Paving Your Path "On Purpose": A Nursing Retreat for Personal and Professional Growth
Benvenuto Restaurant & Banquet Facility
1730 North Federal Highway
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 7:00am ET - 5:00pm ET
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Info
Credits Offered
This event offers
5.0 CE credits
to attendees.
Accreditation Info:
St. Mary's Medical Center Education Dept., Florida Board Nursing CE provider #50-1871.
Attachments
Additional Information
Registration Refund and Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy:
- Cancellations and refund requests must be submitted in writing to aacnpbc@gmail.com by August 28, 2025
- If cancelling on or before August 28, full refund will be sent to original form of payment within 2-4 weeks of receipt of email request.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after August 28.
- AACN-PBC reserves the right to cancel or postpone any or all symposium activities due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Refunds are not issued for no-shows.
Speakers
Immediate Past President of AACN and Director of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Program at Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta
In addition to her work with AACN, Jennifer's areas of research include trauma prevention and system development, rapid response teams and critical care/trauma advances in hemorrhagic shock. She has lectured on the critical care NP model, trauma resuscitation and management, and received numerous awards, including the March of Dimes Critical Care Nurse of the Year, the Excellence in Leadership Award for Emory School of Nursing Faculty and Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice from her BSN alma mater in 2024. In addition, she was inducted as a Fellow in 2021 to the American College of Critical Care Medicine
Bonnette Villalba Webb is an internationally educated nurse from the Philippines, bringing 35 years of dedicated experience as a Registered Nurse and a commitment to clinical excellence. A Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) and Legal Nurse Consultant, she holds an MSN in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. Her extensive career encompasses diverse roles in acute care, including Leadership, Education, and Clinical Account Management in the Nurse Travel Industry. Currently, Bonnette serves as the Quality Manager at Lakeside Medical Center and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Palm Beach State College. A fervent leader and mentor, she is deeply involved with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), where she is a National Ambassador and a Board of Director for the AACN Palm Beach County Chapter, having previously served as Chapter Past President and, recently, the Chapter Advisory Team for Region 7, Florida. She is also an active member of the American Nurses Association and the Florida Nurses Association, and a proud member of the Sigma Honor Society, underscoring her commitment to fostering nursing excellence. She co-authored a peer-reviewed publication with the NSU, Florida Distance Learning Association, The Future of Nursing Leadership: Incorporating e-learned Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pathways with Precautionary Focus on Patient-Centered Care, which was awarded the NSU, FDLA, Best Conference Paper for 2025. Bonnette further advocates for transformative growth and leadership development as a Certified Speaker Coach and DISC Behavioral Assessment Trainer/Consultant with the John Maxwell Certified Leadership Team. Driven by her mantra, “One Nurse at a Time”, she is passionate about leading and mentoring nurses, actively shaping the future generation of the nursing profession.
Nurse Scientist at Baptist Health
Dr. Natalie Bermudez has been a registered nurse for 24 years and is currently serving as a Nurse Scientist for Baptist Health, a large healthcare system in South Florida. She began her nursing career with an ASN degree earned from Miami-Dade College. She went on to earn three more nursing-focused degrees from Florida Atlantic University (FAU); BSN in 2004, MSN in 2009, and PhD in 2020. Dr. Bermudez has been a member of AACN Palm Beach County Chapter (PBCC) in 2010 and has served as Board Member in 2011-2012, Chapter President-Elect in 2012-2013, Chapter President in 2013-2014, and AACN Region 7 Chapter Advisor from 2016-2019. She is currently a member of AACN Palm Beach County Chapter’s Professional Practice Committee, as a member an EBP-Research consultant. Dr. Bermudez has presented at local and national venues on several professional nursing topics, such as authentic leadership, healthy work environment, compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction, research-EBP seminars, moral comfort/moral distress, and horizontal violence/bullying. She recently celebrated her 23rd wedding anniversary with her husband (Adriel), who has supported her in all her endeavors and makes all of her accomplishments possible. Dr. Bermudez’s hobbies include playing the piano, ukulele, and singing (for fun, not professionally), reading/Bible study, in-line skating, woodworking, spending time with God and her family, and spoiling her 85-pound Pitbull-Lab – Chewy (aka Gentle Giant).
Director of Spiritual Care & Palliative Care HCA at HCA Healthcare
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Faith Community Nurses of Souteast Florida, Treasurer
Western Community Health & Wellness Ministry Chairperson
Krause Kare, Inc., President
POD Manager, Loxahatchee CERT
Blue & Gold Officer - US Navy Academy
Sari Viitaniemi MSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN has over 25 years of trauma nursing experience. She has worked in various roles in the Level 1 Trauma Center and currently serves as the Clinical Nurse Leader for Trauma and Neuro Services, as well as the nurse manager for the Trauma Resuscitation Team. Sari is an active volunteer with the national and local AACN. She is a member of the PBCAACN Professional Practice Committee and serves as the Symposium committee director. Sari has led several evidence-based nursing practice projects and enjoys teaching nurses about scientific inquiry in the nursing field.
Clinical Educator, Palm Beach Health Network
Clinical Practice Specialist, Palm Beach Health Network
Event Agenda
Paving Your Path "On Purpose": A Nursing Retreat for Personal and Professional Growth
Event Agenda
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 7:00am ET - 5:00pm ET
All times listed in
Eastern Time (US & Canada).
Download event agenda (PDF)
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
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7:00am - 7:30am
Registration opens
-
7:30am - 9:00am
Exhibitor/Vendor Hall opens
Various medical and clinical representatives
Step into our vibrant Exhibitor & Vendor Hall — a dynamic space designed to connect nurses with the latest innovations in healthcare. Explore interactive booths from leading medical device companies, educational institutions, and professional organizations. From cutting-edge patient care technologies and simulation equipment to professional development resources and specialty products, this showcase offers hands-on opportunities to see, test, and learn about tools that can elevate your practice. Whether you’re looking to discover breakthrough solutions, expand your network, or gather ideas to bring back to your workplace, the Exhibitor & Vendor Hall is your go-to destination for inspiration and innovation.
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7:30am - 8:30am
Immersive Session: Ultrasound-Guided PIV insertion (with BD) & ACLS. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
Marty Turk, MSN, RN, CCRN Jesse Valiente, RN Michelle Churey, RN
1.0 CE CreditThis very limited-seating, interactive session brings together a small group of nurses to rotate between two essential, in-demand skills for today’s practice. Only 24 nurses per session. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
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10:00am - 11:00am
Concurrent session: AI in Action: Transforming Healthcare and Empowering Nurses
Eileen Pedraza, Lead Machine Learning Engineer Baptist Health South Fl Joanne Aberilla, RN, MSN, CCRN
Join us for a dynamic and insightful session exploring the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence and its growing impact on healthcare. This 1-hour presentation will provide a global overview of AI—its origins, evolution, and current capabilities—before narrowing the focus to how AI is shaping patient care, staffing, and the nursing profession. We'll examine both the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into clinical environments. Attendees will also get a behind-the-scenes look at real-world examples of AI currently in use at Baptist Health, offering a practical glimpse into the near future of nursing and healthcare delivery. Whether you're excited, skeptical, or curious, this session will equip you with a balanced understanding of where AI fits into our clinical world today—and where it's heading tomorrow.
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10:00am - 11:00am
Concurrent session: 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
Bonnette Webb, MSN-HQS, RN, PCCN-K
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10:00am - 11:00am
CONCURRENT: Immersive Session: Ultrasound-Guided PIV insertion (with BD) & ACLS. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
Marty Turk, MSN, RN, CCRN Jesse Valiente, RN Michelle Churey, RN
This very limited-seating, interactive session brings together a small group of nurses to rotate between two essential, in-demand skills for today’s practice. Only 24 nurses per session. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
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11:15am - 12:15pm
Concurrent session: The Power of Love in Nursing: Purpose, Growth with Intention and Attention
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Ghanoum
In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of healthcare, it’s easy to lose sight of the human connection that drew us to nursing in the first place. This presentation explores how intentional love, a clear sense of purpose, and mindful presence are not just soft ideals — they are powerful tools for improving patient outcomes, sustaining resilience, and renewing meaning in your work. Through stories, evidence-based insights, and practical strategies, you will rediscover how to bring both heart and skill to every moment of care.
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11:15am - 12:15pm
Concurrent Session: Trauma Resuscitation: Principles and Practices
Jennifer Adamski DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM Immediate Past President American Association of Critical-Care Nurses 2025-2026
This session will provide an in-depth exploration of trauma resuscitation, focusing on the latest evidence-based practices and protocols. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the principles of trauma resuscitation, including management of airway, breathing, circulation and hemorrhage control. Participants will learn to apply rapid assessment techniques and prioritize
interventions to optimize patient outcomes. -
11:15am - 12:15pm
Concurrent Session: Workplace Violence Prevention and Advocacy Strategies
CAPT (Ret) Deidre Krause, NC, USN, PH.D., APRN, FNP-BC
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12:30pm - 1:30pm
KEYNOTE: Key Initiatives of AACN: Leading our Practice through Partnerships
Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Adamski DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM Immediate Past President, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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1:30pm - 3:00pm
The Impact of Care Delivery through Collaboration between Hospital leadership, Chapter Leadership, and First-Line staff
Tammie Couch, BSN, RN AACN-Palm Beach County chapter Immediate Past President and Kathleen Lopez, RN, CCRN-CSC President, AACN Palm Beach County Chapter
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3:15pm - 3:30pm
Establishing a Better Workplace Culture through Healthy Work Environment Standards
Natalie Bermudez PhD, RN, EBP-C
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3:35pm - 3:55pm
The Heart of the Team: Belonging and the Future of Nursing
Sari Viitaniemi, MSN, RN, CCRN. TCRN
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3:55pm - 5:00pm
Tabletop discussion and group sharing
Vendors
You are cordially invited to exhibit and highlight your company and products!
What: 2025 Acute and Critical Care Symposium and Recognition event: Paving Your Path ON PURPOSE: A Nursing Retreat for Personal and Professional Growth
Where: Benvenuto, 1730 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
When: September 9, 2025 (Tuesday)
Palm Beach County - American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN-PBC) is excited to announce the 34th Annual Critical Care Symposium and Leadership Retreat. We are offering an excellent opportunity to network with 120+ nurses to highlight your company’s products and services in an in-person setting.
Attendees:
In 2024, the annual symposium boasts sponsorship from all Palm Beach hospitals and 2 Broward hospitals. Over the 2 days, the attendance was comprised of 300 nurses which included CNO’s, Directors, Managers, and critical care and telemetry staff from Palm beach, Broward, and Hillsboro counties. The breakdown by title was as follows: 12% Nurse Leaders, 15% Educators, 58% Critical Care Nurses, 15% Telemetry Nurses.
This year’s symposium will be opened up to all Florida AACN Chapters and also be advertised nationally.
Rental Package:
- Skirted exhibit table
- Company name and logo on website
- Company name and logo recognized during program
- One Complimentary lunch (additional lunches available)
- Name badge with sponsor designation
- Set up to ensure foot traffic and face time with key decision makers include:
Raffle baskets will be placed on your table
Bingo cards for attendees to get your signature to enter a raffle
Breakfast/coffee located centrally to exhibit areas
Booth space is limited. Contact Edgar Rebosura or Kathleen Lopez today @ aacnpbc2@gmail.com Or 561-317-6979.
Next steps:
- Register through our vendor/exhibitor page. PBC AACN reserves the right to determine the company’s eligibility based on the relevance to our community of nurses.
- Fill-out the attached 2025 Vendor Agreement form and email back to us at aacnpbc2@gmail.com
We hope to see you in September!