University of Wisconsin–Madison

Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Congenital Heart Defects

Infant with open heart surgery scar
This event has passed.

Waisman Center

Infant with open heart surgery scar

In-Person and Virtual

Saturday, February 7, 2026 Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects, affecting 1% of all babies. Children with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) require heart surgery or other intervention before their first birthday. In addition to their medical needs, children with CCHD are more likely to struggle with their physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral development. Register Here

Event Details

When: Saturday, February 7, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Refreshments at 8:30 a.m for in-person attendees.
Where: In Person – At the Wiley Conference Center Virtual/Zoom – Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android
About: Learn about advances in research and clinical care for CHD.
Flyer: Click here to download a PDF of the flyer
Registration: Click here to register for the event.

Sponsors: UW Kids & Waisman Center logos UW Health Kids | Waisman Center

Schedule & Program

8:30-9:00 am Coffee and Connections Coffee and refreshments provided
9:00-9:10 am  Welcome Peter Ferrazzano, MD, Enid & Jerry Weygandt Professor, Pediatrics, Director, Pediatric Brain Care Clinic Jesse Boyett Anderson, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
9:15-9:45 am
Early Childhood Issues: Language, Feeding, and Motor Development Nicole Currey, PT, DPT, PCS, and Michelle Swain, MS, CCC-SLP
9:45-10:15 am
School-aged Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Executive Functioning,and School Performance Jon Mietchen, PhD, and Karen Carpenter, MS, LPC
10:15-10:45 am  
Transition to Adult Care Briana Swanson, SPNP, and Tim Markle, MA
10:45-11:30 am
PANEL DISCUSSION A panel of experts that includes individuals with CHD and family members who share about their lived experiences.
EVERYONE WELCOME https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2914.2326775357997!2d-89.43565152637755!3d43.07860338940805!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8807ac8ca847b275%3A0xb8b36eec8b1e4023!2sNIRS%20Waisman%20Center!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1765309438902!5m2!1sen!2sus