ALC26

Leadership Conference

October 26-28

Phoenix, Arizona

WHERE LEADERS COME TO SEE WHAT’S POSSIBLE—
AND SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT.

The Children’s Hospital Association’s Annual Leadership Conference brings together bold thinkers and changemakers for three days of perspective, connection, and momentum — fueling the ideas and leadership that move children’s health forward.

Who attends?

  • Executive and senior leadership teams
  • Administrative, strategy, finance, and policy leaders
  • Nursing, physician, and clinical executives
  • Emerging and enterprise-level leaders

Why attend?

  • Gain insights grounded in data and real-world experience
  • Learn from innovative partnerships, including CHA
  • Strengthen relationships that extend beyond the conference and drive ongoing collaboration

What's covered?

  • Enterprise strategies amid uncertainty
  • Future-proofing the pediatric workforce
  • Partnership strategies that scale impact

Everything ALC, right at your fingertips
Start planning your ALC experience now. The conference app is your go-to resource for session details, personalized scheduling, announcements, maps, and attendee networking, all in one convenient place.

Keynotes

Lisa Sun

Founder and CEO, GRAVITAS

Drawing on research, real-world scenarios, and interactive exercises, Lisa Sun will help leaders understand the five components of trust and develop a personalized blueprint for building stronger teams and lasting organizational impact.

J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA

CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

J. Corey Feist is a nationally recognized voice on health care workforce well-being, resilience, and leadership. He played a key role in advancing the first federal law focused on supporting the mental health of health care workers.

Robert M. Wachter, MD

Professor and Chair, Dept. of Medicine, UCSF

As AI reshapes health care delivery, Robert M. Wachter will examine the opportunities, challenges, and strategic implications for children’s hospitals.

LEARN MORE

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Lisa Sun

Founder and CEO, GRAVITAS

Drawing on research, real-world scenarios, and interactive exercises, Lisa Sun will help leaders understand the five components of trust and develop a personalized blueprint for building stronger teams and lasting organizational impact.

J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA

CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

J. Corey Feist is a nationally recognized voice on health care workforce well-being, resilience, and leadership. He played a key role in advancing the first federal law focused on supporting the mental health of health care workers.

Robert M. Wachter, MD

Professor and Chair, Dept. of Medicine, UCSF

As AI reshapes health care delivery, Robert M. Wachter will examine the opportunities, challenges, and strategic implications for children’s hospitals.

LEARN MORE

30

Educational sessions

3

Inspiring keynotes

16

Innovative posters

schedule

Conference check-in starts Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. and will be available daily starting at 7 a.m. for the remainder of the conference.

MONDAY, Oct. 26​

6 – 8 p.m.

Networking reception and poster presentations

TUESDAY, Oct. 27

7 – 8 a.m.

Networking breakfast

8 – 9:30 a.m.

Keynote — Lisa Sun: “The Trust Blueprint: Building High-Performing Teams Through Trust”

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

Education sessions

11 – 11:45 a.m.

Education sessions

11:45 a.m. – 1:10 p.m.

Chair’s luncheon

1:25 – 2:25 p.m.

Education sessions

2:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Education sessions

3:45 – 5 p.m.

Keynote — J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA: “The Future of Health Care Depends on Caring for the Workforce”

5 – 6:30 p.m.

Networking reception

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28

7 – 8 a.m.

Networking breakfast

8 – 9 a.m.

Education sessions

9:20 – 10:20 a.m.

Education sessions

10:40 – 11:55 a.m.

Keynote — Robert M. Wachter, MD: “Leading AI and the Future of Children’s Hospitals”

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Networking lunch

View the top-rated presentations from last year’s conference in CHA’s ALC 2025 Encore Webinar Series.

member pricing

$1,400

Regular rate

$1,000

Presenter and steering

committee member rate

$875

Forum + conference

bundle rate

PRICING DETAILS

We will not be able to accommodate walk-in registrations at this conference. Please register by Oct. 12. Non-members, contact us for pricing details.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your ALC registration offers a comprehensive, thoughtfully curated experience designed to deliver meaningful insights and foster high-value connections including:

  • Access to 30 educational sessions, featuring timely topics and practical strategies
  • Three keynote presentations from distinguished leaders shaping the future of health care
  • Poster presentations highlighting innovative research and leading-edge initiatives
  • Daily hosted meals, including two breakfasts and two lunches
  • Two curated networking receptions, designed to foster connection and collaboration
  • Wellness opportunities across the property, including outdoor spaces, movement activities, and quiet places to recharge throughout the conference experience 

Save the date

Mark your calendar for the 2027 Together for Kids Pediatric Quality Conference April 5-7 in Anaheim.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

By registering for this conference, you agree to the terms and conditions and the policies outlined below.

In the unfortunate event CHA must cancel this meeting, the association is not responsible for travel or other expenses incurred by registrants or individuals traveling with registrants.

Learn more about our cancellation and refund policy.

You need to register for the conference but there is no need to preregister for any sessions on the agenda. Attendees are welcome to select their desired session during the live conference.

Yes, continuing education credits will be available for conference attendees. Please visit the continuing education page to learn more about conference offerings.

 

We are not recording sessions at the conference, but will highlight select sessions in an encore webinar series post-event at a later date. This content will be available for members exclusively on our website.

Pricing information

Payment options

  • Pay at the time of online registration via credit card
  • Request an invoice within registration (payment due by Oct. 24)
  • Contact CHA in advance to make arrangements if on-site payment is necessary

Refund and cancellation policy

  • All refund requests must be submitted in writing to Event.Services@childrenshospitals.org
  • Full refund available for cancellations received by Oct. 16
  • Refunds cannot be issued for cancellations submitted after Oct. 16 due to hotel guarantees and contractual obligations already submitted on behalf of attendees

The Future of Health Care Depends on Caring for the Workforce

Oct. 27  |  3:45–5 p.m.  |  1.25 CE  |  FLW EF

The pressures facing the health care workforce continue to affect organizations across the country, making clinician well-being and workforce sustainability critical leadership priorities. J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA, CEO and co-founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, has become one of the nation’s leading advocates for advancing health care worker well-being and creating healthier work environments.

An influential voice on workforce resilience, Feist helped lead the effort that resulted in the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, the first federal law dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of health care professionals. In this timely session, he will explore the state of today’s health care workforce, the organizational factors that contribute to burnout and disengagement, and the actions leaders can take to build cultures where caregivers can thrive. Attendees will gain insights and strategies for strengthening their workforce, supporting long-term resilience and advancing organizational performance through a people-centered approach to leadership.

J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA
CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation

J. Corey Feist is a nationally recognized voice on health care workforce well-being, resilience and leadership. He played a key role in advancing the first federal law focused on supporting the mental health of health care workers.

The Trust Blueprint: Building High-Performing Teams Through Trust

Oct. 27  |  8–9 a.m.  |  1.5 CE  |  FLW EF

In a time of increasing complexity, uncertainty and workforce challenges, trust has become one of the most valuable assets a leader can build. Lisa Sun, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS and a recognized expert in leadership and personal development, brings a practical and evidence-informed approach to strengthening trust in teams and organizations.

Through research, real-world scenarios and interactive learning, Sun will help leaders understand the measurable components of trust and how they influence communication, accountability, collaboration and performance. Designed specifically for leaders seeking to strengthen culture and engagement, this session will provide actionable frameworks for navigating difficult conversations, repairing trust after setbacks and fostering deeper connections across teams. Participants will gain tools they can immediately apply to create stronger relationships, improve alignment and build organizations that perform at their best under pressure.

Lisa Sun
Founder and CEO, GRAVITAS

Drawing on research, real-world scenarios and interactive exercises, Lisa Sun will help leaders understand the five components of trust and develop a personalized blueprint for building stronger teams and lasting organizational impact.

Leading AI and the Future of Children's Hospitals

Oct. 28  |  10:40–11:55 a.m.  |  1.25 CE  |   FLW EF

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to implementation, creating new opportunities and new challenges for health care organizations. Few experts are better positioned to help leaders navigate this transformation than Robert M. Wachter, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on health care innovation.

Widely recognized as a leading voice on the digital transformation of health care, Wachter will explore how AI is reshaping clinical care, operations and decision-making across the industry. Drawing on his deep expertise in technology and organizational change, he will examine what children’s hospital leaders need to know now, including emerging opportunities, potential risks and the leadership strategies required to responsibly integrate AI into care delivery. Attendees will leave with practical insights to help their organizations prepare for a future where AI is becoming an essential part of operations and strategy.

Robert M. Wachter, MD
Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco​

As AI reshapes health care delivery, Robert M. Wachter will examine the opportunities, challenges, and strategic implications for children’s hospitals.