NYSPA 2026: Striving to Improve Perinatal Systems, Services & Outcomes: Showcasing Key Issues, Best Practices, Emerging Research, and Brainstorming Transformative Strategies
June 10-12, 2026
Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, 40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY
The New York State Perinatal Association’s Annual Perinatal Partnership Conference is the premier maternal and infant health professional education conference in New York State, traditionally drawing a wide range of health and human service providers and professionals. In line with the multi-disciplinary focus of NYSPA and our intention for cross-disciplinary collaboration and education, conference presenters and registrants include obstetricians, pediatricians, neonatal and maternal-fetal specialists, midwives, nurse practitioners, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, nutritionists, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, doulas, public health, and community-based and social services professionals.
Call for Proposals
Comments from 2025 conference attendees urged us to seek solutions as well as identify the issues. With that in mind, the Conference Planning Committee is inviting individuals with a demonstrated level of expertise in a specific topic/research area to submit proposals for plenary, workshop, and/or poster presentations (see suggested topics below). Slightly different from previous years, our goal is to select speakers who will be succinct, factual and able to engage the audience to ask questions, share experiences and ideas to help brainstorm potential strategies and solutions. In turn, we ask presenters to have 4-5 questions prepared to help facilitate these discussions.
- Plenary & Workshop Sessions: Please allow for 30-35 minutes for your presentation with an additional 15-20 minutes for comments, discussion and Q&A. We expect to offer a total of 6-8 plenaries, ideally 1-2 will be designed as a “townhall” or “fireside chat” model. For workshops, we are prepared to offer up to 14 sessions.
- Posters: The Committee invites researchers, providers and programs to submit an abstract of their research, evidence-based program, or promising practices for poster display during the two-day conference. Posters will be accepted in 2 tracks: Clinical & Research, or Community & Public Health (be sure to indicate which track best represents your work). Posters will be displayed throughout the Conference and poster presenters must be present for both days of conference.
Note: All proposals for plenary, workshops and posters must include required primary research, publications, and other evidence published within the past 3-5 years (additional sources outside of this range may also be included).
Benefits of Presenting at NYSPA 2026:
NYSPA is committed to supporting and promoting best and promising practices and programs to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes; women & pregnant individuals, newborn/infant and child health; and to advocate for the availability, quality, and competency of the full array of needed perinatal health services in New York State.
Presenting at and attending a NYSPA Conference provides you with opportunities to share your experience, training, and insight with other dedicated and experienced practitioners in the field of maternal-infant-child health. Past speakers have commented that NYSPA has directly benefited their professional development, careers, and increased their
power as change agents in their respective disciplines. By participating in NYSPA’s annual conference you can BE PART OF A LARGER COMMUNITY and MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE in the lives of women, infants, children, couples, and families.
Additional Benefits Includes:
Plenary Presenters: As a presenter at the 2026 conference you receive:
- Recognition among your colleagues and peers
- Publicity through the conference brochure and NYSPA media outlets
- A complimentary one-year membership in NYSPA
- Complimentary (solo session presenter) or Subsidized (if >1 speaker/session) registration for the 2026 NYSPA Conference
- A $500 stipend (max per session)
Workshop Presenters: As a workshop presenter at the 2026 conference you receive:
- An opportunity to showcase your expertise and your program
- Recognition among your colleagues and peers
- Publicity through the conference brochure and the NYSPA media outlets
- A complimentary one-year membership in NYSPA
- Complimentary (solo session presenter) or Subsidized (if >1 speaker/session) registration for the 2026 NYSPA Conference
Poster Authors: As a poster presenter at the 2026 conference you receive:
- An opportunity for your poster to be selected for award; with recognition at the Awards Luncheon Day 1 of Conference) and on the NYSPA website
- An opportunity to showcase your work and your program
- Recognition among your colleagues and peers
- Publicity through the conference brochure and the NYSPA media outlets
- A complimentary one-year membership in NYSPA
- The authors of accepted posters will receive a $50 discount if registered during the early registration period (through 3/31/26) or $100 discount off the regular conference registration fee (through 5/20/26).
Process: Complete the Conference Proposal Application Form and send to Sharon Chesna, Conference Coordinator @ [email protected].
Theme subcategories: The goal for this two-day conference is to provide the latest clinical research, policies, best practices, and evidence-based programs impacting maternal- infant-child health (MICH).
Suggested topics include (we also welcome proposals for additional topics related to the conference theme):
- Innovation & AI: medical transformative care & usage of AI technology
- Trauma-informed care
- Addressing childbirth trauma & racially biased care
- Environmental impacts on the fetus & newborn
- Application of genetic screening & testing in the care of infants
- Linking medical and social health care
- Hospital maternity, nursery and NICU innovative practices, successes or challenges
- Doula services and improved perinatal care/outcomes
- Issues of refugee, asylum and other immigrants’ trauma and pregnancy care
- Perinatal mental health
- Contraceptive options and care
- Politics of access and potential coercion
- Benefits of breastfeeding, lactation education, lactation support to increase rates of breastfeeding
- Impacts of midwifery care on maternal morbidity and mortality
- Infections and pregnancy; importance of vaccines, nutrition and good health care
- Perinatal depression and other perinatal mood disorders
- Issues and challenges for rural families, communities and providers
- Data and programs on immediate post-partum period
- The regionalized model for perinatal care & perinatal quality collaboratives
- Emerging practices, tried & true – or innovative solutions for improving perinatal outcomes
- Choices in pregnancy and termination
- Doula and childbirth education services
- Financial burden of parenting, particularly on low-income families
All accepted plenary sessions and workshops will be submitted for Continuing Education Credit (CNE and CME) approval. Submissions and supporting documentation MUST be completed by all speakers/presenters by the deadlines listed below.
Submission Timeline/Deadline:
Plenary & Workshop sessions: The committee will begin reviewing proposals in November 2025 and will continue doing so until the agenda is complete. Our goal is to complete the competitive review process and select all sessions no later than 2/28/26. Plenary and Workshop Proposals will be reviewed on submission.
Decisions will be made on a rolling basis within 30 days of receipt, at which time the presenters will be notified.
Presenters MUST complete and return an acceptance agreement within ten (10) days of acceptance notification. Any selected session for which the presenter does not complete the acceptance agreement will be withdrawn from the program and replaced with an alternate presentation and speaker.
Poster abstracts can be submitted anytime between 10/15/2025 and 4/15/26. Posters should be clearly identified as to which track they should be considered for. Abstracts will be peer reviewed for acceptance. Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis and no later than 4/30/26, with authors notified by 5/10/26. Poster authors MUST complete and return an acceptance agreement no later than 5/15/26. Any poster for which the author does not complete the acceptance agreement and register for the conference by 5/15/26 will be withdrawn from the program.
Acknowledgement & Notification:
All submissions will be acknowledged within 48 hours to confirm receipt and completeness.
Questions: Contact Sharon Chesna, NYSPA Conference Coordinator via email: [email protected], or phone: 607-725-4832