Flynn Fellows Attend 16th Edith Richner Annual Palliative Care Conference at Molloy University

Pictured: former Flynn Fellows Christine Yany and Cecilia Aversano with Molloy U. Dean, Continuing Education & Professional Studies, Louis Cino, and Fred Flynn

The 16th Annual Edith Richner Palliative Care Conference hosted by Molloy University on June 5, 2026, attracted an audience of over 400 participants (in person and virtually). The conference focused on new developments in the expanding and dynamic field of Palliative Care. Several experts from medicine, nursing, pastoral care, child life and social work presented the latest advancements in the fields of symptom management, ethics and communications, staff self-care and bereavement.

The main objective of the conference is for participants to enhance their ability to provide high-quality professional, competent, empathetic care to patients and their families. The program format included various lectures and a large number of concurrent “breakout sessions” on a wide variety of topical subjects in this specialized field. The keynote speaker, Dr. Christian Zanartu, delivered a very comprehensive and insightful presentation on ‘Trauma Informed Palliative Care.’

Thanks to the Flynn Foundation’s valuable program partnership with Molloy University’s School of Nursing, including Dean Dr. Marcia Gardner and Mr. Louis Cino, Dean of Continuing Education & Professional Studies, the majority of our 48 Flynn Fellows this summer were able to attend this prestigious Conference  ‘virtually.’

A special thanks to Christine Yany, a 2018 Flynn Fellow from Molloy University at New York Presbyterian hospital (who is now in her eighth year there as an Oncology Nurse) as well as Cecilia Aversano,  a 2025 Flynn Fellow from Monmouth University at Greenwich Hospital (who was recently hired there as an Oncology Nurse) for staffing our table in the Exhibit area.