LLCC to host healthcare educator conference

SPRINGFIELD — The Professional Development Institute at Lincoln Land Community College will host a conference in November. The 2026 Illinois Health Care Educators Conference will occur on November 6, 2026. The conference will be at Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr., Springfield.

The day-long conference will bring together health care educators from secondary and post-secondary institutions across Illinois to share best practices. The design also allows for the strengthening of professional networks and exploring innovative approaches to workforce development. The conference offers continuing education credits (CEUs) and is open to the public.

Participants will choose from several breakout sessions. They include:

• Community health work as a career
• Illinois State Board of Education career and technical education career pathways
• Engineering empathy in the next generation of care
• Inclusive support strategies for all health care students
• An escape room activity

The conference keynote speaker, Michelle Deck, is an award-winning presenter. In addition, Deck is an author and educator in adult learning and interactive teaching methods.

“This conference has the potential to positively shape and change the future of health care education cross Illinois by creating meaningful connections among educators and strengthening pathways for the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Laurel Bretz, associate vice president, continuing, corporate and professional education at LLCC. “By bringing together educators from across the state, we are building a network that will support student success, address workforce needs and advance excellence in health care education.”

More information, including registration, is available at www.llcc.edu/health-ce. The deadline to register is October 22.

The conference is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education. It is also sponsored by the Illinois Health Occupations Association.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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