HPN Spring Conference 2026
May 26 @ 5:00 pm - May 28 @ 2:00 pm EDT
Join the Health Professions Network for a two day conference in El Paso, Texas this May for an inspiring conference. Each day of the conference will feature a different theme to be explored by our speakers and participants.
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Hotel Information
The following hotels are offering special discounts for attendees of the HPN conference. Secure your spot today!
| Hotel | HPN Rate | Link to Book |
|---|---|---|
| Aloft by Marriott Hotel Downtown El Paso | $140/night | ALOFT Group Rate for Health Professions Network |
| Hotel Paso del Norte | $192/night | Hotel Paso del Norte Group Rate for The Health Professions Network |
Schedule of Events
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026
6:00 - 8:00 PM Welcome Reception at the Alcantar Sky Garden
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026
Theme: The Human Cost of Healthcare — Workforce & Burnout
Suggested Attire: Casual with comfortable shoes
| Time | Session | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast | |
| 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM | Welcome & Framing | Dan Olson opens with overview of two-day arc |
| Opening Remarks (Virtual) | Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) | |
| 8:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Dr Ginger Raya will address attendees about the intersection of healthcare leadership, education, and executive practice. | |
| 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Networking Break | |
| 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM | State Regulation of Music Therapy and Its Impact on Music Therapy Workforce SupplyT | Dr. Lauryn Byrne will review state-level workforce laws for music therapists, share an integrated data model of the profession, and examine how those laws have shaped workforce size across the U.S. |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | The New ‘Do No Harm’ Provision of the OBBBA: What Are the Statistics on Allied Health | Don Balasa will share what the OBBBA's new "Do No Harm" provision means for allied health — by the numbers. |
| 11:30 AM - Noon | Small Group Discussions | Discussion will focus on compassion fatigue in mission-driven work; small staff & outsized expectations; salary inequity; building sustainable organizational cultures |
| Noon - 12:15 pm | Full-group debrief | |
| 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM | Day One Morning Wrap-Up | Preview afternoon / Day Two |
| 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Lunch, Exploration, and Dinner | Tours include: Hotel Paso del Norte; Plaza Hotel; Aloft Hotel; Hotel Indigo; Courtyard Hotel |
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026
Theme: The Ecosystem — Associations, Education, and the Integrity of Credentials
Suggested Attire: Casual with comfortable shoes
| Time | Session | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast | |
| 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM | Day Two Opening: Reconnecting the Threads | Brief facilitator framing; revisit key commitments from Day One |
| 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM | "From Workforce Crisis to Association Value: Education Programs as a Strategic Win" | Aubrey MJ Wanner and Connie Wildeman will share how the National Society for Histotechnology used education as a strategic response and what other associations can learn about positioning education as a tool for leadership, relevance, and long-term sustainability. |
| 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM | Networking Break | |
| 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | “How Will the New Workforce Pell Program Affect Allied Health? | Don Balasa takes practical look at the new Workforce Pell Program and its potential impact on allied health education, training pathways, and the future of the workforce. |
| 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | "NCHSE & Your Association: A Two-Way Partnership for the Future of Health Science Education" | Executive Director, Dana Stringer, Will share how the National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE) supports associations like yours — and the meaningful ways your association can support the next generation of health science professionals in return. |
| 11:45 Am - 12:00 pm | Closing: Where Do We Go from Here? | Full-group debrief |
| 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Lunch, Exploration, Happy Hour, and Dinner | Tours include: Plaza Theatre, Abraham Chavez Theatre and Convention Center; La Nube STEAM Discovery Center for Children; Mexican American Cultural Center |
Our program and speakers will include interactive sessions, panels, and opportunities to explore El Paso! Keep up to date with HPN to learn more about this conference and access the full schedule.
Featured Speakers
Lauren Byrne, AMTA
