Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Neuropsychology Collaborative
2026 National Conference
"Transforming Standard Practice to Best Practice"
June 10, 2026
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
Conference Sponsors
About the Conference
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the first national conference of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Neuropsychology Collaborative (SBHNC)! This conference will bring together clinicians, researchers, and advocates who share a commitment to advancing neuropsychological care for individuals with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and we look forward to connecting in Baltimore this summer.
This year's four plenary presentations highlight access‑focused advances in neuropsychological care, training, and advocacy for youth with Spina Bifida and their families.
Plenary Speakers
Dr. Rosalia Costello will present practical guidance for evaluating linguistically diverse patients, including assessment of bilingualism and effective use of interpreters.
Dr. Lizabeth Jordan will introduce the ECLECTIC+GRIT framework, a culturally responsive approach to integrating sociocultural and migration‑related factors into assessment to reduce misdiagnosis and improve care for medically complex and refugee populations.
Dr. Beatriz MacDonald Wer will address training and supervision through the Culturally Expressive and Responsive (CER) Supervision Model, emphasizing self‑reflection, professional identity, and supervisory alliance.
Dr. Christina Eguizabal Love will conclude by translating these concepts into practice through interactive case discussions focused on advocacy, systems navigation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance equity in Spina Bifida care.
The afternoon session will feature presentations from the recipients of the Hydrocephalus Association's (HA) Neuropsychology & Cognition Award (Drs. Catherine Stephan, Gwendolyn Gerner, and Joanna Burton), followed by research and project updates addressing assessment priorities, transition‑focused interventions, and clinical monitoring approaches for adults with Hydrocephalus. The meeting will conclude with a 90‑minute SBHNC committee workgroup session.
2026 SBHNC Conference Planning Committee
Lizabeth Jordan
Christina Eguizabal Love
Jennifer Queally
Catherine Stephan
T. Andrew Zabel
This conference reflects a shared commitment to equity, collaboration, and excellence in neuropsychological care for individuals with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Thank you again for joining us in Baltimore. We look forward to an exciting and engaging program!
Conference Agenda
June 10, 2026 | Kennedy Krieger Institute, Conference Room 202
801 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Plenary Session: Accessible Neuropsychological Care for People with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Awards
Lunch
Business Meeting
Research Session: Presentations from the Hydrocephalus Association's 2025 Neuropsychology & Cognition Award Recipients
Research and Project Updates
Committee Workgroups
Dinner, Reception, and Entertainment
Z-Bar, 3510 Newland Road, Baltimore, MD
SBHNC Leadership & Committees
SBHNC Board
Amy Hefflefinger
Past Chair
Jennifer Queally
Current Chair
Jenn Koop
Secretary
Camille Wilson
SBA Professional Advisory Committee Representative
Jennifer Queally
HA Medical Advisory Board Representative
Andy Zabel
Research/Dissemination Committee Representative
Board Subcommittees
Delphi Group
Yuri Shishido
Database Minders
Amy Hefflefinger
Education
Laura K. Winstone-Weide
Website/Communications
Tish MacDonald Wer
Clinical Care Committee
Clinical Care Committee
Veronica Bordes Edgar
Representative
Cultural Considerations
Liz Jordan
Multidisciplinary Care
Camille Wilson
Infants/Toddlers Care
Jasmine Hammer
School Age Care
Brian Shields
Transition to Adulthood Care
Jennifer Queally
Adult Care
Caty Stephen
Continuing Education Options
CE options are included with general registration, and there is no registration or CE fee. However, you must register for the conference, attend the CE session(s) in person, and complete an online evaluation form to receive CE credit. Once the evaluation form is complete, a CE certificate will be emailed to the recipient.
2 CE Hours
Morning Plenary Session Cultural Diversity focus
1 CE Hour
Afternoon Research Update Session Innovative Neuropsychological Care for People with Hydrocephalus
CE Chair: T. Andrew Zabel
Continuing education credits are provided through Kennedy Krieger Institute, an APA-approved continuing education provider. Kennedy Krieger Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Kennedy Krieger Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CE Program Disclosures
The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Neuropsychology Collaborative requires program planners and instructional personnel to disclose information regarding any relevant financial and non-financial relationships related to course content prior to and during course planning.
The intent of this disclosure is not to prevent a speaker with a significant financial or other relationship from making a presentation, but rather to provide listeners with information on which they can make their own judgments. It remains for the audience to determine whether speaker interests or relationships unduly influence a presentation with regard to exposition or conclusion.
Please see the following definitions: Relevant financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, gift, speaking fee, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial relationships can also include "contracted research" where the institution receives/manages the funds and the individual is the principal or named investigator on the grant.
Relevant non-financial relationships are those relationships that might bias an individual including any personal, professional, institutional, or other relationship. This may also include personal interest or cultural bias.
Continuing Education Seminars
Equitable and Accessible Neuropsychological Care for People with Spina Bifida
June 10, 2026 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am EST
Sponsored by KKI Continuing Education Committee
2 CE Credits
Presenters:
Dell Children's Medical Center
Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor, Northwestern University
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Associate Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center
This two-CE seminar will focus upon access and equity advances in neuropsychological care, training, and advocacy for youth with Spina Bifida and their families. Dr. Rosalia Costello will present practical guidance for evaluating linguistically diverse patients, including assessment of bilingualism and effective use of interpreters. Dr. Lizabeth Jordan will introduce the ECLECTIC+GRIT framework, a culturally responsive approach to integrating sociocultural and migration-related factors into assessment to reduce misdiagnosis and improve care for medically complex and refugee populations. Dr. Beatriz MacDonald Wer will address training and supervision through the Culturally Expressive and Responsive (CER) Supervision Model, emphasizing self-reflection, professional identity, and supervisory alliance. Dr. Christina Eguizabal Love will conclude by translating these concepts into practice through interactive case discussions focused on advocacy, systems navigation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance equity in Spina Bifida care.
Learning Objectives:
- Define bilingualism and learn how to practically assess "level" of bilingualism in a clinical interview, use bilingual measures, and work with an interpreter
- Learn how you can apply the ECLECTIC+GRIT framework to evaluations of youth and pediatric refugees with Spina Bifida
- Identify strategies for how to implement the CER Supervision Model, integrate discussions of cultural and professional identity, and engage in self-reflection in a supervisory relationship
Research Update: Innovative Neuropsychological Care for People with Hydrocephalus
June 10, 2026 | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Sponsored by KKI Continuing Education Committee
1 CE Credit
Presenters:
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
This one-CE seminar will focus upon recent innovations in the neuropsychological care of individuals with Hydrocephalus. Each of the presenters were 2025 recipients of the Hydrocephalus Association's Neuropsychology & Cognition Award due to their innovative proposals and approaches to neuropsychological care. The seminar will begin with a short description of HA's Neuropsychology and Cognition Award mechanism, followed by presentations by the award recipients. Dr. Catherine Stephan will discuss telehealth-based monitoring of adults with obstructive Hydrocephalus through use of traditional neuropsychology tests as well as ultra-brief self-administered neuropsychological measures. Dr. Gwendolyn Gerner and Dr. Joanna Burton will discuss neurocognitive and neurobehavioral phenotypes associated with posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of prematurity and assessment strategies for young children. Both presentations are intended to familiarize the audience with new techniques and strategies for measuring the neuropsychological status of individuals with Hydrocephalus.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe new advances in ultra-brief self-administered neuropsychological test measures and their psychometric properties
- Describe the cognitive needs and rehabilitation approaches for infants with posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus secondary to prematurity
Accommodations
If an accommodation or assistance for individuals with disabilities is needed, or for additional information, please email zabela@kennedykrieger.org
Audience: Licensed psychologists | Level: Intermediate
Presenters have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
There is no fee for this presentation or associated CEs for licensed psychologists in attendance.
Register for the 2026 Conference
Licensed psychologists interested in attending this conference can register using the link below. Registration includes CE credits at no additional cost.
Target Audience: Members and Affiliates of the SBHNC
Location: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
Contact Us
For questions, additional information, or accommodation requests, please contact:
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Neuropsychology Collaborative (SBHNC)
First National Conference | June 10, 2026 | Baltimore, Maryland