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Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association MHA’s Annual Joint Commission 2026 Update
March 3 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
VIRTUAL EVENT
Those registering for this virtual event will receive the recording and slides after the presentation, so if you can’t join us on the day of the event. Be sure to register and review the material at your leisure.
$129 Per Person
PLEASE NOTE: Attendees will need to re-set their password on MHA’s Member Portal before registering due to a recent system upgrade. Click here for guidance or simply click “Forgot My Password” and follow the instructions upon registering.
Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights and updates from industry experts and peers, including hospitals that have undergone Joint Commission survey process in 2025 and the new Accreditation 360 process in 2026.
AGENDA
9:30 a.m.: Welcome
Kim Stevenson, Director, Workforce & Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
9:35 – 9:40 a.m.: Joint Commission Opening Remarks
Kathryn Spates, J.D., Executive Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations, Joint Commission
9:40 – 10:30 a.m.: Joint Commission Survey Enhancements – Accreditation 360
Theresa Hendricksen, R.N., Vice President of Field Operations and Associate Chief Nursing Executive, Joint Commission
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Joint Commission Innovations to Accelerate Improvement
Elizabeth Mort, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Joint Commission
11:30 – 11:35 a.m.: BREAK
11:35 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: Survey Readiness and Results: 2025 Experiences from the Field
Christi Barney, R.N., Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety, Chief Health Equity Officer, Emerson Health
Jennifer La Luz, Vice President of Operations, Kent Hospital, Care New England Health System
Cynthia Marlin, R.N., Executive Director, Quality, Patient Safety, Regulatory & Infection Prevention, Cape Cod Healthcare
Sherri Sprague, R.N., SVP Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer, Kent Hospital, Care New England Health System
12:20 p.m. – 1 p.m.: Panel Discussion: 2026 Experiences from the Field, So Far
Moderator: Patricia Noga, R.N., Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
Cynthia Marlin, R.N., Executive Director, Quality, Patient Safety, Regulatory & Infection Prevention, Cape Cod Healthcare
Tricia Ide, R.N., Executive Director, Quality & Patient Safety, New England Baptist Hospital
Katie Corrigan, R.N., Director, Quality & Patient Safety, New England Baptist Hospital
Lori Reed Puff, R.N., Chief Nursing Officer & Director, Patient Care Services, Baystate Wing Hospital
Carrie Ferrindino, R.N., Manager of Quality, Baystate Wing Hospital
Nick Connors, Manager Facilities & Engineering, Baystate Wing Hospital
1 p.m.: Next Steps
Cancellation Policy (for in-person events only): Full refunds will be recognized when cancellations occur at least 5 business days prior to an in-person event. Any cancellation notices received after this time will result in $50 administrative fee. To avoid this penalty, you may send someone in your place by forwarding their full name, title and email address to the Director of Healthcare Education, Amy Smalarz at asmalarz@mhalink.org. No shows will be responsible for payment in full.