Optimal Outcomes
Perinatal, Reproductive and Sexual Health Conference
12th Annual Conference
February 27, 2026 - Minneapolis, MN
Hosted by: Minnesota Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives
All are welcome!
Calling all perinatal, reproductive and sexual health advocates interested in optimizing health outcomes! The MN Affiliate of the ACNM created the Optimal Outcomes: Perinatal, Reproductive, and Sexual Health Conference in 2013 to provide education about health disparities, promoting physiologic birth, and ways to improve health outcomes in our community. This interdisciplinary annual conference is attended by midwives, nurses, physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, doulas, health professionals, students and community members interested in perinatal, reproductive and sexual health outcomes. Come earn CEUs and build community!
2026 conference planning is underway!
February 27th, 2026
Minneapolis Marriott West
9960 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55426
In-person or virtual-only tickets will be available!
Virtual access will be available starting 1 week after the event and open for 90 days from event date.
Conference Highlights
Scholarship tickets: Scholarship tickets will be available for people on a first come first served basis. Equity Scholarships will be available for people from underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC who are interested in receiving a discounted rate. Those who desire an Equity Scholarship should complete this form to request a conference scholarship. If you have any other questions about the Optimal Outcomes conference, please contact us via our Optimal Outcomes contact form.
Virtual Viewing After the Event: Recorded speaker videos and presentation materials will be available at the secure page For Optimal Outcomes Attendees after the conference and remain accessible for three months. A password will be emailed to you once you purchase your Optimal Outcomes Conference Ticket (in person or virtual).
Check back for updates on workshops or additional conference opportunities!
Things to know
before you go:
Location:
Minneapolis Marriott West
9960 Wayzata Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55426
map & directions
Parking: Free parking available in outdoor lots
Meals: Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Community building cocktail hour cash bar will be held after the conference
Accommodations: All gender bathrooms and lactation rooms available
Dress: Business casual, dress in layers as it can be difficult to regulate the temperature of the rooms
Continuing Education Credits: up to 10 CEUs will be available
Exhibit Hall: Visit with sponsors and vendors in our vibrant exhibit hall. Remember to bring your wallet to support local artisans. Check off tables visited on your passport to be eligible for our coveted door prizes!
Conference registration/Check in: starts at 7am, Continental breakfast provided 7am-8am
T-shirts: Purchase a t-shirt to support scholarship funds for people of color and folks from the LGBTQIA+ community. New t-shirt designs this year!
2026 conference Agenda
7:00 - 8:00 am
Lobby
Registration and Check-In
Continental breakfast served
8:00 - 8:15 am
Waterford Ballroom
Opening Comments
MN ACNM
Co-Presidents
Optimal Outcomes Co-Chairs
8:20 - 9:20 am
Waterford Ballroom
Induction of Labor, Labor Dystocia, Cesarean Births Oh My!
Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM
9:30 - 10:30 am
Waterford Ballroom
Manual Rotation of the Persistent Occiput Posterior Fetu
Jessica Ellis, PhD, CNM
10:30 - 10:50 am
Exhibit Hall
BREAK
Coffee, Tea
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Waterford Ballroom 1
Diabetes in Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Management, and Lifelong Implications
Sareen Nashif, MD
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Waterford Ballroom 2
The Modern Menopause: Evidence-Based Hormone Therapy Meets Integrative Medicine
Jennika Tomashek, DNP, FNP-BC
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Waterford Ballroom 3
Calm, Rest, and Relief: The Role of Nutraceuticals in Perinatal Wellbeing
Michelle Ullery, DNP, APRN, CNP
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Exhibit Hall
LUNCH
(Sponsors, Artisans, Doulas, Massage)
1:20 - 2:20 pm
Waterford Ballroom 1
Beyond Birth: Improving Care and Outcomes for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in the Postpartum Period
Bethany Sabol, MD, MAS
1:20 - 2:20 pm
Waterford Ballroom 2
1:20 - 2:20 pm
Waterford Ballroom 3
Roots of Racial Inequities in Lactation
Camila Valenzuala-Panza IBCLC, Birth Doula
& Sierra Dillard, Doula
2:20 - 2:40 pm
Lobby/Exhibit Hall
BREAK
Coffee, Tea, Cookies
2:50 - 3:50 pm
Waterford Ballroom
Taking a Pleasure-Inclusive Approach to Sexual Health Care
Kristen Mark, PhD, MPH
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Waterford Ballroom
People Over Policies: Centering Consent, Autonomy, Respect, and Equity (C.A.R.E.) in Trauma-Informed Perinatal Care
Maggie Runyon, MSN, RNC-OB
