Call for Sessions for 2026 NPA Medical Director Essentials Course Survey

The Medical Directors Subcommittee of the NPA Medical Leadership Committee is accepting speaker interest forms for the 2026 Medical Directors Essential (MDE) Course, which will be held on Friday, June 5, during the 2026 Summer Conference in Cleveland, OH. The submission deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026.

This year's MDE Course aims to equip both novice and experienced PACE medical leaders with a deep understanding of the essential competencies for effective medical leadership, with a particular emphasis on clinical challenges, interdisciplinary team (IDT) engagement, and the role of medical leadership within the PACE model of care.

The program will feature presentations designed to offer insights into the medical director's role in ensuring clinical excellence through strong medical direction and oversight of participant care across various aspects. We are seeking session proposals that address both foundational and advanced topics relevant to medical directors, such as leadership, regulatory compliance, provider network, quality improvement, and the integration of clinical and administrative functions. All sessions should provide practical, actionable takeaways that benefit both new and experienced medical directors.

We invite you to express your interest in presenting on one of the topics listed below, though presentations on additional topics that align with this year’s program objectives will also be considered.

Leadership & Team Management

Topics related to effective medical leadership strategies in the PACE setting.
Engagement with interdisciplinary teams (IDTs), building team dynamics, and promoting collaboration.
Leadership challenges specific to the medical director role, including change management and conflict resolution.
Practical tools for building strong IDT relationships.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Improvement

Strategies for navigating complex regulations in the PACE program.
Practical advice on quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Care coordination with contracted providers.

Medical Management & Clinical Oversight

Effective approaches to medication management within the PACE program.
Overseeing clinical care and ensuring high-quality medical outcomes.
Addressing regulatory aspects of clinical oversight in PACE and managing medication-related challenges.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems

Real-world experience in selecting and managing EHR systems for PACE programs.
Assessing the functionality and integration of different EHR systems and addressing challenges.
Workarounds for EHR limitations in PACE settings, including tips for managing clinical and compliance needs.
Case studies or best practices for optimizing EHR usage.

Practical Tools & Resources for PACE Medical Directors

Practical takeaways such as checklists, playbooks, or templates that new medical directors can use in their role.
Creating actionable frameworks for common challenges faced by medical directors in PACE.

Financial & Operational Aspects of PACE

Addressing financial and operational challenges, including coding, reimbursement models, and budgeting.
Strategies for managing the balance between clinical care and the regulatory realities of the PACE program.
Discussion of HCC codes and RHC (Risk Adjustment Factor) systems, along with their impact on financial outcomes.

To provide the best educational experience for attendees and appeal to all types of learners, NPA offers a multifaceted approach to educational offerings, that will include the following session types:

problem-solving sessions, where speakers pose a problem and lead attendees through exercises to develop solutions;
panel presentations, with a moderator and no more than three panel members;
experimental/case studies, where speakers review a case study and lessons learned;
interactive presentations; and
group discussions.

If you or someone in your organization is interested in presenting at the 2026 Medical Directors Essential Course, please complete this form by Friday, March 27, 2026.

For more information, contact Mia Phifer, Chief Quality and Compliance Officer.

We look forward to seeing you in Cleveland, OH!

1.Applicant Name and Contact Information(Required.)

Name:

Title:

PACE Organization:

Email Address:

Phone Number:

2.Proposed Session(Required.)

Title:

Length:

Target Audience:

3.Technical Level:(Required.)

Start-Up Programs

New Programs

Established Programs

4.Description of Proposed Session:(Required.)

5.Learning Objectives:(Required.)

6.References/Citations:(Required.)

7.We look to host a symposium that appeals to all types of adult learners. In order to have the best educational experience for the symposium attendees, we plan to move away from the traditional lecture-based education session to a more participant-based education session, offering the session types noted below.

Please indicate which learning style describes your presentation.(Required.)

8.Additional Speaker #1 (if applicable)

Name:

Email:

Title:

Organization:

9.Additional Speaker #2 (if applicable)

Name:

Email:

Title:

Organization:

10.Additional Speaker #3 (if applicable)

Name:

Email:

Title:

Organization:

11.Additional Speaker #4 (if applicable)

Name:

Email:

Title:

Organization:

Current Progress,

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