2026 Appalachian Health Leadership Forum
Join us April 23 & 24, 2026!
Stonewall Resort & Conference Center, Roanoke, WV
Registration for this event is now open. Click here to register.
The Forum is a place for thought-provoking ideas and conversations. We bring together West Virginia’s board and executive leaders from healthcare and public health, along with business and community leaders to share strategies and resources to address the vital conditions that affect community health and wellbeing. Day One of the Forum will focus on community health improvement strategies to address social determinants of health and advance the vital conditions for health and well-being in your communities. On Day Two of the Forum, hear from thought leaders on board governance best practices and how to nurture a more resilient workforce.
Agenda:
April 23, 2026 – Community Health Improvement Sessions
10:00 AM Forum Opening: Welcome & Introductions
Taking Care of Our Own: Building and Strengthening Recovery Ecosystems
- Michael Meit, MA, MPH, Director, East Tennessee State Center for Rural Health and Research
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch (Provided) at Stillwaters
Engaging Local Policy Makers in Community Health Improvement
- Anne Cavalier, Ed.D., Mayor of Smithers, WV
- Del. Sarah Drennan, WV House of Delegates, District 20
- Gary Roberts, MPA, Commissioner, Nicholas County, WV
Transforming Vacant and Dilapidated Properties
- Mark Buchanan, MS, CPESC, Project Manager & Research Associate, Marshall University Brownfield Assistance Center at the Center for Environmental Geotechnical Applied Science
- Katherine Garvey, Director, Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, WVU College of Law
Healthy Food Access and Supporting Local Farmers and Food Systems
- Mandy Curry, Owner/Founder, Healthy Kids Inc.
- Spencer Moss, MPA, Executive Director, West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition
5:00 PM Closing Remarks & Evaluation
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Appalachian Health Leadership Forum Opening Reception
April 24, 2026 – Governance & Leadership Sessions
8:30 AM Breakfast Provided
9:00 AM – 9:15AM Opening Session Welcome & Introductions
Compassion Fatigue: Considerations for Recognition and Management Among Public Health and Healthcare Providers
- Dan Barnett, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
Adaptive Leadership: Leading through Change
- Catherine Slemp, MD, MPH, Principal and Managing Member, Deepa Consulting
- C. Donovan Beckett, DO, Chief Executive Officer, Williamson Health and Wellness Center
- Angela Gray, BSN, RN, SUD Case Manager, WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center
- Anita Stewart, DO, Health Officer, Nicholas County Health Department
12:00 NOON – 12:45 PM Annual Rural Health Leadership Award Lunch
Responsible AI Use in Healthcare and Public Health
- Merage Ghane, PhD, Director of Responsible AI, Coalition for Health AI
From Mission to Action: Strategic Planning for Healthcare Boards
- Jenna Misiti, Esq., MHA, CHC, Attorney/Owner, Appalachian Healthcare Legal Consulting, PLLC
3:30pm Forum Closing
Registration Information:
 2026 Registration Prices: |
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| Early Bird Registration Fees (available until February 28th) | Registration Fees (after March 1st) | |
| Full Conference Registration | $350.00 | $400.00 |
| Student Full Conference Registration Includes both Thursday and Friday sessions and all meals and reception. Must be an active college/ university student to receive this rate. | $175.00 | $200.00 |
| One Day Only: Thursday, April 23, 2026 Includes breakfast, lunch and evening reception. | $200.00 | $250.00 |
| Student – One Day Only: Thursday, April 23, 2026 Includes breakfast, lunch and evening reception. | $100.00 | $125.00 |
| Day 1 Lunch Guest Ticket | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| April 23rd Evening Reception Guest Ticket | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| One Day Only: Friday, April 24, 2026 Includes breakfast and Awards Lunch; does not include Thursday evening reception. | $180.00 | $210.00 |
| Student One Day Only: Friday, April 24, 2026 Includes breakfast and Awards Lunch; does not include Thursday evening reception. | $90.00 | $105.00 |
| Friday Awards Lunch Guest Ticket: | $60.00 | $70.00 |
| VALUE DEAL: (Full Conference Registration Only) | Fourth Team Member FREE *Must register as group prior to March 1st. Not available for registrations received after March 1st. | |
Click here to register for the Forum.
Accommodations:
A conference room block is being held at Stonewall Resort at a rate of $212/night. To make a reservation with Stonewall Resort, click here or call Stonewall Resort at 304-269-7400 and select the room reservations prompt. For phone reservations, reference the Appalachian Health Leadership Forum to receive the conference rate. The conference rate ends March 23, 2026.
Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities:
Exhibitor, advertising, and sponsorship opportunities are available to support this event and engage with the attendees. Click here to view options.
Continuing Education:
An application will be submitted for physician, pharmacy, nursing, and ACHE continuing education units for this conference.