Explore the science (and soul) of medication management in hospice and palliative care. With Alexandra L. McPherson PharmD, MPH and Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, PhD, FAAHPM, this four-hour workshop digs deep into the pharmacologic “roots” of pain relief, symptom control, and deprescribing. This workshop is a must-attend for nurses who want to grow their skills in person-centered comfort care.

Friday, April 3, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
Virtual Event

Registration

HPNA Member Rate: $199
Non-Member Rate: $329 (Includes a one-year HPNA membership)

Faculty

Alexandra L. McPherson PharmD, MPH
Dr. McPherson received her Bachelor of Science in International Business from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, followed by her Master of Public Health (MPH) with a dual certificate in International Health and Pharmaceutical Assessment, Management, and Policy from Boston University in Boston, MA. She went on to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, MD. Subsequently she completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA and Pain Management and Palliative Care Specialty Residency at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy/MedStar Health. She is currently a Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, where she serves as faculty in the interdisciplinary Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program. In addition, she serves as a faculty member for the nation’s first M.S. in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (University of Maryland School of Pharmacy), and M.S. in Palliative Care (University of Maryland Graduate School) programs. She is an active member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists and has published and presented internationally on topics pertaining to pain management and palliative care. Her academic interests include early integration of palliative care in advanced illness, navigating transitions of care at the end-of-life, and the pharmacologic management of symptoms in serious illness. Her newest interest includes the integration of narrative medicine practices as a tool for reducing burnout and improving resiliency among palliative care providers.

Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, PhD, FAAHPM
Dr. McPherson has practiced hospice and palliative care as a clinical pharmacist her entire career. She is a professor at the University of Maryland and executive program director of the online Graduate Studies in Palliative Care (Graduate Certificates, MS, PhD) program. She has served as a resource to medical staff for pain and symptom consultations, opioid conversion calculations, methadone dosing and other medication-related issues. McPherson is particularly interested in assuring patients with a serious illness receive goal-concordant medication therapy. She has authored five books including the popular Demystifying Opioid Conversion Calculations: A Guide to Effective Dosing and numerous peer-reviewed articles and chapters.

Hear from one of the facilitators, Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, PhD, FAAHPM, as she shares a preview of what this in-depth, four-hour workshop will explore.

Unable to attend on April 3? You may still register to access the recording of the program and collect the continuing education hours. The last day to register for this event is Wednesday, April 1, 2026. You will receive the access link to this conference three days prior to the event. If you have not received the email three days prior, please contact the HPNA Education Department.

Continuing Education

Attendees can earn up to a maximum of 3.75 NCPD contact hours* and 3.75 Pharmacotherapeutic contact hours* upon successful completion of this course. Successful completion requires participants to remain engaged throughout the Zoom platform (e.g., cameras on, engaged in breakout sessions, etc.), and completing/submitting the post-activity evaluation within the timeframe specified. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. All individuals in a position to control content will be submitting financial disclosure information and appropriate disclosures will be made prior to the event.

*Number of NCPD and pharmacotherapeutic contact hours are subject to change. 

Cancellation Policy

Registrants must place a cancellation request in writing up to three weeks prior to the event to receive a full refund minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than one week prior to the event will not be refunded. Please contact the HPNA Education Department about cancellations.