NDHA’s 2026 Leadership Conference
Date: April 1-2, 2026 | Bismarck, ND
NDHA Members: Registration fee for this conference is $275 for the 1st registrant, and $175 for each additional registrant. NDHA education vouchers can be applied. Each voucher has a value of $225. Contact Pam at pcook@ndha.org if you have questions about the vouchers.
Non-Members: Registration fee for this conference is $375 for the 1st registrant, and $275 for each additional registrant.
Hotel Accommodations:
A room block under ND Hospital Association is available for the night of 4/1/26 at the Radisson, 605 E. Broadway Ave, for $119+ tax per room. Call 701-255-6000 to make your reservations.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of this event:
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Lunch on your own.
12:15 p.m.
Check-in Desk Open | Bismarck Event Center
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Datasphere: Building the Intelligence Backbone for North Dakota Hospitals
Presented by: Aaron Brennan, NDHA | HSI
A strategic overview of NDHA’s statewide data platform providing hospital leaders with real time insight into financial performance, workforce pressures, utilization trends, and policy impact. DataSphere enhances decision making, strengthens benchmarking, and positions North Dakota hospitals to protect access and sustain long term success.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
When Every Role is Critical: Building A Culture That Survives Staffing Shortages and Turnover
Presented by: Jen Bertsch, Leadwell Consulting
In rural hospitals where a single vacancy can half a service line, this session examines how leadership alignment, clear communication norms, and psychological safety reduce disruption when teams are stretched thin.
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
The Modern Hospital Operations Blueprint: The Operating System Most Hospitals Are Missing
Presented by: Cory Geffre, EVP of Hospital Operations & CNO, Altru Health
Most hospitals don’t fail because of bad strategy. They fail because they try to optimize before they stabilize. This session introduces a modern operational blueprint (with tools) that fixes problems in the only order that actually works, beginning with staffing stability and decision clarity, then progressing toward sustainable performance. This blueprint has worked in hospitals of all sizes.
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Membership Mixer!
Join us for a relaxed evening at 5th Underground Theme Bar & Lounge following the conference. Unwind with colleagues, enjoy food and drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic available), and connect with our event sponsors in a casual, social setting. One block west of Radisson Hotel on Main Street & 5th Street (basement of Peacock Alley).
Thursday, April 2, 2026
7:00 a.m.
Registration Open | Breakfast
Bismarck Event Center
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
AHA Federal Update
Presented by Liz Summy, AHA
This session will provide an update on AHA legislative and regulatory priorities and an overview of key AHA initiatives including patient safety, workforce, and rural health care.
9:45 – 10:30 a.m.
State Legislative Update
Presented by Tim Blasl, President, and Melissa Hauer, VP/General Counsel, NDHA
This session will provide an overview of the important health care-related studies being conducted by legislative committees during the 2025-26 interim, key legislative priorities for the 2027 legislative session, and NDHA’s proposed Rural Health Transformation Program projects.
10:45 a.m. – Noon
Panel with State Legislators
Presented by Tim Blasl, President, NDHA
Panel members TBA.
This panel presentation is being provided to share information and discuss ideas for addressing healthcare issues, all with the aim of serving the needs of North Dakota communities.
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