Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Forward
Sutter Children’s SPARK Educational Series 2026
Description:
Join us for the Sutter Children’s SPARK Educational Series 2026—Specialty Pediatrics Advancement, Research, and Knowledge—an engaging educational event highlighting emerging innovations and timely topics in pediatric subspecialty care.
SPARK 2026 is a half-day, high impact continuing medical education program designed to bring pediatric specialists together to explore the latest advances shaping children’s health.
Through expert-led presentations and two interactive panel discussions, participants will gain insights into evolving practices across multiple pediatric subspecialties, including robotic surgery, neonatal neurocritical care, RSV prevention, diabetes technology, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and complex pediatric care.
Throughout the morning, attendees will hear from leading pediatric physicians at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, who will share real-world clinical insights and emerging approaches that are redefining standards of care.
The program emphasizes practical, up-to-date knowledge that clinicians can immediately apply in their practice. SPARK 2026 equips clinicians with the latest evidence-based updates, innovative care strategies, and collaborative perspectives that are transforming pediatric medicine and improving outcomes for children.
Target Audience
Physicians (MD or DO)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Physician Assistant (PA)
Other Healthcare Professionals
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to:
1. Describe emerging technologies and surgical approaches in pediatric care, including robotic and minimally invasive techniques, and their potential impact on patient outcomes.
2. Explain current advances in neonatal neurocritical care, including evolving methods for diagnosis, monitoring, and management of neurological conditions in newborns.
3. Identify new prevention strategies for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and their role in reducing severe respiratory illness in infants and young children.
4. Discuss the role of digital health tools and patient-centered technologies in supporting families managing chronic pediatric conditions such as diabetes.
5. Recognize key elements of coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches that support children with complex medical needs.
6. Evaluate opportunities for collaboration across pediatric specialties to improve care delivery, clinical decision-making, and outcomes for pediatric patients.
Sutter Children’s SPARK Educational Series 2026
Specialty Pediatrics Advancement, Research and Knowledge
Theme: Hot Topics in Pediatric Subspecialty Care
8:00–8:30 am | Breakfast and Opening Remarks — Dr. Craig Swanson and Dr. Gnanagurudasan Prakasam
8:30–9:00 am | Introducing Pediatric Robotic Surgery — Dr. Amanda Phares
An introduction to pediatric robotic surgery at Sutter Sacramento, exploring the technology, clinical benefits, and its impact on advancing pediatric surgical care.
9:00–9:30 am | Evolving Approaches to Neonatal Neurocritical Care — Dr. Timothy Sanders
A look at the latest advances in neonatal neurocritical care and how evolving practices are improving diagnosis, monitoring, and outcomes for newborns with neurological conditions.
9:30–10:00 am | The New Era of RSV Prevention — Dr. Sheena Maharaj
Exploring the latest developments in RSV prevention, including new immunization approaches and strategies to reduce severe respiratory illness in infants and young children.
10:00–10:30 am | Panel Discussion
A collaborative discussion with all presenters, highlighting key takeaways and addressing audience questions across the featured pediatric topics.
10:30–11:00 am | MindfulTech: Empowering Families Managing Pediatric Diabetes — Dr. Hassan Saeed and Mila Melnik
Exploring how MindfulTech combines digital tools and patient-centered care to support families in managing pediatric diabetes with greater confidence and connection.
11:00–11:30 am | Minimally Invasive Strategies in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery — Dr. Teimour Nasirov
Exploring innovative strategies in minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery and how these approaches are shaping the future of cardiac care for pediatric patients.
11:30–12:00 pm | Complex Care for Kids: What Is the Magic Sauce? — Dr. Louise Glaser
A look at the essential ingredients behind effective complex pediatric care and how coordinated teams support children with complex medical needs.
12:00–12:30 pm | Panel Discussion
A collaborative discussion with all presenters, highlighting key takeaways and addressing audience questions across the featured pediatric topics.
12:30–1:00 pm | Reception & Networking
Speakers:
| ||||
 |  |  |  |  |
| |||
 |  |  |  |
Speakers:
| Dr. Amanda Phares | Dr. Timothy Sanders | Dr. Sheena Maharaj | Dr. Hassan Saeed | Dr. Mila Melnik | Dr. Teimour Nasirov | Dr. Louise Glaser |
| | | | | | |
Disclosure of Financial or In-Kind Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest
Dr. Gnanagurudasan Prakasam, MD disclosed financial relationships as a speaker with Neurocrine, AbbVie, Alexion, Kyowa Kirin, and Novo Nordisk. These relationships were reviewed and determined not to be relevant to the content of this activity. Therefore, no mitigation was required. Dr. Craig Swanson, MD, PhD has disclosed a financial relationship with Sentec Inc. This relationship has been reviewed and determined not to be relevant to the content of this activity.
No one else involved in the planning or presentation of this educational activity have any relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. No financial or in-kind commercial support was received to produce or promote this educational activity.
– Provider Designee/Verification: Fozia Ferozali, Ed.D
Noora Azar
Gnanagurudasan Prakasam, MD MRCP MHA
Craig Swanson, MD, PhD
Louise Glaser, MD
Sheena Maharaj, MD
Mila Melnik, Area Manager in Pediatric Endocrinology, Research, and Regional Newborn Programs
Teimour Nasirov, MD, MBA
Amanda Phares, MD
Hassan Saeed, MBBS
Timothy Sanders, MD, PhD
In support of improving patient care, Sutter Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Designation Statement
Sutter Health designates this LIVE activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for physicians. Learners should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Note to Other Disciplines: Non-Physician Participation Credit (AKA - AMA PRA Category 1 Credits HOURS™) Continuing Medical Education is acceptable for meeting the continuing education requirements for Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, and Respiratory Care Practitioners. For other disciplines, please check with the regulatory board for your discipline to confirm what type of credits meet the continuing education requirements. Continuing education hours for nurses accredited by ANCC, via Joint Accreditation.
Available Credit
- 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Physician Credit
Sutter Health designates this Live activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 4.00 Non-Physician Participation Credit
Sutter Health designates this Live activity for a maximum of 4.00 Non-Physician Participation Credit. Non-Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits HOURS™ Continuing Medical Education is acceptable for meeting the continuing education requirements for Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, and Respiratory Care Practitioners. For other disciplines, please check with the regulatory board for your discipline to confirm what type of credits meet the continuing education requirements. Continuing education hours for nurses accredited by ANCC, via Joint Accreditation.
Price
Thank you for your interest in SPARK 2026: Hot Topics in Pediatric Subspeciality Care
September 19, 2026
Registration is Open
Refund Policy
Course registration cancellations initiated by the registrant 21 days or more prior to September 19, 2026, are eligible for a full refund.
Refunds will be issued in the same form of payment used at the time of registration.