Promoting Professionalism - In Nashville, April 16-17, 2026

Now, more than ever, we are committed to supporting professionalism in healthcare.

What does an organization do when individual or group behaviors undermine the best attempts to create a safe, respectful, and reliable environment? You need a plan and the right people, processes, and systems.

For 30 years, the Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy (CPPA) has partnered with hospitals and health systems in more than 300 sites with over 225,000 professionals, in conducting research, training peer professionals, and developing the tools and processes to identify, intervene, and support the 2.5 to 4% of the professional workforce who model disrespect and threaten outcomes of care. The good news is that just over 90% of professionals identified as high risk will respond to a tiered intervention model, the Vanderbilt Professional Accountability Pyramid, to guide sharing of stories and data. Sharing begins with a respectful, non-judgmental, peer delivered “Cup of Coffee”. If subsequent reports suggest emergence of a pattern, the Pyramid directs escalation to an “Awareness” intervention, also delivered by a peer messenger supported by specialty specific comparison data to encourage the professional to pause and reflect why their practice seems to stand out. For the small number of clinicians who are unable or unwilling to respond, combining leader directed corrective action plans with appropriate resources for these professionals including coaching, health screenings and potentially treatment, encourages action prior to the need for disciplinary interventions and associated consequences.

Our internationally acclaimed faculty have years of experience in healthcare leadership and professional accountability. Promoting Professionalism provides practical tactics for attendees who wish to implement these tools in their own organizations.

Notable Highlights

• 2-day, in-person, highly interactive course
• CME credit is pending review
• Opportunities to meet and network with the speakers, faculty and other attendees
• Course fee includes attendance to both days and food and beverages during the event

Agenda

• April 16, 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm CST (sign in begins at 2:30pm; hors d'oeuvres provided)
• April 17, 2025 - 8am-2pm CST (sign in begins at 7:00am; breakfast and lunch provided)

Objectives

After participating in this activity, participants should be able to:

1. Discuss the relationships between behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and suboptimal outcomes.
2. Describe a method that may be used for identifying professionals with a pattern of behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect.
3. Identify a range of behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect and describe a "professional accountability pyramid".
4. Describe an evidence-based approach for addressing behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect.
5. Discuss three graduated levels of interventions for addressing behavior that undermine a culture of safety.
6. Consider pertinent legal issues in addressing behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect.

Accommodations

Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations for accommodations. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Kimpton Aertson at a discounted rate. Once the room block is full, rates will be quoted based on availability. All room reservations are payable by the individual guest. You will recieve information for booking a hotel room on your confirmation email upon registering. For any questions, please reach out to mercedes.panzer@vumc.org.

Our speakers: