Leveraging the Laboratory

Bold Thinking. Big Impact.

Join us September 23–24, 2026, in Rochester, Minnesota, for our annual Outreach Conference.

This year’s event, Leveraging the Laboratory: Bold Thinking. Big Impact., focuses on how innovative approaches and strategic decision-making can drive meaningful results for health system laboratory outreach programs.

Hear from health system executives, industry experts, and experienced outreach leaders as they share practical insights on optimizing operations, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating an evolving healthcare environment. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, sessions will highlight how bold ideas can translate into measurable impact.

Participants will gain perspective on expanding their laboratory’s presence in the community, strengthening internal partnerships, and applying competitive strategies that support sustainable success. The conference also offers valuable opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and learn from organizations that are making a difference through thoughtful, forward-looking outreach initiatives.

We look forward to welcoming you for two days of learning, collaboration, and discovery as we explore how bold thinking can create a big impact by leveraging the laboratory.

Accessibility statement: The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science (MCCMS) strives for inclusive learning and training environments. If you experience or anticipate experiencing any disability related barriers, please contact Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu.

Conference Information

Dates: September 23–24, 2026

Location: Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, 10 E Center St., Rochester, MN 55904

Note: This program will be in person only and will not be livestreamed.

Presented by: Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Intended audience: The intended audience for this conference includes individuals from hospital laboratories, such as administrators and directors, business managers, operations managers, outreach coordinators, phlebotomy managers, marketing representatives, laboratory managers, pathologists, and sales managers.

Questions: Contact the Mayo Clinic Laboratories Education Department at 800-533-1710 or 507-284-3156, or email mcleducation@mayo.edu.

More information on learning objectives, registration, agenda, faculty, credit, lodging accommodations, and policies are included below.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of the conference, participants should be able to:

Develop and advance a laboratory outreach strategy.
Establish a competitive advantage.
Refine outreach infrastructure areas.
Connect and share best practices with peers.

Credit

ASCLS P.A.C.E.®
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. This program has been approved for a maximum of 11 P.A.C.E.® contact hours.

State of Florida
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a Continuing Education Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences for the State of Florida. Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel has designated this program for General credit. This program has been approved for 11 contact hours.

Registration

$650: Full two-day conference

$325: Single-day registration

The cost to attend the full two-day conference is $650. A single-day registration option is available for $325. Costs incurred by the registrant, such as airline or hotel fees or penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant.

Agenda

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

6:40–8:15AM	(Option 1 — Sign-up required) Mayo Clinic Laboratories Tour The bus leaves from the hotel lobby at 6:45 a.m.
7:30–8:30AM	Breakfast, Exhibits, & Registration
8:30AM–8:45AM	Welcome & Announcements Jane Hermansen, M.B.A.
8:45–9:15AM	Keynote William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., and Mary Jo Williamson
9:15–9:45AM	Refreshment Break & Exhibits
9:45–10:15AM	AI & Innovation Christopher Garcia, M.D.
10:15–10:45AM	Power of the Health System Erin Hoffman, M.H.A.
10:45–11:30AM	Laboratory Industry Trends Speaker: Coming soon
11:30AM–12:30PM	Lunch & Exhibits
12:30–1:15PM	A Care Revolution Victor Montori, M.D.
1:15–2PM	Torrance Memorical Medical Center Case Study - Outpatient Market Transformation Ihab Abumuhor and Phil Cutler
2–2:30PM	Break & Exhibits
2:30–3:15PM	United Health Services Hospitals Case study – Needs-Driven Laboratory Innovation: Opportunity and Expansion Mary M. Kielma, MLS(ASCP)SM, MSCPM, PMP; Erik Jones, MBA, FACHE
3:15–4PM	Panel Discussion Moderator: Mary Jo Williamson Christopher Garcia, M.D.; Ihab Abumuhor; Phil Cutler; Mary M. Kielma, MLS(ASCP)SM, MSCPM, PMP; and Erik Jones, MBA, FACHE
4–4:20PM	Closing Session: Bold Thinking. Big Impact. Jane Hermansen, M.B.A.
4:30–6PM	Cocktail Reception (Sign-up required)

Thursday September 24, 2026

6:40–8:15AM	(Option 2 — Sign-up required) Mayo Clinic Laboratories Tour The bus leaves from the hotel lobby at 6:45 a.m.
7:30–8:30AM	Breakfast & Exhibits
8:30AM–9:25AM	Evolving Billing Practices: Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes Speaker: Coming soon
	Designing the Patient Experience Speaker: Troy Delaney, M.B.A.
	Designing Outreach Operations Speakers: MCL Operations: Angela Reese-Davis, M.B.A.; Amanda Riley, M.B.A.; Connie Penz, M.B.A.; and Amy Mata, M.S.
9:25–10AM	Break & Exhibits
10–10:55AM	Optimizing Quality and Cost Performance Speaker: Coming soon
	Designing Outreach Operations Speakers: MCL Operations: Angela Reese-Davis, M.B.A.; Amanda Riley, M.B.A.; Connie Penz, M.B.A.; and Amy Mata, M.S.
	Customer Service and Maintenance Speakers: MCL Service: Leah Milburn, Beth Potts, Nicole Burdge, and Jeanette Theis, M.B.A.
	Tour of Desk C, Central Processing, and Outpatient Phlebotomy Meet at the registration desk at 9:45 a.m.
10:55–11AM	Transition
11–11:55AM	Sales Management Speaker: Ashlyn Mitchell
	Evolving Billing Practices: Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes Speaker: Coming soon
	Customer Service and Maintenance Speakers: MCL Service: Leah Milburn, Beth Potts, Nicole Burdge, and Jeanette Theis, M.B.A.
	Tour of Desk C, Central Processing, and Outpatient Phlebotomy Meet at the registration desk at 10:45 a.m.
12–1PM	Lunch & Exhibits
1–1:55PM	Laboratory Service Contracts Speaker: Cara Ryan-Prigge, J.D.
	Optimizing Quality and Cost Performance Speaker: Coming soon
	Designing the Patient Experience Speaker: Troy Delaney, M.B.A.
	Tour of Desk C, Central Processing, and Outpatient Phlebotomy Meet at the registration desk at 12:45 p.m.
1:55–2PM	Transition
2–3:30PM	Best Practices Speaker: Jane Hermansen, M.B.A.; Ellen Dijkman Dulkes, M.S.; and Wendy Daigle

Faculty

Conference director

Jane Hermansen, M.B.A.

Planning committee

Ellen Dijkman Dulkes, M.S.
Wendy Daigle

Mayo Clinic faculty

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D.
Mary Jo Williamson
Christopher Garcia, M.D.
Victor Montori, M.D.
Erin Hoffman, M.H.A.
Troy Delaney, M.B.A.
Angela Reese-Davis, M.B.A.
Amanda Riley, M.B.A.

Connie Penz, M.B.A.
Amy Mata, M.S.
Ashlyn Mitchell
Leah Milburn
Beth Potts
Nicole Burdge
Jeanette Theis, M.B.A.
Cara Ryan-Prigge, J.D.

Guest faculty

Ihab Abumuhor – Torrance Memorical Medical Center
Phil Cutler – Torrance Memorical Medical Center
Mary M. Kielma, MLS(ASCP)SM, MSCPM, PMP – United Health Services Hospitals
Erik Jones, MBA, FACHE – United Health Services Hospitals

Lodging accommodations

A block of rooms has been secured for participants and their guests with special conference rates at the hotel listed below. Reservations can be made using the link below.

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
10 E Center St.
Rochester, MN 55904

$279 single/double – Standard

Group rates will not be available after Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel your participation in this conference on or before Aug. 21, 2026, your registration fee, less a $75 administrative fee, will be refunded. Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ Education Department must receive written notification of your cancellation. No refunds will be made after Aug. 21, 2026.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories reserves the right to cancel or postpone any conference due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event Mayo Clinic Laboratories must cancel or postpone this conference, Mayo Clinic Laboratories will refund the registration fee but is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees assessed by airline/travel/lodging agencies.

Exhibitors

If you would like to exhibit at this year’s conference, please complete the following:

Download and review the Exhibitor Prospectus (coming soon)
Download and sign the Exhibitor Agreement
Complete the Exhibitor Registration
- Attach a copy of the signed Exhibitor Agreement during registration.

For questions, please email Anderson.Regena@mayo.edu