in coordination with the
presents
3rd Annual Pulmonary/Critical Care Conference of the Desert
Sold Out!
Please call 760.895.4148 to be placed on the waiting list
June 1, 2024
Classic Club
75-200 Classic Club Blvd
Palm Desert, CA
Highlights from last year's conference!
The Speakers
FEATURED MEDICAL EXPERTS
Shahriyar Tavakoli, M.D., FCCP, MHA
Co-Chair
Shahriyar Tavakoli, M.D., FCCP, MHA
Co-Chair
Specialties
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Pulmonary Medicine
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Critical Care Medicine
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Neurocritical Care Medicine
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Civil Surgeon
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Dr. Tavakoli is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Neurocritical Care Medicine. Currently, he is an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Medical Center in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric, Allergy and Sleep Medicine. He remains active in the clinical practice of both pulmonary and critical care. He was Chair of the Critical Care Conference held at the Annenberg Center at Eisenhower Medical Center for 15 years. He is now pioneering a new educational foundation with the establishment of Desert Institute of Continuing Education, Inc. this being the second annual Pulmonary/Critical Care conference. He has also authored several publications within his field and is interested in teaching and clinical research.
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Ara Klijian, M.D.
Co-Chair
Specialties
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Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon
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Ara Klijian, MD, is the Director of the Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute of San Diego and is an attending in Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery at Sharp, Scripps Hospitals of San Diego, California. He specializes and is considered to be a pioneer in Awake Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (AVATS). He also specializes in minimally invasive cardiac and thoracic surgery, lung and esophageal surgery for benign and malignant disease and advanced lung cancer resections. He has authored many publications and is very interested in teaching and clinical research. He is a member of the planning committee for the Pulmonary/Critical Care Conference of the Desert.
Ara Klijian, M.D.
Co-Chair
Stabilization of the Trauma Patient: "Going Beyond the Golden Hour"
![Wisniewski-paul[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/22af24_d2af170a3d8648ccb699e7c140c09429~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_59,h_82,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Wisniewski-paul%5B1%5D.jpg)
Paul Wisniewski, DO
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Stabilization of the Trauma Patient:
"Going Beyond the Golden Hour"
Specialties
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Trauma Surgeon
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Critical Care Medicine
​​
Dr. Wisniewski is the current Director of Trauma Services at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. In addition, he was the Director of Navy Trauma Training Center at USC + LAC and he has held the position of Trauma Surgeon at multiple Southern California major Medical Centers and many military hospitals around the world, such as Kandahar, Afghanistan; Fallujah, Iraq and Okinawa, Japan. He has received many military honors and awards, the Romanian Emblem of Honor for Military Medicine, Navy Commendation Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon just to name a few. He is a rifle marksman and pistol expert. He is actively involved in teaching and has numerous publications and book chapters.
Ara Chrissian, M.D., FCCP, DAABIP
Managing Airway Emergencies in the ICU
Specialties
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Internal Medicine
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Pulmonary Disease
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Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Ara A. Chrissian is a board-certified Interventional Pulmonologist and Intensivist, serving as faculty at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he is the Director for Adult Bronchoscopy and Interventional Pulmonology.
Dr. Chrissian is also heavily involved in medical education. During his time at Loma Linda, he has served as the Associate Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship and has been nominated for and received several awards and distinctions for teaching both residents and fellows. He has established and been involved in maintaining several innovative curricula, such as those for bronchoscopy, lung cancer, and critical care ultrasound. He also sits on national committees, including the Education Committee for the American Association of Bronchoscopy and International Pulmonology, for which he is the lead on multiple educational projects.
Managing Airway Emergencies in the ICU
Neurosurgical Management of ICH
Farhad M. Limonadi, M.D.
Neurosurgical Management of ICH
Farhad M. Limonadi M.D. is a neurosurgeon in Rancho Mirage, California. Dr. Limonadi received his Bachelor of Science from UCLA and worked as a senior associate engineer/scientist for IBM. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth Medical School and completed his residency and fellowship training in neurological surgery at Oregon Health and Scienced Program in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Limonadi is board certified with the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He is currently the Director of Neurosurgery at Eisenhower Medical Center, as well as the Chairman of the Brain Tumor and Cerebrovascular Division at Eisenhower Neuroscience Institute. He participates in numerous active memberships such as with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). Within these organizations he is active within the Tumor Section, Cerebrovascular Section, as well as the Functional and Stereotactic Section of joint AANS and CNS. Dr. Limonadi is credited with various publications, some of which are “Design of an Artificial Neural Network for Diagnosis of Facial pain Syndromes” and “Incidence, Etiology, and Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks Following Transphenoidal Surgery. Laryngoscope.” Dr. Limonadi also provides instructional neurosurgery videos on YouTube in order to further educate those in the field of neurosurgery.
E Jade Bedard, MSNEd, BSN, RN, CLE
The Miracle of Life & Overview of Obstetrical Complications
Jade Bedard R.N. is an OB instructor and travel nurse consultant in Southern California. Ms. Bedard received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from McGill University School of Nursing in Montreal, California and became a certified lactation consultant at University of California, San Diego. Additionally, she received her certification in limited ultrasound at the National Institute of Family and Life at University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Bedard has a Master of Science in nursing education and graduated magna cum laude at Stanbridge University in Irvine, California. She received her certificate in travel medicine at the International Society of Medicine in Switzerland. Bedard is currently serving as a clinical, skills, and OB instructor with Stanbridge University. She also serves as a travel nurse consultant providing expert travel medical services in Rancho Mirage, CA with Worldwide Travel Health Inc. and in Los Angeles, CA with Passport Health Clinic.
The Miracle of Life & Overview of Obstetrical Complications
Neurological Emergency for Non-Neurologist
Mark L. Gaertner, M.D.
Neurological Emergency for Non-Neurologist
Mark L. Gaertner, M.D. is a Board Certified Neurologist, fellowship trained in Neurophysiology with a focus in Epilepsy and Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring at UCLA Health in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Gaertner received his Bachelor of Science in neuroscience at University of California, Riverside, and an associate of arts in liberal studies at San Bernardino Valley College. He received his medical degree from Stanford University, School of Medicine in Sandford, California. At Stanford University, Dr. Gaertner had a scholarly concentration foundation in clinical research and a scholarly concentration application in neuroscience, behavior, and cognition. He has also been involved in various research studies at Stanford University, with Stanford Systems Neuroscience and Pain Laboratory, and Stanford’s Prevention Research Center. In addition, Dr. Gaertner has participated in a variety of community service through Stanford University and has written multiple publications.
Hamid R. Salari-Namin, M.D.
Stroke Update 2024
Stroke Update 2024
Hamid R. Salari-Namin, MD is a neurologist in Rancho Mirage, California. He received his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine. Dr. Salari
is currently serving as a staff neurologist and as the Director of Stroke Services at Eisenhower Medical Center. He is the head of this task force and has established Eisenhower Medical Center as a JACHO certified primary stroke center. He is board-certified in neurology, vascular neurology, and internal medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Salari has multiple publications such as “Cluster of Botulism in California; Electro physiologic and Pathological Study”, and “Diagnosis and Management of Carotid Dissection” in “Management of Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Approach”.
Rebecca Lemus Navratil, PharmD
&
Hall B. Piwonka, PharmD, BCCCP ACC
Anticoagulation Management
Dr. Rebecca Navratil is a Clinical Pharmacist in Palm Springs, California and a native of the Coachella Valley. She received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Navratil received her Doctorate of Pharmacy at California Northstate University, College of Pharmacy in Elk Grove, California. Dr. Navratil completed her PGY1 Residency in Acute Care at Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Palm Springs, CA. She continues at DRMC serving as a Clinical Pharmacist in areas including the Neonatal ICU, Adult ICU, and Emergency Department. She serves as a supporting preceptor for the Emergency Medicine rotation for the Pharmacy Residency Program and is on the Residency Advisory Council at DRMC. She is licensed with the American Heart Association in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Additionally, Dr. Navratil is licensed with the Neonatal Resuscitation Program with the American Academy of Pediatrics and immunization administration training for pharmacists with Drug Store News. She is a member of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. She has conducted multiple presentations for the members of the Coachella Valley and enjoys teaching the community she grew up in about safe medication use.
Anticoagulation Management
Dr. Hal B. Piwonka PharmD BCCCP ACC was born and raised in Fremont, CA. He then lived in Colorado for a decade also earning a BA in Biochemistry and a PharmD from CU. He moved to Palm Springs in 2003 to complete a PGY1 residency at Desert Hospital. He has held positions in retail, acute care, and as consultant to long term care and inpatient psychiatry. For the past 14 years he has focused on critical care / ICU medicine and is a board certified critical care pharmacist. Hal serves as primary preceptor for students and residents rotating through the critical care experience. His passion for mental health and human connection led him to earn a credential in evidence based coaching from Fielding University in Santa Barbara, CA in 2021 and he works to help high value people make their personal and professional lives even better.
Agenda
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June 1 2024
6:45 am Registration, Breakfast, & Exhibit Hall
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8:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
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8:10 am Frank R. Ercoli, M.D. Memorial Lecture by
Paul Wisniewski, D.O., Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Stabilization of the Trauma Patient: Going Beyond the Golden Hour
9:00 am Hamid R. Salari-Namin, M.D.
Stroke Update 2024
​
10:00 am Break & Exhibit Hall
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10:15 am Mark M. Gaertner, M.D.
Neurological Emergency for Non-Neurologist
11:15 am Farhad M. Limonadi, M.D.
Neurosurgical Management of ICH
​
12:15 pm Lunch & Exhibit Hall
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1:30 pm Ara Chrissian, M.D.
Managing Airway Emergencies in the ICU
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2:30 pm Jade Bedard, RN.
The Miracle of Life & Overview of Obstetrical Complications
​
3:30 pm Break & Exhibit Hall
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3:45 pm Rebecca Lemus Navratil, Pharm D. & Hal B. Piwonka, PharmD, BCCCP, ACC
Anticoagulation Management
4:45 pm Reception
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5:30 pm Adjourn
