2025 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit Attracts Hundreds to Annual Conference on ‘Insight. Innovation. Impact.’

2025 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit Attracts Hundreds to Annual Conference on 'Insight. Innovation. Impact.'

November 6, 2025

Featured Speakers at the Summit Presented by VHHA and the VHHA Foundation Include Physician and Health Technology Leader Dr. Daniel Kraft, Noted Health and Political Journalist Jeff Dufour, and Physician and Pharmaceutical Leader Dr. Eric Edwards; Summit Programming is Focused on Developing Timely Strategies to Deliver Meaningful, Real-World Results

HOT SPRINGS, VA - Health leaders and stakeholders from across the Commonwealth are gathered in Hot Springs, Virginia this week (Nov. 5-7, 2025) for the 2025 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit. "Insight. Innovation. Impact." is the theme of the Summit, whose programming is focused on forward-thinking strategy to develop timely strategies that delivery meaningful real-world solutions during an era marked by shifting policy and rapid change. Through dynamic keynotes, policy conversations, and inspiring peer recognition, the Summit offers a platform to explore what's next in healthcare delivery.

Presented by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) and the VHHA Foundation, Summit program highlights include keynote remarks from National Journal Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour, who will provide an overview of the national political landscape in the wake of Virginia's statewide election and examine the broader forces shaping Washington and its approach to health policy; NextMed Health Founder and Chair Dr. Daniel Kraft, whose remarks will focus on how advances in technology including AI, virtual reality, and robotics are transforming the landscape of biomedicine; and Phlow Corp. Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Eric Edwards, who will share how healthcare leaders can catalyze innovation, lessons from Phlow's pioneering model, and strategies to build a more resilient healthcare ecosystem. View the Summit program brochure here and see more information about the Summit agenda, speakers, and sponsors through this link.

"Innovation doesn't happen in isolation. It comes from hard work around a shared purpose and the insight derived from that experience. The 2025 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit reflects that spirit by bringing together a diverse group of leaders to explore bold strategies that improve care and strengthen communities," said Valley Health President and CEO Mark Nantz, the Chair of the VHHA Board of Directors. "This event is a reminder that strength found from collaboration is one of our greatest assets. When we come together with open minds focused on a common vision, we unlock the potential to transform healthcare delivery in meaningful ways."

Additional Summit program highlights include a panel discussion on the work to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation, updates from VHHA affiliates VHHA Solutions and VHHA Foundation, and a presentation recognizing American College of Healthcare Executives award recipients. During the Summit, a ceremony will also be held to honor 2025 VHHA Outstanding Service Award recipients during a luncheon event presented with support from Dominion Energy. Augusta Health President and CEO Mary N. Mannix will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards luncheon honoring the following leaders: Valley Health Chief Human Resources Officer (retired) Elizabeth Savage (Meritorious Service Award); VHC Health Chief of Medical Imaging Dr. Russell McWey, a member of the VHC Health Board of Directors (Meritorious Service Award); Ballad Health Board of Directors member David Lester (Excellence in Governance Award); and Qualivis President Emeritus Sherry Kolb (Excellence in Partnership Award). View the awards luncheon program here and read more about the VHHA Outstanding Service Awards, including past winners, through this link.

"The world around us is shifting rapidly and those changes broadly impact society, including Virginia's hospitals," added VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. "Recognizing that, this year's Summit and its programming is forward-looking as we focus on adaptation efforts to catalyze progress through the exchange of ideas and the formation of partnerships to help shape the future of healthcare delivery in Virginia. In this moment, it is vital that we create spaces such as the Summit for reflection and learning to support our members and the critically important work they do."

VHHA extends its gratitude to program participants, attendees, and speakers as well as the following sponsors whose support helps make the 2025 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Leaders Summit possible:

• Elite Industry Partners: Premier, Qualivis;
• Specialty Sponsors: Dominion Energy, McKesson, RCM&D, VHHA Solutions;
• Platinum Sponsors: Bank of America, Truist;
• Exhibiting Sponsors: Acemapp, AHAPAC, ApolloMD, ChartSpan, Hancock Daniel, KII Consulting, Inc., Loyal, Martti, Meadows & Ohly, Mid-Atlantic CMS QIN-QIO (Region 2), SCP Health, Stryker, US Acute Care Solutions, VCU College of Health Professions, Virginia Rural Health Association, Vituity, W.M. Jordan Company, WittKieffer; and
• Supporting Sponsors: Andor, Troutman Strategies, Whitecoat, and Wize Solutions.

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 116 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's 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, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Contact:Julian WalkerVice President of Communications(804) 297-3193 office(804) 304-7402 [email protected]