2025 HQI and Hospital Council Annual Conference

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Insights on Federal Health Care Policy Direction
Harold Ford Jr.

Harold Ford Jr., the former five-term Tennessee Congressman, co-host of FNC’s The Five, frequent contributor to Special Report with Bret Baier, and regular guest on networks like NBC’s Meet the Press, MSNBC, CNN, and CNBC brings his commentary to our stage in this can’t-miss opening keynote. His unique background and thought-provoking insights will help you prepare for federally mandated health care changes and other challenges facing hospital operations.

2:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Impacts of Pending Federal Legislation on Hospitals
Anne O’Rourke, Senior Vice President, Federal Relations, California Hospital Association

Hear from the head of CHA’s Washington, DC office as she shares insights on some of the biggest federal legislative changes about to impact hospitals and key issues on her radar that might not be on yours. See how recent administration and congressional actions could shape hospital finance and operations, and get answers to the critical question, “What’s next?”

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Break and Exhibitor Viewing

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | How State Legislation May Effect Hospital Operations
Kathryn A. Scott, Senior Vice President, State Relations and Advocacy, California Hospital Association (moderator), Panelists TBD

Join this CEO-panel discussion for a better understanding of the state-level legislative and budgetary challenges facing California hospitals. This session will feature updates on CHA’s advocacy efforts, share how hospital leaders are preparing for impending cuts to key health programs, and highlight strategies for delivering high-quality patient care in uncertain times.

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Reception

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast, Networking and Exhibitor Viewing

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Opening Keynote | Patient Safety in the Era of Unknowns
Robert Imhoff, President, Hospital Quality Institute (HQI)

As efforts to elevate patient safety face new policy and budgetary challenges, HQI remains at the forefront of analyzing data and preparing hospitals to drive quality and improve patient outcomes. Get high-level insights on the current state of the health care workforce and associated patient safety implications. Hear how to leverage data to implement preventive measures that protect lives and reduce readmissions. See where the greatest opportunities to improve patient safety lie, understand how to align available resources with emerging best practices, and even learn how to reduce the strain of complying with reporting requirements. Don’t miss this primer on how to prepare for what’s next in patient safety.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Break and Exhibitor Viewing

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | General Session | Redesigning Care: A Strategic Nursing Framework for Health System Leaders
Dr. Eileen Gillespie, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Amid shifting federal policies and rising demands on care delivery, this session introduces a scalable nursing leadership framework to help health system leaders plan for what’s next. Grounded in patient outcomes and adaptable to emerging regulations and technologies, the model outlines five strategic pillars—from top-of-license practice to workforce resilience—that support sustainable, team-based care. Attendees will explore how nursing-led approaches can drive system-wide transformation in a rapidly changing health care landscape.

11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Pass Through

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Concurrent Breakout Sessions (choose one)

1. Hospital Finance – Nurse Leader Essentials
   Adam Dorsey, Group Vice President, Financial Policy, California Hospital Association
   Hear Mr. Dorsey’s insights regarding how the state budget, hospital fee program, and MCO tax implications may impact key hospital operations and take away strategies for preparing for significant changes ahead.
   
2. Emerging Programs, Data Resources, and Measures for Hospitals
   Dr. Chris Krawczyk, PhD, Chief Analytics Officer, California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
   Dr. Krawczyk will discuss the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) Healthcare Payments Data Program (HPD), health care workforce, and Hospital Equity Measures data and analytics programs, and conduct live demonstrations of HCAI’s interactive data visualizations. He will identify publicly available data products focusing on newly released HPD data and products, SDoH, health disparities, and health workforce information.

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. | Lunch

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | Concurrent Breakout Sessions (choose one)

1. CMS National Priorities: What Hospitals Need to Know
   Christine Bailey, MSN, RN, CSSGB, Senior Executive Director and Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG, Senior Executive Director, Health Services Advisory Group, Inc. (HSAG)
   This session will provide an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) national priorities and outline tactics hospitals may employ to achieve these goals. Attendees will learn how these priorities align with CMS quality initiatives, including Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), the Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) program, and the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP). The session will also showcase HSAG’s data-driven strategies designed to help hospitals improve patient safety and meet CMS quality improvement benchmarks.
   
2. Turning Insights Into Action: How Hospitals Can Use Data to Improve Quality
   Dr. Scott Masten, PhD, Vice President, Measurement Science & Performance Analytics, Hospital Quality Institute (HQI)
   Hospitals are capturing more data than ever—but how do we translate it into meaningful improvement? This session will explore how hospitals are using quality measure dashboards and performance reports within HQI’s Hospital Quality Improvement Platform to spot patterns, uncover opportunities, and reduce avoidable readmissions. This session will highlight how health care teams are making smarter decisions and designing more responsive care strategies, and feature lessons learned from the first round of statewide equity reporting, offering insights that connect the dots between data transparency, performance improvement, and patient-centered care.
   
3. Bridging the Fear Gap – Implementing AI in Clinical Settings
   Kay Burke, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President & Chief Nursing Informatics Officer and Clinical Associate, UCSF Health
   With promise and confusion dominating many conversations about leveraging AI in health care environments, how do you get nurse leaders and professional nurses on board to support practical, high-value AI implementations? Join this session as the presenter demystifies AI use in health care, shares a multi-prong framework for introducing AI in clinical settings, and offers important guardrails for AI implementations. The proof is in the pudding – see how AI is actually performing in pilot applications at UCSF Health and take away tips for making your own AI projects successful.
   

2:45 – 3:00 p.m. | Pass Through

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Closing Keynote | Inspired Leadership: From Purpose to Power Through Gratitude and Connection
Rich Bluni, RN, Author

In this powerful and moving session, Rich Bluni, RN, helps health care leaders reconnect with the purpose and passion that brought them to this work. Inspired leadership helps us maintain and recapture those elusive qualities. In this thought-provoking and inspirational presentation, Rich reminds all health care leaders why we chose this profession. He provides a wealth of action-oriented “spiritual stretches” that help us more fully integrate the gifts of health care — joy, wonder, gratitude, insight and grief — into our daily lives. His personal stories illuminate those sacred moments we all experience. Inspired leadership is a welcome validation that when we stay engaged and committed, we’re more likely to achieve the best results … in terms of both clinical outcomes and human compassion.

Everline Resort and Spa
400 Resort Road,
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(530) 412-7034

The Everline Resort & Spa has rooms available at a discounted rate of $339. For reservations, call (530) 412-7034 and mention the code G-258V or 2025 HQI and Hospital Council Annual Conference or book online. Don’t delay; the deadline for discounted sleeping rooms is September 7, 2025.

Loyalty Members: $249
*Loyalty pricing for this year’s conference is available only to CHA members who attended last year’s event. Enjoy a $100 savings. But hurry – this special offer is limited to the first 50 registrants!

Early Bird Members: $320*
Early Bird Nonmembers: $1000*
*Early bird pricing expires on August 29.

Members: $399
Nonmembers: $1100

Members are: CHA member hospitals, members of HQI or CHPSO, and/or a member of an AQIPS PSO. Nonmembers are non-hospital health care providers, clinics, and post-acute facilities that serve hospitals.

Cancellation Policy
A $75 non-refundable processing fee will be retained for each cancellation. Cancellations must be made in writing seven or more days prior to the scheduled event and emailed to education@calhospital.org.

No refunds will be given after these dates. Substitutions are encouraged. Cancellation and substitution notifications may be emailed to education@calhospital.org. In the unlikely event that the program is cancelled, refunds will be issued to paid registrants within 30 days.

Special Accommodations or Questions: If you require special accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or have other questions, please call (916) 552-7637.

As a sponsor, network with hospital decision makers, develop and build relationships, and share insights and ideas with colleagues.

Join more than 300+ C-suite executives, nurses and quality and patient safety staff members from California hospitals and health care systems. Don’t delay—sponsorship opportunities will be limited for this exclusive event.

Please contact Lisa Hartzell for sponsor-opportunity questions: lhartzell@calhospital.org.

The Hospital Quality Institute and Hospital Council would like to thank our 2025 annual conference sponsors!