Pre-Conference Day (Sept. 21)

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Registration

8:30-11:30 a.m.
ACHE In-Person Education – Strategic AI Implementation for Healthcare Leaders:  Transformation Care Delivery and Operations
Attila J. Hertelendy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Business, Florida International University
In this seminar, you’ll be equipped with the strategic knowledge and practical frameworks needed to successfully evaluate, implement and govern artificial intelligence initiatives within your organization. Designed specifically for hospital executives and health system leaders, the course addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in healthcare settings, from clinical decision support to operational efficiency. You will learn to navigate regulatory requirements, build organizational readiness and develop sustainable AI strategies that improve patient outcomes while ensuring responsible implementation. Through case studies, group exercises and peer discussions, you will gain the confidence and tools necessary to lead your organization through the AI transformation in healthcare.
*Requires additional registration fee

12-1 p.m.
Pre-Conference Lunch

2-4 p.m.
THA Stakeholder and Partner Reception

Main Conference Day One (Sept. 22)

8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Registration

8-9 a.m.
Networking Breakfast

9-10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
Telling the Hospital Story – The Foundation of Effective Advocacy
Jenifer Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies
Before hospitals can advocate effectively, they must first be clearly understood. In an increasingly complex and polarized environment, telling a consistent, mission-driven story is essential to building trust with communities, policymakers, and stakeholders. This session explores how hospitals can strengthen their narrative—what to say, what not to say, and how disciplined communication lays the groundwork for meaningful influence. Attendees will gain insights into aligning messaging with mission, avoiding reactive communication pitfalls, and empowering leaders and stakeholders to reinforce a clear, compelling hospital story that resonates where it matters most.

10:15-11 a.m.
Networking Break

11 a.m.-Noon
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

• Hospitals in Action: Telling Your Story
  Elaine Bennett, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation; Chris Bryan, Vice President of Information Technology and Public Policy, Clarity Child Guidance Center, San Antonio; additional panelist coming soon
• AI + Healthcare Communications
  Michael Mackert, Ph.D., Director, Center for Health Communication, Moody College of Communication & Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin
• Joint Commission Hot Topics – Accreditation 360 One Year Later
  Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, Chief Nursing Executive and Executive Vice President, Accreditation and Certification Operations, Joint Commission
• Legal Hot Topics – Tort and Liability
  Brian Jackson, J.D., Co-Founding Partner, Jackson & Carter, PLLC, Austin; additional panelists coming soon

Noon-1:30 p.m.
THA Awards Luncheon
Fireside Chat with Rick Pollack, President and CEO American Hospital Association

1:30-2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions 

• Building a Better Relationship with Your Board
  Chris Benson, Managing Director, Juniper Advisory, Phoenix, AZ; and Todd Linden, MA, FACHE, Partner, Linden Consulting, Iowa
• Behavioral Health – Community Collaboration
  Member hospital panel
• Live-Audience Podcast Experience: Texas Talks
  Panel moderated by Bradley Swail, Executive Producer for Pipeline Studios, Founder of CYN Consulting, Media Director for Searle Strategies, Podcast host/producer, radio host
• What Comes Next: Designing Business Models for a Changing Healthcare Environment
  Leslie Wainwright, Ph.D., Partner and Senior Strategist, Do Tank, Chicago

2:30-3:15 p.m.
Networking Break

3:15-4:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

• Strategy is Not a Retreat: Leading the Future While Delivering Today
  Craig Deao, Managing Director, Huron
• Behavioral Health – Continuum of Care
• Nursing Leadership – AI in Nursing
  Amy McCarthy, DMP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CEMP, Chief Nursing Officer, Hippocratic AI
• Beyond Benchmarking: Payer and Provider Price Transparency Data Usage Strategies
  Alicia Faust, Principal; and Beth Mullins, Principal, Forvis Mazars

4:30-5:30 p.m.
Afternoon General Session

5:30-6:30 p.m.
Welcome to Fort Worth Reception

Main Conference Day Two (Sept. 23)

8-11:30 a.m.
Registration

8-9 a.m.
Networking Breakfast

8-9 a.m.
Leadership Fellows Alumni Breakfast (Invitation Only)

9-10 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

• Nurse Leadership – Workplace Violence
• Hospital Finance – Medicaid Update
  Anna Stelter, Vice President of Policy, Texas Hospital Association, Austin
• Legislative Update – Preview of the 90th Texas Legislature
  Carrie Kroll, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy; William Holleman, Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy; Benjamin Williams, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy
• Leadership Fellows Capstone Presentations

10:15-11:30 a.m.
Closing General Session
What’s Your Pink Cadillac?
Ryan Campbell, Founder of the JoyAudit and one of the world’s leading mental health and resilience keynote speakers
Despite record investment in workplace wellness, burnout, disengagement, and disconnection are only rising. We’re spinning our wheels chasing balance instead of prioritizing what actually fuels performance: joy. Ryan Campbell, the youngest person to fly solo around the world, learned this firsthand after a plane crash left him with a paraplegic diagnosis and an unlikely muse: a 1960 Pink Cadillac named Flo. Through his JoyAudit™ framework, Ryan makes a counterintuitive, research-backed case for why joy isn’t a “nice to have” but the most powerful driver of resilience, wellbeing, and results.

Main Conference Day One (Sept. 22)

9-10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
Telling the Hospital Story – The Foundation of Effective Advocacy
Jenifer Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies
Before hospitals can advocate effectively, they must first be clearly understood. In an increasingly complex and polarized environment, telling a consistent, mission-driven story is essential to building trust with communities, policymakers, and stakeholders. This session explores how hospitals can strengthen their narrative—what to say, what not to say, and how disciplined communication lays the groundwork for meaningful influence. Attendees will gain insights into aligning messaging with mission, avoiding reactive communication pitfalls, and empowering leaders and stakeholders to reinforce a clear, compelling hospital story that resonates where it matters most.

11 a.m.-Noon
Legal Hot Topics – Tort and Liability
Brian Jackson, J.D., Co-Founding Partner, Jackson & Carter, PLLC, Austin; additional panelists coming soon

Noon-1:30 p.m.
THA Awards Luncheon
Fireside Chat with Rick Pollack, President and CEO American Hospital Association

1:30-2:30 p.m.
What Comes Next: Designing Business Models for a Changing Healthcare Environment
Leslie Wainwright, Ph.D., Partner and Senior Strategist, Do Tank, Chicago

3:15-4:15 p.m.
Beyond Benchmarking: Payer and Provider Price Transparency Data Usage Strategies
Alicia Faust, Principal; and Beth Mullins, Principal, Forvis Mazars

4:30-5:30 p.m.
Afternoon General Session

Main Conference Day Two (Sept. 23)

9-10 a.m.
Hospital Finance – Medicaid Update
Anna Stelter, Vice President of Policy, Texas Hospital Association, Austin

10:15-11:30 a.m.
Closing General Session
What’s Your Pink Cadillac?
Ryan Campbell, Founder of the JoyAudit and one of the world’s leading mental health and resilience keynote speakers
Despite record investment in workplace wellness, burnout, disengagement, and disconnection are only rising. We’re spinning our wheels chasing balance instead of prioritizing what actually fuels performance: joy. Ryan Campbell, the youngest person to fly solo around the world, learned this firsthand after a plane crash left him with a paraplegic diagnosis and an unlikely muse: a 1960 Pink Cadillac named Flo. Through his JoyAudit™ framework, Ryan makes a counterintuitive, research-backed case for why joy isn’t a “nice to have” but the most powerful driver of resilience, wellbeing, and results.