Current Topics in Anesthesia

This conference offers 20.00 credits

Accommodations

Playa Largo Resort and Spa

Schedule

Key Largo, Florida
January 13 - 16, 2026

Tuesday, January 13

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0725

Welcome

NWAS Staff
0730

Novel and Deadly Street Drugs: Synthetic Opioids, Additives and Reversal Agents

M.Murphy
0830

Magic Mushrooms and LSD: Counterculture Drugs of Abuse or Cutting-Edge Mental Health Aids?

M.Murphy
0930

Break
0945

Basics of Ultrasound in Regional Anesthesia

C.Franco
1045

SAP Block for Chest Wall: Combining PECS and Serratus Blocks Into One Block

C.Franco
1145

Cardinal Concepts for Accurate EKG Interpretation

M.Kossick
1245

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 14

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Diagnosing T Wave and ST Segment Changes

M.Kossick
0830

Decision Algorithm for EKG Lead Selection Including True Chest Leads versus Modified Chest Leads

M.Kossick
0930

Break
0945

Challenging Medications: GLP-1 and SGLT2 Agents

M.Murphy
1045

Production Pressures and Outcome Measures: The Answer Is Always Money

M.Murphy
1145

Femoral, Adductor Canal, and iPACK Block for TKA

C.Franco
1245

Adjourn

Thursday, January 15

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

ESP and Thoracic Paravertebral Blocks

C.Franco
0830

Sciatic Nerve Block Approaches

C.Franco
0930

Break
0945

Diagnostic Criteria for Myocardial Infarction

M.Kossick
1045

Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Implications for Axis Deviation, Bundle Branch Blocks, and Fascicular Blocks

M.Kossick
1145

The Obesity Epidemic Is Bigger Than You Think

M.Murphy
1245

Adjourn

Friday, January 16

0700

Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
0730

Burnout in Healthcare: Beyond Time to Do Something

M.Murphy
0830

Wellness Solutions: Don’t Wait for HR to Fix It

M.Murphy
0930

Break
0945

Interscalene and Other Blocks for Shoulder Surgery

C.Franco
1045

Supraclavicular Block: The Spinal of the Upper Extremity

C.Franco
1145

Practice EKG Interpretation: Ischemia, Injury, MI, Axis Deviation, Bundle Branch Blocks, and Fascicular Blocks

M.Kossick
1245

Adjourn

20.00 CME / 20.00 CEC
4.50 Pharmacology? / 15.50 Clinical Management? / 2.00 Controlled Substances? / 12.00 Patient Safety?

Faculty

Carlo D. Franco, MD

Chairman Regional Anesthesia
JHS Hospital of Cook County
Professor Anesthesiology and Anatomy
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois

Mark Alan Kossick, DNSc, CRNA (Ret.)

Professor Emeritus
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Educational Consultant
Dunnellon, Florida

Mark Thomas Murphy, MD

Retired Anesthesiologist
St. Petersburg, Florida
Medical Director
Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars
Pasco, Washington

Location

Key Largo, Florida

Key Largo is the first and northernmost of the Florida Keys, and is only an hour’s drive from South Florida’s two major airports. Home to tropical hardwoods and winding creeks, Key Largo has some of the most interesting botanical scenery in Florida.

Several state parks are within easy reach including John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park, Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In these natural sanctuaries, visitors can enjoy eco-tours, paddleboarding, glass-bottom boat tours, nature trails, and wildlife viewing. Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center will delight visitors with a variety of bird species whether in recovery or enjoying renewed life in a safe environment.

Head to the beach for excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and even dolphin encounter programs. Molasses reef is home to turtles, nurse sharks, rays, and many different kinds of reef fish. Nearby wrecks including Speigel Grove are perfect for advanced divers looking for a challenge. Key Largo is also well-known as a sport-fishing destination. Team up with some of the world’s greatest fishing guides for offshore or backcountry excursions.

Accommodations

Playa Largo Resort and Spa

Playa Largo Resort and Spa is perfectly situated on 14.5 secluded beachfront acres boasting sweeping views of Florida Bay and was named the #2 Resort in the Florida Keys by the Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Unwind in the stunning beachfront pool or get active with a vast array of watersports, eco tours, diving, snorkeling, or fishing.

Nearby attractions include glass bottom boat, sightseeing tours and unique island shopping. With multiple restaurants, room and beach service, guests will enjoy a variety of epicurean delights. The Ocean Spa, with its massages and treatments, will provide a relaxing and pampering escape. Recharge in your own personal hideaway from days of sand, surf and sun and evening strolls and cocktails. Or never go out and take in the views.

This family-friendly resort is a destination in itself. Guest accommodations are reminiscent of old Florida with an Ameri-Caribbean aesthetic and feature modern amenities such as an interactive Ipad that allows guests to control their experience with a touch of their finger, Smart entertainment panel that allows a cinema effect to streaming movies and music, wood washed porcelain tile flooring, plush beds, and a balcony.

Other room amenities include mini-fridge, coffee/tea maker, alarm clock, safe, iron/board, robes, hairdryer, and more to ensure a comfortable stay. This upscale Island destination located 64 miles from the Miami International Airport (MIA).

Rooms starting at

USD 409 per night *

Accommodation Rates and Details

External Booking Url
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1746567562432&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink

Playa Largo Resort and Spa
97450 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037

The discounted group rate is available for reservations made through December 12, 2025 or until the group block is full, whichever occurs first.

Rates are based on single/quad occupancy, per night and are subject to 12.5% tax and $49 per room, per night resort fee. Tax and resort fees subject to change without notice.

Resort Fee includes: welcome cocktail upon check in, nightly Eventide Celebration cocktail (one per person age 21+, for up to two guests per room), unlimited use of sports courts (including use of basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, bocce, pickleball, and equipment), bicycle usage, in-room bottled water, beach chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, fishing poles, bait, floating beach mats, enhanced Wi-Fi (excludes meeting rooms), nightly smores at Beach Fire Pit. Resort fee inclusions subject to change without notice.

Parking: Self-parking $25 + tax, per car, per night; Valet Parking $30 + tax, per car, per night. Parking fees subject to change without notice.

Rooms rates are subject to city and state taxes. Tax rates subject to change without notice.

Space is limited in our group room block.
Once this block is sold, rooms are on availability only and may be at a higher rate.
A portion of the room rate is used to provide refreshments during the meeting for participants only.
All rooms are non-smoking.
To protect the smoke-free environment, the Hotel will post a $250 cleaning fee to the individual guest’s folio of any guest who smokes in a hotel room, or $500 cleaning fee for smoking in a hotel suite.
Early departure, late check out and no show fees may apply.
Please review your reservation for accuracy.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Group room rates only available via NWAS/NWWT reservation link.
Please verify total reservation costs, including resort fees, taxes, and any other mandatory charges when making your reservation on the hotel's group reservation link.

Rooms starting at
$409 per night

DEPOSIT REQUIRED

Credit card for 1 night's stay + tax required at the time of booking to reserve your room.

Group room rates only available via NWAS/NWWT reservation link.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellation requests received by the hotel inside 7 days of arrival will forfeit one night’s room and tax. Early departure and no show fees apply. If you check out of the hotel before your scheduled departure date, you will be charged a penalty of 1 night's stay plus tax. No shows will be charged up to their entire reserved stay plus tax. Please review your reservation for accuracy. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Accreditation

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars designates this live activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Anesthesiology: This activity contributes to the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s redesigned Maintenance of Certification in AnesthesiologyTM (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, www.theABA.org, for a list of all MOCA 2.0® requirements.

Canadian Physicians: This activity is eligible for Section 1 credits in the Royal College’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. Participants must log into MAINPORT to claim this activity.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 20 hours Class A CE credits; AANA approval number 1045504; Expiration Date 01/16/2026
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accept CME from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Osteopathic Physicians: This program is eligible for Category 2 credit with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category I Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 20 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

Registered Nurses: NWAS is an approved provider for the following state nursing boards: AR, DC, FL, GA, KS, KY, NH, SC, WV, and WY (Provider Number 50-7480). This program offers 20 contact hours.

AANA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP #10862.

†Pharmacology hours subject to change.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for physicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other medical care providers who must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of the anesthesia specialty or are impacted by it.

Program Purpose

This continuing education program is designed for anesthesia providers seeking to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge in the field. The program aims to provide attendees with the latest updates, innovations, and practical techniques to advance their anesthesia practice. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and discussion with faculty/peers, participants will gain valuable insights and skills to help in the provision of safe, effective anesthesia care.

Objectives

Improve knowledge, competence, and utilization of the most recent evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
Bolster competence in the management of patients with complex co-morbidities and less common medical conditions, thereby improving patient outcomes and safety.
Improve skills/strategies in the use of newer equipment/technologies and improve performance within multidisciplinary protocols in order to optimize patient outcomes.
Increase knowledge of newer pharmacologic agents, thereby improving competence in medication management via anticipation of potential polypharmacy interactions.
Improve knowledge and competence in the timely recognition and management of complications during the perioperative period. By enhancing competence, patient outcomes improve by reducing complications.
Enhance recognition and coping strategies to mitigate the effects of workplace stressors and burnout and achieve well-being in the clinical setting.
Improve knowledge and competence in the provision of anesthesia care outside of the operating room.

Medical Director

Mark T. Murphy, MD, Retired Anesthesiologist, St. Petersburg, Florida, Medical Director, Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars, Pasco, Washington

Tuition

MD/DO

$ 1000 Early Registration Fee

$ 1050 Regular Registration Fee

$ 1075 Late Registration Fee

$ 275 Daily Rate
CRNA/PA

$ 950 Early Registration Fee

$ 1000 Regular Registration Fee

$ 1025 Late Registration Fee

$ 265 Daily Rate
Resident/RN/Others

$ 850 Early Registration Fee

$ 900 Regular Registration Fee

$ 925 Late Registration Fee

$ 240 Daily Rate

Course Cancellation Fee

$100 November 14th, 2025 to December 14th, 2025 . No refund after December 14th, 2025; however, 50% of tuition paid may be applied toward tuition for another NWAS program within the next 12 months. Cancellation must be made in writing. No tuition credit or refund will be issued for attendees that are no-shows for the program.

Register Early

We recommend that you register early to assure your spot. We reserve the right to close registrations to a course at any time without notice. We may not be able to accommodate onsite registrations.

Lecture notes will be provided via download in PDF format.

You must sign-in/log in every day you attend to receive credit.

While we strive for accuracy at all times with our published information, we cannot be responsible for typographical and other errors.

Please note that children and non-registered guests are not allowed to attend the lectures. The concierge can provide you with childcare information.

Travel at your own risk.

Schedule and Faculty Changes

Factors beyond our control sometimes necessitate changes in the schedule and faculty. If time permits, we will inform all registrants of any changes prior to the program. Changes on site due to local conditions will be announced in class.

Course Cancellation By Provider

We reserve the right to cancel a course for any reason. In such case, a minimum of 30 days notice will be given to those registered and 100% of tuition paid will be refunded. NWAS and NWWT will not be responsible for any non-refundable airfare, hotel, or other liabilities you may incur. We highly recommend purchase of travel insurance. Travel at your own risk.

Frequent Attendee Points (FAP)

We value your patronage and have a simple program to reward you. Our Frequent Attendee Points (FAP) program gives you an added bonus for money spent on our seminars, as well as cruise cabins booked through our in-house travel agency, Northwest Worldwide Travel.

You are automatically enrolled in this program with your paid registration. Click here for more information.

*Effective January 1, 2023, net hotel stays for 2023 and beyond will no longer be included in FAP calculations.