76th Annual Convention Speakers

*Scroll to the bottom of this page to view our Speaker Bio Booklet to learn more about our 76th annual guest speakers!*


Amanda V. Peterson is a practicing Pulmonary/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner with 16 years of critical care nursing experience at United Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. She spent 2 years as a COVID ICU nurse from March of 2020 to February of 2021, and again from September of 2021 to February of 2022. Her award-winning book, Everybody Just Breathe: A COVID Nurse Memoir of Stamina and Swear Words, documents her account of that period in nursing history. She graduated with her Acute Care NP from Winona State University in 2022, and with her BSN from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 2006. She was the commencement speaker at both graduations because she loves microphones. She lives in Hudson, WI with her husband Collin, her two silly children, and her two sillier bulldogs.

Amanda V. Peterson Feedback


Breakout Session Speakers

Carla Foley, MSN, FNP-C, APNP, RN

Presentation Title: The Transformative Benefits of Studying Abroad for Nursing Students

Carla Foley Feedback

Susan Wagener BSN, JD

Presentation Title: Defending Your Professional License

Susan Wagner Feedback

Mary Cooper DNP, MSN, RN Education coordinator & Nicole Mcbride RN, BSN Clinical Nurse Educator

Presentation Title: Empowering the Future of New Nurses: Nurse Residency and Mentoring

Mary Cooper & Nicole McBride Feedback

Heather Kopesky Lm, CPM & Katie Duncan RN, BSN, Lm, CPM

Presentation Title: The Rise in Midwifery Care

Heather Kopesky & Katie Duncan Feedback

Stephanie Peterson Rn, BSN, CCRN, C-NPT

Presentation Title: Nursing Beyond Hospital Walls: A Day in the Life of a Critical Care

(Presenting with Kim Greunke)

Stephanie Peterson & Kim Greunke Feedback

Kim Greunke RN, MSN, CCRN, CFRN

Presentation Title: Nursing Beyond Hospital Walls: A Day in the Life of a Critical Care

(Presenting with Stephanie Peterson)

Susie Kanack BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P

Presentation Title: Universal Precautions: Understanding Trauma for Better Care, Every Patient, Every Time

Susie Kanack Feedback

Becca Kahl RN, BSN, CHPN, WCC

Presentation Title: Hospice Nursing: So much more than holding hands!

Becca Kahl Feedback

Michelle Cooper BSN, RN

Presentation Title: Psychiatric Nursing: Communication Keys and Illness/Medication Education

Michelle Cooper Feedback

Tamara “TAM” Kempken MSN, RN, CCRC, CRN-BC

Presentation Title: Clinical Research in Nursing

Presenting with Ellie Stephens)

Tamara Kempken & Ellie Stephens Feedback

Ellie Stephens RN, BSN

Presentation Title: Clinical Research in Nursing

(Presenting with Tamara Kempken)

Jen Paquette MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA

Presentation Title: PACU Nursing

Jen Paquette Feedback


APRN Panelists

Dr. ANN Madden DNP, CRNA

Certified Register Nurse Anesthetist

Amanda Blackthorn APNP-RNFA

Urology NP

Jonathan Williams

DNP, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP

Psychiatry NP

Brittany DiMaggio

MN, RN, CNL, AGCNS-BC


Presentation Title: Nursing Leadership


Click the button below to learn more about our guest speakers!