Virtual Sessions, May 19 – 21, 2021
NEC SYMPOSIUM
The NEC Society presented the NEC Virtual Sessions in partnership with
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, May 19 – 21, 2021. The Virtual Sessions
attracted nearly 300 diverse stakeholders from 16 countries and
40 US states, with 16 groups providing support. This was the third
internationally-attended conference hosted by the NEC Society.
The Virtual Sessions featured keynote presentations from Dr. Diana Bianchi, Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and Prof. Neena Modi, Professor of Imperial College London, as well as 20 abstract presentations and an overview of the NEC Society’s Research Priorities project made possible through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
In addition to healthcare providers and researchers, 35 patient-families participated in the Sessions. Each Session was dedicated to
families who have been personally affected by necrotizing enterocolitis. Following the “All-In Meeting” framework, the NEC Society adapted its in-person strategies to fit the community’s needs during a pandemic. Accordingly, the Virtual Sessions were more inclusive and accessible to all stakeholders than prior meetings. The NEC Society is committed to ensuring that future conferences are equally accessible, even when in-person meetings
resume post-pandemic. To build a sense of community and allow
stakeholders to expand their connections, the Virtual Sessions hosted small breakout groups focused on opportunities for participants to increase their engagement in the movement to build a world without NEC.
Jennifer Canvasser, Founder & Executive Director
