600 Attend 2023 NAO Biennial Conference; 2025 Conference Location Announced

After a five-year hiatus, the 2023 National AHEC Association Biennial Conference was held June 27-30 at the Little America in Salt Lake City. More than 600 attendees from across the country and surrounding territories gathered to share and learn about strategies, programs, and partners that helped them to achieve the AHEC mission of strengthening the current and future healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities. 

The conference connected peers from distant cities - many for the first time in person - for nearly a week of practical education, rewarding conversations, and enriching off-site entertainment, all surrounded by the picturesque mountains in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT. 

“The energy was incredible,” said Mindy Bateman, conference planning co-chair and director of the host organization, Crossroads AHEC. “We were thrilled that so many had such a positive, re-invigorating experience. Attendees took home new ideas, contacts, and energy that will help NAO continue to move forward.”

Guest speakers for the 2023 NAO Biennial Conference included:

Erika Sullivan, MD, MS, MS, is a board-certified family physician specializing in providing safe and reliable contraception to women, women’s health, LGBTQ patient care, preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and full-family care.

Dr. Dale Okorodudu, is the founder of Black Men in White Coats, an author, and a practicing pulmonary and critical care physician at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

Chelsea Guevara, is a poet and spoken word artist from West Jordan, Utah. Part Salvadoran, part American, her words focus heavily on the Latinx and immigrant struggles. 

Tim Cunningham, RN, DrPH, FAAN, is the Co-Chief Well-Being Officer for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Office of Well-Being, adjunct associate professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, and a Well-Being & Transformational Leadership Speaker.

According to the National AHEC Organization, the 2023 Biennial Conference welcomed 503 AHEC attendees, 125 AHEC 101 attendees, 55 AHEC Scholars, and 52 Sponsors.

Planners also announced that the 2025 NAO Biennial Conference will be held June 17-20, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. More details on the 2025 conference will be shared in the months ahead.