General Sessions
Monday, February 9
Harnessing Headwinds: Navigating Change and Adversity
Nicole Malachowski, First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, Fighter Squadron Commander, White House Fellow and Adviser
Leaders at every level face a common challenge: the need to navigate failure, organizational change and the unknown. Like headwinds to a pilot, these perceived barriers can force a change in direction, cost momentum and take away options. They can feel confusing, disorienting and uncomfortable, leaving individuals and organizations uncertain about the best path forward.
Drawing on her groundbreaking career as the first woman Thunderbird pilot and her personal journey of resilience, Nicole Malachowski brings the metaphor of headwinds to life. She shows how challenges that seem to hold us back can, with the right mindset, be transformed into sources of strength and growth. By reframing adversity as opportunity, leaders and teams can adapt more quickly, respond with creativity and emerge stronger. Attendees will learn how to face uncertainty with confidence, guide their teams through turbulence and harness the very forces working against them to move forward with greater purpose and resilience.
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Rural Health Care in Crisis: Where Do We Go From Here?
Jamie Orlikoff, President, Orlikoff & Associates, Inc., National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association, and health care governance expert
Paul Gauguin’s 1897-98 painting, “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?” poses fundamental questions about the human experience — our origins, our identity and our future. These questions are not only philosophical but also deeply relevant to the current state of rural health care in America, where rural hospitals are experiencing an urgent and growing crisis. Many facilities have already closed their doors, and hundreds more — possibly over 700 — are at risk of closure. These closures are driven by a range of financial and other challenges, both new and old. Recent policy changes, such as those introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will radically reshape the landscape for rural health care providers and present unprecedented challenges. This presentation will address the crisis facing rural hospitals across America, their effects on the ability of rural hospitals to survive and serve their communities, and the many leadership challenges and approaches in this period of profound uncertainty.
Tuesday, February 10
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
AHA Town Hall: Washington Update
Moderator:
Rick Pollack, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Hospital Association
Panelists: Travis Robey, Vice President, Political Affairs, American Hospital Association
Shannon Wu, PhD, Director, Payment Policy, American Hospital Association
Join the AHA for a discussion on the latest activity taking place on Capitol Hill. This session will focus on the health care policies Congress is currently considering, the Trump administration’s priorities and the current political landscape. It will also provide insights into AHA’s advocacy priorities, helping rural health care leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Fireside Chat: Leading Rural Health Care Through Disruption and Transformation
In this candid conversation, rural health leaders reflect on the realities of leading rural hospitals through disruption and driving meaningful transformation. The discussion will explore how to manage change effectively, engage teams through uncertainty and make strategic decisions that strengthen care delivery and community trust in times of rapid evolution.
Panel Discussion: Navigating Change to Build a Stronger Future for Rural Health Care
Hear from leaders of rural hospitals as they share how they are navigating ongoing change to strengthen care delivery, workforce capacity and financial resilience. This panel discussion highlights strategic decisions and leadership approaches for redesigning services, deepening community partnerships and adapting to evolving patient and community needs. Attendees will gain actionable insights from their peers facing similar challenges and working to shape the future of rural health care.
Wednesday, February 11
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Finding Purpose Through Service: Leaving a Lasting Impact
Justin Wren, Humanitarian, Author, Mixed Martial Arts Fighter, Mental Health Advocate, and Non-Profit CEO/Founder
After hitting rock bottom, Justin Wren found a calling that transformed his life and the lives of others. His journey began with the Pygmies, a marginalized community that became the heart of his mission to serve selflessly and create sustainable change.
In this powerful session, Justin explores how service can be a catalyst for personal healing, purpose and hope. Attendees will learn how one act of compassion can spark a ripple effect — impacting individuals, communities and even the person doing the serving.
Through Justin’s story, participants will be inspired to become “hope dealers” in their own lives—people who lead with kindness, live with intention and leave a meaningful imprint on the world.