Date:  June 9-10, 2025 | Bismarck, ND

Printable Agenda

Registration fee for this conference is $225 for the 1st registrant, and $175 for each additional registrant. NDHA education vouchers can be applied.

Hotel Accommodations:

A room block under NDHA/HSI is available at the Radisson, 605 E. Broadway Ave, for $99+ tax per room. Call 701-255-6000 to make your reservations.

Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of this event:

Monday, June 9, 2025

Lunch on your own.

12:30 p.m.
Check-in Desk Open | Bismarck Event Center | Meeting Room – Prairie Rose Room 104

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Legislative Update
Presented by: Tim Blasl, President, and Melissa Hauer, General Counsel/VP, NDHA

This session will provide an overview of health care-related bills that were introduced during the 2025 legislative session as well as legislative studies selected for the 2025-26 interim.

2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
AHA Washington Update
Presented by: Susan Doherty, AHA, VP for Field Engagement and Rural Health Services

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
People, People, People
Presented by: Cory Geffre, EVP of Hospital Operations & CNO, Altru Health

People are at the heart of what we do. We all know that, yet sometimes we struggle with exactly what to focus on in order to inspire and engage our people. In this session, Cory will share the 3 main focus areas and specific tactics in order to connect with our people and help achieve results.

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Suits & Scrubs
Presented by: Cory Geffre, EVP of Hospital Operations & CNO, Altru Health

Communication is a top leadership challenge. Let’s be honest, no one wants to attend another communication presentation. Yet, understanding one of the largest overlooked barriers to communication could prove valuable to leaders. The divide between leadership and the frontlines (or Suits and Scrubs) is one worth exploring. In this session, learn how to connect the dots of communication, decision making, and the understanding between healthcare administration/leadership, providers, and frontline staff.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Event Sponsor Social with cash bar and hors d’oeuvres
Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel, 605 E. Broadway Ave, Bismarck, ND

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

7:30 a.m.
Registration Open | Breakfast
Bismarck Event Center

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
DataSphere powered by NDHA: A Vision to Transform Healthcare through Data
Presented by Aaron Brennan, NDHA, and Craig Lambrecht

Health care in North Dakota is at a turning point. Rising costs and mounting financial strain on hospitals—especially Critical Access Hospitals—underscore the urgent need for greater efficiency and smarter resource allocation. At the same time, patients expect better outcomes and more value for their health care dollars. With the collective strength of its membership, NDHA has a transformative opportunity to establish North Dakota as a national leader in data-driven health care. By becoming the central hub for hospital data across the state, NDHA will build a secure, AI-enhanced data ecosystem that turns raw information into actionable insights, empowering hospitals to benchmark performance, streamline operations, and elevate quality of care.

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Panel – ND State Legislators
Moderated by Tim Blasl & Melissa Hauer, NDHA

This state legislative panel presentation will provide attendees with in-depth insight into the 2025 legislative session as it relates to issues facing health care providers in North Dakota. Confirmed panelists include legislative health care leaders Sen. Judy Lee (R-Dist. 13), Sen. Sean Cleary (R-Dist. 35), Rep. Jon Nelson (R-Dist.14), and Rep. Daniel Vollmer (R-Dist. 6).

11:00 a.m. – Noon
CAH Financial Report
Presented by Tim Blasl, President, NDHA

This session will review the results of the most recent financial analysis of North Dakota Critical Access Hospitals. The presentation will highlight changes over the past several years of the study and provide a comparison of revenue, contractual, and expense trends.