• 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Building Resilience & Rapport: A Practical Workshop on Adverse Event Care & Motivational Interviewing
• Adrienne Mann, RN, BSN, Coleman Associates

This hands-on session blends adverse event care principles with motivational interviewing strategies to help health center staff build trust, reduce re-traumatization, and support behavior change. Designed for a cross-functional audience, this interactive workshop will provide foundational knowledge and real-time tools to transform patient and team communication.

• 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
• Revenue Ready: A Quick Start Guide to Billing, Coding, and Financial Success (Kansas FQHC Coding and Billing Guide)
• Maria Hensley, Community Care Network of Kansas

This session will introduce the Kansas Federally Qualified Health Center Clinical Services Coding and Billing Resource Guide (FHQC Resource Guide). This guide provides policy & procedural guidance on how to bill 3rd party payers for medical and behavioral health services provided. The FQHC Resource Guide is a training and resource tool for its members with the purpose of assisting FQHC billing and finance staff in understanding the credentialing, insurance coding, and billing process.

• 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• C-Suite Group: Building AI Readiness: From Use Cases to Organizational Policy
• Tatiana Lin, MA, KHI
• Aaron Davis, MPA, MBA, Wichita State University

AI is now part of many daily tools, making it essential to understand how to use it ethically and effectively. In this interactive session, presented by the Kansas Health Institute and Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, participants will explore practical ways AI supports everyday tasks, boosts efficiency, and improves work quality—especially in healthcare and public health.

Topics include examples of real-world AI use, how to create strong prompts, selecting tools, and building thoughtful organizational policies. Presenters will walk through applications like content creation and offer hands-on activities to guide responsible adoption.

• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
•  Heather Hicks, MSN, Community Care Network of Kansas

The HCCN will convene to collaborate and share their experiences, challenges and successes over the past two years across a variety of efforts and projects.  Meet with peers and share your experiences, gain perspectives and insight as we work together to improve health by leveraging Health IT and other tools.

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

• 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Communications/Marketing Group: Smart, Compliant, and Strategic: Navigating Digital Engagement for Community Clinics
• Jennifer Goetz, BFA, MA, Compass Marketing & Advertising Partners

In today’s healthcare landscape, digital engagement is no longer optional—it’s essential. But for community clinics working with limited staff and strict privacy regulations, navigating online reviews and outreach strategies can be overwhelming. This session will offer practical, actionable guidance for clinic staff responsible for communications and marketing. Attendees will learn how to respond to online reviews without violating HIPAA, how to measure the return on outreach and engagement efforts, and how to prioritize digital strategies that make the most impact with the least effort. Whether you're managing one social media account or overseeing a growing communications program, this session will leave you with the tools, templates, and confidence to engage smarter.

• 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• VBC Forum Session 3: Understanding Medicaid VBP Incentives and Measures & Overview of the Kansas Care Network
• Heidy Robertson-Cooper, MPA

This two-part session will provide both a practical overview of Medicaid value-based payment (VBP) measures in Kansas and an introduction to the Kansas Care Network (KCN), a growing clinically integrated network of community health centers.

• Part 1 – Understanding Medicaid VBP Measures: We’ll walk through the structure of current Kansas Medicaid pay-for-quality programs -breaking down common quality measures (like HEDIS), performance benchmarks, reporting timelines, and how incentive payments are tied to results. We’ll explore how incentives are structured and offer practical tips for aligning your workflows with your contract requirements. You’ll also get a first look at tools that can help simplify and manage multiple value-based payment arrangements.
• Part 2 – Kansas Care Network (KCN) Overview: We’ll introduce the purpose and structure of KCN, highlight its role in Medicaid VBP readiness and contracting, and discuss how participation supports shared infrastructure, learning, and future revenue opportunities. This portion is especially relevant for health centers exploring CIN participation in 2026 and beyond.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

• 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Join us for a time of celebration and reflection of the past year. We’ll provide updates from Community Care and recognize achievements of Network members.

• 5:00 PM

This is a great time to mingle with your peers and meet with Exhibitors!

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

• 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
• Robert Stiles, MPH, CEO of Community Care Network of Kansas

Join us for a special session featuring Community Care’s new CEO, Robert Stiles, MPH, who will provide an update on activities and the direction of and priorities for the association

• 8:45 AM – 9:30 AM
• Award Categories:
  • Unsung Hero or Advocate
  • Care Team Member
  • Community Leadership
  • Distinguished Service – Health Center Leadership
  • Distinguished Service – Board Member
  • Rising Star

Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of health center and clinic staff across the state. This year’s Awards of Excellence offered a meaningful opportunity to honor individuals who exemplify dedication, compassion, and leadership in community-based care.

Eligible nominees had to be employed by or serve on the board of a health center or clinic that is either:

1. An Organizational or Associate Member of the Community Care Network of Kansas, or
2. A recipient of the Community Based Primary Care Clinic (CBPCC) grant

Nominees had to demonstrate a deep commitment to their clinic’s mission and a proven track record of outstanding service to patients.

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM

• Nutrition as Care: Bridging Food Access and Health Outcomes
  • Elizabeth Burger, PhD, MBA, EMT, Sunflower Foundation
    Kristina Bridges, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Family Medicine & Community Health University of Kansas Medical Center
• Palliative Care—The Next Five Years: A Collective Commitment to Compassionate Care in Kansas
  • Douglas Neal, MPH, KDHE
  • Donna Yadrich, KUMC
    • In this session the presenters will review the Council published a 5-Year Palliative Care State Plan in 2024. They will outline four priority areas and recommendations to improve the care of Kansans with serious illness. Over the past year, the Council has worked to publicize those priority areas, build collaborative relationships with partners in the community, and engage legislative interest to move priorities forward.
• Integrated Clinical Leaders Group: Evolution of Integrated Care in Kansas
  • Carlie Houchen, MPH, Sunflower Foundation
    • This session will focus on updating attendees on activities in the state to support integrated care. Attendees will hear findings from recent key informant interviews across the state about ongoing perceived barriers to integrated care delivery, as well as opportunities to facilitate access to comprehensive, whole person care. Additionally, Sunflower Foundation will offer reflections from the Integrated Care Learning Network which launched in Topeka on September 17, 2025. The learning network is geared toward any Kansas health clinic interested in providing more integrated health services, looking for a starting point, or the opportunity to engage new staff, or reenergize existing staff. Following the network launch, virtual trainings on the Buildings Blocks of Integrated Care are planned to begin in October, with free continuing education credits available.
• Characteristics of High Performing Health Centers
  • Jeffrey Allen, CPA, Forvis Mazars
  • Ben Schmitz, CPA, Forvis Mazars
    • Sustainability is an important subject matter that seems to be top of mind for health center leaders.  However, some health centers are financially sound and thriving.  What kinds of decisions are they making that other health center leaders are not making?  What are the focus areas of financially successful health center leaders that maybe other health center leaders are missing?  We will discuss the characteristics of high performing health centers so all can learn from their sustainability practices.

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

• From the Unused Medication Repository to New Resources: Strengthening Pharmacy Assistance Programs
  • Anita Stanford, MSN, RN, Dispensary of Hope
  • Amber Beck, BSBA, Cairn Health
  • John Yost, PharmD, MBA, Pharmacy of Grace
    • This session highlights Dispensary of Hope, Pharmacy of Grace, and Cairn Health – three organizations expanding medication access for underserved populations. Learn how strategic pharmaceutical stewardship, charitable pharmacy models, and nonprofit care programs work together to reduce ER visits, eliminate financial barriers, and improve health outcomes and  highlights collaboration opportunities for greater reach and impact. 
• Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Impact on Your Health Center Operations
  • Arnel Mendoza, Healthcare IT, Consultant for Community Clinics
    • As Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms healthcare, understanding its operational and strategic implications is critical for leaders. This session provides a foundation in AI
      technologies, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and patient care. It also addresses workforce impacts, strategies for integration, and key considerations for ethical adoption, data privacy, and governance in health centers.
• Healthy Beginnings: Strengthening Maternal Care Across Kansas Communities
  • Katie Schoenhoff, UMHMF
  • Bryant Anderson, PrairieStar
  • Heidi Hartner, KDHE – DHCF
    • Kansas is at a pivotal moment in maternal health. With significant gaps in access to prenatal care, especially in rural areas—and mounting workforce challenges, this session is an opportunity to explore how Kansas is responding with innovation and urgency. Participants will gain insights into:
      • Recent data highlighting disparities in prenatal care access across Kansas counties.
      • The impact of CMS’s Transforming Maternal Health Model, which brings new funding and strategic direction to Kansas Medicaid.
      • Real-world examples from health centers and local collaboratives that are meeting maternal health needs through culturally responsive care, workforce development, and integrated services.
    • This session is designed for healthcare leaders, public health professionals, policymakers, and community advocates who are committed to improving maternal health outcomes in Kansas. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, partnership opportunities, and a deeper understanding of how federal, state, and local efforts are aligning to ensure every Kansas mother has access to safe, high-quality care—no matter where she lives.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

• 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
• Mobile Integrated Health: Unlocking Access Through Partnership & Innovation
• Wyatt Beckman, M.P.H.
  

In a rapidly changing policy and healthcare environment, mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) offers an innovative, collaborative model to increase access to care and support positive health outcomes. In this facilitated panel discussion, current challenges and opportunities for MIH will be explored, with special attention to the role and potential for partnerships with community health clinics and centers. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of MIH services, the policy factors shaping current MIH programs, and potential strategies for exploring collaborative MIH efforts in their own communities.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Aligning our Systems with the Science for Prevention and Healing
• Nadine Burke Harris, MD

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

7:45 AM – 8:30 AM

• 8:30 AM – 10:20 AM
• Morning Chat with State Agency Partners
• Secretary Janet Stanek
• Secretary Laura Howard
• Director Dayna Brinkman
• Director Christine Osterlund

Always a popular conference session! Hear the state’s priorities for improving access to high quality care for all Kansans and discover how they align with the priorities of community clinics.

10:20 AM – 10:50 AM

10:50 AM – 12:05 PM

• Delivering Value Through Patient-Centered Care: Leveraging Data and Partnerships to Improve Outcomes
  • Sarah Cannady, UpStream
  • Amelia Fox, B.A., Azara Healthcare
    • As health centers strive to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while navigating the demands of evolving payment models, strategic partnerships and data-driven approaches are essential. This session will explore how Upstream and Azara Healthcare are collaborating to support health centers in advancing equitable care delivery and performing competitively in programs like the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
    • Presenters will explore how clinical transformation efforts are strengthened by data-driven strategies. Attendees will learn how the integration of Upstream’s training and technical assistance with Azara’s DRVS platform enables health centers to identify opportunities, measure progress, and drive quality improvement using real-time, actionable data. Presenters will then connect these strategies to broader population health and value-based care goals, showing how the same data infrastructure supports performance in programs like MSSP and ACO participation.
    • Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to leverage clinical innovation, analytics, and cross-sector collaboration to improve outcomes, advance equity, and deliver value.
• Are You Ready? Preparing for APMs with Smart, Sustainable Operational Strategies 
  • Adrienne Mann, RN, BSN, Coleman Associates
    • In a value-based world, APM preparedness is not just a buzzword—it’s a strategic necessity. This session breaks down what APM readiness really looks like from an operational, financial, and leadership perspective. Using real-world examples and case studies, we’ll highlight the systems, workflows, and team culture that separate high-performing health centers from the rest.
• Resiliency - Learning to Handle Hard Better
  • Trey Burton, O’Shea Strengths Coaching
    • We all know that work and life are not always easy, so it is beneficial to do the best we can to manage the challenges and adversity we experience. That is why Resiliency is so important to us personally and professionally. It’s vital we have the ability to deal with high levels of challenge and disruption while maintaining high levels of effectiveness and well-being. This session will focus on strategies that can help you and the team you lead be more resilient at work and home.
• Kansas Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Update
  • Kendra Baldridge, LMSW, KDHE
  • Desiree Brown, KDHE
  • Amy Swanson, KDHE
    • This presentation will provide an overview of the programs offered through the Primary Care and Rural Health Office, with a focused introduction to the Community-Based Primary Care Clinic (CBPCC) program. Attendees will gain insight into the scope and purpose of these initiatives, their impact on communities with limited access to care, and how they support primary care access across Kansas. In addition, the presentation will introduce key staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Community Health Access team, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and support.

12:05 PM – 12:35 PM

• 12:35 PM – 2:00 PM
• Balancing on a Highwire Without a Net
• Colleen Meiman, MPPA, State Associations of Community Health Centers