Networking Lunch in the Sponsor Hall with Conversation Starter Tables 
Tuesday, February 25 | 11:45 AM-1:00 PM

Join a Conversation Starter table for meaningful discussions with other conference attendees. Each table will feature a designated host to guide conversations on critical rural health topics, such as mental health support in rural settings, leadership strategies for rural hospitals and leveraging technology in resource-limited areas. Simply grab your lunch, choose a table with a topic that interests you, and join the conversation to exchange ideas, share experiences and gain practical insights from fellow attendees dedicated to rural health care. This is a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with others addressing similar challenges in rural communities.

PLENARY SESSION: What’s the Big Idea? Leading Rural Hospitals into the Future 
Tuesday, February 25 | 1:45 PM-3:00 PM

Jamie Orlikoff, President, Orlikoff & Associates, Inc., National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association, and health care governance expert

“Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone?” Rural hospitals are closing services, and some are closing their doors; fewer than half of rural hospitals have maternity units, and more than 2 million women of childbearing age live in rural maternity deserts. The list goes on. Rural hospitals and the entire U.S. health care system are at an unprecedented inflection point with a presidential election, demonization of hospitals, economic stresses, and more all looming on the immediate horizon. This presentation will review these trends and address how rural hospitals, health systems and their boards might deal with the immediate pressures and raise their gaze to pursue sustainability.

PLENARY SESSION: AHA Washington Update 
Tuesday, February 25 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Moderator: Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Political Affairs, American Hospital Association
Panelists: Travis Robey, Vice President, Political Affairs, American Hospital Association
Shannon Wu, PhD, Senior Associate Director of Payment Policy, American Hospital Association

Join American Hospital Association leaders for a discussion on the latest from Capitol Hill. Learn what policies Congress is considering and what it means for rural community hospitals.

Strengthening Rural Health through Board and Philanthropic Alignment
Monday, February 24 | 10:15 AM-11:15 AM

Mark Gordon, Senior Vice President and Regional President of the North and East Markets, Cone Health, Burlington, N.C.
Cindy Reynolds, Principal Consultant, Accordant 

This session explores how rural hospitals can thrive when hospital, community and foundation boards align toward shared goals. Through real-world examples from a critical access hospital and a larger rural hospital, participants will learn how addressing governance challenges — such as fiduciary duties, trust-building and board member selection — can foster stronger collaboration and community investment in health care.

Attendees will gain practical insights into improving board alignment, navigating governance issues and developing strategies to engage community leaders in supporting the future of rural hospitals. The session also highlights the financial benefits of health care philanthropy and its role in advancing key hospital initiatives.

Fast Track Onboarding for Maximum Board Engagement
Monday, February 24 | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Laura Orr, Founder & CEO, Forward Governance Consulting

Onboarding new hospital board members can be a lengthy process, but today’s health care environment demands that members be prepared to contribute effectively in a much shorter timeframe. Boards must be knowledgeable, agile, and fully engaged to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape, and delays in onboarding can impede critical decision-making and strategic initiatives. To address this, organizations need efficient onboarding strategies that accelerate board member readiness and engagement during their first year of service.

In this session, you’ll learn how to build a compelling case for the return on investment of an in-depth, fast-track onboarding program in year one. Participants will evaluate their current approach, identify areas for improvement, and explore the essential elements of an accelerated, high-impact onboarding process. By the end, you’ll have an actionable plan to enhance your organization’s onboarding, shorten the learning curve and increase board member engagement.

Decoding Dashboards: Harnessing Data and Rounding for Informed Decision-Making
Monday, February 24 | 3:30 PM-4:30 PM

Kristin Preihs, Senior Director of Clinical Quality & Funded Partnerships, American Hospital Association

In today's data-driven environment, hospital boards face the challenge of navigating complex dashboards and data to make informed decisions that improve patient care and operational efficiency. This session will equip board members with the knowledge and tools to decode dashboards, interpret key performance metrics and apply this data during hospital rounds. By mastering these tools, boards can drive quality improvements and strategic initiatives within their organizations. Participants will gain insights into best practices for data utilization, understand the essentials of interpreting and applying hospital dashboards and learn how to integrate data analysis into regular hospital rounding practices. The session will also explore methods for enhancing board-level decision-making and oversight, offering practical tips for improving care quality and operational efficiency through informed governance strategies.

Interactive Governance Clinic
Tuesday, February 25 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Jamie Orlikoff, President, Orlikoff & Associates, Inc., National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association, and health care governance expert

Bring your thorniest governance issues to one of the nation’s preeminent health care governance experts in this perennial favorite interactive session. You’ll gain practical solutions and proactive ideas for improving governance performance. This session will be very interactive and no issue is off the table, so come prepared to talk, to question and be challenged!

High-Reliability Principles in Behavioral Health: Lessons for Leaders and Trustees
Tuesday, February 25 | 2:30 PM-3:30 PM

Kelly J. Barton, MPH, FACHE, President, Behavioral Health, MaineHealth
Karen Simone, Director, Northern New England Poison Center; Board Chair, Behavioral Health, MaineHealth

As more and more people seek support at our nation’s hospitals and health systems for behavioral health concerns, the need for safe, high-quality behavioral health care services has never been greater. We may not always think of behavioral health units, outpatient clinics, or hospitals as the epicenter for patient harm events, but providers and administrators in these care settings are regularly faced with unique challenges in maintaining patient and care team safety that are not as common in other parts of the hospital.

This session will explore how high-reliability organization principles can transform behavioral health care. Whether your hospital is part of a larger system, an independent community hospital, or a critical access hospital, you’ll gain practical strategies to enhance safety and quality in your services and actionable steps to engage leadership and trustees in advancing high-reliability practices.

From Conflict to Collaboration: A Governance Transformation Story
Wednesday, February 26 | 8:00 AM-9:00 AM

Karma Bass, MPH, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Principal, Via Healthcare Consulting 
Jill Buhler, Chief Governance Officer, Jefferson Healthcare, Port Townsend, Wash.
Mike Glenn, Chief Executive Officer, Jefferson Healthcare, Port Townsend, Wash.

Hear how a Critical Access Hospital, once struggling with internal conflicts, ineffective governance and underperformance, transformed into a high-performing organization known for its quality care, financial stability and expanded services. This remarkable improvement was driven by the collaboration between the board chair and CEO, who turned a divided board into a cohesive leadership team, overcoming the challenges of operating in a close-knit community.

This session will explore the leadership skills, tools and strategies — such as board retreats and self-assessments — that made this turnaround possible. Participants will learn how to apply these approaches to strengthen governance, improve decision-making and drive organizational success in their settings.

Strategies for Rural Hospital Financial Stability and Sustainability
Wednesday, February 26 | 8:00 AM-9:00 AM

Kristen Dillon, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA, HHS
Keith Mueller, Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, College of Public Health at the University of Iowa
George Pink, Deputy Director, North Carolina Rural Health Research Program; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This session will explore the financial and operational challenges facing rural hospitals, including the latest research on hospital closures, conversions and value-based payment models. Experts will share insights on national trends and resources available to support hospital sustainability. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how their institutions compare nationally in terms of financial stability and value-based payment adoption. The session will also equip participants with the knowledge to effectively communicate with governance boards about trends affecting their hospitals and prepare for future opportunities and challenges.

Navigating Rural Health Care Governance as a New Board Member
Wednesday, February 26 | 9:15 AM-10:15 AM

J.J. Bujeaud, Board Member, North Country Healthcare, Whitefield, N.H.

This session is tailored for new board members with limited health care experience, providing practical guidance on navigating governance in rural health settings. You'll hear firsthand from a current board member on a similar path, sharing strategies for success.
Participants will learn to understand health care terminology and confidently contribute to board discussions. The session also provides tools for effective communication during meetings, fostering discussions that benefit the entire organization. Additionally, you’ll gain access to resources for ongoing self-education, enhancing your role and overall board effectiveness. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your responsibilities, strategies for overcoming obstacles and the confidence to make a meaningful impact on your board and organization.