#United States #AAPPR #Physician Recruitment #Lake Buena Vista #healthcare shortages

Advancing Connections Conference Overview

The Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR) is set to host its annual Advancing Connections Conference from April 12-15, 2026, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. In response to ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector, the conference aims to bring together leaders and experts from across the country to address critical issues related to physician shortages, recruitment pressures, and immigration uncertainties that are affecting the delivery of healthcare services.

With health systems facing significant hurdles—such as increased recruitment costs and competition for providers—AAPPR recognizes the urgency to adapt recruitment strategies to navigate the evolving landscape. The conference will gather physician and provider recruitment leaders to share insights designed to improve patient access and community care delivery.

Key Focus Areas

The Advancing Connections Conference will feature a range of educational sessions and discussions centered around the current challenges in healthcare recruitment, presenting an opportunity for attendees to explore evolving best practices. Key topics will include:

• - Negotiation and Strategic Skills: Learning effective negotiation techniques is vital in recruiting physicians within a competitive market characterized by talent shortages.
• - Leadership Preparedness: Training clinical and administrative leaders to improve interviewing and selection processes is crucial in retaining top talent amid rising turnover rates and clinician burnout.
• - Resilience and Retention: Strategies focused on workforce resilience are paramount for stabilizing staffing situations and ensuring consistent patient access to care.
• - Niche Talent Recruitment: Addressing the challenges of sourcing hard-to-find talent will also be on the agenda, including innovative recruitment approaches that emphasize relationship-building.
• - Legislative Navigation: Discussions will also cover the impact of immigration policies and regulations on recruitment efforts, and how to leverage data to inform decision-making at the executive level.

Conference Highlights

Prominent speakers are slated to deliver keynotes throughout the conference. Opening the event will be Katrina Collier, a renowned authority in recruitment, who will discuss the role of technology and human connection in the recruitment process. Attendees can look forward to practical insights into how automation can be effectively balanced with interpersonal engagement.

The closing keynote will be delivered by Jim Davidson, a respected leadership speaker known for his mountaineering experiences. He will focus on resilience in leadership, offering lessons on managing risk and sustaining performance during turbulent times.

In addition to the main conference, pre-conference workshops will take place on April 12-13, covering various topics like onboarding and retention. These sessions aim to equip recruitment professionals with advanced skills necessary to enhance their expertise in the field.

Continuing Education Credits

Participants attending the conference will be eligible for 6.5 continuing education credits. AAPPR is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), allowing attendees to earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs) that count toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification renewal, in addition to credits needed for Certified Physician/Provider Recruitment Professional (CPRP) certification.

For more information or to register for the Advancing Connections Conference, individuals can visit AAPPR Conference.

About AAPPR

The Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment has dedicated over three decades to leading healthcare provider recruitment, onboarding, and retention initiatives. By facilitating networking among recruitment leaders, AAPPR promotes the exchange of best practices and innovative strategies, empowering organizations to enhance care delivery through effective recruitment.

Consider joining AAPPR to gain access to valuable resources and support in the field of healthcare recruitment. For membership details, visit AAPPR Membership.