The Heartland Conference is Paperless!

The full agenda, maps, reminders, and more are available on the free Guidebook app!

To access, scan the QR code or:

1. Download the Guidebook App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
2. Search "Heartland 2025"
3. Select "Download Guide"

Download Guidebook

Conference Agenda

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Pre-conference sessions are free to attend.
​To register for a pre-conference session, add the session to your schedule on Guidebook!
Register by Sept. 5th.

8am - 5pm: Region VII Public Health Infrastructure Grant Convening
Private: Region VII PHIG Members Only.
Presented by: Kansas Health Institute & National Network of Public Health Institutes
​https://www.khi.org/ | ​https://nnphi.org/

9am - 12pm Sessions

When Everyone Leads, Part 1
Presented by: ​Ashley Bentley, MBA, CAE

Engaging Decision Makers to Advance Our Agenda
Presented by: ​Molly Fleming, ​The Organizing Lab

Connecting Across Communities: Practical Tools for Public Health in Rural and Urban Settings​
Presented by: Xandy Harker, Missouri Public Health Institute

1pm - 4pm Sessions

When Everyone Leads, Part 2
Presented by: ​Ashley Bentley, MBA, CAE

Understanding your Health Career Through Enneagrams
​Presented by: Shad Smith, MD

“How Can This Be Less Stressful”: Facilitating Conversations and Action to Support Black Maternal Mental Health
​Presented by: Amittia Parker, PhD, LMSW, MPA, IMH-E®

Capacitación QPR (Preguntar, Persuadir, Referir) en español
​Presented by: Celia C. Ruiz, MHFA and QPR Instructor​

4pm - 5:30pm: Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition Meeting

6pm - 8pm: Poolside Networking Reception

Main Conference

Thursday, September 11, 2025

8am - 5pm: Conference Sessions
5:30pm - 6:30pm: Health Equity Awards Reception
6:30pm: Dine Around KC - Group Dinners, Kansas City Tours,  Legends Shopping Experiences

Friday, September 12, 2025

7am - 7:30am: Birth Justice Walk on the Pitch Apron
8am - 4pm: Conference Sessions

Register

Special Events

Networking and fellowship is a cornerstone of the Heartland Conference! ​We have a fantastic line up of special events planned for you.

Wednesday, Sept 10

Poolside Networking Reception

Join us on at 6pm for great food and fellowship to kick off the conference.

The reception will be hosted at the Great Wolf Lodge Outdoor Pool.

Thursday, Sept 11

Health Equity Awards

Join us at 5:30pm for the Health Equity Awards to recognize health equity champions from across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri!

​The Sporting KC Mascot, Blue is back this year - don’t miss it!

Hosted Dine Around KC

Get ready to connect and make new friends at the conference!
We're excited to introduce our new Hosted Commensality Dinners, where we'll share a meal to build community and spark conversations.

​Choose from several dinner options for a fun and easy way to connect with fellow attendees.

Reserve your Spot

Friday, Sept 12

Birth Justice Walk

Join us on Friday morning at 7am for an energizing and inspiring walk on the Children’s Mercy Park pitch apron.

This walk is hosted by the Kansas Birth Equity Network in recognition of the need for birth equity & in celebration of Black families. 

Download the Guidebook app for the full conference agenda.

Conference Agenda on Guidebook