Abstract submission for the CMV-PHP is now closed. Notifications of acceptance will go out on or around May 15, 2025.
A full schedule of the conference will be posted by the end of May.
Instructional Sessions are included in the CMV Public Health and Policy Conference for sessions/topics that do not fit into the standard breakout session format. Consider proposing an Instructional Session only if one or more of these considerations apply:
- To be effective/useful, the session topic requires more than the standard 30 minutes offered for breakout sessions.
- The session requires a more interactive or hands-on experience than can be adequately achieved in the standard 30 minutes offered for breakout sessions.
- The session format requires a different room set-up or technology than typically possible in a standard breakout session room; for example, it requires a more interactive, special technology or equipment that would not be feasible during a standard breakout session.
Instructional Session Information
The 2025 CMV Public Health and Policy Conference Planning Committee will be accepting proposals for Instructional Sessions on/around January 15, 2025. A limited number of Instructional Sessions will be offered on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Instructional sessions are typically 1-3 hours in length.
Instructional Sessions are included in the CMV Public Health and Policy Conference for sessions/topics that do not fit into the standard breakout session format. Consider proposing an Instructional Session only if one or more of these considerations apply:
- To be effective/useful, the session topic requires more than the standard 30 minutes offered for breakout sessions.
- The session requires a more interactive or hands-on experience than can be adequately achieved in the standard 30 minutes offered for breakout sessions.
- The session format requires a different room set-up or technology than typically possible in a standard breakout session room; for example, it requires a more interactive, special technology or equipment that would not be feasible during a standard breakout session.
Review and Selection Criteria
Proposals will be considered, reviewed, and selected by the 2025 CMV Public Health and Policy Conference Planning Committee. Criteria for selecting Instructional Sessions will align with the broader abstract submission criteria.
- Relevance and significance to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, early intervention, and family support services for infants and young children with CMV and their families. [1 - 20 points]
- The abstract should address a current topic and information appropriate for the purposes of the conference goal.
- The abstract should address important issues or gaps related to improving CMV-related services.
- The abstract should inform, enable, or update others in improving CMV-related services regarding potential issues related to clinical practice, education of professionals/families, or future research.
- The abstract should have the potential to advance the practice/knowledge base of CMV.
- The abstract should expand the discussion or perspective to build on existing knowledge or address new knowledge, discoveries, methodologies, tools, technologies, or practices.
- Overall clarity [1 - 10 points]
- The abstract should be well written and organized in a coherent manner.
- The amount of information to be presented should be appropriate for the proposed session length and format.
- The abstract should clearly describe the presentation's goals and learner outcomes.
- The abstract should provide prospective participants enough information to determine if the session will meet their needs.
- If research results are included, they should be clearly described and supported by statistical findings with the conclusions supported by the results.
- Meets the following Criteria to be considered for an Instructional Session. (1 – 15 points)
- To be effective/useful, the session topic requires more than the standard 30 minutes offered for CMV Conference breakout sessions.
- The session requires a more interactive or hands-on experience than can be adequately achieved in the standard 30 minutes offered for CMV PHP Conference breakout sessions.
- The session format requires a different room set-up or technology than typically possible in a standard breakout session room; for example, it requires a more interactive, hands-on, application or special technology or equipment that would not be feasible during a standard breakout session.
Important: The submission and review of Instructional Sessions is separate from the submission process for standard breakout and poster sessions at the 2025 CMV-PHP Conference. If you submit an Instructional Session proposal, it will only be considered as an Instructional Session submission.
September 7, 2025
IMPROVing Communication about cCMV – Empowering Families and Professionals in Difficult Conversation
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Ski-U-Mah
Summary: Advocacy plays a significant role for both parents and professionals affected by congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). However, cCMV advocacy often feels like conflict due to varying cCMV outcomes and available treatment options, limited resources available for cCMV screening and reporting, and the prevalence of cCMV scientific misinformation or disinformation, even among public health and policy stakeholders. A central challenge in cCMV policy work is engaging with uncertainty, as the complexities of cCMV make it difficult to offer definitive universal answers or solutions. Applied improvisation is a method that uses communication exercises such as group play, peer feedback, and reflection. It fosters greater agility in active listening, self-awareness, emotional presence, empathy, collaboration, and respect for multiple perspectives. This skill set allows individuals to navigate uncertainty and engage in positive conflict (or conflict competence), ultimately supporting more effective advocacy. This session will bring together parents and professionals in an interactive workshop where participants will work in pairs or small groups to play theatre games, followed by a debrief to discuss how applied improvisation exercises can be applied to cCMV advocacy. The workshop is designed in three parts. The first section focuses on creating a collaborative environment through appreciative inquiry. In the second part, participants will engage in exercises designed to improve listening skills and distill key information. The final exercises will build skills for engaging in conversations with skeptics. By the end of this workshop, participants will have gained communication strategies and skills that enable them to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, simplify complex scientific concepts, and use storytelling as a tool for clearer communication. Key takeaways will include strategies for empowering families and professionals to build strong cCMV advocacy teams to improve public health outcomes at local, state, or national levels.
Your Baby Has Screened Positively for Congenital CMV - But Looks Healthy! What Now?
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Thomas H. Swain
Summary: To provide a primer for clinicians, care providers and families on the implications of a positive newborn screen for congenital CMV infection. In an ill-appearing infant with clinical evidence of CMV at birth, clinicians have extensive experience with the approach to diagnostics and therapeutics. However, in states in the USA (like Minnesota, New York, and Connecticut) and provinces in Canada (Ontario) that have commenced universal congenital CMV screening, it is common for a positive newborn screen to be discovered in an asymptomatic infant with a clinically inapparent infection. After the initial shock wears off for the family, what comes next? What kind of evaluation is warranted? How extensive do the laboratory and neuroimaging tests need to be? Which babies might be candidates for antiviral therapy? In this 90-minute instructional session, local physician experts from Minnesota will provide an overview of the approach to evaluation and management of the clinically inapparent infection identified by newborn screening, and will entertain questions from the audience about this rapidly evolving area of care.
Vestibular monitoring protocol for cochlear implant and cCMV patients
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: Thomas H. Swain
Summary: Pediatric vestibular evaluation and rehabilitation is an emerging area of practice and expertise within our field. Research indicates an increased risk of vestibular dysfunction for children with significant hearing loss, such as the cochlear implant and congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) populations. These children are at risk for gross motor delays/plateau and problems with reading/academics, social skills, and memory without targeted early intervention (Hazen & Cushing, 2021). In order to provide comprehensive care to these children, we have developed guidelines for vestibular monitoring for cochlear implant candidates/recipients and patients with cCMV. Our guideline also includes recommendations for when a vestibular physical therapy evaluation should be pursued to ensure our patients receive the targeted rehabilitation they need, and/or have a smooth transition from early intervention to private physical therapy. This talk will review the risk factors for vestibular dysfunction for children with significant hearing loss and/or cCMV. Additionally, case studies will be included to outline the impact of this testing and resulting rehabilitation.? Cushing, S., Gordon, K., Rutka, J., James, A. and Papsin, B., 2013. Vestibular end-organ dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss and cochlear implants. Otology & neurotology, 34(3), pp.422-428. Population. Semin hear. 2018 aug;39(3):229-242. Doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1666815. Epub 2018 jul 20. Pmid: 30038452; pmcid: pmc6054584.? Hazen M, Cushing SL. Vestibular Evaluation and Management of Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Dec;54(6):1241-1251. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.08.001. PMID: 34774232
Developing a Guide for cCMV Surveillance in U.S. Health Departments
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: University Hall
Summary: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is not a nationally notifiable condition in the United States (U.S.). Thirteen U.S. jurisdictions have established cCMV surveillance mainly to identify infants with cCMV and connect families to services. Broadly, surveillance for cCMV may be conducted to monitor trends in disease prevalence and the use of antivirals and identify groups at higher risk of cCMV. Moreover, cCMV surveillance may provide opportunities to increase disease awareness and equitable access to services. Case identification methods for surveillance vary across jurisdictions and include newborn screening (e.g., universal, hearing-targeted, and symptom-based), diagnostic codes, and clinical reports. Similarly, data collection capacity and methods differ widely and are often limited, particularly for long-term outcomes of infants with cCMV. In 2023, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists approved cCMV surveillance case definitions and CDC, in collaboration with health departments, began piloting cCMV surveillance through the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network. With a growing number of states implementing targeted or universal cCMV screening, there are opportunities to further enhance and standardize cCMV surveillance. In this instructional session, we will begin by describing the status of cCMV screening and surveillance across the U.S. Participants will learn about the varying methods used in different jurisdictions, including in-depth knowledge of practices in Minnesota, New Jersey, and Utah. Next, we will outline the goals for cCMV surveillance based on case identification approach, including what is to be learned, potential public health applications, and data limitations. Finally, we will assess a collaborative strategy for evaluating and summarizing (i.e., cCMV Surveillance Guidebook) best practices in cCMV surveillance, focusing on how to improve case identification and standardize data collection on infants infected with cCMV.
Congenital CMV 101- Updates on What you Need to Know and Remember!
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: University Hall
Summary: This instructional session is a great start to the meeting to help attendees be prepared to understand CMV basics and recent updates relevant to congenital CMV. Basics and updates on biology, epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of CMV infection in pregnancy and in newborns and infants will be presented in a fast paced, high level, overview, didactic session. Updates on CMV advocacy efforts also will be presented. Elephants will help attendees remember important facts!