The Conversations Driving Progress in Children's Health

Children’s hospitals across the country are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in pediatric health care — from rising costs and workforce pressures to emergency preparedness and care models.  

Leaders are coming up with innovative solutions. And they’re not doing it alone. 

More than 1,065 people from 96 children’s hospitals came together at Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) forums and conferences in spring 2026, exchanging ideas that move pediatric care forward and earning nearly 2,900 continuing education credit hours.

CHA has nearly 100 forums ranging from Cardiac Directors to Chief Nursing Officers to Medication Safety Leaders. From first-time attendees to experienced leaders, members consistently point to the same takeaway: Conversations at these events are different. 

“The relationship building was so valuable, and I appreciated the honesty and openness,” a hospital executive wrote about their first CHA forum. “Others were quick to share where they fell short and openly discuss avenues for improvement.” 

Real-world solutions you can’t get anywhere else 

What makes CHA forums different isn’t just the content. It’s connecting with peers facing the same decisions on budgets, teams, and constraints that are often unique to pediatric hospitals.  

Leaders come together to discuss priorities around workforce recruitment and retention, cost management, de-escalation practices, and community partnerships. 

They leave with approaches and solutions they can take home and apply right away. Members see these annual meetings as essential. 

“I look forward to collaborating with these leaders and glean insight, encouragement, and value that I can take back to my facility,” a member wrote. 

That emphasis on usefulness shows up in the data: CHA forum attendees rate their experience 4.68 out of 5 for leaving with ideas to implement.  

Candor that drives action 

Progress depends on more than shared presentations. It requires trust and a culture of openness among participants. 

CHA fosters a safe space for transparency essential for improving outcomes. During the forums, leaders freely discuss successes as well as what hasn’t worked, moving conversations beyond surface-level updates to decision-focused dialogue. 

“This group of smart, practical leaders are always willing to share their experiences or challenges for the good of the entire group,” one leader said. “As a result, together, we all take better care of our patients.” 

Because progress happens faster when it’s shared, agendas center on member-led discussion, problem-solving, and peer exchange. 

Connections that extend beyond the event 

Networking is consistently one of the most highly rated aspects of CHA forums with attendees rating networking opportunities 4.85 out of 5. 

These gatherings allow leaders to connect with peers who understand the complexities of pediatric health care.  

“It is always great to connect in person with colleagues and learn what they are doing, about challenges they are experiencing, and how we can support each other to advance care for kids and families,” a C-suite member wrote.  

Members build trusted peer networks, ongoing collaboration and research opportunities, and relationships they can turn to long after a meeting ends. Participants keep in touch through online communities where they interact with peers between meetings and explore critical issues affecting their work. 

Don’t miss the next conversation 

The challenges facing children’s hospitals aren’t slowing down and neither are the leaders working to solve them.  

Across CHA forums and conferences, your peers are sharing lessons, testing new ideas, and building relationships that move pediatric care forward. These are conversations you won’t find anywhere else.  

“The collaboration, transparency, and commitment to innovation inspire me,” wrote a participant. “These meetings are truly a highlight of my role and have transformed our work for greater impact.” 

The forums demonstrate that the most valuable ideas in pediatric health care aren’t happening in isolation. They’re happening together. 

If you’re not in the room, you’re missing the insights and connections that are shaping real change. Learn more about CHA forums, and how to be part of what’s next.