Future of Health Care Conference 2026

Health system leaders are navigating one of the most challenging environments in decades -- persistent operating losses, workforce shortages, and rising expectations for access and affordability. This panel brings together leaders to discuss how they are balancing financial sustainability with mission, where they are placing strategic bets, and what must change over the next five years. Expect a candid conversation about what is working, what is not, and what leadership looks like in a reset environment

• Ken Holman, CEO, CentraCare
• Tommy Ibrahim, EVP, Chief Transformation Officer, Sanford Health
• David Herman, CEO, Essentia

Demand for behavioral health services continues to outpace capacity, while providers face workforce shortages, funding gaps, and fragmented care models. This session moves beyond awareness to focus on execution -- what it actually takes to build a sustainable behavioral health system. Panelists will share real-world approaches to expanding access, stabilizing the workforce, and aligning financial incentives to support long-term impact.

Moderator: Colleen Lorenz, Chief Operating Officer, Lorenz Clinic of Family Psychology

• Joe Lee, CEO, Hazelden
• Francie Broghammer, Medical Director, Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment
• Craig Warren, CEO, Washburn Center for Children
• Andy Kelly, Senior Vice President, Provider Solutions, Whole Health Solutions, Optum

Independent physician groups are under increasing pressure from consolidation, reimbursement challenges, and rising operating costs. Yet many continue to thrive. This panel explores the strategic choices facing physician leaders today -- remaining independent, partnering, or integrating into larger systems. Discussion will focus on governance, capital access, operational scale, and how AI and technology may reshape the playing field.

Moderator: Ryan Johnson

• Scott Ketover, President and CEO, MNGI
• Susan Truman, President and CEO, Midwest Radiology
• Rob Thomas, President and CEO, Emergency Physicians Professional Association
• Troy Simonson, CEO, Proliance Surgeons

Health care is sitting on vast amounts of data -- but turning that data into actionable insight remains a challenge. This fireside chat will explore how AI and advanced analytics are reshaping care delivery, operations, and decision-making. The conversation will focus on practical implementation: where organizations are seeing real value, where challenges remain, and what leaders must do today to build the health system of tomorrow.

• Abhinav Shashank, CEO, Innovaccer
• David Johnson, CEO, 4sight Health

AI is everywhere in health care conversations -- but where is it actually delivering results? This panel brings together leaders working on the front lines of implementation to separate signal from noise. Topics will include use cases with measurable impact, operational challenges, governance and risk, and how organizations can move from pilots to scaled deployment. The focus is clear: what works, what doesnt, and what's next.

Moderator: Blake Darsow, CFO, Midwest Radiology

• Brenton Hill, Head of Operations and General Counsel, Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)
• Maureen Prunty, Administrator, Automation & Practice Innovation and Excellence (PIE), Mayo

The future of health care will depend on stronger collaboration between academic medicine, industry, and care delivery organizations. This keynote explores how breaking down traditional silos can accelerate innovation, improve outcomes, and create new models of care. The discussion will highlight the role of leadership, partnerships, and bold thinking in addressing some of health care's most complex challenges.

Introduction: Dinesh Bande

• Margaret Mary Wilson, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, UHG
• Marjorie Jenkins, Dean and Vice President of Health Affairs, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences