ACHE of Mississippi's 1st annual Emerging Leaders Conference

The ACHE of Mississippi 1st Annual Emerging Leaders Conference supports healthcare professionals in the early stages of their careers as they build the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to lead effectively. More than a conference for emerging leaders, it will be shaped with them—actively involving early-career professionals in planning and giving them meaningful opportunities to participate, contribute, and practice leadership throughout the event.

This program will offer 3.0 hours of ACHE In-Person Credit. The cost to attend is $25 for ACHE members and $50 for non-members. ACHE student members always attend our in-person and virtual sessions free of charge!

8 AM-9 AM - Breakfast with the CEO: Jeff Cook, President & CEO, Forrest Health, Hattiesburg

This session will allow healthcare leaders, executives, and students to meet Hattiesburg healthcare leaders in an informal setting to discuss industry trends, career advice, and organizational strategies.

Jeff Cook was hired in 2014 as Director of Contracts and Legal Services for Forrest Health and has also served as Vice President & General Counsel. He was named President & CEO in 2025. During his tenure, he has also overseen Engineering, Construction, Laundry, Clean Earth, Project Management, Risk Management, Facilities Planning, Corporate Compliance, and Strategy. Cook hails from Hattiesburg, graduating from North Forrest High School, where he played football and baseball. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology (2005) and a Master of Business Administration (2008), both from the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence-Business Law from Mississippi College in 2011.

Dr. Ben Burnett, President of William Carey University, will welcome attendees and introduce Jeff Cook. Dr. Kimberly Huddleston, ACHE of Mississippi Higher Education Network Representative and Assistant Professor of Health Administration and Education at William Carey, will moderate this session. ACHE student members offered input on questions for Mr. Cook.

9 AM-10 AM - Keynote Address: Taking Your Thoughts Captive: The Mindset of an Effective Leader

We all have thoughts that influence how we lead, especially in high pressure environments. The challenge is learning to recognize which thoughts help us and which ones get in the way.

In this engaging keynote, Jenna Hope Harris introduces her Identify, Investigate, Instill framework to help emerging healthcare leaders recognize unhelpful thought patterns, understand their origins, and intentionally develop healthier ways of thinking. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and real-life experience, Jenna gives attendees practical tools to manage negative thinking, navigate self-doubt, and approach leadership challenges with greater clarity.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of their thought patterns and practical strategies to lead with greater confidence, purpose, and intention.

10-10:30 AM - Networking Break and Visit with Sponsors

10:30 AM-12 PM - ACHE Panel: The Role of Data and Advanced Analytics in Transforming Healthcare

Despite the transformative potential of health analytics, many healthcare organizations still lack a clear strategy for integrating data and advanced analytics into everyday decision-making. This program will explore how health systems use analytics today and how emerging capabilities could reshape operations, patient care, quality and safety, workforce engagement and well-being, and healthcare costs. Attendees will examine the challenges of integrating large volumes of disparate data in real time and learn how to deliver actionable insights to the right people at the right moment. The panel will also share practical strategies to strengthen and maximize the value of existing data and analytics initiatives.

Moderator: Allison Bolton-Jefferson, ACHE of Mississippi Student Representative and William Carey University Health Administration Education Student

Faculty:

• Alicia M. Watts, PhD, MBA, RHIA, CPHIMS, CC, CIHIS-AI Educator, Program Director of Health Information Management, William Carey University
• Christina McDuffie, MSN, RN, Project Manager, South Central Regional Medical Center
• Shawn Rossi, DHA, FACHE, Director of Strategic Partnerships, HSG Advisors

12 PM-1 PM - Networking Lunch and Visit with Sponsors

1 PM-2:30 PM - ACHE Panel: Strategically Mapping Your Early Career Development

Despite the transformative potential of health analytics, many healthcare organizations still lack a clear strategy for integrating data and advanced analytics into everyday decision-making. This program will explore how health systems use analytics today and how emerging capabilities could reshape operations, patient care, quality and safety, workforce engagement and well-being, and healthcare costs. Attendees will examine the challenges of integrating large volumes of disparate data in real time and learn how to deliver actionable insights to the right people at the right moment. The panel will also share practical strategies to strengthen and maximize the value of existing data and analytics initiatives.

Moderator: Patricia Willis, William Carey University Health Administration Education Student

Faculty:

Robert C. Weathersby, MSN-HCA, RN, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center

Lee Ann Prisk, DNP, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, St. Dominic Health

Dr. Alicia Purvis, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, William Carey University

2:30 PM - Evaluation & Adjourn