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The CHACU Annual Conference 2026, hosted by AdventHealth University (AHU), brings together leaders and educators from hospital-affiliated colleges and universities across the United States to explore the evolving landscape of healthcare education informed by faith, mission, and collaboration.

This year’s conference focuses on elevating clinical partnerships, academic innovation, leadership development, and whole-person education within Christ-centered institutions. Over three days, attendees will participate in expertly curated sessions—including plenary presentations led by distinguished leaders, targeted breakout tracks, and poster sessions drawn from the CHACU Call for Abstracts.

The conference opens on Wednesday evening with a networking reception, welcome dinner, devotional, and keynote session. Thursday features a full day of conference programming including plenaries, breakouts, a networking lunch, poster presentations, and the CHACU Business Meeting. Friday concludes with a final plenary, action-planning roundtables, and a closing blessing, ending by 12:00 PM.

Participants will gain insights into emerging trends shaping healthcare and higher education, learn strategies to support student success and retention, deepen understanding of faith-based leadership, and explore collaborative opportunities among peer institutions. With AHU’s commitment to whole-person care and education, the conference environment encourages spiritual reflection, professional growth, and the strengthening of institutional partnerships.

Join us in Orlando to connect, learn, and shape the future of healthcare education grounded in mission, compassion, and excellence.

Objectives/Outcomes

After attending this conference, the participant will be able to:

1. Strengthen Professional Collaboration

• Identify new opportunities for partnership among CHACU institutions.
• Engage in cross-institutional discussions that promote shared initiatives.

2. Advance Academic & Clinical Innovation

• Explore emerging practices in curriculum design, whole-person education, and clinical partnerships.
• Apply strategies to enhance student engagement, retention, and academic success.

3. Enhance Institutional Leadership & Governance

• Examine leadership frameworks that support faith-based institutional effectiveness.
• Discuss challenges and solutions related to accreditation, quality, and operational sustainability.

4. Integrate Mission & Spiritual Life

• Reflect on the role of mission, calling, and spiritual development within healthcare education.
• Identify ways to more deeply integrate spiritual life into academic and student-life programming.

5. Develop Actionable Plans for Improvement

• Participate in roundtable activities to outline next steps and collaborative projects for 2026–2027.
• Leave with actionable ideas, tools, and frameworks that can be implemented at home institutions.

PRESENTERS

Randy Haffner serves as group president and CEO of AdventHealth Florida and Clinical, overseeing more than 50 hospitals and emergency rooms across the state. These world-class facilities, combined with a comprehensive outpatient care network, provide care for over eight million patients annually. Additionally, Randy provides senior executive leadership for AdventHealth Clinical, co-leads the AdventHealth Leadership Institute, and serves as the chair for the AdventHealth University Board of Trustees.

Randy has been with AdventHealth since 1989, holding a variety of senior leadership roles. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Central Florida Division, managing nearly two dozen hospitals and ERs, including a flagship campus for the organization — AdventHealth Orlando.

Prior to that, he was president and CEO of the Multistate Division, overseeing 20 campuses across eight states. Earlier in his career, he served as CEO of Porter Adventist Hospital in Colorado and as administrator of AdventHealth Orlando.

He holds an undergraduate degree from Walla Walla College, an MBA from the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, and a doctorate in leadership studies from Andrews University.

Randy serves as chair of the Florida Hospital Association’s 2025-2026 Board of Trustees, advocating for the health care needs of all Floridians. He also serves on the Florida Council of 100 and the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Governor’s Council.

Cathy Stankiewicz serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division, where she leads strategic direction for nursing practice and clinical outcomes across a broad and diverse healthcare system. With over 34 years of nursing experience, Cathy brings deep expertise in critical care, quality improvement, research, and executive leadership. Throughout her career, she has championed initiatives that enhance patient care, advance nursing innovation, and elevate standards of clinical excellence. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and measurable improvement in patient and team member outcomes.

Cathy earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from George Washington University, and holds both Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

 CONFERENCE AGENDA