Agenda

2026 MATRC Telehealth Summit Agenda – Draft*

*Please note: This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change.

**All Pre-Summit Sessions at the Summit will be eligible for Continuing Education (CE) credits through ACCME, ANCC, APA and ASWB. Adding CE to your registration for a nominal $20 fee will allow you to claim credits for any Pre-Summit session you attend.

Click Here to View Full Accreditation Statement

General Session / Telebehavioral Health Track / Rural Health Track / Networking

MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM	Registration
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM	MATRC Advisory Board Meeting
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Pre-Summit Sessions
	Pre-Summit Session A: Real-World Application of an Integrated Telehealth Framework Integrated telehealth isn’t a new way of practicing or developing telehealth programs — it’s what most of us are already doing. But we have historically been so focused on the “telehealth vs. in-person care” debates that we failed to recognize — and certainly failed to highlight — that most telehealth services, especially those implemented by established health care providers, are to some degree integrated with in-person care delivery, whether through referral mechanisms, longitudinal multi-modal approaches, delivery by the same clinicians, escalation mechanisms, or a shared Electronic Health Record. This distinction is not trivial. The interpretation of medical literature, the design of research studies, advocacy around telehealth policy and payment, and debates about the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse all change substantially when the focus shifts from viewing telehealth as an alternative means of care delivery distinct from in-person care, and instead highlights its value as an integrated component of high-quality health care service delivery. There are fully stand-alone telehealth services, and those are not without substantial value, particularly for mental health. But these services have different business models, clinical focus areas, targeted outcomes, operational costs, logistical complexity, risks and benefits when compared to the variety of integrated telehealth services. Our historical bias against differentiating integrated telehealth from stand-alone telehealth—and from stand-alone in-person care—has handicapped the progress of the field in meaningful ways. In October 2025, the UNC Center for Virtual Care Value and Excellence and the American Heart Association Center for Telehealth® convened telehealth experts from across the field—payers, health systems, clinicians, patient advocates, and researchers—to settle on a shared definition of integrated telehealth, the characteristics that set it apart from standalone services, and the impact of integration on outcomes, costs, operations, quality, safety, and experience. The result is a practical approach — the Integrated Telehealth in Care (ITEC) Model — that simplifies our understanding of integrated telehealth and links infrastructure, workflow, and measurement, giving teams a common language and a consistent way to address integration in research, policy, and payment discussions. This workshop is about demonstrating the value of this conceptual model. Bring a condition your patients are living with — Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, prenatal care, joint replacement, or one of your own—and you’ll use the ITEC Model to map what optimal management looks like across the full patient journey, then decide, element by element, what’s best delivered in person, virtually, by your own team, or through a vendor partner. E.g., for diabetes care the foot exam stays in the room; retinopathy screening moves to store-and-forward; glucose and blood-pressure monitoring go remote; nutrition coaching runs virtual — and suddenly the question isn’t “telehealth yes or no,” it’s “what’s the right mix, and does it actually connect?” Working in small groups, you’ll compare four real-world delivery approaches side by side, pressure-test their strengths and risks, and work through the workflow and payment decisions that make integration succeed or stall. You’ll leave with a shared language for integrated telehealth, a repeatable method for redesigning workflows around a condition, and one concrete next step to bring back to your organization. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Apply the Integrated Telehealth in Care (ITEC) Model to a specific medical condition, mapping optimal management across the full patient journey and identifying which elements of care are best delivered in person, virtually, in-house, or through a vendor partner. Distinguish integrated telehealth from stand-alone telehealth and traditional stand-alone in-person care — and articulate the workflow, data, and payment implications that make the distinction between integrated services and stand-alone services so critical. Develop a concrete next step to advance integrated telehealth within their own organization, using a repeatable method for redesigning workflows around a condition. Presenters/Facilitators: Christian Milaster, CEO, Ingenium Digital Health Advisors Kristina Wait, MEd, National Senior Director Center for Telehealth and Professional Education Hub, American Heart Association Center for Telehealth Saif Khairat, PhD, MPH, UNC Chapel Hill Center for Virtual Care Value and Excellence S. David McSwain, MD, MPH,** UNC Chapel Hill Center for Virtual Care Value and Excellence
	Pre-Summit Session B: The Behavioral Health Patient Journey: Designing Systems that Prevent Crisis Escalation Preventing behavioral health crises—emergency department visits, psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, school disengagement, family disruption, involvement with law enforcement, and other forms of escalation—requires far more than a single clinical encounter. It demands coordinated action across providers, settings, community-based organizations, families, and payers. In this highly interactive 3-hour design lab, participants will map the real-world behavioral health journey over time—from early signs of concern to crisis risk. The shared goal will be to co-design models that support earlier intervention and stronger continuity and coordinated care – reducing crisis escalation and improving long-term outcomes. The session will move through four intentional phases: Mapping the Journey: Through a series of progressive case vignettes, participants will map the timeline from subtle early concerns to escalating risk. Together, they will identify critical intervention opportunities, pain points, missed connections, and system-level inefficiencies that contribute to crisis escalation across the behavioral health continuum. Telehealth & Infrastructure Overlay: Participants will explore where digital tools could improve access, coordination and outcomes – and where they introduce barriers. Payment Model Reflection and Dialogue: Payers will engage throughout the session and then respond to observed challenges, including: Payment model constraints Fraud, waste, and abuse considerations Documentation and compliance requirements Opportunities for innovation From Mapping to Momentum: Participants will synthesize key insights to identify: High-impact intervention opportunities What is feasible now vs. requires policy change Key alignment challenges across systems Facilitator: Jonathan Neufeld, PhD, Program Director & Principal Investigator, Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center Payer/Payment Model Panel: Chris Wheelock, MD, Clinical Transformation Executive, Highmark Health Jennifer Joyce, MSW, MBA, Behavioral Health Coordinator, DC Department of Health Care Finance Brian Masterson, MD, Senior Behavioral Health Medical Director, Optum (invited) Danielle Daly, PhD, CMS Division of Demonstration Monitoring and Evaluation Will Sellheim, MPP,** Managing Director, ATI Advisory
	Pre-Summit Session C: From Lived Experience to System Redesign: A Rural Health Transformation Design Lab Rural communities are often discussed in policy rooms, conference panels, and academic publications — but too rarely are they centered as the drivers of innovation. This three-hour interactive design lab builds on the energy of Bridging Rural Communities and creates space for those living and working in rural areas to lead the conversation. Rather than talking about rural health, this session will begin by listening to rural voices. Using maternity care access and the growing crisis of maternity deserts as a focal case study (with transferable lessons for dental access, hospital-at-home, community paramedicine, and other rural care models), the workshop will follow a structured design thinking framework to model what rural health transformation planning can look like in practice. The session will move through four intentional phases: Empathize: A facilitated “fishbowl” dialogue featuring rural providers, community members, and others with lived experience. Participants will hear firsthand accounts of hospital closures, workforce shortages, transportation barriers, funding instability, technology limitations/opportunities and community-driven successes. Define: Together, participants will synthesize themes and frame the core challenge(s), distinguishing symptoms from root causes and identifying structural barriers that lead to poor patient experiences that impact maternal and child outcomes. Ideate: The circle widens to include policymakers, academic medical centers, technology collaborators, payers, and other partners. These participants will respond directly to what they heard, offering potential solutions, models, and resources aligned with the realities described. Prototype: Small groups will develop rapid, real-world experiments — practical pilots or policy concepts that could be implemented in rural settings. Prototypes will be shared and refined with feedback from rural participants to assess feasibility, sustainability, and community fit. Facilitators: Anissa Davenport, MBA, Founding Partner, Possibility Partners, LLC David Eilers,** Innovation Partner, Possibility Partners, LLC
Welcome to #MATRC2026!
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Welcome and Networking Reception Enjoy a cash bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and back by popular demand—live music from The Broadband from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM \| Collaboration Zone: Where Curiosity Leads In keeping with the Summit theme Accelerating Innovation Through Collaboration, the Welcome & Networking Reception will begin with a 90-minute Collaboration Zone. This format was developed in response to participant feedback, as many participants shared that they limit the time they spend in “exhibit halls” because they worry about being immediately placed in a sales conversation. To bring structure and energy to the experience, facilitators will guide participants from initial introductions to meaningful collaborations – helping connect individuals with aligned interests and complementary expertise. During the 90-minute Collaboration Zone, our Technology and Service Collaborators have agreed to focus on: Demonstrations and use cases Sharing lessons learned Problem-solving conversations They will hold off on pricing discussions, contracts, and lead capture unless you request it, making it easier to explore and ask questions freely. This creates space for curiosity-driven exploration and relationship-building. After the Collaboration Zone concludes, the reception will transition into open networking in the Innovation Hall, allowing conversations to naturally evolve toward deeper discussions about implementation, partnerships, and next steps. At #MATRC2026, our Technology and Service Collaborators are more than vendors — they are partners helping shape the future of connected care. More curiosity. More conversations. More meaningful connections. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM \| Open Exhibit Networking Following the Collaboration Zone, the reception transitions into open networking, allowing conversations to continue and evolve naturally for those interested in discussing implementation, partnerships, pricing, or next steps. *Curiosity first. Collaboration second. Business when it makes sense.*
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026
7:00 AM – 5:30 PM	Registration
7:45 AM – 8:45 AM	Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM	Breakfast Info Session: Unlocking the $740M in Rural Health Care Funding Join Blythe Albert with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for a practical overview of the FCC Rural Health Care Program – a major funding opportunity supporting rural hospitals, clinics and health systems. Learn how eligible providers can access support for telecommunications and broadband services that strengthen patient care, expand access, and improve connectivity in rural communities. With more than $740 million available annually, this session is a must-attend for organizations looking to reduce costs, improve infrastructure and better serve patients. Whether you’re exploring telehealth expansion, network upgrades or future funding opportunities, come hear directly from USAC and get your questions answered over breakfast. Presenter: Blythe Albert, Advisor of Program Management – RHC Outreach
8:45 AM – 10:30 AM	Welcome to #MATRC2026 Karen S. Rheuban, MD, Senior Associate Dean for CME and External Affairs; Medical Director, Office of Telemedicine and Director, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia Kathy H. Wibberly, PhD, Director, Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center and Director of Research, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia Carlos Mena, Public Health Analyst, Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, USDHHS Jordan Berg, BA MIS, Director, National Telehealth Technology Assessment Center (TTAC), Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Calvin Ross, Telehealth Technology Specialist, National Telehealth Technology Assessment Center (TTAC), Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Real-World Pitches & Provocative Debates Plenary Session Innovate to Elevate: Workforce Augmentation — Who Delivers Care? Healthcare systems across the country are facing unprecedented workforce pressures—clinician shortages, burnout, rising costs, and growing demand. In response, many organizations are turning to virtual partnerships and outsourced clinical services to expand capacity and maintain access to care. But as these models scale, so do the questions. In this dynamic plenary session, selected companies will deliver concise, high-impact pitches showcasing real-world workforce augmentation models, including telestroke services, virtual urgent care, remote patient monitoring, specialty consults, and virtual nursing. Each pitch will highlight how organizations are leveraging external partners to extend their clinical workforce. Following the pitches, the session will shift to a lightning-round Point & Counterpoint Spark Session—bold, structured debates designed to challenge assumptions, surface tradeoffs, and model the kinds of strategic questions healthcare leaders should be asking. Through live argument, cross-examination, rebuttal, and audience engagement, we will explore provocative questions such as: Should health systems outsource more clinical services instead of building capabilities internally? Does outsourcing improve access at the expense of long-term workforce development? Can virtual clinical partners deliver the same quality of care as locally staffed services? This session is not about promoting outsourcing. It is about examining the implications of workforce strategy decisions. Participants will: Explore real-world models for augmenting clinical capacity through virtual partnerships Examine tradeoffs between insourcing and outsourcing, including cost, scalability, and quality Consider the long-term impact of these models on workforce recruitment, retention, and identity Engage in structured debate around one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today By modeling thoughtful critique alongside real-world innovation, this session reflects the Summit’s theme: accelerating innovation through collaboration while rethinking how care is delivered. Moderator: Shawn Nason, Founder, Chief Experience & Innovation Officer, Nason Group
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM	Morning Break in Innovation Hall TTAC Telehealth Technology Showcase
11:15 AM – 12:45 PM	Real-World Pitches & Provocative Debates Plenary Session Innovate to Elevate: Workforce Redesign — Who Else Can Deliver Care? Even with new models of care delivery, the healthcare workforce shortage persists—and in many regions, continues to worsen. Increasingly, healthcare systems are looking beyond traditional pipelines and professional roles, exploring how trained lay workers, non-traditional providers, and technology-enabled care models can safely and effectively expand access. But as these approaches gain traction, so do the questions. In this interactive plenary session, presenters will share real-world examples of workforce redesign across the full continuum of care—from community health workers, community paramedics, and telepresenters using digital tools, to mid-level providers practicing at the top of their licenses, to emerging models that incorporate automation and robotics. These examples will highlight how organizations are rethinking who can deliver care—and how. Each set of examples will be followed by a lightning-round Point & Counterpoint Spark Session—structured debates designed to surface tensions around safety, regulation, scope of practice, and accountability. Through live argument, cross-examination, rebuttal, and audience engagement, we will explore provocative questions such as: Should health systems rely far more on trained lay workers to expand access to care? Are existing regulations limiting who can provide care outdated in a digital health era? Can technology safely enable non-clinicians to perform tasks traditionally reserved for licensed professionals? How should accountability be defined across licensed and unlicensed members of the care team? This session is not about replacing clinicians. It is about reimagining the composition and capabilities of the care team. Participants will: Explore innovative models for expanding care teams beyond traditional clinical roles Examine the balance between competence, supervision, and collaboration across workforce models Consider regulatory, ethical, and safety implications of workforce redesign Engage in structured debate about the future of workforce development and care delivery The session will conclude with cross-cutting reflections on workforce sustainability, including the role of productivity, efficiency, and alternative career pathways, and the question: Will the workforce shortage be solved by training more clinicians—or by fundamentally redesigning how care is delivered? By examining both the opportunities and tensions in workforce redesign, this session embodies the Summit’s theme: accelerating innovation through collaboration while building a more adaptive and resilient healthcare workforce. Moderator: Shawn Nason, Founder, Chief Experience & Innovation Officer, Nason Group
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM	Food Truck Court Networking Lunch Step outside and explore our Food Truck Court for lunch, featuring a curated lineup of local favorites and globally inspired cuisine. It’s a perfect opportunity to grab a great meal, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed setting.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM	Honoring Our MATRC Legacy and Post-Lunch Keynote Moderator: Karen S. Rheuban, MD, Senior Associate Dean for CME and External Affairs; Medical Director, Office of Telemedicine and Director, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia Luncheon Keynote: Title and Description TBA Keynote Speaker: Shawn Nason Founder, Chief Experience & Innovation Officer, Nason Group
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM	Dessert and Coffee in Innovation Hall TTAC Telehealth Technology Showcase
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM	Breakout Sessions
	Breakout Session A1: General/Integrated Care Track – Access through Innovation – Telehealth Models that Expand Care Poster submissions for this session highlight innovative strategies that expand access to quality care by leveraging telehealth and other digital health technologies. Presentations explore how technology, workforce development, patient engagement, and new models of care can reduce barriers, strengthen provider capacity, and improve the patient experience across diverse populations and care settings. Moderator: Saif Khairat, PhD, MPH, UNC Chapel Hill Center for Virtual Care Value and Excellence Poster Presentations: Beyond Access: Understanding How Trust and Provider Relationships Influence Telehealth Adoption Among Underserved Patients presented by Albert Ferreira, MHA, PhD Student, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University Breaking Barriers to Off-Hours Care: An Interprofessional AI Triage Kiosk and Long-Range Connected Health Framework for Unhoused and Rural Populations presented by Tina Gustin, DNP, Professor, Ellmer School of Nursing and Director, C-TIER, Old Dominion University From Clinics to Clicks: Participant Perception of Virtual Neuropsychological Monitoring in Hydrocephalus presented by Catherine Stephan, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Kennedy Krieger Institute From One Program to a National Model: Scaling Simulation-Based Telehealth Competency Certifications Across the Health Professions Workforce presented by Renee Wadsworth, Director of Experiential Learning, SP-ed A Trust-Centered Virtual Asthma Education Engagement Model Improves Quality of Life in Adults with Asthma presented by Donna “De De” Gardner, DrPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, FCCP, Chief Research & Programs Officer, Allergy and Asthma Network
	Breakout Session A2: Mental/Behavioral Health Track Poster submissions for this session showcase telehealth-enabled approaches to improving mental and behavioral healthcare across the lifespan and continuum of care—from prevention and early intervention to treatment and recovery. Together, these presentations highlight innovative models that expand access, strengthen engagement and continuity of care, reduce social isolation, and connect individuals to behavioral health and substance use disorder services through technology-enabled care. Moderator: Anna Ditkoff Dorsey, LCSW-C, Program Manager, Telehealth Department, Mental Health Champion, Epic, Kennedy Krieger Institute Poster Presentations: A Mobile Telehealth Robot Platform to Reduce Social Isolation in Hospitalized Children presented by Ahmet Saglam, PhD, Lead Project Scientist, Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy, Old Dominion University Building Kentucky’s Telebehavioral Health Hub: A Statewide Model for Access, Integration, and Impact presented by Umair Bhutto, MD, Psychiatry Resident, University of Louisville School of Medicine and Robert Caudill, MD, Professor/Program Director, University of Louisville School of Medicine Extending Care Beyond the Appointment: Video-Modelled Digital Libraries to Support Continuity of Care in Telehealth, Rehabilitation, and Recovery Services presented by Tonya Harris, MS, MPA, President/COO, WeKonnect LLC Improving Early Engagement and Retention in Telehealth SUD/OUD Care presented by Julia D’Alo, MD, FASA, Chief Medical Officer, GRC Hope from Home, GatewayRehab and Matthew J. Rumbaugh, Executive Director of Telehealth, GRC Hope from Home, GatewayRehab Bridging the Gap: Paramedic-Facilitated Telehealth to Connect SUD Patients with Addiction Treatment Providers presented by Robert D’Eramo, PharmD, MSHA, FACHE, Director of Clinical & Strategic Initiatives, Population Health Department, UVA Health
	Breakout Session A3: Rural Health Track Poster submissions for this session showcase innovative telehealth strategies that expand access to quality care while strengthening the capacity and sustainability of rural health systems. Presentations highlight practical approaches to addressing workforce shortages, improving chronic disease management, expanding specialty care, and supporting healthcare organizations in delivering high-quality care closer to home. Together, these projects demonstrate how telehealth can help rural communities overcome longstanding barriers while building more resilient and connected systems of care. Moderator: Rob Sprang, MBA, Director, UK TeleCare, University of Kentucky, UK Healthcare Poster Presentations: Overnight Care Reimagined: How Technology Is Changing the Way We Support Members in Group Living presented by Tiffany Cooper, Head of TULA Remote Network, Trillium Health Resources and Christy Shaver, MHA, Senior Advisor Long Term Support Services (LTSS), Monarch Healthcare Connected Care: A Hybrid Model Improving Chronic Disease Outcomes in Uninsured Populations presented by Gina Laudone-Martinez, Clinical Operations Manager, Lackey Clinic Expanding Care in Crisis: A Disaster Telehealth Strike Team Model for MRC Units presented by Suleima Salgado, MBA, CEO/Principal Investigator, Global Partnership for Telehealth / Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center and Stephanie Payne MBA, LSSGB, Disaster Telemedicine & Pediatric Project Manager, Southern Regional Disaster Response System for HHS Region 4, Emory University Integrated Telehealth Strategies to Reduce Rural Hospital Boarding, Workforce Strain, and Throughput Challenges presented by Bita Mansouri, MD, Founder, TeleEDge Healthcare Building Pediatric Specialty Telehealth in a Rural School-Based Health Clinic: Barriers, Strategies and Lessons Learned presented by Kaitlin Gudger, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Assistant Professor, Ellmer Community Care School-Based Health Clinic
4:45 PM –5:45 PM	Networking Reception in the Innovation Hall TTAC Telehealth Technology Showcase

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM	Connect & Celebrate: A Mid-Atlantic Crab Fest & Awards Dinner (all are welcome, but an advanced purchase ticket is required) Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and bold, crowd-pleasing flavors at our annual Networking and Awards Dinner. This year, we’re serving up a hearty, coastal-inspired feast featuring Alaskan red king crab and snow crab legs and claws, steamed to perfection and paired with white garlic butter or spicy Cajun butter. The menu also includes a variety of sides and alternative protein options, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. All dietary restrictions will be taken into consideration.. This relaxed evening is designed to bring people together—whether you’re diving into crab legs, sampling a little of everything, or simply enjoying great food and conversation with colleagues from across the telehealth community. Beyond the usual drinks, our cash bar will also be featuring local craft beers and ciders. The evening will also feature our annual Breaking Barriers through Telehealth awards presentation, recognizing programs and projects that have defied the odds, dismantled barriers, and championed access to high-quality care. Come hungry and get ready to Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate! Enjoy live music from The Broadband from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026
7:45 AM – 8:45 AM	Networking Breakfast
8:45 AM – 10:00 AM	Breakout Sessions
	Breakout Session B1: General/Integrated Care Track – Value – Demonstrating the Experience, Efficiency, and Resilience of Integrated Telehealth Poster submissions for this session showcase how integrated telehealth models create value for patients, providers, and healthcare organizations. Presentations highlight innovative approaches that improve operational efficiency, strengthen clinical workflows, expand timely access to care, enhance patient and provider experience, and increase organizational resilience. Together, these projects demonstrate how telehealth can improve quality, continuity, and value across a variety of care settings and circumstances. Moderator: TBA Poster Presentations: Dedicated Virtual Care Time Blocks: Improving Efficiency, Provider Well-Being, and Access through Quick Video Visits (QVVs) presented by Britney Malone, MHA, Health System Program Manager, Virtual Care Center, UNC Telehealth and Hannah Wessler, MS, Operational Project Manager, Virtual Care Center, UNC Health Don’t Move the Patient, Move the Care: Integrated TeleSNF Model for Post-Acute Specialty Access presented by Eric W. Bean, DO, MBA, MHCI, FACEP, Medical Director of Connected Care and Innovation, Jefferson Health-Lehigh Valley Health Network Keeping Residents in Place: A 24/7 Virtual Triage Model for Long-Term Care presented by Aly McNeill, PA-C, Director of Teletriage, Eventus WholeHealth and Cortney Kulers, FNP-C, VP of Clinical Support Operations, Eventus WholeHealth Enhancing Fall Assessments and Outcomes through Telehealth: A Partnership with Emergency Responders presented by Cortney Kulers, FNP-C, VP of Clinical Support Operations, Eventus WholeHealth Fires, Floods & Snow Storms: An Organizational Approach to Pivot from In-Person Visits to Telehealth presented by David M. Nichols, MD, Medical Director Telehealth and JeffConnect, Jefferson Health and Savannah Galloway, RN, BSN, MHA, DHSc, Director of Clinical Operations, Telehealth Administration, Jefferson Health
	Breakout Session B2: General Track – Digital Literacy and Navigation Poster submissions for this session explore strategies that help patients, families, and caregivers successfully access, navigate, and engage with telehealth and other digital health technologies. Presentations highlight innovative approaches to digital health literacy, patient navigation, technology access, AI readiness, and community partnerships that reduce barriers and increase confidence in using connected care. Moderator: Mara Servaites, MSW, PCMH, CCE Executive Director, Virginia Telehealth Network Poster Presentations: Can We Simplify Assessments of Digital Literacy? presented by Camille Jefferson, GW HealthDesk Coordinator, George Washington University Digital Literacy for Seniors in a Rural Area Agency on Aging presented by Anthony Nappi, PT, RN, Healthcare Consultant Evaluating the Relationship between AI Attitudes, Digital Literacy and Physician Trust presented by Kendajah Cummings, MPH, Research Coordinator, George Washington University Bridging Behavioral Health Gaps for Returning Citizens through Telehealth and Health Information Exchange presented by Rakchhya Uprety, PharmD, CAHIMS, PhD Candidate, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University Rural Libraries as Digital Health Navigation Hubs: Supporting Telehealth Access and AI Literacy for Older Adults presented by Melinda McGuire, MS, MAS, RHIA, Program Director, Baker College
	Breakout Session B3: Rural Health Track Poster submissions for this session showcase innovative telehealth strategies that expand access to specialty and home-based care while strengthening healthcare delivery in rural communities. Presentations highlight collaborative models, technology-enabled specialty services, disaster response, and lessons learned from implementing telehealth solutions that improve access, preserve local capacity, and support high-quality care closer to home. Moderator: Rob Sprang, MBA, Director, UK TeleCare, University of Kentucky, UK Healthcare Poster Presentations: Partnership Between a University and a Rural Community Health Center for Home-based Telehealth Care: Design and Rationale presented by Doyle “Skip” M. Cummings, PharmD, FCP, FCCP, Professor of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Optimizing Telehealth to Advance Health for Older Adults in Rural Communities presented by Aaron Pannone, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia Intercept, Treat, Protect: A Disaster Virtual Care Model for Preserving Emergency Capacity presented by Stephanie Payne MBA, LSSGB, Disaster Telemedicine & Pediatric Project Manager, Southern Regional Disaster Response System for HHS Region 4, Emory University and Suleima Salgado, MBA, CEO/Principal Investigator, Global Partnership for Telehealth / Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center Keeping Kidney Care Local: A Scalable Tele-Nephrology Model for Rural Hospitals presented by Subhasish Bose, MD, MRCP, FACP, CASN, FNKF, Founder of Amedica LLC; Consultant Nephrologest and Medical Director, Lynchburg Nephrology Physicians, PLLC Tele-Cystoscopy: Lessons Learned presented by Thomas Corey, Telemedicine Engineer, UVA Health
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM	Quick Break
10:15 AM – 11:45 AM	Real-World Pitches & Provocative Debates Plenary Session Innovate to Elevate: AI in Action — Transforming Care Delivery Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping healthcare — from clinical documentation to predictive analytics to imaging and decision support. But as AI adoption accelerates, so do the questions. In this dynamic closing plenary, selected companies will deliver concise, high-impact pitches showcasing real-world AI applications across diverse use cases. Each pitch will be followed by a lightning-round Point & Counterpoint Spark Session — bold, structured debates designed to challenge assumptions, surface risks, and model the kinds of questions healthcare leaders should be asking. Through live argument, cross-examination, rebuttal, and audience engagement, we will explore provocative questions such as: AI documentation may improve clinician efficiency – but does it degrade clinical thinking? If AI misses a diagnosis, who is accountable – the vendor or the clinician? If AI outperforms clinicians in diagnostic accuracy, should human review still be required? This session is not about sales. It is about discernment. Participants will: Learn how to critically evaluate AI claims — including accuracy rates, bias, transparency, and implementation realities Experience structured debate as a tool for advancing responsible innovation Provide meaningful feedback to vendors based on real-world provider and administrator concerns Engage in active discussion that continues beyond the plenary hall By modeling thoughtful scrutiny alongside bold innovation, this session embodies the Summit’s theme: accelerating innovation through collaboration — while building the future of connected care responsibly. Moderator: Shawn Nason, Founder, Chief Experience & Innovation Officer, Nason Group
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM	Plenary Session: Innovate to Elevate: The 2027 Policy Landscape— Signals, Shifts & What Comes Next Licensure, reimbursement, prescribing, and regulatory trends shaping the next phase of telehealth nationally and within the MATRC region. Moderator: Karen S. Rheuban, MD, Senior Associate Dean for CME and External Affairs; Medical Director, Office of Telemedicine and Director, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, University of Virginia Presenters: Mei Wa Kwong, JD, Executive Director, Center for Connected Health Policy Nate Lacktman, JD, Partner, Foley & Lardner, LLP Helen Kinsman Hughes, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Office of Telemedicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine
12:30 PM – 1245 PM	Wrap Up/Next Steps