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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 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.

Participants will gain insights into emerging trends shaping healthcare and higher education, learn strategies to support student success and retention, deepen understanding of mission-focused 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 mission-focused institutional effectiveness.
• Discuss challenges and solutions related to accreditation, quality, and operational sustainability.

4. 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

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)

Abel Biri is the chief executive officer of AdventHealth Orlando, the system’s flagship campus and one of the largest nonprofit health care facilities in the United States. He also provides executive oversight for AdventHealth for Children, supporting the delivery of advanced, whole-person care across Central Florida and the broader AdventHealth system.

With nearly 30 years of health care leadership experience, Biri is known for leading complex, high-acuity organizations through periods of clinical, operational, and capital transformation. His work focuses on scaling specialized services, strengthening system performance and ensuring access to care in rapidly growing regions.

In his current role, Biri is leading the advancement of quaternary-level care, positioning AdventHealth Orlando as a destination for the most complex clinical services. His mandate includes expanding access to advanced, high-acuity care while building the infrastructure required to support sustained growth. Central to this effort is his leadership of the largest single capital investment in AdventHealth’s history, the development of a new patient tower designed to support the continued expansion of complex clinical programs.

Previously, Biri served as president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth Waterman, where he led a period of significant campus growth and service expansion across Lake County. Under his leadership, the organization opened a new patient tower and introduced several advanced clinical programs, including Lake County’s first children’s emergency department, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), neurosurgery, orthopedic spine surgery, inpatient rehabilitation, expanded women’s and children’s services, and the campus’s first robotic surgery program. He also helped establish AdventHealth’s first robotic cardiac surgery program, expanding minimally invasive options for complex cardiac care.

Earlier in his career, Biri served as chief operating officer of both AdventHealth Waterman and AdventHealth Orlando, with executive responsibility for strategic planning, campus development, and oversight of high-complexity service lines, including transplantation and digestive health. Biri is widely regarded as a systems-oriented leader, known for applying disciplined, long-horizon thinking to complex health care organizations. In his personal time, he maintains a structured practice of long-distance solo walking, including repeated journeys along Spain’s Camino de Santiago, which he has leveraged to support philanthropic efforts focused on expanding access to care for uninsured and vulnerable populations.

Biri holds a bachelor’s degree from Andrews University and an MBA from Webster University. He and his wife Vasti have two adult sons, David and Jonathan.

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.

 CONFERENCE AGENDA 

Welcome: Thank you to all CHACU members for your time and support, and welcome to Orlando. The Spring 2026 CHACU Annual conference is sponsored by AdventHealth University.

Opening Plenary Session and Dinner:

Guiding Themes:
> Character and Compassion: Integrating whole-person development – body, mind and spirit.
> Whole Person Education: Linking mind, body, and spirit in health care training.
> Mission in Practice: Institutional initiatives that embody mission in contemporary health care.
> Community and Belonging: Creating inclusive environments of care, learning, and support.
> Innovation and Transformation: Reimagining pedagogy, technology, and curricula to sustain compassionate practice.
> Leadership Formation: Mentorship and reflective practice in developing health care leaders.