When: September 22-24, 2026
Where: Arlington VA
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Agenda
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Civitas’ Annual Conference brings together leaders from across the country to discuss interoperability, data-driven quality improvement, social drivers of health, public health, community-led governance, and health outcomes. Civitas members serve as critical national infrastructure for health. Attendees come to build meaningful connections, strengthen partnerships, and leave with tangible strategies to advance their work.
Highlight on Rural Health at the Conference
Tuesday – 9/22
1. Rural EMS, Real-Time Beds, and Iowa’s HIE
Time: 2:00–2:45 PM
Speakers:
John Ehrhart, Informatics & EMS Director, Converge Health Iowa
Laura Young, Executive Director, Converge Health Iowa
A practical session on emergency medical services in rural settings, real‑time bed tracking, and statewide HIE coordination.
2. Don’t Build Pilots. Build Infrastructure for Sustainable Rural Health Transformation
Time: 4:15–5:00 PM
Speakers:
Sonia Chambers, Executive Director, West Virginia HIE
Megan Priolo, Executive Director, CRISP Maryland
This is the flagship rural health transformation session, focused on long‑term infrastructure rather than short-term projects.
3. Who Is the Patient? Getting Identity Right for Rural Health Transformation
Time: 4:15–5:00 PM
Speakers:
Joe Hickey, VP Sales & Provider Markets, Verato
Randy Farmer, President & CEO, VITL
This session tackles identity management challenges unique to rural populations, including fragmented records and cross‑system interoperability.
Wednesday – 9/23
Keynote: Advancing the Future of Rural Health
11:15 AM–12:00 PM
Carrie Cochran‑McClain, Chief Policy Officer, NRHA
Carrie will explore the current state of rural health in America and the critical work underway to strengthen health care access and outcomes in rural communities. Drawing on her leadership experience with the NRHA, Ms. Cochran-McClain will reflect on the organization’s longstanding efforts to advance rural health priorities, share her perspective on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), and discuss the opportunities it presents for meaningful change. She will offer a candid vision for the policies, partnerships, and investments needed to ensure lasting improvements in rural health and help communities thrive for generations to come.
Thursday – 9/24
Rural Health Workgroup Meeting (Open to All)
11:00–11:35 AM ET
Kate Sapra, Deputy Director, Office of Rural Health Transformation, CMS
Join the Civitas Rural Health Workgroup for a special conversation with Kate Sapra, Director of the CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT). Kate will share insights from the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), discuss early successes and challenges, and offer a look at priorities and opportunities ahead. This interactive session will include remarks from Kate followed by discussion and Q&A with workgroup members focused on advancing rural health transformation through data, collaboration, and community-centered innovation.