Provided by: Cook Children’s, Hendrick Health,

& the Big Country Area Health Education Center

Date: March 20-21, 2026

Location: Hendrick Service Center Mall of Abilene

4310 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606

Target Audience: Regional healthcare leaders and professionals, community partners, students and healthcare trainees, higher education and training programs

Join us for the West Central Texas Regional Healthcare & Workforce Readiness Summit, a two-day regional convening focused on strengthening the health workforce through collaboration, coordination, and targeted continuing education for regional nurses.

3/20 Day One - Regional Healthcare Summit

Friday will bring together regional healthcare organizations, education and training partners, community partners and stakeholders for shared learning and networking. The day will include a Health Match Recruitment Fair, and regional healthcare facilities are invited to host a table to connect directly with students, job seekers, and partners across West Central Texas. This day also provides a conference track for regional high schools students to attend the HS Telemedicine & Career Readiness Experience - a hands-on experience introduces telehealth technology, virtual care workflows, and real-world healthcare applications, and includes a soft skills session.

*Event Booth Opportunities will be prioritized for regional healthcare employers only at no cost - vendors are encouraged to attend however, booth opportunities will not be available.

3/21 Day Two - Nursing Education Series (A minimum of 4.25 CNE hours will be awarded at the conclusion of this day - participants must attend both days to receive credit)

This day features a focused Nursing Continuing Education Series, designed to support nursing leadership development, professional growth, and rural readiness. College nursing students are highly encouraged to participate.

Agenda

FRIDAY | Day One | Regional Healthcare Summit

12:30 – 1:00 PM | Registration • Partner Table Booths

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Regional Workforce Strategies Through Coordination & Leadership Panel HMH - Michelle Stevens, Betty Hardwick – Michael Jones, WCTCOG/AHEC - Terra Moreno, Hendrick Health - Toni Brockway, C3HIE - Jim Hoag, and Cook Children’s - Sadie Crouch

2:00 – 2:15 PM | Break

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Pediatric Readiness in Rural Areas, Cook Children's - Jillian Wills

3:15 – 4:00 PM | Strengthening Healthcare Through Partnership – COG/AHEC/TRHA: Terra Moreno and Haley Stuteville

4:00 – 5:00 PM | Health Match / Recruitment & Networking / Posters

5:30 - 7:00 Networking Reception and Dinner - Miguel's Mex Tex Cafe - 3001 S Danville Dr, Abilene, TX 79605

FRIDAY | Day One | HS Telemedicine & Career Readiness Experience

High School CNA, CMA, Health Track Student Sessions (Closed - Registration is at Capacity)

1:30-2:00 PM Arrive and Check in

2:00-2:45 PM Professionalism and Soft Skills

2:45-2:55 PM Break

2:55-3:55 PM Telemedicine Crash Course

3:55-4:00 PM Closing Remarks

4:00-5:00 PM Health Match Recruitment Job Fair

SATURDAY | Day Two| Nursing Education Series

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast • Nursing & Leadership Networking

8:30 – 9:30 AM | Burn Bright, Not Out Session I, Hendrick Health - Jill Sharp

9:30 – 9:45 AM | Break

9:45 – 10:45 AM |Burn Bright, Not Out Session II, , Hendrick Health - Jill Sharp

10:45 – 11:00 AM | Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM| Delivery Room Emergencies, Cook Children's - Jillian Wills

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Pediatric Traumas, Cook Children's - Jillian Wills

1:00 - 1:20 PM | Continued Engagement Opportunities & Closing 

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSOR: