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April 29-30 2026 Summit on the Coast in Savannah
April 29, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - April 30, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
ACHE of Georgia Summit on the Coast
“Shaping What’s Next – Leading Change with Courage and Clarity”
April 29-30 at
Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District
Full Day of Educational Programming
Sponsorship Opportunites
Networking Event on April 29
4.5 Hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit
1 Hour of ACHE Qualifying Education Credit
Join us for ACHE of Georgia’s 2026 Summit on the Coast in beautiful Savannah!
Our Summit on the Coast theme is “Shaping What’s Next – Leading Change with Courage and Clarity.” This theme ties together solid decision-making, successful models to drive change, effective implementation, gaining buy-in, and courageous leadership. It emphasizes the power of clarity and successful operations in executing strategy and creating strong teams.
This year, all of our events will be held at our headquarters hotel, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District.
Summit on the Coast offers 4.5 ACHE In-Person Education hours and 1 hour of Qualifying Education credit. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with top healthcare leaders in the Hostess City of the South!
Connect and learn with healthcare leaders at ACHE of Georgia’s Summit on the Coast in Savannah. The program offers 5.5 hours of education credit.
ACHE of Georgia Summit on the Coast Highlights
Our first Summit on the Coast Educational session begins at 3:00 PM on April 29. The topic is “Implementing Strategic Plans for Successful Operations.” The session has been approved for 1.5 hours of ACHE In-Person Education credit.
Keynote Session
Our April 30 program kicks off at 8:30 AM with a keynote presentation by Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Labor . The session has 1 hour of ACHE Qualifying Education credit. Our keynote speaker will be announced soon.
Our ACHE Customized Learning speaker is Jim Austin, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Brown University, MHL. The topic of his 3-hour session is “Leading Strategic Change.”
The ACHE Customized Learning session has 3.0 Hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit.
As an ACHE Customized Learning, it may be eligible for joint accreditation with other organizations.
Sponsorship Opportunities
There are several opportunities to sponsor events at Summit on the Coast. Click here for full details.
Cocktails on the Coast — Reception and Networking Event April 29 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District
Join your colleagues in Georgia health care for an evening of fun and networking at Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District, our headquarters and main event hotel. Our Cocktails on the Coast networking event is included in the registration fee.
Location:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah
Downtown/Historic District
135 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-236-1777
April 29 Afternoon Panel Discussion: 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM:
“Implementing Strategic Plans for Successful Operations”
Once the strategic plan is developed, the work is only half done. Without effective implementation, a strategic plan may be no more than a fancy binder on a shelf. Leaders face many challenges in obtaining organization-wide buy-in for the goals and plan, and in establishing a system of accountability to ensure that the strategic plan is followed. This program will review common situations and concerns that the panelists address when implementing their strategic plans. The program will conclude with a question-and-answer period.
1.5 Hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit
Panelists Will Discuss:
- Who do you involve in the strategic planning process? How does this choice
affect the level of organizational acceptance of your plan? - How do you communicate your strategic plan throughout your organization?
- How do you ensure members of your organization are accountable for the
implementation of the strategic plan? - What tools and metrics do you use to assess the plan’s ongoing success?
- What roadblocks have you encountered in implementing your strategic plan?
Panelists:
Paul W. Barkley, Sr., FACHE,
Chief Executive Officer,
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Savannah
Panelist:
Jay Dennard, FACHE, FHFMA, CPXP,
President / System VP of Governmental & Community Affairs,
GHS Foundation / Northside Hospital System
Event Details:
April 29, 2026, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET
April 30, 2026, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District
135 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-236-1777
Room Block Available – $149
Agenda:
April 29
- 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM — Registration Opens, table exhibits
- 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM — Opening Comments from ACHE President Sandy Duke, MD, MBA, FACHE
- 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM — Panel Discussion, “Implementing Strategic Plans for Successful Operations”
- 4:45 PM to 7:00 PM — Reception and Networking Event at Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah
April 30
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM — Registration and continental breakfast
- 8:30 AM to 8:45 AM — Opening Comments from ACHE President Sandy Duke, MD, MBA, FACHE
- 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM — Keynote speaker Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Labor
- 9:35 AM to 10:00 AM — Coffee Break
- 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM — ACHE customized learning session Part 1 with Jim Austin
- 11:30 AM – 12:10 PM — Lunch and Networking
- 12:10 PM to 1:45 PM — ACHE customized learning session Part 2 with Jim Austin
- 1:45 PM to – 2:00 PM — Closing comments from ACHE President Sandy Duke, MD, MBA, FACHE, and Summit on the Coast concludes
CEUs:
Below is information on continuing education credits:
- April 29 Afternoon Panel Discussion: 1.5 Hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit
- April 30 Opening Keynote Session: 1 hour of ACHE Qualifying Education Credit
- ACHE Customized Learning speaker session: 3.0 hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit. Note: This ACHE Customized Learning Program may be eligible for joint accreditation with other organizations (see box at right).
COST:*
- ACHE Member: $260.00
- Non-Member: $285.00
- Students: $175.00
*The registration fee includes the April 29 reception and networking event from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District
.
NOTE – The Early Registration Deadline Is Monday, April 27.
No credit/refund after this date. If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute.
ACHE Customized Learning Session CE Credit Opportunities
The ACHE Customized Learning session has 3.0 Hours of ACHE In-Person Education Credit AND 3 Hours of Continuing Education in collaboration with the following organizations:
- Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
- American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
Hotel Special Rate:
ACHE of Georgia has reserved a room block for the evening of April 29 at Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District (site of all of our Summit on the Coast events):
Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District
135 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-236-1777
Group Rate: $149 for April 29
Book a Room
Click here to book your room. Or call (912) 236-1777 and ask for the ACHE of Georgia room block.
Note: When booking your room, select April 29 as your check-in date and April 30 as your check-out date on the first page for our group rate.
We have a room block at our Summit event hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District, the evening of April 29. The hotel is the site of all of our educational programs and the April 29 networking event. Our group rate is $149 for April 29.
Overflow Hotel Now Available
If the Fairfield Inn & Suites sells out, we have an overflow hotel next door, the Aloft Savannah Downtown Historic District, which is offering the same group rate of $149 the night of April 29.
The Aloft Hotel address is 512 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31401.
Book a Room at the Aloft Hotel
Click here to book your room. Or call 912-421-2003 and ask for the ACHE of Georgia room block.
Note: When booking your room, select April 29 as your check-in date and April 30 as your check-out date on the first page for our group rate.
We also have a room block at the Aloft Savannah Downtown Historic District hotel, the evening of April 29. It is located next door to our HQ hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites. Our group rate is $149 for April 29.
Stay and Enjoy Savannah!
While you’re in Savannah, make a weekend of it! Nestled along the Savannah River, Savannah is steeped in rich history, vibrant culture, and undeniable Southern charm. It is a one-of-a-kind destination that never ceases to amaze. Click here for more on things to do in Savannah.
If you’re looking to get closer to the coast, Tybee Island is just a short drive away.
Events in Savannah:
Downtown Savannah offers a wealth of things to do.
Enjoy beautiful Tybee Island in Savannah.
Thank You to Our Summit on the Coast Sponsors:
Learn more about Summit on the Coast Sponsorship opportunities.
