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: Session Details Coming Soon
Room 208 GH
Breakout #2: Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Rural Individuals with Disabilities
Keisha Wells & Patrick Kitzman Room 208 IJ |
| 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 Room 208 GH
Breakout #2: Advancing Lung Cancer Screening in Rural Kentucky: A Statewide Public Health Approach to Early Detection
Michelle Heil Room 208 IJ |
| 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 Room 208 GH
Breakout #2: Cancer Control Efforts in Rural Kentucky - Prevention, Screening and Survivorship
Jaime Daniel Room 208 IJ |
| 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Networking / Transition Break | |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Main Ballroom |
Breakout #1: Elevating Revenue Cycle Performance: How Leadership Alignment Drives Cash Collections
Ryan Breneman
Breakout #2: Movement as Medicine: Rural Health’s Role for the Medicare Population
Pete Fronte |
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 | General Session – Details Coming Soon |
| 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
Sabrina Barnett Room 208 GH
Breakout #2: Mobile Integrated Health: What is it and how can it help Kentucky
Scott Helle Room 208 IJ |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Networking / Transition Break | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Breakout Rooms |
Breakout #1: Session Details Coming Soon
Room 208 GH
Breakout #2: Session Details Coming Soon
Room 208 IJ |
Student Track
Student Track sessions and activities are currently being finalized. The draft Student Track agenda will be posted as conference details are confirmed.
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 purchased through the conference event page and are separate from Annual Association Sponsorships. Annual Association Sponsorship opportunities remain available through the KRHA Membership & Sponsorship page.
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. Must also be an Association Sponsor or Conference Exhibitor.
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: Title, Meal, Bag, and Lanyard sponsorships are purchased through the conference event page. Annual Association Sponsorships are purchased separately through the Membership & Sponsorship page.
Conference-specific sponsorship opportunities are new for 2026 and are limited. Availability is first-come, first-served and based on completed registration/payment.
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
Parking and arrival details will be shared with attendees as the conference approaches.
View Knicely Floor PlanQuestions?
Contact krhaadmin@kentuckyruralhealth.org for conference-related questions.
