2025 Mid-South Critical Access & Rural Hospital Conference: Agenda
Wednesday, August 20
5:00 – 7:00 PM (ET)
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Historical/Ghost Tour (optional)
Step back in time as you explore the storied halls of the Seelbach Hilton, Louisville’s Grand Hotel. On this guided tour, you’ll uncover the glamorous past that attracted presidents, gangsters, and literary legends—and hear the chilling tales of the spirits that may still linger. From Prohibition-era secrets to the mysterious “Lady in Blue,” this unforgettable experience blends history and hauntings in one of America’s most iconic hotels.
Thursday, August 21
7:00 a.m. (ET)
Registration and Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Welcome
Nancy Galvagni
President/CEO
Kentucky Hospital Association
8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
National Rural Health Association Update
Brock Slabach, MPH, FACHE
Chief Operations Officer
National Rural Health Association
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Rural Health Care Update Video
American Hospital Association
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
DJ Sullivan
Chief Growth and Delivery Officer
HSG Advisors
Hospitals and health systems must proactively plan for the future and develop actionable strategies to address key priorities for growth, including medical staff development, successful planning, and provider recruitment. However many organizations do not have the outpatient and ambulatory-focused metrics to help shape their view of their strategic needs and size recruitment plans appropriately. This session will provide insights into building a provider workforce capable of supporting organizational growth and meeting evolving community needs.
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Break with Sponsors
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Elizabeth Morgan Burrows, JD
Principal
Burrows Consulting LLC
This session walks participant through the essential steps of successful grant writing, from defining your “why” and what makes your organization unique to developing a grant plan and managing award funds. Attendees will learn how to find funding, gather the right information, craft compelling narratives, and outline strong proposals.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch with Sponsors
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Medicare Advantage – Should I Sign a New Agreement? Do I Need the Ones I Have?
Michael Montgomery, HIA
Manager
Blue & Co., LLC
This presentation is designed to give participants a quick overview of the history of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program as it exists today and will follow with a brief review of the primary shortcomings of existing MA contracts, both in terms of the contractual language and the contractual rate reimbursement. Speakers will examine the risks of maintaining existing MA contracts vs. the risk of terminating those agreements, the consequences of both choices, and how to ensure a relatively smooth transition for the community in the event of a termination.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Snack Break with Sponsors
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Key Developments in the 340B Drug Discount Program
William Newton
Associate Editor/Senior Writer
340B Report
The session will discuss the latest federal and state developments affecting the 340B program, including state contract pharmacy access laws, provider reporting requirements, and related litigation between pharmaceutical manufactures and the states. It will also cover federal legislative and regulatory activity, along with the growing controversy over drug industry efforts to replace upfront 340B discounts with post-purchase rebate models.
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Culture CPR: Administer Immediately to Invigorate Culture and Boost Employee Retention
Jeff Whitehorn
Founder/Chief Executive Officer
Whitehorn Coaching & Consulting, LLC
This session will reveal the three critical strategies of “Culture CPR” in order to help leaders know where to focus their time, energy, and resources to discover specific action steps that leaders can take to improve their culture and reduce employee turnover. Attendees will obtain proven ideas that are working for to improve organizational culture and increase employee retention.
4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Wrap Up
Friday, August 22
7:00 a.m. (ET)
Registration & Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Rural Healthcare – Collectively Holding Payers Accountable
Travis Gentry
Chief Executive Officer
Hyve Health
The only way to hold payers accountable is together. The Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee Hospital Associations have united in a common cause to gather 837/claims and 835/remits to help hospitals identify and quantifiable prove payer behavior. Providers need to transition from defense to offense!
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Networking Break with Sponsors
9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
ACHE Key Financial Principles for the Nonfinancial Healthcare Executive
3.0 ACHE In-Person Credits
Charmaine Spence Rochester, DHA, CPA, FACHE
Chief Financial Officer
University of Cincinnati Health System
Even non-financial healthcare executives need to have a strong financial grounding to thrive in today’s challenging and ever-evolving economic climate. During this seminar, expert faculty will help you delve into the core financial principles every executive should know to make a positive impact on an organization’s financial performance. You also will gain a deeper understanding of how to converse and work with finance leaders. The information covered will help boost your confidence with making financial decisions, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of the finance-related knowledge you need to lead a well-managed healthcare organization today.
12:00 p.m.
Wrap-up & Grab n’ Go Lunches
