Media contact: Angela Try

SPRINGFIELD — The Professional Development Institute at Lincoln Land Community College will host the 2026 Illinois Health Care Educators Conference on Nov. 6, 2026, at Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr., Springfield.

The day-long conference, Pathways to Practice: Building a Health Care Educator Network, is designed to bring together health care educators from secondary and post-secondary institutions across Illinois to share best practices, strengthen professional networks and explore innovative approaches to workforce development. The conference offers continuing education credits (CEUs) and is open to the public. Registration is required.

Participants will choose from breakout sessions on 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 and an escape room activity. The conference keynote speaker, Michelle Deck, is an award-winning presenter, 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.”

The conference runs from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information, including registration, can be found at www.llcc.edu/health-ce. The deadline to register is Oct. 22.

The conference is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Health Occupations Association (IHOA).