Advances in Primary Care: Cutting-Edge Pharmacology & Treatment Strategies
CE Information
32.0 CE credits (14.0 pharmacology)Completion Time
33 hours, 9 minutesAvailable Until
December 31, 2025Posted By
PESI

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Overview
Clinical Topics
Pharmacology and Primary CareStay ahead in the rapidly changing world of primary care. This comprehensive training gives you the latest evidence-based strategies to confidently manage complex conditions, prescribe safely, and improve patient outcomes.
Learn from top experts as you explore emerging treatments, diagnostic updates, and practical tools you can apply immediately in your practice. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or new to the field, this course will elevate your skills and empower you to deliver exceptional care.
Join today and transform the way you practice primary care.
Learning Objectives
- Integrating Lifestyle Medicine into Primary Care
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Managing Chronic Liver Disease in Primary Care
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Reflux & Heartburn with a Retroflex of Health and Wellness
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Asthma Interventions
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Managing COPD in Primary Care
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Can’t Miss Diagnoses in Primary Care
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Primary Care Dermatology for the Non-Dermatology Provider
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Immunizations in Primary Care
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Screening for Mental Health Issues in Primary Care
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Management of Food Allergies in Primary Care
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Endocrine Challenges in Primary Care
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Prescribing for Pain Management: Best Practices for Opioid and Non-Opioid Medications
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Respiratory Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics, Indications for Use and Patient Monitoring
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Botulinum Toxin Injections for Chronic Migraine
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Wake Up the Surgeon! Acute Abdominal Pain Can't Miss Diagnoses
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Mythbusters: Genetics and Pharmacogenomics
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Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Office Based Orthopaedic Evaluation
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Introduction to Hormone Replacement
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Management of Type 2 Diabetes
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"Life is Dangerous, Wear a Helmet!": Concussion Assessment and Management
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When It's More Than Just a Nightcap: Alcohol Use Disorder
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JNC8 – Is it Still Great? Hypertension Treatment Guidelines
Speakers

Melissa S. Dyrdal, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, is an experienced nurse practitioner and the Clinical GERD/Bariatric Program Supervisor at Minnesota Reflux & Heartburn Center at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC). She is responsible for patient assessment, education, and development of treatment plans. She is certified in the execution, analysis, and full interpretation of high-resolution manometry (HRM) & ambulatory pH/pH impedance studies. She is the GI lab supervisor, ensuring program development & maintenance, data entry, and quality control. Melissa is research certified, currently the study coordinator at CRMC for the US Regent 1 trial, an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of DMII, and actively involved in peer and community education.

Mike Hess, MPH, RPFT, RRT, is Senior Director of Patient Outreach and Education at the COPD Foundation. A respiratory therapist by trade, he is currently the project lead for Oxygen360, a “moon shot” program focused on improving all aspects of supplemental oxygen therapy delivery. In addition, he supports other projects in education and advocacy throughout the foundation, including establishing the “101 Library,” a series of clinical education resources designed to reinforce the basics of various aspects of COPD care. Prior to joining the foundation, Mike served in a unique position at WMed Health in Kalamazoo, Michigan. As chronic disease coordinator, he provided patient education, diagnostic testing, care coordination, and other respiratory care services as part of a primary care clinic while also designing and implementing community outreach programs to enhance respiratory health. Mike is a registered respiratory therapist and has a Master of Public Health degree from Western Michigan University. In 2019 he received the Ambulatory and Post-Acute Care Specialty Practitioner of the Year from the American Association for Respiratory Care.

Mikala Riddlesworth, PA-C, MMS, has been a certified physician assistant for over 15 years. She has spent her career practicing primary care and dermatology. Additionally, she has worked as a professor at several physician assistant programs. Mikala has spoken professionally at multiple education conferences teaching providers about skin conditions and treatment options as well as documentation and billing.

Paul Langlois, APN, PhD, CCRN, CCNS, is a critical care clinical specialist in the surgical, medical, neurologic, burn, CCU, and trauma ICUs of Cook County Hospital, Chicago. Drawing on over 40 years of experience assessing and managing patients with life-threatening diseases, Dr. Langlois provides advanced-level training to nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and physicians. Dr. Langlois is committed to providing the highest quality of care to patients through advanced education. His presentations are evidence-based, timely, and provide participants with numerous case studies to facilitate critical thinking. As a bedside clinical nurse specialist, he has developed several institution-wide protocols for the multidisciplinary assessment and management of infectious disease and multi-system organ failure patients. His presentations are enthusiastically delivered and offer highly practical tips that help make the most challenging concepts easy to understand. Linking knowledge to clinical practice is the goal of every educational program.

Dennis Rivenburgh, MS, ATC, PA-C, DFAAPA, is a physician assistant who provides medical care to patients in the outpatient setting. Have provided first assist in surgery, with a specialty in orthopedics and sports medicine. Dennis has been a Certified Athletic Trainer for over 30 years. He also serves as an expert witness, both in defense and plaintiff cases.
Steven E. Cohen, MPH/HCA, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant in Neurosurgery and Trauma with close to 40 years of clinical experience, 30 years in Neurosurgery. He presently works at Suburban Hospital/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. He is a regular speaker at local and national conferences.

Deanna Bridge Najera, MPAS, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, completed her PA education at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate degree and also obtained a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University. She currently splits her time between a suburban emergency department and a county health department. Additionally, she provides limited outpatient psychiatric services at a community mental health agency and a local college. She is a regular speaker on the state and national level and has served in multiple leadership capacities.
CE Information
This activity offers 32.0 CE credits (14.0 pharmacology) to attendees.
Accredited by ANCC, ACCME.
Credit eligibility by state, board, and more information can be found here: Advances in Primary Care
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