Heartland Conference 2026 Recap: 25 Years of Community

Published in Complex Rehab on June 29, 2026

For 25 years, Heartland has been a place where the HME and home healthcare community come to reconnect with its purpose—where ideas are shared, challenges are understood, and relationships are built in a way that lasts far beyond a few days in June. 

And this year, the unmistakable energy of purpose, powered by people, was palpable. 

Heartland Conference 2026 marked a milestone anniversary, bringing nearly 950 attendees, exhibitors, and speakers from the HME, CRT, and home access communities to Waterloo, Iowa, to celebrate 25 years of education, connection, and a collective commitment to better care. 

Community Comes First 

If there’s one thing that stood out this year, it’s that Heartland is, and always will be, about people. 

From first-time attendees experiencing it all for the first time to longtime members and thought leaders returning to a familiar place, there was a shared sense of connection that carried through every moment.  

Conversations came easily. Introductions turned into meaningful exchanges. And everywhere you looked, there were reminders that no one in this industry is doing it alone. There’s a shared understanding that, in this industry, what we do matters. 

That’s the Heartland difference. 

Because while education matters and innovation matters, it’s the community that makes those things stronger. 

Where Inspiration Meets Action 

The keynote presentations set the tone early. 

David Atkins challenged attendees to think differently about leadership and momentum in his powerful keynote, “One Decision Away: From Potential to Performance,” reminding us that real change starts with action—not waiting. 

And the next today, Joe Delagrave brought comedy and emotion to the stage with “Push with Purpose,” sharing a message of resilience, responsibility, and choosing how we show up—even when circumstances are out of our control. 

Both presentations were reminders of why this work in the non-acute and home healthcare industry matters and how each of us plays a role in moving it forward. 

Learning That Moves the Industry Forward 

Heartland has always been about applying what is learned to make a real impact, and this year was no different. 

Across more than 60 education sessions, attendees leaned into the conversations shaping non-acute care today—from business operations, billing and compliance, and leadership and people strategy to respiratory, CRT, technology and security, and more.  

The 2026 conference schedule included presentations, lunch and learns, and peer discussions that offered practical insights that can carry into day-to-day operations, patient care, and long-term strategy. Attendees explored:  

• Turn strategy into actionable growth 
• Measuring what matters 
• Embracing automation, technology, and clinical innovation 
• Improving financial and operational efficiencies 
• Building up strong leadership and aligned teams 
• And so much more 

These topics sparked conversations that will continue long after Heartland ended. 

Celebrating the People Behind the Progress 

Heartland is also a time to recognize the people who make the HME and broader healthcare community what it is. It’s a reminder that while the industry continues to evolve, its greatest strength has always been the people behind it who show up every day to serve their patients, their teams, and their communities. Their dedication, resilience, and heart are what drive progress. And moments to celebrate that are part of what makes Heartland so meaningful. 

One of those moments came during the HME Woman of the Year Award Ceremony, where leaders gathered to celebrate the women shaping the future of HME through innovation, leadership, and service.  

Congratulations to Lisa Wells, Senior Vice President of Med-South, Inc. for being named the winner of the 2026 HME Woman of the Year Award! 

Celebrating 25 Years—The Heartland Way 

Of course, some of the most impactful parts of Heartland don’t happen during the sessions. They happen during the Exhibit Hall, where product innovations and conversations spark new partnerships.  

Or they happen over shared meals during the Main Street Tailgate, connecting peers across the industry in a way only Heartland can.  

They happen in the in-between moments—between sessions, between handshakes, between new ideas and fresh perspectives. 

From the Pep Rally on the Plaza—complete with live music, fireworks and drones, and a kickoff worthy of a milestone year—to a nostalgic Heartland High Reunion, attendees didn’t just celebrate where Heartland has been; they celebrated who they’ve experienced it with. 

There were moments of nostalgia. Moments of reflection. And plenty of moments that reminded everyone why they keep coming back. Because while the industry may evolve, one thing remains constant: the power of community. 

Until Next Time 

The past 25 years of Heartland Conference and the broader home healthcare industry have been built on community. The connections made will carry forward in the way we support each other, collaborate, and continue to raise the bar for what’s possible in non-acute healthcare. The future of this industry will continue to be shaped by the strength of this community. 

To everyone who joined us—whether it was your first year or your twenty-fifth—thank you for being part of this community, the conversations and ideas, and the shared commitment to making a difference. 

We’ll see you at the next Heartland Conference, June 14-16, 2027. 

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