WHEELING — Up to 16 hours of continuing education credits can be earned at a medical education conference hosted by Wheeling Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency program and the Advanced Practice Nurses of the Upper Ohio Valley.

“The George M. Kellas, M.D., and Nita Lewis, APRN, BC, Medical Education Conference” will be held Sept. 22-23 at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center.

In 2011, Wheeling Hospital dedicated the Dr. George M. Kellas Residency Learning Center after the late physician who played a key role in developing a Family Medicine Residency program at the hospital. The program, which began in 1975, was led by Kellas from 1977-87. In addition, Kellas served as Medical Director at Wheeling Hospital from 1959-82. Kellas died in 1992.

The APNUOV was established in 2002. In 2004, the group started its first educational pharmacy conference. It was named the Nita Lewis Pharmacology Conference in honor of a prominent member and activist for NPs. Lewis died in 2004.

This year’s medical education conference offers all physicians, physician assistants, residents, NPs, nurses and students an opportunity to network with other professionals and listen to the newest evidenced-based practice issues.

They also can earn up to 16 CMEs or CEUs, as well as up to 6 pharmacology CEUs for nurses. Included will be the Drug Diversion and Veterans Health Care, which is required for nursing license renewal.

Approval is pending by the West Virginia Board of Medicine and the West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine to meet the requirement for Best Prescribing of Controlled Substances and Drug Diversion required for West Virginia medical license renewal.

The event will feature more than 40 speakers addressing a wide variety of topics to the entire gathering and in numerous break-out sessions and labs.

Topics are subject to change.

Among the nearly 35 topics on the agenda are:

– Communication and Palliative Care

– Physiology and the Psychology of Pain

– Substance and Prescription Drug Abuse in the Community

– Management of HTN

– Vascular Heart Disease

– Genetic Screening and Counseling

– Lesions: When to Remove

– Peripheral Vascular Disease

– Biopsy Techniques

– Office Management of Controlled Substances – UDS Interpretations

– Women’s Health – Malignant PAP

– Radiology: When and What to Order

– Diabetes Medication – A Cardiac Indication?

– Sepsis and Septic Shock

– Mental Health Conditions Common to Veterans and Veterans’ Family Members

There are fees for the conference. Registration is due by Sept. 1, and attendees will be provided an Internet link to conference materials in their registration confirmation email. For more information, call Sarah Melanko at 304-243-4981.