CHD Patients and Families

You Are Invited! CNOC 14th Annual Scientific Sessions

Riverfront Reflections: Bridging Research, Advocacy, and Care in Cardiac Neurodevelopment

Join a global community of clinicians, researchers, and families dedicated to improving neurodevelopment, mental health, and quality of life for individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD).

When: September 16 – 18, 2026

Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE — or attend virtually!

Registration & Attendance Options for Parents, Families and Patients

Virtual Attendance: FREE / Complimentary.
In-Person Attendance: $50 (to help cover the cost of food).
Need Financial Support? CNOC is excited to provide financial support for individuals with lived experience of CHD to attend the scientific sessions.

The scholarship application period has closed. Recipients will be notified by July 10th.

Register for the scientific sessions here. Be sure to select the "People with CHD and Family Member" category and choose your preferred registration type (Virtual or In-Person).

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Learn & Grow: Discover how people with CHD grow and develop.
Mental Health Support: Explore interventions tailored for CHD patients and family mental health.
Advocacy & Action: Learn how patient experiences and federal policy intersect to shape better outcomes.
Community Connection: Connect directly with researchers, providers, and other CHD families.
No Background Needed: These highlighted sessions do not require specialist or scientific knowledge—your lived experience is what matters!

The following workshops and sessions feature patient/family presenters and panelists or were noted by our patient/family advisers to be of particular interest to attendees with lived experience of CHD or those without a clinical or research background. View the full program here.

Wednesday, September 16

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Advocacy in Action Workshop: Help shape a national voice for CHD neurodevelopmental care.
1:30 PM – 2:44 PM | Laying the Foundation: Sessions on successful communication, parent-infant bonding during hospitalization, and navigating home supports for family mental health.
3:22 PM – 3:52 PM | Rapid Debate: Discussing ADHD treatment in CHD.

Thursday, September 17

7:00 AM | Morning Activity: Start the day with Riverfront Yoga, a run, or a walk.
9:07 AM | Connecting Communities: How community-led research redefines adult CHD mental health care.
11:50 AM | Parent Perspective on cutting-edge science.
2:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Concurrent Breakout Sessions – CN3 Think Tank, Research, and Clinical Value
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Special Evening Event: Free ticketed event at the beautiful Nemours Estate.

Friday, September 18

8:30 AM – 9:05 AM | Federal Bridges: Navigating support for pediatric subspecialty care with Senator Chris Coons and Advocacy in Action with Scott Leezer of Every 100^th Heart
10:30 AM – 11:35 AM | The Educational Span: Essential pillars for school-based support, homebound schooling, and navigating hospital schooling.
3:20 PM – 4:55 PM | NEURO-OPTIMIZATION IN OLDER CARDIAC PATIENTS: featuring "Neuro-what? Living inside the outcomes" by Drezden R. Plotkin (adult living with CHD)

Accessible for Families

CNOC recognizes that finding childcare may provide obstacles to parent/caregiver attendance. Families are welcome to bring appropriately supervised and behaved children to the conference, but we want to be transparent that these are long days with a lot of lecture-style presentations. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to come and go from sessions as needed to comfort or entertain their kids.

Nearby Family Attractions (Within Walking Distance):

Things to do in Wilmington!