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The American Association
of Nurse Attorneys
2019 Conference Schedule

Download the Conference Program (PDF)

Download the Conference Brochure (PDF)

See photo gallery at bottom of page

Time Thursday, August 8 Room
8am - 12noon TAANA Board of Directors Meeting Calhoun A
8:30am - 12noon Pre Conference Workshop

Brought to you by TAANA, in partnership with Nurses Service Organization (NSO).


Nurses and the Non-Adherent Patient: Protecting Yourself from Liability

(separate registration fee required)

Great Lakes AC
12noon - 5pm Registration Great Lakes Foyer
12noon - 2:15pm Exhibit, Poster Setup Great Lakes BD
1:10pm - 2:25pm
CE/CLE: 1.25
Session 1. Leadership: Leading From Where You Are
  • Erin Murphy, MA, RN, FAAN
    St. Catherine University
    St. Paul, Minnesota

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify her/his leadership philosophy and purpose.
  2. Articulate her/his leadership practice in the setting in which they work.
  3. Identify the preferred outcomes for her/his leadership and the people they serve.
Great Lakes AC
2:25pm - 2:45pm BREAK
2:45pm - 4pm
CE/CLE: 1.25
(eligible for ethics credit)
Session 2. Clinical & Legal Ethics in an Age of Patient Choice, Medical Marijuana and End of Life Options
  • Presentation Slides
  • Kathleen Hessler, RN, JD
    Simione Healthcare Consultants, LLC
    Albuquerque, New Mexico

Learner Objectives:

  1. State the bioethical principles that affect your client healthcare providers’ policies and practices.
  2. Identify the ABA Rules that address the lawyer as counselor and advisor in light of today’s healthcare ethical dilemmas.
  3. Discuss process of facilitating discussion regarding ethical dilemmas.
Great Lakes AC
4pm - 5pm
CE/CLE: 1.00
Session 3. Strategies to Reduce Diagnostic Errors and Medical Malpractice Risks
  • Presentation Slides
  • Christine Taheran, JD, DNP, FNP-C, WHCNP-C
    Silberman & Lam, LLP
    Placentia, California

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify the percentage of failure to diagnose medical error among Adult/Primary Care NPs.
  2. Identify the five contributing factors to failure to diagnose medical errors.
  3. Identify the diagnostic tools in Diagnostic Tool Kit proven to increase the diagnostic accuracy.
  4. Identify the diagnostic instrument to assess the likelihood of diagnostic accuracy.
Great Lakes AC
5pm - 6pm Poster Session - See titles and objectives below. Great Lakes BD
6pm - 6:30pm TAANA and TAANA Foundation Past Presidents Reception
6:30pm Welcome Reception and TAANA Foundation Awards Great Lakes BD
Time Friday, August 9 Room
7am - 8am Continental Breakfast Great Lakes BD
8am - 5pm Registration Great Lakes Foyer
8am - 9am
CE/CLE: 1.0
(eligible for ethics credit)
Session 4. Hot Liability Topics for Nurses
  • Presentation Slides
  • Melanie Balestra, JD, NP, MSN
    Law Offices of Melanie Balestra
    Irvine, California
  • Marc Meyer, RN, JD
    Law Office of Marc Meyer, PLLC
    Magnolia, Texas
  • Nancy Lee Nelson, JD, MPH, BAN
    Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC
    Minneapolis, Minnesota

Learner Objectives:

  1. Describe legal/ethical reasoning in preventing extension of liability in the clinical setting.
  2. Articulate actions that might trigger an anti-kickback violation and possible legal remedies.
  3. Discuss legal/ethical issues that might arise for on-line nursing faculty.
  4. Compare communication techniques that either support or endanger interdisciplinary communications.
Great Lakes AC
9am - 10am
CE/CLE: 1.0
(eligible for ethics credit)
Session 5. Representing Nurses and Healthcare Workers Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: Cases and Judicial Decisions
  • Presentation Slides
  • Omobola Oyeleye, EdD, JD, MSN, M.Ed, BSN. B.Ed, RN-BC, CNE
    University of Texas at Houston Cizik School of Nursing
    Houston, Texas

Learner Objectives:

  1. The participant will recognize an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act as they relate to reasonable accommodation for employees.
  2. The participant will discuss exemptions to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  3. The participant will discuss recent legal principles and decisions that relate to nurses and other health care workers with disabilities.
Great Lakes AC
10am - 10:15am BREAK
10:15am - 11:15am
CE/CLE: 1.0
Session 6. The Do’s and Don‘ts of Renewing Your Nursing License

Learner Objectives:

  1. Recognize what types of impairments are disciplinary versus those that might only require explanation.
  2. Discuss the impact of other state’s actions on your license application.
  3. Recognizing the different type of criminal actions “i.e. arrests, charging, conviction, deferred adjudication, etc.” that have to be reported on a licensing renewal.
  4. Discuss examples of "incorrect answers" on nursing license renewal forms.
  5. Review actions taken by State Boards when "incorrect answers" are provided.
  6. Discuss legal decisions of cases related to "incorrect answers."
Great Lakes AC
11:15am - 12:15pm
CE/CLE: 1.0
(eligible for ethics credit)
Session 7. Transforming America’s Rape Culture by SANE Education and Practice: Stories from the Trenches
  • Presentation Slides
  • Carolyn Dolan, JD, MSN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, SANE-A
    University of South Alabama
    Fairhope, Alabama
  • Stephanie Dutenhafer, BS
    Hennepin Healthcare
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Micki Korn, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, PCPNP, SANE-P
    University of South Alabama and Care House Baldwin County
    Mobile, Alabama

Learner Objectives:

  1. Describe the legal/ethical challenges faced by sexual assault victims in seeking access to care.
  2. Identify legal/ethical considerations in caring for trafficked, disenfranchised, and marginalized human beings.
  3. Discuss the importance of access to SANEs particularly in rural and underserved geographic locations.
  4. Review examples of effective programming nationally.
  5. Analyze the role of legal/ethical education of SANEs in providing effective, professional, and appropriate testimony.
  6. Consider potential role(s) of nurse attorneys in policy, practice and leadership related to sexual violence.
  7. List legal/ethical situations unique to sexual assault victims (DSSA, the unconscious victim, consent issues in adolescent and pediatric care, and mandatory reporting).
Great Lakes AC
12:15pm - 1:30pm LUNCH (all Attendees) & TAANA Business Meeting

Agenda & 2018 Meeting Minutes

Financial Report

Sponsored by:


1:30pm - 2:45pm
CE/CLE: 1.25
Session 8. EMTALA: Lessons Learned from Violations and Self-Disclosures

Learner Objectives:

  1. To be able to identify the core requirements of EMTALA.
  2. To understand the most common pitfalls associated with EMTALA.
  3. How best to prevent an EMTALA violation from occurring.
  4. How best to respond to an EMTALA violation.
  5. To understand compliance considerations to prevent a violation or reoccurrence of an EMTALA violation.
Great Lakes AC
2:45pm - 3pm BREAK
3pm - 4pm
CE/CLE: 1.0
Session 9. Why Nurse Practitioners Choose a PLLC When Forming a Clinic
  • Presentation Slides
  • Nancy Lee Nelson, JD, MPH, BAN
    Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Michael Weber, JD
    Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC
    Minneapolis, Minnesota

Learner Objectives:

  1. Describe why a nurse practitioner would choose a PLLC rather than an LLC as it relates to the Corporate Practice of Medicine Doctrine and State Law.
  2. Describe three benefits of a PLLC.
  3. Explain the rationale for a business plan and an operating agreement.
  4. List resources for a new NP clinic.
  5. Identify Two ways a PLLCs can lose liability protection.
  6. List two of the four taxation choices of a PLLC.
Great Lakes AC
4pm - 5pm
CE/CLE: 1.0
Session 10. NSO Presentation, Reducing the Risk of Malpractice for the RN
  • Presentation Slides
  • Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM
    Aon/Nurses Service Organization (NSO)
    Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Learner Objectives:

  1. List the leading allegations made against nurses in malpractice lawsuits.
  2. List the leading allegations made against nurses in Board of Nursing complaints.
  3. Identify key risk management tools that nurses can incorporate into their practice.
Great Lakes AC
5:15pm Meet in Hotel Lobby for TAANA Group Event, Dinner and Guys & Dolls.
Separate registration fee, click here for more information

Time Saturday, August 10 Room
7am - 8am Continental Breakfast Great Lakes BD
8am - 12noon Registration Great Lakes Foyer
8am - 10am
CE/CLE: 2.0
Session 11. Legacy Leaders Workshop
  • Moderator: Paula Henry, RN, BSN, NP, JD
    Hershorin & Henry, LLP
    Lake Forest, California

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify key statutes, regulations and recent case law causing chaos for healthcare providers.
  2. Discuss and share practice tips for keeping up with healthcare regulations and compliance mandates.
  3. Identify 2 practical strategies to develop a litigation practice.
  4. Identify low cost marketing opportunities to attract and maintain a litigation client base.
  5. Discuss means by which TAANA members’ needs for disseminating legal education can be met.
  6. Identify at least one way in which state chapters expand legal knowledge through partnerships with local agencies/associations.
Great Lakes AC
10am - 10:15am BREAK
10:15am - 11:30am
CE/CLE: 1.25
Session 12. Nurses On Boards Research: The Time Is Ripe To Expand The Goals of Counsel
  • Presentation Slides
  • Kimberly Cleveland, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC
    Kent State University
    Fulton, Ohio

Learner Objectives:

  1. Learn techniques to raise awareness of the benefit of nurses serving on boards.
  2. Discuss resources designed to assist nurses in building leadership skills.
Great Lakes AC
11:30am - 12:45pm
CE/CLE: 1.25
(eligible for ethics credit)
Session 13. Starting Your Own Practice: Practical Experiences and Success Strategies
  • Melanie Balestra, JD, NP, MSN
    Law Offices of Melanie Balestra
    Irvine, California
  • Edith Brous, JD, MN, MPH
    Edith Ann Brous, Esq., PC
    New York City, New York
  • Teressa Sanzio, JD, MPA, RN
    Law Office of Teresa M. Sanzio, PC
    Phoenix, Arizona
  • Lorie Ann Brown, RN, MN, JD
    Brown Law Office, P.C.
    Indianapolis, Indiana

Learner Objectives:

  1. Name three obstacles in setting up a practice.
  2. Name three challenges in setting up a practice.
  3. Name three methods of obtaining clients.
  4. Name three risk management strategies to manage liability.
  5. Name up to three professional responsibility challenges in solo practice.
Great Lakes AC
12:45pm Conference Closing Great Lakes AC
1:30pm - 5pm Post Conference Workshop

Sponsored by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). 

Leveraging Unions to Protect your Practice and your License





5pm - 6pm

Poster Sessions

Thursday, August 8
Poster Titles, Presenters and Objectives



Poster 113. Organizational Leadership through Mentoring: A Perspective from TAANA Members
  • Randi Kopf, RN, MS, JD; Kopf HealthLaw, LLC; Rockville, Maryland
    Carolyn Dolan, JD, MSN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, SANE-A; University of South Alabama; Fairhope, Alabama
    Kimberly Cleveland, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC; Kent State University; Fulton, Ohio

Learner Objectives:

  1. Distinguish mentoring from preceptorship and friendship.
  2. Review types of professional mentoring.
  3. Identify the characteristics of a productive mentoring relationship.
  4. Consider potential benefits of mentoring for the organization, the protege and the mentor.

Poster 112. Incorporation of Legal Consequences of Documentation into Simulation Laboratory Experience

  • Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN; Knoblauch Law Offices; Toledo, Ohio

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify the critical elements of documentation.
  2. Review the incorporation of legal process into a laboratory simulation experience.
  3. Consider the impact of exposure to legal challenge on future nursing practice.

Poster 111. Advocacy: Impacting executive, legislative and judicial decision making

  • Keith Hovey, RN, JD; Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, PC; Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify one advocacy strategy to impact decision making in the executive branch.
  2. Identify one advocacy strategy to impact decision making in the legislative branch.
  3. Identify one advocacy strategy to impact decision making in the judicial branch.
  4. Identify advocacy organizations that serve to influence elected decision-makers.
  5. Identify one strategy to impact decision making within organizations.

Poster 107. Legal Ethics in the Care of Special Populations after Sexual Violence: Timely Nursing Curricula

  • Carolyn Dolan, JD, MSN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, SANE-A; University of South Alabama; Fairhope, Alabama

Learner Objectives:

  1. Describe the benefits of a trauma informed curricula.
  2. Determine legal and ethical purposes for the design of nursing curricula that utilizes vulnerable population healthcare settings.
  3. List specific legal and/or ethical lessons essential in preparing students for clinical rotation with special populations.
  4. Review student experiences and evaluations of clinical rotations in patient care settings where post sexual assault care is given.

Poster 106. Nurses On Boards Research: The Time Is Ripe To Expand The Goals of Counsel

  • Kimberly Cleveland, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC; Kent State University; Fulton, Ohio
    Yvonne Smith, PhD, APRN-CNS

Learner Objectives:

  1. The participant will identify how the themes obtained from nursing research regarding board member preparation inform legal practice.
  2. The participant will identify one change in nurse client relationship management that can be used to broaden their outreach to nurses serving in expanded roles.

Poster 105. Learner will identify two sources of potential liability related to employer-mandated vaccination policies.

  • Anna Beth Baker, JD
    Oxford, Mississippi

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify two sources of potential liability related to employer-mandated vaccination policies.

Poster 91. Medical Marijuana: A Thematic Review

  • Jasmine Hoff, RN; Kent State University; Cleveland, Ohio
    Kimberly Cleveland, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC; Kent State University; Fulton, Ohio

Learner Objectives:

  1. Participants will identify the legal conflicts of medical marijuana with health care professionals and institutions.
  2. Participants will identify the conflict of marijuana and its effects on health care professionals, law enforcements, patients and care givers.

Poster 101. An Integrated Review of the Literature Concerning Ohio Abortion Legislation

  • Kimberly Cleveland, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC; Kent State University; Fulton, Ohio
    Kayla Galton, BSN student expected date of graduation May 2019; KSU; Kent, State

Learner Objectives:

  1. The participant will be able to identify two pieces of Ohio statutory law that impose an issue in access to care for women seeking abortion.
  2. The participant will be able to identify two common themes that arise in the literature concerning Ohio abortion legislation.

Poster 93. The Gray Area Between Social Media and Privacy

Learner Objectives:

  1. The presentation allows both nurses and legal professionals to navigate the gray area that blurs the ethical boundaries of nursing when utilizing electronic media.

Poster 110. Hospital Acquired Infections: What if They Were Illegal?

  • Misty Guy, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC; University of South Alabama; , AL

Learner Objectives:

  1. State the prevelance of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) in the United States.
  2. Identify two causes of HAIs.
  3. Recognize the need for strict action to prevent HAIs.

Poster 108. Medication Error and Patient Safety

  • Adebosinuola Atanda, RN;

Learner Objectives:

  1. The participants will identify three contributing factors to medication error.
  2. Discuss the roles of attorneys and risk management in medication error cases.

Poster 99. The ABCs of Compliance: Accountability, Best Practices, and Consistency

  • Kathleen Hessler, RN, JD; Simione Healthcare Consultants, LLC; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Learner Objectives:

  1. Identify the differences between HIPAA compliance, state and accreditation survey activities and government audits of clinical records and paid claims.
  2. Name at least three types of government audits and how to handle requests for same, including Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) audits.
  3. State at least three risk management measures to assist a healthcare provider to decrease their risk of overpayments or alleged fraud.
  4. Learn strategies to assist your clients in implementing accountability measures, best practices, and consistency in compliance.

Conference Photos

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