Former U.S. Representative Harold Ford Jr. is Among the Featured Speakers at the Three-Day “Come Home to Healthcare” Summit Where Outstanding Leaders will be Honored During a Program Filled with Learning and Networking Opportunities for Hospital Teams and Stakeholders

November 7, 2024

HOT SPRINGS, VA – Hundreds of health care stakeholders and representatives from partner organizations are gathered in Hot Springs, Virginia for the annual Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) Summit being held this week from Nov. 6-8. “Come Home to Healthcare” is the theme for the 2024 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit that attracts health care leaders, clinicians, and other advocates for networking, shared learning, and collaboration with an emphasis on addressing evolving and emerging issues facing providers and the health care delivery system.

Presented by the VHHA Foundation, program highlights include keynote remarks from former U.S. Representative Harold Ford Jr. who served Tennessee in Congress from 1997-2007 and is now a co-host on the FOX News channel program The Five; mental health and resilience speaker Ryan Campbell, an adventurer and explorer with an inspiring personal story of recovery from a plane crash that left him with a paraplegic diagnosis; and Todd Miller, CPP, CHPA, Vice President of Security for SSM Health; who will address the topic of creating safe health care environments. Other speakers include representatives from Carilion Clinic, the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, Inova, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, KII Consulting, Sentara Health, Unite Us, Valley Health, VCU Health, and VHHA. View the full program agenda here and see the speaker lineup through this link.

Other conference highlights include sessions on health care cybersecurity, patient and provider experience, and recognition of VHHA Outstanding Service Awards recipients during a luncheon ceremony presented with support from Unite Us. Augusta Health President and CEO Mary N. Mannix is serving as master of ceremonies for the luncheon honoring several health care leaders: Carilion Clinic CEO Emeritus Nancy Howell Agee (Distinguished Service Award), UVA Health Professor and Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Karen Rheuban (Meritorious Service Award), Augusta Health Board Member Emeritus E. Stuart Crow (Excellence in Governance Award), Bath Community Hospital Board Member Wiley “Buddy” Kling (Excellence in Governance Award), and Valley Health Board Member Harry Smith (Excellence in Governance Award). View the awards luncheon program here.

“In Virginia, one of the many strengths of the hospital community is the collaboration that exists among professionals at organizations across the Commonwealth,” said Michael Elliott, VCU Health Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and VHHA Board of Directors Chair. “While our systems are distinct, we all prioritize the importance of exceptional patient care and supporting each other when navigating significant public health situations. That spirit is embodied in the theme of the 2024 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit: ‘Come Home to Healthcare.’ It represents the idea that we can rely on each other and draw inspiration and renewal from learning and spending time with colleagues who share a passion for improving lives.”

Added VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton: “One of the things I most appreciate about this annual Summit is witnessing the positive experiences health care leaders from around Virginia take from the event each year. Holding positions of responsibility at organizations where medical intervention helps protect lives is serious work. Part of our role is to support members so they can focus on the primary job of serving patients. It is a privilege to support them and facilitate events that promote collaboration among hospitals.”

VHHA extends its gratitude to program participants, attendees, and speakers as well as the following sponsors whose support helps make the 2024 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit possible:

• Legacy Partners: Qualivis, VHHA Solutions;
• Awards Luncheon Sponsor: Unite Us;
• Welcome Reception Sponsor: RCM&D;
• Breakfast Sponsors: Truist, WittKieffer;
• Diamond Sponsors: Dominion Energy, RCM&D, Unite Us;
• Platinum Sponsor: Truist;
• Exhibiting Sponsors: AblePay, Apollo MD, ARGO Healthcare, Care.AI, ChartSpan, Hancock Daniel & Johnson, Macon & Joan Brock Virgnia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Meadows & Ohly, The Pavilion, SCP Health, VCU Department of Health Administration, Vituity, WittKiefffer; and
• Supporting Sponsors: KahlerSlater, Troutman Pepper Strategies, W.M. Jordan Company, and Williams Mullen.

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 111 hospitals and 26 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Its vision is through collaboration with members and stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of Virginia health care system, transform the delivery of care to promote lower costs and high value across the continuum of care, and to improve health for all Virginians. Connect with VHHA through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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