Improving the health of rural Kentuckians.
Join rural health leaders, partners, educators, students, and advocates from across Kentucky for two days of learning, networking, and collaboration focused on improving rural health.
Registration is Now Open
Join rural health professionals, healthcare leaders, educators, students, and community partners from across Kentucky for two days of education, networking, and collaboration at the 2026 KRHA Annual Conference.
Register TodayWhy Attend
Connect
Build relationships with rural health leaders, partners, students, educators, and advocates from across Kentucky.
Learn
Explore timely rural health topics, practical strategies, and real-world approaches that support Kentucky communities.
Engage
Participate in conference programming designed for rural health professionals, community partners, and future leaders.
Draft Agenda Preview
The 2026 KRHA Annual Conference agenda is taking shape. The draft schedule below currently reflects the Main Conference Track. Additional conference information, including the Student Track, will be added as details are finalized.
Main Conference Track
Day 1 – Thursday, November 19, 2026
| Time | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Knicely West Lobby Atrium | Registration, Networking, and Silent Auction Open |
| 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Main Ballroom | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM | Main Ballroom |
Conference Welcome LeAndre Knox, KRHA Executive Director National Rural Health Day Proclamation – Mace Baker, Interim Director, UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Main Ballroom |
Rural Health Policy Update Zil Joyce Dixon Romero, State Government Affairs Manager, National Rural Health Association |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Main Ballroom |
Kentucky Medicaid Update Lisa Lee, Commissioner for the Department of Medicaid Services |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Networking Break | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: Practice Transformation – What Does That Mean?
Charles James, North American HMS
Breakout #2: Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Rural Individuals with Disabilities
Keisha Wells & Patrick Kitzman, UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health / ACAT |
| 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Main Ballroom |
Lunch + Awards Dan Martin Leadership Award Ernie Scott Leadership Award KRHA Legislative Advocate of the Year Kentucky Office of Rural Health Community Star Award Student Chapter Scholarship Awards |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: From Overwhelmed to Ahead: A Practical Framework for AI-Assisted Compliance in RHCs
Tonne McCoy, Rural Health Advisory
Breakout #2: Advancing Lung Cancer Screening in Rural Kentucky: A Statewide Public Health Approach to Early Detection
Michelle Heil, American Cancer Society |
| 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Networking Break | |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: RHC Compliance Essentials: Moving Beyond Survey Survival to a Culture of Operational Excellence
Tawnya Brock, AdventHealth Manchester / QUAD A
Breakout #2: Cancer Control Efforts in Rural Kentucky – Prevention, Screening and Survivorship
Jaime Daniel, Kentucky Cancer Program |
| 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Networking / Transition Break | |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: Elevating Revenue Cycle Performance: How Leadership Alignment Drives Cash Collections
Ryan Breneman, Stroudwater
Breakout #2: Movement as Medicine: Rural Health’s Role for the Medicare Population
Pete Fronte, Altura |
Day 2 – Friday, November 20, 2026
| Time | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Knicely Center West Lobby Atrium | Registration and Networking |
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Main Ballroom | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM | Main Ballroom |
Final Welcome + Announcement of Silent Auction Winners Amanda Dennison, KRHA Immediate Past President |
| 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM | Main Ballroom | Rural Health Transformation Program |
| 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Networking / Transition Break | |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: Rural Health Rising: How Kentucky Could Become the National Model for Rural Integration
John Wadsworth, REDi Health
Breakout #2: Mobile Integrated Health: What Is It and How Can It Help Kentucky?
Scott Helle, Kentucky Office of Rural Health |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Networking / Transition Break | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: Building the Rural Health Workforce of Tomorrow: HealthForce Kentucky's Approach to Sustainable Workforce Development
Bruce Williams, HealthForce Kentucky
Breakout #2: Session Details Coming Soon
|
Student Track
Student Track sessions and activities are currently being finalized. The draft Student Track agenda will be posted as conference details are confirmed.
Exhibitor Registration Is Open
Connect with rural health professionals, healthcare leaders, educators, and community partners from across Kentucky at the 2026 KRHA Annual Conference.
Exhibitor Registration Includes
- One exhibit table
- Access to scheduled conference networking periods
Exhibitor representative registration and staffing information will be provided separately through the registration process.
Annual Association Sponsors: If exhibit space is included with your sponsorship, please use your sponsor registration instructions rather than purchasing a separate exhibitor registration.
Questions? Contact krhaadmin@kentuckyruralhealth.org .
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
New for 2026: KRHA is offering a limited number of conference-specific sponsorship opportunities for organizations interested in increasing visibility during the annual conference.
The opportunities listed below are specific to the 2026 KRHA Annual Conference and are purchased through the conference event page.
Add-on requirement: Conference-specific sponsorships are add-on opportunities and are not available as standalone purchases. Organizations must also participate as a 2026 Association Sponsor or Conference Exhibitor.
Title Conference Sponsor
$5,000
Limited Availability
Recognition as Title Conference Sponsor in relevant conference materials and on the slideshow in the main conference room.
Conference Meal Sponsor
$2,500
3 Available
Sign recognition with company name and logo during the sponsored meal. Meal sponsorships are limited and selected in order of payment.
Conference Bag Sponsor
$2,500
Limited Availability
Company logo placed on conference bags distributed to attendees at the annual conference. Available until October 15 to allow time for production and shipping.
Conference Lanyard Sponsor
$2,500
Limited Availability
Company logo placed on conference lanyards distributed to attendees at the annual conference. Available until October 15 to allow time for production and shipping.
How to purchase: After registering as a 2026 Association Sponsor or Conference Exhibitor, select the Title, Meal, Bag, or Lanyard sponsorship add-on through the conference event page using the button below.
Conference-specific sponsorship opportunities are limited. Availability is first-come, first-served and based on completed registration and payment.
Questions? Contact krhaadmin@kentuckyruralhealth.org .
Conference Information
Use the information below to register, plan your stay, and prepare for the 2026 KRHA Annual Conference in Bowling Green.
Conference App
The conference app will include schedule updates, speaker information, exhibitor details, reminders, and event policies.
Access information will be shared with registered attendees closer to the conference.
Hotel Accommodations
A special KRHA Annual Conference room block is available through Marriott for attendees.
Hotel Options:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Bowling Green
TownePlace Suites Bowling Green
Group Rate: $104 per night
Reserve By: October 28, 2026
Location & Parking
The 2026 KRHA Annual Conference will be held at the WKU Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Venue:
WKU Knicely Conference Center
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Questions?
Contact krhaadmin@kentuckyruralhealth.org for conference-related questions.
