Hospital Capacity Management (HCMC) Leadership Forum
The Hospital Capacity Management Leadership Forum is an in‑person convening, taking place July 11–12, 2026 in Denver, for leaders responsible for hospital flow — designed to strengthen physician engagement, improve throughput decision‑making, and advance system‑wide capacity performance through real‑world, peer‑led learning. This forum brings together clinical, operational, and capacity leaders to share what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next — in a role where most leaders are navigating change alone.
Letter from Nerissa Legge and Jill Sklar
Join us in welcoming a new era as we move forward together, united by a commitment to progress, innovation, and collective success.
Exciting things are happening in 2026! As HCMC enters a bold new chapter, the focus is clearer than ever: building a vibrant community of hospital capacity management leaders dedicated to making a real impact. Whether it’s leading-edge education, practical strategies, or leadership skills that drive results—this is the moment to elevate your game.
Nerissa Legge
HCMC Executive Director
Jill Sklar
HCMC Advisory Board President
AGENDA
Opening Session: Foundations of HCMC: Our Past, Our Purpose, Our Future
Session #1 | Capacity in Action: Leadership Strategies to Improve Patient Flow
Lunch
Session #2 | Building the Foundation for High Performing Transfer Centers: Workflows, Metrics, and Staffing to Drive Data Driven Decisions and Enable AI-Ready Operations
Session #3 | From Concept to Care: The Journey to Launch Virtual Nursing and vICU
Break
Networking Reception
Breakfast Session #4 | The Intersection of Patient Safety and Patient Throughput
Session #5 | From Analytics Silos to an Analytics Program: MedStar Health's Journey to System-Wide Throughput Intelligence
Session #6 | From Whiteboards to System Strategy: The Evolution of Centralized Bed Optimization
Wrapping Up Strong: HCMC Highlights and What’s Coming Next
Note: Times are listed in MDT (local to Denver).
Schedule and times may be subject to change.
WHO YOU WILL MEET...
Meet fellow capacity, clinical, and operational leaders who understand the realities of hospital flow—leaders facing the same bottlenecks, alignment challenges, and technology decisions, and who are ready to share what’s working and what’s next.
Lanie Crow
Senior Manager, ECG Management Consultants
“Capacity management is a team sport”
Dr. Jessica Crum
Executive Director of Epic Applications and Transfer Operations, Forrest Health
“Real operational strategies you can put to work immediately.”
Christopher Norman, MS, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA
Medical Director, Transfer Center ECU Health
“The mutual learning is critical to continuous improvement.”
Lorelei Stellwag DNP, RN, NE-BC
Vice President MedStar Capacity and Transfer Center MedStar Health Integrated Operations
"Many aspects of our roles are still misunderstood."
Register for the inaugural 2026 Hospital Capacity Leadership Forum
Early bird pricing:
Members: $499 | Nonmembers: $550
Join your peers to learn and connect live!
Attending the Hospital Capacity Management Leadership Forum? Access social media tools to share your experience.
 | Continue the conversation at the AHA Leadership Summit Join the American Hospital Association right after the Hospital Capacity Leadership Forum for the AHA Leadership Summit. Built around the theme (Re)Designing Care Delivery and Operating Models for the Future, the Summit brings together CEOs, C-suite executives and senior leaders from across health care to meet the challenges of the moment. |
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