7:15am – 8:00am
Conference Registration & Networking Breakfast 

8:00am – 8:15am
Chairperson's Opening Remarks 

8:15am – 9:00am
Navigating Healthcare Policy: Implications for CMOs and Strategic Planning
This session provides a comprehensive overview of current and upcoming healthcare policies that will impact CMO responsibilities and organizational strategies. We'll examine regulatory changes, reimbursement models, and quality initiatives that are shaping the healthcare landscape. Attendees will gain insights into:

• Preparing for value-based care transitions
• Addressing health equity and population health mandates
• Navigating evolving compliance requirements

The session will also offer practical advice on developing flexible strategic plans that can adapt to policy shifts, ensuring that CMOs can lead their organizations through periods of regulatory change with confidence.

O’Neil Pyke
Chief Medical Officer
Jackson Health System 

9:00am – 9:45am
The Evolving Role of the CMO: Navigating Responsibilities in a Dynamic Healthcare Landscape
This session explores the multifaceted responsibilities of today's Chief Medical Officers. We'll examine how the role has transformed in response to industry changes and discuss the key areas where CMOs must excel. Participants will gain insights into balancing clinical oversight with strategic business initiatives, fostering a culture of quality and safety and driving innovation within their organizations. The presentation will also touch on the importance of developing strong leadership skills and maintaining clinical credibility while navigating complex administrative duties. 

Tom Cummins, MD, MMM
Chief Medical Officer
Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford 

9:45am – 10:15am
Networking & Refreshments Break 

10:15am – 11:00am
Skill-Building Workshop: Essential Competencies for High-Performing CMOs
Enhance your leadership toolkit with this skill-building session. Learn how to strengthen critical competencies, including:

• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Financial acumen and resource allocation
• Change management and organizational transformation
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement

Learn how to apply these skills to real-world challenges. This session will provide actionable takeaways to immediately improve leadership effectiveness.

Herman Williams, MD, MBA, MPH
Chief Medical Officer
Nashville General Hospital 

11:00am – 11:45am
Striking a Balance: Navigating the Dual Roles of Chief Medical Officer and Physician
Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) play a vital role in healthcare organizations, bridging the gap between clinical practice and administrative management. However, this dual responsibility often presents a unique challenge, as CMOs may be torn between the organization's interests and their fellow physicians' ideals. This is the number one challenge for chief medical officers. This session will offer practical strategies for healthcare leaders to navigate these conflicting roles, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients, physicians and the organization.

James Keller MD MHS
Chief Medical Officer
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

11:45am – 12:30pm
Beyond Hospital Walls: Expanding Horizons for CMOs in Non-Traditional Roles
Explore the growing opportunities for CMOs outside traditional hospital settings. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to leverage their clinical and leadership expertise in new and exciting ways, opening doors to broader career possibilities in the evolving healthcare landscape. 

Monica Soni, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Covered California 

12:30pm – 1:30pm
Luncheon 

1:30pm – 2:15pm
Combating Burnout and Addressing Staff Shortages: Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare Workforces
This crucial session tackles one of the most pressing issues facing healthcare organizations today. We'll examine the root causes of burnout among medical professionals and explore innovative approaches to promoting well-being and resilience. Attendees will learn strategies for:

• Implementing effective wellness programs
• Optimizing workflow and reducing administrative burden
• Creating a supportive organizational culture

The discussion will also address the ongoing challenge of staff shortages, presenting creative solutions for recruitment, retention, and workforce development. CMOs will leave with actionable plans to foster a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Sunny Sharma MD, FACP, DipABLM, CMD
Regional Medical Officer - Northwest Region
Ascension 

2:15pm – 3:15pm
Panel: The Future of Healthcare Leadership – Embracing Innovation and Technology
 Join our distinguished panel of healthcare leaders and technology experts as they discuss the transformative impact of innovation on the CMO role. This dynamic session will explore:

• The integration of AI and automation in clinical and administrative processes
• Leveraging big data and analytics for improved decision-making
• Telehealth and remote patient monitoring advancements
• Ethical considerations in adopting new technologies

Panelists will share their experiences implementing cutting-edge solutions and offer insights on preparing healthcare organizations for the digital future.

Dr Babatope Fatuyi
Chief Medical Information Officer
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) 

3:15pm – 3:45pm
Networking & Refreshments Break 

3:45pm – 4:30pm
Women in Healthcare Leadership: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies for Success
This empowering session focuses on the unique experiences of women in CMO and other senior healthcare leadership roles. We'll explore the current state of gender diversity in healthcare executive positions and discuss strategies for overcoming common barriers. Attendees will hear inspiring stories from successful women leaders who have navigated complex career paths. The presentation will cover mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives and organizational policies that support women's advancement in healthcare. Both men and women are encouraged to attend this session to gain insights into fostering a more inclusive and diverse leadership environment.

Vanessa Carroll
Chief Medical Officer
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital 

4:30pm – 5:15pm
Driving Organizational Performance: Key Metrics and Dashboards for CMOs
In this data-driven session, we'll explore the essential metrics and performance indicators that CMOs should monitor to drive organizational success. Attendees will learn how to:

• Develop comprehensive dashboards that align with strategic goals
• Interpret complex healthcare data to inform decision-making
• Communicate performance metrics effectively to various stakeholders
• Implement data-driven quality improvement initiatives

Real-world examples will illustrate how leading healthcare organizations leverage analytics to enhance patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance. CMOs will gain valuable tools to quantify and demonstrate their impact on organizational success.

Jeanine Bulan, MD, FACP
Associate CMO, Primary Care and Population Health
Atlantic Medical Group 

5:15pm
End of Day One

7:15am – 8:00am
Networking Breakfast 

8:00am – 8:15am
Chairperson's Recap 

8:15am – 9:00am
CMO Models Across Healthcare Settings: Adapting Leadership to Diverse Environments
This comprehensive session examines the varying roles and responsibilities of CMOs across different healthcare settings. We'll compare and contrast the unique challenges and opportunities faced by CMOs in hospitals, private practices, clinics, and non-profit organizations. Attendees will gain insights into how to tailor their leadership approach to specific organizational structures and cultures. The discussion will include case studies highlighting successful strategies employed by CMOs in each setting, as well as tips for transitioning between different healthcare environments.

Jessica Van Fleet-Green, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Officer, PACE
PacificSource Health Plans 

9:00am – 9:45am
Building Resilient Healthcare Systems: Lessons from the Pandemic and Beyond
Reflect on the critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and explore strategies for creating more resilient healthcare organizations. This session will cover:

• Emergency preparedness and crisis management protocols
• Flexible staffing models and cross-training initiatives
• Supply chain optimization and resource allocation
• Rapid innovation and adaptation of care delivery models

The discussion will also look ahead to potential future crises and how CMOs can prepare their organizations to thrive in uncertain times.

Julie Mirkin
Senior Vice President / Chief Nursing Officer
The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center

9:45am – 10:15am
Networking & Refreshments Break 

10:15am – 11:00am
Leadership with Purpose: Excellence and Equity in Healthcare
This session will explore the multifaceted role of leadership in healthcare, focusing on strategies for effective management and fostering a culture of collaboration among medical staff. We will delve into the various roles played by the CMO. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for leading their teams towards excellence in patient care. Additionally, we will address the critical issue of health disparities, discussing actionable strategies to ensure equitable care for all patients. In this session we will explore:

• The various roles of CMO in healthcare
• Effective leadership strategies
• Addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable care for all patients

Emmanuel Mensah, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Officer, ChristianaCare Wilmington
Clinical Assistant Professor
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Thomas Jefferson University

11:00am – 11:45am
Financial Stewardship: The CMO's Role in Ensuring Fiscal Health
Explore the increasing importance of financial acumen in the CMO role. This session will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to:

• Understand key financial metrics and their impact on organizational health
• Collaborate effectively with CFOs and finance teams
• Make data-driven decisions that balance clinical quality and financial sustainability
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising care quality

CMOs will gain confidence in their ability to contribute to their organization's financial strategy and communicate effectively about budgets and resource allocation.

Michael Smith
Chief Medical Officer
Health Alliance 

11:45am – 12:30pm
The Future-Ready CMO – Embracing Change and Driving Innovation
In this inspiring closing session, a visionary healthcare leader will share insights on the future of the CMO role and the healthcare industry at large. Attendees will be challenged to think beyond current paradigms and envision how they can shape the future of healthcare delivery. Topics to be discussed will include:

• Emerging technologies and their potential to transform patient care
• The evolving expectations of patients, staff, and stakeholders
• Strategies for fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning
• The CMO's role in driving organizational transformation and adaptation

This forward-looking presentation will leave attendees energized and equipped with a vision for their role in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Arsalan Sheikh, DO, MBA
Chief Medical Officer
ChristianaCare, Union Hospital 

12:30pm
Conference Concludes

12:45pm – 2:45pm

Workshop: Strategic Planning and Execution for CMOs – From Vision to Impact

This intensive workshop will provide CMOs with a comprehensive framework for developing and implementing strategic plans that drive meaningful organizational change. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to apply strategic planning principles to real-world healthcare challenges. The workshop will cover the entire strategic planning process, from environmental scanning and SWOT analysis to goal setting, resource allocation, and performance measurement. Attendees will learn techniques for aligning clinical and business objectives, engaging stakeholders in the planning process, and overcoming common barriers to strategy execution. The workshop will also address how to adapt strategic plans in response to rapidly changing healthcare environments and unexpected disruptions. Through interactive discussions and group activities, participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and learn from peers facing similar challenges. By the end of the workshop, CMOs will have developed a draft strategic plan for their own organizations and gained valuable insights into effective implementation strategies.

Learning objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive strategic planning framework tailored to healthcare organizations.
• Master techniques for aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared vision and goals.
• Learn to identify and prioritize strategic initiatives that drive organizational performance.
• Gain tools for monitoring and adjusting strategic plans in response to internal and external changes.