Joint Commission to Gather Leading Voices in Healthcare at UNIFY™ 2026: Convening for Quality

Nationally recognized leaders from across the healthcare continuum will gather for two-day conference in Washington, D.C. to share insights and strategies for improving care quality and patient safety

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joint Commission will bring together healthcare executives, clinicians, policymakers, payers, academics, patient advocates, and innovators at UNIFY™ 2026: Convening for Quality, taking place Sep. 30-Oct. 1 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC. As Joint Commission marks its 75^th anniversary in 2026, UNIFY will provide a forum for healthcare leaders to reflect on decades of progress in quality and patient safety while exploring the trends and innovations that will shape the future of care.

The annual conference will feature expert-led discussions and interactive sessions focused on addressing the most complex challenges facing the healthcare industry today and exploring practical strategies that strengthen outcomes, improve care delivery, and advance patient safety across diverse care settings. UNIFY 2026 convenes leaders who are shaping the future of care delivery, such as keynote speaker Michael D. Howell, MD, MPH, Chief Health Officer at Google, who will explore how healthcare organizations can ensure quality and patient safety remain at the center of an increasingly technology-enabled healthcare environment.

“Healthcare stands on the cusp of fundamental transformation. At a time of rapid change across the industry, driven by emerging technologies, evolving care models, and unprecedented opportunities to improve operations and care delivery, shared learning is more important than ever,” said Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Joint Commission. “UNIFY aims to foster collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem, allowing leaders to come together to identify solutions to problems that transcend any one healthcare system or organization, strengthening care quality and safety for all patients. In leading with courage, innovating with integrity, and elevating care, together we can build a better health future.”

Other top healthcare leaders slated to speak include J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO, Inova Health System; Michelle Spurlock, System Chief Nursing Officer, Acadia Healthcare; Brian G. Donley, MD, President and CEO, New York Presbyterian; Pamela Sutton-Wallace, MPH, President, Yale New Haven Health; and Omar Lateef, DO, President and CEO, Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center.

Over two days of plenaries and breakout sessions, these and other expert speakers will explore topics including but not limited to:

• Operational strategies that help healthcare organizations reduce complexity, improve performance, and deliver more reliable care
• Leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to transform decision-making, streamline operations, and support clinicians
• Addressing the unique challenges facing behavioral healthcare organizations, from workforce demands to integrated models of care
• How rural healthcare organizations and community-based care initiatives are strengthening access to healthcare and supporting healthier communities
• Preparing for the future of ambulatory care with innovative outpatient care models and evolving consumer expectations
• A nurse's perspective on leadership, workforce resilience, and the realities of care delivery in today's healthcare environment
• Advances in children's care and new approaches to meeting the unique needs of children and families
• Building learning systems that encourage transparency, accelerate improvement, and help organizations learn from safety events
• Creating cultures of empathy-driven, patient-centered care that strengthen both the care experience and workforce well-being

In addition, UNIFY 2026 will also celebrate organizations and individuals whose outstanding work is advancing healthcare quality and safety. During the conference, Joint Commission will present the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards, the Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity, the Healthcare Innovation Award, the Award of Excellence, the Physician Leadership Award, the Nurse Leadership Award, the Champion for Children’s Health Award, the Congressional Award, and the inaugural Care Team Award. These awards programs highlight transformative work from across the healthcare continuum and showcase leading practices that are driving meaningful improvement.

Healthcare leaders from hospitals, health systems, ambulatory care organizations, behavioral health providers, government agencies, payer organizations, technology companies, academia, and patient advocacy organizations are encouraged to attend. UNIFY 2026 offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights from the organizations that are defining the trends and solutions that are shaping the future of healthcare delivery, share ideas, and connect with peers and diverse healthcare thought leaders.

To learn more about UNIFY 2026 and to register, visit the conference website: UNIFY 2026: Convening for Quality.

UNIFY is designed primarily for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and industry stakeholders – conference news, award announcements, and select materials will be made available through Joint Commission's press office.

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About Joint Commission

Joint Commission enables and affirms the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety for all. Founded in 1951, it is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare, evaluating more than 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs across the United States. As an independent, nonprofit organization, Joint Commission inspires healthcare organizations across all settings to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.

Learn more at www.jointcommission.org.

About UNIFY™

UNIFY™ is Joint Commission’s premier, flagship annual conference dedicated to advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and organizational excellence. UNIFY fosters thought leadership and amplifies key voices across the healthcare industry, uniting stakeholders to address critical challenges and shape the future of healthcare and patient safety.

Zachary Brousseau
Joint Commission
(202) 478-9326
press@jointcommission.org