UOAA’s 2019 National Conference

National Ostomy and Stoma Conference education event

The Ostomy Community Gathered at
UOAA’s 7th National Conference
August 6–10, 2019

It was the ostomy communities’ premier educational and social gathering, held in Philadelphia PA.

2019 Conference Program

Slide Shows by Conference Attendees

The following attendees of our 2019 Conference have prepared slide shows illustrating their impressions of the Conference:

Phil Moyle’s Conference Overview
Joanna Burgess’s Conference Observations

Conference Included

  • Top Medical Professionals
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Free Stoma Clinic Appointments with WOC Nurses
  • Product Exhibit Hall with 25+ Vendors
  • Free Entry to Social Events
  • Ask a WOC Nurse
  • Sexuality
  • Dedicated Sessions for Caregivers and Family
  • Vacation Destination
  • Support Group Leader Networking
  • Surgery Specific Sessions and Meet-ups

New for 2019

  • Active Lifestyle Panel Discussion
  • Medical Marijuana
  • Caregivers Track

    Caring for Female and Male Ostomates and Caregiver Stress

  • Young Adult Track

    Sessions on topics such as body image, sexuality, employment, tips and tricks, clothing, pregnancy, and sharing experiences.

  • Pediatrics Track

    Free babysitting, Ask the WOC Nurse, pediatric ostomy troubleshooting, adults who dad ostomies as children, and teen race car driver.

  • Parastomal Hernia Repair with Minimal Invasive Surgery
  • Latest Ostomy Buzz
  • Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Surgery

Social Events

  • Improv Comedy Show/Music Wednesday Night
  • Roaring 1920s Casino Night, Thursday
  • Fashion Show Saturday Evening
  • Dancing/Desserts Saturday Night
  • Location near world-class dining, museums, shopping and historic sites
  • Morning Yoga and Tai Chi
  • NuHope Fun Run
  • President’s Reception Tuesday

Our Featured Speakers

Dr. Rood, UOAA

Dr. Richard P. Rood

MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

We kicked off our opening ceremony on Wednesday morning with keynote speaker Dr. Rood, who shared his amazing life story, as he is a gastroenterologist who has had an ostomy since age 13.  At the age of 10 Dr. Rood was stricken with ulcerative colitis and the disease was his motivation to pursue a medical career and to have patients not endure what he had experienced. Dr. Rood is currently a Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Judith Trudel

Dr. Judith Trudel

MD, MSc, MHPE

We were also pleased to have Dr. Judith Trudel, as our second keynote speaker on Wednesday afternoon. After receiving rave reviews from our 2017 conference attendees, Dr. Trudel had a new and innovative medical discussion. Dr. Trudel is currently a Colorectal Surgeon with Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota and President of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Medical Chair session title: Taking care of business: where do I fit in?

Summary: When faced with the roller coaster of health and life challenges, what can I do to improve outcomes? We will talk about the dimensions of wellness and the ways each of us can positively impact our lives both short and long-term. Bring your questions, and also your own tips and tricks.

Dr. Janice M. Beitz

PhD, RN, CS, CNOR, CWOCN-AP, CRNP, APNC, ANEF, FAAN

We were also excited to have Janice M. Beitz as a featured speaker on Thursday morning. Dr. Beitz has over 40 years of nursing experience in acute, sub-acute, and outpatient care settings.  She is the Director of the Rutgers University Camden Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (WOCNEP).

Title: Intestines Are Soooooo Overrated: Psychosocial/Physiological Issues For Ostomates

Session Description: Social, psychological, and physical issues are consequences for persons experiencing a fecal or urinary diversion. This session will describe the findings from scholarly work on these areas with implications for ostomates’ lived experience. Strategies for ostomates to achieve quality of life including therapeutic use of humor will be emphasized.

UOAA’s 2019 Conference Blog

Finding Community, Purpose, and Voice After Colorectal Cancer and Permanent Colostomy

By: Sandra James, ACSW

Instagram.com/@colostomyforever

www.youtube.com/@SandraJames-LivingIt

When I was diagnosed, the first emotions that hit me were disappointment, confusion, and shame. I had spent months believing hemorrhoids were the only…
March 3, 2026/by Contributor

Fears, Faux Pas and Fulfillment

My Ostomy Story

Hello! My name is Marcia Benedict. I have a urostomy due to bladder cancer.

Facing an ostomy and what life would be after surgery can be overwhelming and I found myself repeating, “I never expected this”.  I was dumbfounded,…
May 29, 2025/by Contributor

This Pop-up Ostomy Clinic is A National Destination

By Ed Pfueller, UOAA Communications and Outreach Manager

There is a stoma clinic so good that some people anticipate it every two years and travel from halfway across the country to go to it.

This free stoma clinic is staffed by volunteer Wound,…
April 11, 2025/by Contributor
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2019 Conference Program
Must See in Philly

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Coloplast 2

Bronze Sponsors

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