The 2026 Nebraska Community Health Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th and Thursday, September 17th, 2026 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, NE.
Conference registration is now open! However, the 2026 Nebraska Community Health Conference is by invitation only to health center leadership, collaborative partners, exhibitors, and event sponsors. Please reach out to Jenna Thomsen, Director of Strategy & Development, at jlt@hcanebraska.org with questions or for the direct link to register.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln
1040 P St
Lincoln, NE 68508
Attendees are welcome to book guest rooms in the HCAN room block and receive the guest room rate of $134/night plus applicable tax. Click here to book your reservation under HCAN’s room block. The room block will be open until Wednesday, August 26th, 2026 or until rooms sell out.
DAY 1 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
9:00-4:00PM
HCAN BOARD MEETING
CLOSED SESSION
Executive Boardroom
9:00-4:00PM
DRIVING RESULTS THROUGH INFLUENCE, ALIGNMENT, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS
Tammy Rogers | Founder & CEO
Jenn Peterson | Solutions Advisor
BecomeMore Group
This session will equip non-CEO health center leaders with methodologies to initiate conversations, explore diverse ideas, disagree without being disagreeable, self-manage in conflict, and to listen for what’s right in others’ ideas. Attendees will also discover how to best work with their boss and their peers, overcoming any existing or perceived power dynamics, in preparation for Day 2’s facilitated strategic action planning workshop.
Intended Audience: All health center senior leaders, outside of the CEOs
SHRM Continuing Education Credits Available
Masters Room
6:00-8:00PM
WELCOME RECEPTION
Atrium
DAY 2 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
EXHIBITOR HALL OPEN FROM 7:30AM – 4:00PM IN ROOM REGENTS BC
8:00-8:45AM
REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Regents BC
8:45-9:00AM
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Amy R. Behnke, JD | CEO
Health Center Association of Nebraska
Regents BC
9:00-10:30AM
MEETING THE MOMENT: STRATEGIES FOR TODAY’S HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE
Warren Brodine | Managing Director, Finance and Operations
Health Management Associates
Molly Evans, JD | Principal
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
Ben Schmitz | Director (Audit)
Forvis Mazars
Bob Siggins | Senior Policy Advisor
Alston & Bird
Community health centers are navigating a period defined by rapid change, persistent workforce strain, shifting payor mixes, and ongoing financial pressure. This panel brings together diverse voices from across the healthcare ecosystem to address today’s most pressing challenges and how systems are adapting in the moment. This conversation will highlight real-world examples, actionable insights, and a clearer understanding of where healthcare is headed to encourage forward-thinking and equip attendees with ideas for application.
Intended Audience: All health center senior leaders
Regents BC
10:30-11:00AM
BREAK & NETWORK WITH EXHIBITORS
Thank you to Azara Healthcare for sponsoring today’s coffee service!
Regents DEF
11:00-12:00PM
NAVIGATING CHANGE AND DEVELOPING AN ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION PLAN IN TODAY’S ENVIRONMENT: A HANDS-ON FACILITATED WORKSHOP (PART 1)
Melissa Stratman | CEO
Sharae Huff | COO
Coleman Associates
Attendees will begin their day gaining an understanding of the biggest operational, financial, workforce, clinical, and leadership pressures affecting Nebraska’s health centers. The 2026 annual conference, in direct response to board feedback, will provide opportunities for peer conversations and workgroup connections. This facilitative approach will guide health center leadership through role-based and health center-based discussion and action planning. Attendees will develop and leave with top organizational priorities and a concrete pathway forward for their leadership team amidst the ongoing change. Follow-up technical assistance will be provided to aid health centers as they work to transition priorities into action.
Intended Audience: All health center senior leaders
Regents BC
12:00-1:00PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
Regents BC
1:00-4:00PM
NAVIGATING CHANGE AND DEVELOPING AN ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION PLAN IN TODAY’S ENVIRONMENT: A HANDS-ON FACILITATED WORKSHOP (PART 2)
Melissa Stratman | CEO
Sharae Huff | COO
Coleman Associates
Attendees will begin their day gaining an understanding of the biggest operational, financial, workforce, clinical, and leadership pressures affecting Nebraska’s health centers. The 2026 annual conference, in direct response to board feedback, will provide opportunities for peer conversations and workgroup connections. This facilitative approach will guide health center leadership through role-based and health center-based discussion and action planning. Attendees will develop and leave with top organizational priorities and a concrete pathway forward for their leadership team amidst the ongoing change. Follow-up technical assistance will be provided to aid health centers as they work to transition priorities into action.
Intended Audience: All health center senior leaders
Thank you to VedaPoint for sponsoring today’s afternoon beverages!
Regents BC
4:00-4:15PM
CLOSING REMARKS
Jenna Thomsen, MA | Director of Strategy & Development
Health Center Association of Nebraska
Regents BC
Coleman Associates is excited to offer continuing education opportunities as part of this year’s conference experience. Coleman Associates is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Continuing education credits are anticipated for the following professions: Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Dentists, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for other healthcare and administrative professionals.