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      MGMA Annual Conference

      September 27-30, 2026 | San Antonio, TX

      State Affiliate and Chapter Forum

      The Next 100 Years…We're Better Together 

      Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 – One day only! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
      Start TimeEnd TimeSession Title
      7:30 AM8:30 AMRegistration Open + Breakfast + Networking
      8:00 AM8:30 AMChapter-Only Chat
      8:30 AM8:45 AMWelcome & Day Framing
      8:45 AM9:00 AMMGMA CEO Moment
      9:00 AM10:15 AMKEYNOTE: Boards Roles + Cementing a Culture of Leadership
      Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF, Vista Cova

      This session will provide an assessment framework to help you evaluate the current health of your board, better recognize strengths, and identify opportunities for refinement and greater impact. Additionally, we will take time to examine the following questions: What roles and responsibilities align to the purpose of a board (versus the staff)? Is the board legally, fiscally, and strategically focused? Is the board successfully acting as the voice and face of the organization’s goals, direction, and efforts? Is the board prioritizing goals that stay true to the association’s mission? We will also address building meaningful Board relationships as well as a Board culture that cements strong leadership.
      10:15 AM10:30 AMMorning Break
      10:30 AM11:00 AMFrom First Contact to Lasting Engagement: Onboarding New Members for Immediate Value
      Benjamin D. Dolewski (VA MGMA), Senior Operations Director – Rockingham (VA), Primary Care and Med Specialties, Sentara Medical Group

      Effective onboarding is a critical, yet often underdeveloped, component of member engagement within professional associations. This session explores practical, scalable strategies to ensure new members feel welcomed, connected, and able to derive meaningful value from the moment they join. Drawing on real-world experience within healthcare leadership organizations, this presentation will outline a structured onboarding framework that moves beyond passive orientation to intentional engagement. Key focus areas include creating a strong first impression, aligning member expectations with available resources, and establishing early touchpoints that foster connection, participation, and retention. Attendees will learn how to design an onboarding experience that delivers immediate value through curated resources, peer connection opportunities, and targeted communication strategies. The session will also highlight methods to segment new members based on professional goals and career stage, enabling more personalized engagement and long-term involvement. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with actionable tools and a repeatable onboarding model that can be adapted to their organization, ultimately strengthening member satisfaction, engagement, and organizational impact.
      11:00 AM11:30 AMLegislative Liaisons: Raising your State Voice
      Anders Gilberg, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, MGMA

      This session will provide a practical overview of how state MGMA leaders can build and sustain an effective advocacy program. State-level advocacy is a valuable function for state leaders to pursue, and it doesn't have to be intimidating. Attendees will learn about advocacy fundamentals such as communications, policy positioning, and the importance of building relationships. The session will also discuss opportunities for states to collaborate with National MGMA on federal grassroots initiatives.
      11:30 AM12:00 PMMembership Round Table
      12:00 PM1:00 PMNetworking Lunch
      1:00 PM3:00 PMSolution Forming with State Task Force
      Samona L. Owens, MBA, LSSGB, PPMC (MI MGMA), Practice Manager, Wayne Pediatrics

      As healthcare associations and professional organizations navigate increasing financial pressures, attracting and retaining engaged members has become more challenging and more important than ever. This interactive session explores practical, budget-conscious strategies that MGMA state leaders can implement to strengthen membership, increase engagement, and build lasting value without requiring significant financial investment. Participants will learn why members join, what influences renewal decisions, and how to create meaningful experiences that foster loyalty and long-term involvement. Through real-world examples, collaborative discussion, and actionable tools, attendees will leave with a framework for recruiting new members, retaining existing ones, and cultivating a thriving membership community despite budget limitations.
      3:00 PM3:15 PMAfternoon Break
      3:15 PM3:45 PMPayor Days: How Tos with Tips for A Successful Event
      Kristina Romero; Tawnya Capps, CMGMA Payer Day Chair; and Natalie Cohen, LMGMA Payer Conference Chair

      A well-executed payer conference can transform the relationship between providers and health plans by creating an environment focused on collaboration, education, and problem-solving. In this session, association leaders will learn how to develop a payer conference that attracts both provider organizations and payer representatives while delivering meaningful value to all participants. Presenters will share practical strategies for securing payer participation, developing balanced educational content, managing logistics, and facilitating productive conversations on topics such as prior authorization, reimbursement, claims processing, value-based care, and regulatory updates. Attendees will also gain insights into sponsorship opportunities, budgeting, marketing, and measuring conference success. Whether you’re launching a payer conference for the first time or looking to expand an existing program, you’ll leave with a proven framework for creating an event that strengthens relationships, improves communication, and positions your association as a trusted convener for healthcare stakeholders. Learning Objectives Identify the key components of planning and delivering a successful statewide payer conference. Develop strategies for engaging payer organizations and provider leaders as active partners in the event. Create educational programming that promotes collaboration, addresses industry challenges, and delivers measurable value for attendees and stakeholders.
      3:45 PM4:15 PMJuggling Your Job and MGMA
      Heather Schimp (NH/VT), Dir, CH Gastroenterology, Concord Hospital Health Systems

      The commitment to your state MGMA program and running your job effictively is a real struggle.  Sudden demands can pull you away from MGMA meetings.  How do you juggle both and show up for your team at MGMA but also be available to your employees?  You owe it to yourself and your professional career to excel at both and yes, you can do both.  This session will be on juggling both and why it is important.
      4:15 PM4:35 PMQ&A, Review, What's Next, and Close
      5:30 PM7:00 PMInvitation Only Awards and Recognition Reception

      Chairs Reception to follow (more details on Conference Events page)

      Purpose of the State Affiliate and Chapter Forum 

      The State Affiliate and Chapter Forum is where state MGMA Board members and Executive Directors problem-solve and build connections. This dynamic Conference blends keynotes, panel discussions, and roundtable conversations. If you want to strengthen your state’s impact, join us for a day of engaging, peer-driven learning. 

      This year's focus will be:  

      • membership  
      • building effective boards 
      • developing engaging content 

      Leave with actionable ideas to support your leadership and the success of your state MGMA. 

      Forum registration is complimentary for state MGMA Executive Directors and active Board members. 

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