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Conference Agenda

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

KS Community Health Worker Symposium
9am - 4pm; Great Wolf Lodge

Full day symposium with breakout sessions. Available to CHW Coalition members.
Cost: $50 (includes CHW Coalition Membership Fee)
Presented By: KS Community Health Worker Coalition

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Heartland Healthcare Leadership Summit
​10am - 5pm; Sporting Park

​In partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center, the Heartland Healthcare Leadership Summit brings together healthcare leaders from across the Midwest to explore innovative solutions to today's most pressing healthcare challenges.
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Through presentations from national and regional healthcare leaders, attendees will engage in interactive discussions and peer networking while exploring topics such as health policy, ethics, workforce development, rural health, and systems change, gaining practical strategies to lead with greater impact.

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Pre-Conference Sessions (Free to attend; registration required)

​Know Your Rights Information Session
9am - 12pm; Sunflower Room, Residence Inn

AIRR offers Know Your Rights presentations designed to help organizations better understand immigrants' rights, current enforcement realities, guidance on creating policies regarding ICE presence, and how to respond in ways that center dignity and safety.​
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Presented by: ​Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR KC)

HeartSavers CPR Training with 2-year Certificate
1pm - 4pm; Sunflower Room, Residence Inn

Quick action with CPR can double or even triple survival rates after a cardiac arrest. Knowing CPR is crucial for immediate intervention before professional help arrives. Residents in high-risk ZIP codes are significantly less likely to receive bystander CPR, up to 37% less in public settings and even less at home. 
Attendees will learn the following:

• Learn Essential Life-Saving Skills:
• Perform CPR on adults, children, and infants
• Operate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Assist individuals who are choking
• Receive a 2-year Heartsaver certification card for job or regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA).

Presented by: ​KUMC Center for African American Health

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B.L.O.C.K. Party and Wellness Fair

5pm - 8pm: Mazuma Plaza, Sporting Park
Presented By: KUMC Center for African American Health

Main Conference

Thursday, September 10, 2026

7:30am - 6pm: Main Conference Sessions
5:30pm - 6:30pm: Meet the Sporting KC Mascot: Blue
6pm - 7pm: Health Equity Awards Reception
7pm: Dine Around KC - Group Dinners, Kansas City Tours,  Legends Shopping Experiences

Friday, September 11, 2026

7am - 7:30am: Birth Justice Walk on the Pitch Apron
7:30am - 12:30pm: Main Conference Sessions

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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 9

B.L.O.C.K. Party and Wellness Fair

Join  the KUMC Center for African American Health at 5pm for the B.L.O.C.K. Party and Wellness Fair!

Location: Mazuma Plaza, Sporting KC

Thursday, Sept 10

Health Equity Awards

Join us at 6pm 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 continue 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.

Friday, Sept 11

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. 

Digital Agenda Coming Soon