2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference

The 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, February 8-11 in San Antonio, will gather more than 1,000 rural health leaders committed to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities. The conference will feature top rural practitioners sharing actionable strategies and resources aimed at improving access to care, leveraging unique workforce approaches and implementing digital technologies.

We will explore the most significant challenges facing rural health care providers and present innovative approaches to transform care delivery and business practices.

Interested in receiving complimentary registration?
Consider our Hosted Buyer Forum to connect with high-quality solutions providers

The Hosted Buyer Forum offers a showcase for hospital and health system leaders interested in connecting with solution providers addressing key hospital issues. Approved applicants are given complimentary registration to the 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference. Two sessions are available at 9 AM and 1:30 PM. After the afternoon session concludes, participants are encouraged to join the Associate and Sponsor Reception for beverages, appetizers and networking.

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Objectives

Participants will:

• Explore strategies for fostering a more flexible and adaptive workforce in rural health settings.
• Identify effective approaches for advancing quality, patient safety and performance improvement in a rural care environment.
• Examine emergency and cybersecurity preparedness, response and recovery plans tailored to rural hospitals and health systems.
• Discuss value-based care and emerging payment models designed for rural and small population markets.
• Evaluate strategies and collaborative models to improve access to behavioral, maternal and specialty services.
• Analyze approaches for advancing community and population health and economic vitality in rural communities.
• Assess value and innovative approaches to joint ventures, affiliations and mergers for rural hospitals.
• Review the adoption of cutting-edge technology and AI to improve access to care, address workforce shortages, reduce administrative burden and mitigate coverage denials or delays.
• Learn best practices and high-performing care models that address the health care needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native patients and communities.
• Develop insights into strategies for effective and high-performing governance that strengthen leadership, accountability and decision-making in rural hospitals and health systems.

Who Should Attend

• Rural Hospital CEOs, Administrators, Senior Executives and System Leaders
• Governing Board Members
• Nursing and Physician Executives
• Public Health and Community Leaders
• Executives of Rural Health Care Associations, Networks and Clinics

Date

February 8-11, 2026

Additional information on the conference is available on the AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference website.

Interested in Sponsorship

Attendance at the AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference by business representatives is limited to AHA Associates and Sponsors.

Sponsorship enables you to partner with the most trusted name in health care to reach a highly-targeted, senior-level health care audience. Learn more about our available opportunities.