oppression and inequities in social determinants of health on Antimicrobial Stewardship. It also provides a framework for clinicians to consider when identifying and mitigating disparities at their institutions. 

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Describe the relationship between systemic racism, social determinants of health, and the treatment of patients with infections;
• Identify factors in antimicrobial stewardship processes and policies that could result in disparities in care;
• Utilize the Prioritizing Equity in Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts (EASE). Framework to evaluate and reduce health disparities in antimicrobial use in individual practice settings. 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Jacinda (JAM). Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Effective antimicrobial stewardship in immunocompromised patients requires a nuanced approach that balances infection prevention with the risks of overuse. This session explores key objectives in antimicrobial stewardship for this vulnerable population, highlighting unique challenges and the need for tailored strategies. Innovative approaches and real-world applications will be examined to optimize antimicrobial use while minimizing resistance and adverse effects. Drawing on expertise in managing infections in transplant recipients and patients undergoing chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, this session provides insight into evidence-based practices that enhance patient outcomes in immunocompromised settings.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Identify goals and challenges for practicing antimicrobial stewardship within immunocompromised patients;
  
• Identify successful stewardship strategies in immunocompromised populations. 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Hannah Imlay, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Immunocompromised Antimicrobial Stewardship

Description: 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by enabling real-time data analysis, predictive modeling, and decision support. This session explores how different types of AI can be leveraged to enhance infectious disease management and strengthen healthcare systems. Participants will examine the challenges of AI implementation, from data integration to ethical considerations, and identify practical strategies to overcome these obstacles. The session will also highlight AI-driven risk prediction models as a tool for optimizing infection management, improving patient outcomes, and advancing evidence-based practice.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Differentiate various types of artificial intelligence (AI) and analyze their potential applications in healthcare settings
• Evaluate key barriers, challenges, and risks associated with implementing artificial intelligence in healthcare and propose practical solutions to address them 
• Apply AI-driven risk prediction strategies to support the uptake of evidence-based infection management in healthcare settings 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Westyn Branch-Elliman, MD, MMSc, FSHEA, FIDSA, Acting Director, Health Sciences-AI; Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases; Professor of Medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Be sure to visit the exhibit hall and participate in the scavenger hunt during the break! 

Description: 

In this sponsored session, gain an understanding of the patient journey for people living with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) who require hemodialysis through a central venous catheter (CVC) and have experienced a catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI). Learn about the risks associated with CRBSIs in patients on hemodialysis, including the role of AMR and sepsis. Opportunities for prevention, including the clinical data for a recent FDA approved catheter lock solution, and ways for healthcare teams to work together to improve patient outcomes will also be discussed.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by CorMedix.

Celina Medina, Speaker Advocate

Payal Patel, MD, System-Wide Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Associate Professor

Description: 

This session presents a case-based exploration of optimizing the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative infections, specifically Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the latest evidence and guidelines for managing these complex infections. Key focus areas include strategies for addressing challenging resistance patterns in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and applying evidence-based treatments to improve patient outcomes. The session will also examine clinical approaches to effectively manage Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025. 

Learning Objectives: 

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

• Analyze strategies for optimizing the treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections based on current evidence and guidelines;
• Evaluate approaches for optimizing the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, focusing on managing difficult-to-treat resistance;
• Apply evidence-based strategies for optimizing the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections in clinical settings. 

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Pranita Tamma, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology

Description: 

This session is part of the Sepsis Alliance AMR Conference 2025.

Target Audience: 

Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.

Session Supporter:

Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support of this session provided by . 

Hannah Sass, Senior Provider Education and Training Manager