Region IX Clinical Excellence and Leadership Conference: A Powerful Gathering of Clinical Leaders

The 2025 Region IX Clinical Excellence and Leadership Conference, held June 22–24 at the Peppermill Resort & Spa in Reno, Nevada, brought together hundreds of clinical leaders from Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawai‘i, and the Pacific Islands. Hosted by the California Primary Care Association (CPCA) and the Western Clinicians Network (WCN), the event delivered three days of collaborative learning and strategic networking.

The conference opened with a compelling keynote by attorneys Molly Evans and Dianne Pledgie of Feldesman Leifer LLP. Their session, Legal and Compliance Updates for Health Center Providers: What to Know Now, addressed critical issues in the evolving federal regulatory landscape. Attendees praised the session for its clarity and relevance in navigating complex legal terrain.

Another standout was the general session on The National Landscape for Health Centers in 2025, featuring speakers from HRSA and CMS. This session provided timely updates on federal funding priorities, policy changes, and operational challenges, offering attendees a strategic lens through which to plan for the future.

Participants chose between two focused learning tracks: Leadership Development and Evolving Care Team Models. Highlights from the breakout sessions in these tracks included a deep dive into the “Clinic First” residency model, peer-led discussions on workforce challenges, and practical strategies for enhancing continuity of care.

The conference also offered ample opportunities for networking. Exhibitor breaks, peer learning groups, and a chance to meet the coaches from the WCN Coaching Program fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

The 2025 Region IX Clinical Excellence and Leadership Conference proved once again to be a vital space for clinical leaders to learn, connect, and lead with purpose.