April 28, 2026

Message From the President

Dear Members and Colleagues,

As we move forward into 2026, I am excited to share our renewed vision for the year—a vision focused on clarity, connection, and collective impact. Our organization continues to grow stronger because of your commitment, your expertise, and your belief in the work we do together.

Our 2026 Vision: Strengthen, Elevate, Inspire

This year, we are dedicated to:

• Strengthening the value we provide to our members through resources, education, and collaboration.
• Elevating our visibility and reach within the field to maximize our impact.
• Inspiring new initiatives and partnerships that reflect our mission and the diverse voices of our membership.
• Transitioning to a 501C-3 coming soon

Every decision we make this year ties back to this vision of expanding our influence while supporting each individual member’s professional growth.

Looking Ahead: 2027 Annual Conference

Planning is well underway for our 2027 Conference, which we anticipate will be one of our most dynamic events yet. Stay tuned for:

• The official theme announcement
• Call for abstract submissions
• Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities
• Early‑bird registration details

We look forward to gathering together in 2027 for learning, networking, and celebrating our continued progress.

Benchmarking Survey Updates

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent 2025 benchmarking survey. The data collected is incredibly valuable, offering insight into:

• Current trends in programming and operations
• Resource allocation and staffing models
• Organizational strengths and challenges across our membership

We are currently finalizing the analysis and will share a detailed summary in the next quarter. These findings will help guide future decision-making and support you with meaningful comparative data for your own strategic planning.

Coming This May!

Member Engagement Webinars

We are pleased to continue offering a robust lineup of member-engagement webinars throughout 2026. These sessions are designed to:

• Provide practical tools and professional development
• Spotlight innovative work across our community
• Strengthen relationships and encourage shared learning
• New: able to provide 1 CEU's

Keep an eye on your inbox for the quarterly webinar calendar. As always, these sessions are free for all active members and $40.00 for non-members.

The HCEA is seeking engaging and knowledgeable speakers for our upcoming webinar series. If you have expertise, insights, or innovative ideas to share with our community, we encourage you to submit a proposal.

Selected speakers will have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge, connect with industry professionals, and contribute to the ongoing education of our members.

Member Spotlight: Tom Bauer

Educator, Early Health Literacy Pioneer, and Champion of Human‑Centered Care

For Tom Bauer, education has always been more than a profession — it has been a lifelong instinct. Long before he became a national leader in patient and family education, Tom was already doing what great educators do: noticing what people struggle with, listening for what they don’t say, and finding ways to make the complex feel human.

Why Membership Matters

If you’re not yet a member—or know someone who may wish to join—this is the perfect time. Membership offers:

• Free access to professional webinars
• Networking with leaders and peers in the field
• Early access to data and benchmarking reports
• Opportunities for recognition and visibility
• Exclusive communications and educational resources

Our strength as a nonprofit lies in the collective knowledge, passion, and experience of our members. We encourage you to stay engaged and invite others to join our community.

Board Update

At this time, there are no open board positions. However, members will be notified promptly when leadership or committee opportunities arise.

Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership. Together, we will make 2026 a year of meaningful progress and shared success.

Warm regards,

Leah A. Hazel - HCEA President

About HCEA

Health Care Education Association is a multi-disciplinary professional organization comprised of health care educators who are committed to improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based education. We are educators from across the continuum of care. Our focus is geared toward patient, family and consumer health education, health literacy, patient engagement, patient-centered care and documentation.

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