2026 Seattle Regional Meeting (Feb)

7:45 - 8:30 AM
Breakfast

8:30 - 9:15 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Host: Joe Smecker, MHA, Chief Operating Officer, Western Washington Medical Group

In addition to sharing your name, title, and organization, we invite you to share recent successes and challenges from your organization. The list of challenges will be used as the basis for the morning's Hot Topics session.

9:15 - 9:45 AM
Retention Matters: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Speakers: Ann MacCracken, Director of Talent & Strategy and Shay Miller, MBAHM, Senior Director of Operations, Vancouver Clinic

This session will share how Vancouver Clinic implemented programs such as an MA in Training pathway, career ladders, and leader development initiatives to improve retention. They will highlight measurable reductions in turnover, particularly within the first year, and discuss lessons learned along the way.

9:45 - 10:00 AM
Roundtable Discussion
During this time, attendees will have a chance to discuss their approaches to the presented topic and learn from the others at their table. While the conversation is meant to be driven by the members at the table, starting questions include:

1. What's one staffing challenge that keeps coming up for your team?
2. What's one thing you've tried that's helped with staffing or retention?

10:00 - 10:15 AM
Networking Break

10:15 - 10:40 AM
Patient Access & Care Delivery Models
Speakers: Julie Osgood, MS, DrPH, Chief Executive Officer & Rebekah Ashdown, MHA, FACHE, CHFP, AVP Patient Access & Referral Management, Samaritan Medical Group

A practical conversation focused on improving access to care amid rising demand. This session will explore how Samaritan Medical Group is adjusting care delivery, scheduling, and capacity to better meet patient needs.

10:40 - 10:55 AM
Roundtable Discussion
During this time, attendees will have a chance to discuss their approaches to the presented topic and learn from the others at their table. While the conversation is meant to be driven by the members at the table, starting questions include:

1. What's the biggest access issue your patients are experiencing today?
2. What's one change you've made (or are testing) to improve access or care delivery?

10:55 - 11:30 AM
Hot Topics
Moderator: Joe Smecker, MHA, Chief Operating Officer, Western Washington Medical Group

During this session, attendees will be able to raise any topics they would like to discuss with the other medical group members in the room.

11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Lunch

12:20 - 12:50 PM
Federal Legislative and Regulatory Update
Speakers: Jamie Miller, MBA, Senior Director, Government Relations, AMGA

Healthcare legislation continues to evolve at both the national and local levels, creating opportunities and challenges for healthcare organizations. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of recent and upcoming legislative changes impacting healthcare delivery.

12:50 - 1:00 PM
Networking Break

1:00 - 2:30 PM
Practicing Excellence Workshop: Power of Us
Speaker: Stephen Beeson, MD

In this talk, Dr. Stephen Beeson, author, physician, and founder of the human development company Practicing Excellence, speaks to the power of us and the importance of creating a place built on safety, being there for each other, big purpose, and friendships. He takes a step-by-step approach to developing the skills needed to become a great teammate and to understand how that can drive engagement, culture, effectiveness, and retention.

2:30 PM
Adjournment
Host: Joe Smecker, MHA, Chief Operating Officer, Western Washington Medical Group