The Northeast Leadership Summit for Care at Home brought industry leaders together for two days of candid dialogue, shared challenges, and practical strategies for navigating what lies ahead. It was a rare opportunity to step back from day-to-day pressures, compare notes with peers, and be reminded that leadership in this field is not meant to be done alone.

From regulatory uncertainty and workforce shortages to reimbursement pressures and rapid technological change, the sessions reflected the reality facing providers today—while also offering tools, perspective, and renewed confidence to move forward.

One of the most talked-about moments came during the evening reception, when the dueling pianos filled the room. The unexpected energy and laughter were a reminder that connection, community, and joy matter just as much as the work itself.

Keynotes & General Sessions

Opening Keynote – Marcylle Combs
Navigating the Storm: Leadership at the Helm of Healthcare’s Future
Leaders explored how to guide their organizations through budget constraints, regulatory shifts, and rising expectations while embracing innovation, AI, and ethical decision-making. The message was clear: the future of care will be shaped by leaders who are adaptable, grounded, and people-centered.

General Session – Matt McGinty
Bending the Curve: Finding Equilibrium in Home Care
A data-driven look at the caregiver lifecycle and the economic forces reshaping home care. Attendees examined how smarter hiring, retention, scheduling, and engagement strategies can stabilize operations despite wage pressures, debt, and reimbursement cuts.

General Session – Mary Delia Allen
The Welcoming Edge
This high-impact session showed how a strong first impression builds trust, improves engagement, and elevates the care experience. Leaders left with simple, actionable tools to create meaningful connection—even in high-stress environments.

Keynote – (Summit General Session)
Leading When the Math Doesn’t Add Up
This session created space for the realities leaders face every day: Medicare cuts, workforce shortages, and funding uncertainty. It offered honest reflection—not platitudes—on how to stay grounded while carrying responsibility for teams, patients, and families.

Closing Keynote – Richie Redding
Laughing Matters
Using humor and real-world case studies, Richie addressed the “3 B’s” of toxic workplace culture—Blame, Bullying, and Burnout. His approach to empathy and active listening demonstrated measurable improvements in caregiver engagement and patient satisfaction.

Closing Keynote – “FBI John”
Cybersecurity for Healthcare
A real-world look at how cybercrime targets healthcare organizations. Through actual FBI cases, attendees learned where vulnerabilities exist, how remote work increases risk, and what steps agencies can take to protect sensitive data and operations.

The 2026 Northeast Leadership Summit reaffirmed that while the challenges are real and complex, the strength of this industry lies in shared knowledge, honest conversation, and the community that stands behind the work.