201 West Butler Avenue
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Registration is now closed.
The registration fee includes two breakfasts, one lunch, and social reception.
Early Registration Fee (on or before May 6, 2026): $500
Late Registration Fee (after May 6, 2026): $600
Please contact the CME Office for questions at 775-784-4791 or email cme@med.unr.edu.
The 2026 Western Region Flex Conference will provide opportunities for CAH administrators and staff, state Flex program staff, and rural health-care leaders to share information and best practices with their peers in the Western region of the United States. The conference will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the latest state and national health policy developments and their impact on CAHs and other rural health care providers.
Following participation in this activity, participants should be able to:
The registration fee includes two breakfasts, one lunch, and social reception.
Early Registration Fee (on or before May 6, 2026): $500
Late Registration Fee (after May 6, 2026): $600
Registration is now closed.
For additional information, multiple registrants, or to pay-by-check, please call (775) 784-4791 or email cme@med.unr.edu.
Cancellations received in writing to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Office of Continuing Medical Education before May 15, 2026 will receive a full refund less a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations on or after May 15, 2026 are non-refundable.
For additional information regarding the conference, please contact (775) 784-4791 or cme@med.unr.edu.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | REDi Health Welcome Reception at the Mother Road Brewing Company Location: 7 South Miles Pike, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (10-minute walk from the Drury Hotel) |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:00 - 8:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks Dan Derksen, M.D. University of Arizona |
| 8:15- 9:15 a.m. | Update from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Tom Morris, MPA, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy |
| 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. | Break |
| 9:45 - 11:00 a.m. | The Landscape of Rural Health Brock Slabach, MPH, FACHE, National Rural Health Association |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Rural Health Clinic Federal Policy Updates Sarah Hohman, MPH, CRHCP, The National Association of Rural Health Clinics |
| 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. | OBBBA Implementation and Impact Update Chad Mulvany, Director/Healthcare Consulting, Forvis Mazars |
| 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | The Ongoing Evolution of Quality Reporting Karla Weng, MPH, CPHQ, Stratis Health |
| 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Facilitated Conversation with CAH CEOs in the Western Region Moderator: Peggy Broussard Wheeler, Broussard Rural Health Care Consulting, LLC |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Social Reception and Raffle |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| OPENING 8:00 - 8:15 a.m. |
Setting the Stage: From National Vision to Local Action Led by: John Packham, PhD, UNR, and John Wadsworth, REDi Health Focus: Establish context by connecting national rural health priorities from CDC, CMS, and FORHP to regional and local transformation opportunities. |
| SEGMENT 1 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. |
State Offices of Rural Health as Innovative Collaborators for Rural Communities Focus: How State Offices of Rural Health build community-wide analytics capacity, enable shared learning, and advance statewide progress. Panelists: Liz Craker, MBA; Laima Etchegoyhen, MPH |
| SEGMENT 2 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. |
Data as a Rural Currency Focus: Hospital leaders share how analytics coupled with process improvement methods are driving financial sustainability and improving operational efficiency. Panelists: Preston Marx, VP of Strategy & Innovation; Denise Arthur, Director of Revenue Cycle; Cyrus Hendricks, VP of Analytic Engineering, REDi Health |
| 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| SEGMENT 3 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
The Human Side of Transformation Focus: These improvements affect real people in rural communities. Panelists: Cari Spillman, Chief Quality Officer, Blue Mountain Hospital; Kelsey Sullivan, Director of Clinic & Ancillary Services, Three Rivers Health; Claire Adams, VP of Healthcare Analytics, REDi Health |
| SEGMENT 4 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Sustaining Rural Transformation Focus: How large health systems and state partnerships may help sustain gains beyond RHTP and FLEX cycles. Panelists: Preston Marx, VP of Strategy & Innovation, Uintah Basin Healthcare, Roosevelt, UT; Jeremy Lyman, President, Blue Mountain Hospital, Blanding, UT; David Dirks, VP of Strategy, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT |
| SEGMENT 5 12:30 - 12:50 p.m. |
Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Sustainability Led by: John Packham and John Wadsworth Focus: Regional trends discussion and Q&A |
| CLOSING 12:50 - 1:00 p.m. |
Data Must Outlive the Grant! John Packham |
| Option | Time | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent a Car | 2-2.5 hours | $$ | Most Flexible | You drive |
| Rideshare/Taxi | 2-2.5 hours | $$$ | Easy door-to-door | Expensive |
| Shuttle | 3-4 hours | $$ | Affordable, no driving | Less flexible |
| Bus (Greyhound/FlixBus) | 2.5-3 hours | $ | Cheapest | Needs connection from airport |
| Flight | 1.5-3+ hours | $$$ | Fastest in air | Expensive & logistics |
1. Rent a Car
2. Rideshare / Taxi / Private Car
3. Shuttle Services
These are scheduled vehicles that generally cost less than private car rides:
4. Intercity Bus (Greyhound / FlixBus)
Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff
300 South Milton Road
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Room rate is $182.00 - $212.00
Room rate does not include local and state taxes, currently 8.38%, which are subject to change.
The room rate is ONLY valid for Wednesday, June 3 - Thursday, June 4, 2026. If you plan to add an extra day to your stay please call the hotel direct to make your reservation. The room rate is only valid for the dates listed above.
Guests can also make reservations by phone, calling 1-800-325-0720. Please refer to our group code: 10159471.
Reservations for Wednesday, June 4 - Thursday, June 5, 2025, please click the link below:
Western Region Flex 2026 Hotel Group Link
The last day to make a room reservation at the discounted rate is May 2, 2026. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability.
Embassy Suites Flagstaff
706 South Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Embassy Suites Website
Within walking distance of the conference center.
Payment must be recieved by May 15, 2026
For additional information, please contact Jeanne Tremaine or call (775) 784-4782.
The receipt of this registration form is a commitment to the exhibit/sponsor. Cancellations will not be refunded except in extenuating circumstances; in which case, a request must be made in writing and reviewed by the conference planning committee. Cancellations will be refunded less a $75 processing fee.
As an accredited provider of continuing medical education through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. In order to assure that information is presented in a scientific and objective manner, The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine requires that anyone in a position to control or influence the content of an accredited activity disclose all financial relationships within the prior 24 months with any commercial or proprietary entity producing health care goods or services relevant to the content being planned or presented. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated. Following are those disclosures.
All presenters, planners or anyone in a position to control the content of this continuing medical education activity have indicated that they do not have any financial relationships with commercial entities related to the content of this activity.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Office of Statewide Initiatives. The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses may receive continuing education credit for this educational activity as the ANCC accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM through its reciprocity agreement.