Early bird pricing available through August 7 for the premier national event advancing health data sharing, interoperability, and community-centered care
Washington, DC – June 23, 2026 — Civitas Networks for Health® (Civitas) today announced the first keynote speakers for its 2026 Annual Conference, taking place September 22–24 in Arlington, Virginia, and is encouraging attendees to take advantage of early bird registration rates available through August 7, 2026. The event will convene hundreds of professionals from across the health data and health improvement ecosystem, including health information exchanges (HIEs), health data utilities (HDUs), All-Payer Claims Databases (APCDs), Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives (RHICs), strategic business and technology organizations, Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), providers, payers, public health leaders, and policymakers.
The 2026 conference will feature a dynamic lineup of sessions designed to engage, inform, and inspire implementers and thought leaders advancing interoperability, data-driven care, and community-centered health improvement.
“As the health ecosystem continues to focus on using timely, actionable data, seamless interoperability, and stronger cross-sector collaboration to improve outcomes, convenings like the Civitas Annual Conference are more important than ever,” said Jolie Ritzo, CEO of Civitas. “The conference brings together leaders, innovators, and practitioners dedicated to improving health by having trusted, reliable data. It provides a unique opportunity to highlight local trusted solutions, learn from peers, and leave with fresh ideas and actionable strategies to advance health outcomes in communities across the country.”
2026 Keynote Speakers (More to Be Announced)
Civitas will feature keynote speakers offering national perspective and real-world insight into the future of health data, policy, and care delivery.
- Bridging Federal and State Policy with Local Implementation for Transformation: On Tuesday, September 22, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, MD, MSPH, FAAP, Health Commissioner for the DC Department of Health, Dr. B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD, Health Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Health, and Dr. Joseph M. Kanter, MD, MPH, CEO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), will explore the intersection of federal and state policy with local implementation. The session will highlight how cross-jurisdictional leadership is advancing public health and data infrastructure.
- Real World Considerations for Deploying AI in High-Stakes Environments: On Tuesday, September 23, Civitas CEO Jolie Ritzo will host a fireside chat with Dr. S. Craig Watkins, Ph.D, Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor and Executive Director of the IC² Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. An internationally recognized expert on the social, ethical, and real-world implications of artificial intelligence, Dr. Watkins is a Principal Investigator for UT Austin’s Good Systems Grand Challenge, a multidisciplinary initiative exploring the technical, social, and ethical dimensions of AI. His research examines how bias in data, model design, and deployment can shape outcomes in high-stakes settings like health care. This conversation will explore the evolving role of AI in health care, focusing on the gap between its promise and its current applications. Discussion topics will include how chatbots, large language models, and AI agents are shaping health information seeking, clinical decision-making, and care delivery—along with the ethical considerations required to ensure these tools are designed and deployed responsibly.
Additional keynote speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Conference Tracks and Session Themes
In addition to keynotes, the agenda features lightning talks, roundtables, and breakout sessions led by national experts and community innovators — many from Civitas member organizations. Sessions will explore the impacts of HR1, early lessons from Rural Health Transformation Program implementation, and the role of emerging technologies and AI in improving care.
Content will be organized across four tracks:
- Data in Action: Analytics, Insights, and Value
- Critical National, State, and Local Health Infrastructure Showcase
- Moving From Policy to Practice
- Innovating and Building for the Future
Official Conference Merchandise to Support Local Charity: Doorways for Women and Families
To further unite the Civitas community, this year’s event will feature exclusive conference merchandise, with 100% of proceeds benefiting Doorways for Women and Families. The merchandise will feature this year’s logo, Cardi DC — a nod to the state bird of Virginia and the conference taking place across the river from our nation’s capital. Visit the merchandise page on the Civitas Conference site to learn more and purchase your #Civitas2026 gear.
Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available
This year’s conference is made possible thanks to the generous support of Civitas’ sponsors, who share the organization’s commitment to advancing data-driven, community-centered health improvement. Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to showcase leadership in interoperability and health innovation while connecting with a nationwide network of implementers and decision-makers. A variety of sponsorship opportunities remain available, offering visibility before, during, and after the conference. Check out the sponsorship prospectus today to learn more.
Register Now and Save with Early Bird Pricing
The Civitas 2026 Annual Conference is the premier national convening dedicated to the people and organizations advancing health data exchange and multi-sector collaboration at the local, state, and regional levels. Join us for three days of meaningful connections, actionable insights, and forward-looking discussions shaping the future of health data and care delivery.
Early bird pricing is available through August 7, 2026. Civitas also offers discounted flights and hotels for attendees—plan early to take full advantage. Visit the Civitas Annual Conference website to register, explore the agenda, and learn more.
About Civitas Networks for Health®
Civitas Networks for Health® is a national nonprofit collaborative of over 150 member organizations dedicated to improving health through health information exchange, data use, and cross-sector collaboration. Civitas educates the private sector and policymakers on interoperability, quality, care coordination, health equity, and cost-effectiveness. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Civitas also leads multi-site grant-funded initiatives and amplifies the voices of local health innovators on the national stage. To learn more, visit www.civitasforhealth.org.
