Advocacy at a Crossroads

Health care advocacy is changing. Are we ready for what comes next?

Health care advocates are navigating increasingly complex health systems, growing patient needs, workforce challenges, technological change, access and equity concerns, and rising emotional demands. At the same time, the profession continues to expand its influence and define its future.

Join advocates from across practice settings for a focused day of education, discussion, and practical strategies. Together, we will examine where health care advocacy stands today, address emerging challenges, and participate in conversations helping to shape the profession’s future.

Conference Agenda

All times are Eastern.

11:00–11:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks

CHCAO Leadership

State of the Coalition and conference overview

11:15–11:30 a.m. | Advocacy at a Crossroads: Where We Are and Where We Are Going

Heidi B. Kummer, MD, MPH, BCPA

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | The Current State of Health Care Advocacy

Challenges, Opportunities, and Emerging Trends

Panelists: Melissa Williams, MPH; Michelle Riddle, BCPA; and Deb Gordon, MBA, BCPA

Moderator: Heidi B. Kummer, MD, MPH, BCPA

1:00–1:30 p.m. | Break and Networking

Optional networking rooms for independent advocates, hospital-based advocates, new advocates, and specialized advocacy areas.

1:30–2:30 p.m. | Caught in the Middle: The Advocate as Conflict Navigator

Speaker: Malynnda Stewart, PhD, BCPA

Moderator: Danielle Marshall

2:30–3:30 p.m. | Special Topic Breakout Sessions

Room A: Growing in the Profession

Speakers: Ann Marie McIllwain, BCPA, and Nan Wetherhorn, BCPA

Room Captain: Beth Droppert, RN, BSN

Room B: Solo Aging

Speaker: Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA

Room Captain: Carey Kempton

Room C: Building Client Rapport in the Virtual Environment

Speaker: Rebecca Green, BCPA

Room Captain: Nancy Taylor, PharmD, BCPA, CSA

3:30–4:00 p.m. | Breakout Session Recap

Highlights and discussion shared with the full group.

Moderator: Malynnda Stewart, PhD, BCPA

4:00–5:00 p.m. | AI in Advocacy: Lessons from the Front Lines

Speakers: Neal Modi and two advocates from his team

Moderator: TBD

Continuing Education and Recordings

5 CEs are available to participants who attend the live conference.

Main sessions will be recorded and made available to registered participants through the HealthAdvocateX Classroom. CEs will not be awarded for viewing the on-demand recordings.

Breakout sessions will not be recorded.