Tuesday, June 16, 2026 

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm         Mix and Mingle - Arriving early for the conference? Join us at Geraldine's Lobby Bar inside the Hotel Van Zandt for a casual Mix & Mingle! It's the perfect opportunity to relax, connect with fellow attendees, make new connections, and kick off the conference fun before sessions begin on Wednesday. Guests are welcome to purchase their own beverages and appetizers during happy hour. We look forward to welcoming you in Austin!

Grab your friends and experience Austin’s famous bats!

Make plans to catch one of the city’s most unforgettable sights at the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. As the sun sets, watch in awe as thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats take to the sky, creating a breathtaking display as they sweep out over Lady Bird Lake.

Peak viewing is around sunset, when the trickle of bats turns into a dramatic wave that can last up to 45 minutes. Since timing can vary (typically between 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.), check daily flight predictions and weather updates at Austin Bat Refuge before you go. Some evenings are more active than others!

The bridge is just a quick 10–15 minute walk from Hotel Van Zandt, making it an easy and fun outing. Want an even more memorable view? Head out on the water with Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises for a front-row seat on the lake.

Arrive early, bring your crew, and get ready for a one-of-a-kind Austin experience!

7:30 am - 8:00 am

8:00 am - 11:15 am

Pre-Conference Workshops (additional $99 to attend)

Pre-Conference 1 (8:00 am - 9:30 am): 

Raising the Bar: 5 Must-Haves for Physician Relations in 2026
Susan Boydell, Principal,  Barlow/McCarthy
Tricia Anderson, Senior Consultant,  Barlow/McCarthy

Physician relations programs have never had more opportunity to drive meaningful growth. What does it take to stand out? In this pre-conference workshop, we’ll challenge traditional approaches and outline the five must-haves for program success in 2026 and beyond. Expect real-world insights, practical tools, and candid discussion on how to move from activity-driven to results-driven growth.

Break (9:30 am - 9:45 am)

Pre-Conference 2 (9:45 am - 11:15 am): 

Plan Better. Call Smarter. Be Heard: Elevating Physician Liaison Impact
Tommy Tiller, COO, Tiller-Hewitt Healthcare Strategies 

Physician liaisons are often busy—but not always effective. This interactive workshop focuses on two skills that consistently elevate outreach performance: purposeful pre-call planning and the ability to turn field insights into executive action. Attendees will learn how to prepare for more impactful provider conversations, clearly define visit objectives, and document insights in a way leadership understands and acts on. We’ll also cover practical frameworks for escalating issues, influencing internal stakeholders, and ensuring provider feedback leads to real operational improvements. Participants will leave with tools they can apply immediately to increase credibility, effectiveness, and overall impact in their role.

*Workshop attendees are on their own for lunch after the conclusion of the session.

10:00 am - 5:30 pm 

General Registration Open
*Pre-Conference Workshop attendees can check in at 7:30 am to receive your Conference materials.

12:30 pm - 12:45 pm

Welcome and Conference Overview

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

Opening Keynote: From Texas Two-Step to Transformation: The Indispensable Liaison Legacy
Tammy Tiller-Hewitt, FACHE, CEO, Tiller-Hewitt Healthcare Strategies

In the great state of Texas, the Two-Step is more than a dance—it’s a ritual of partnership, trust, and seamless movement between two people. For decades, the physician liaison has been healthcare’s equivalent: the essential partner who masterfully navigates the rhythm of relationships to keep the entire system moving forward.

This keynote celebrates the profound and indispensable Liaison Legacy. We’ll journey from the foundational "Two-Step" of building trust between providers and health systems to the large-scale Transformation that these partnerships fuel. Like a cowboy or cowgirl is to Texas, the physician liaison is the bedrock of healthcare collaboration—the gritty, resilient force that forges the alliances which heal communities, advance medicine, and ensure institutions not only survive but thrive.

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm 

STRAPup, SPURup, and POWERup Your Leadership
Dr. Troy Hall, Author and Consultant

In this highly interactive keynote, Dr. Troy inspires leaders to be proactive owners of their personal growth, development, and advancement. Built upon the transformative principle of “others before self” and the three strategic elements of cohesion, participants will learn how to immediately apply actions to:

• Prepare for a growth mindset
• Own their Values
• Wield their Words
• Evolve themselves
• Refresh their mind, body, and spirit

2:45 pm - 3:15 pm

Refreshment Break/Visit Our Sponsor Partners

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

Plenary Session: How AI is Changing Healthcare and What It Means For You

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA
Texas Oncology-Austin Central

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the healthcare landscape across patient care and clinical decision-making, as well as physician engagement, operations, and communication strategies. This forward-looking plenary session will explore how AI is reshaping healthcare today, what emerging trends mean for the future, and how professionals can adapt, innovate, and lead in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Sponsored Plenary Session The New Reality for Physician Liaisons: Navigating Growth, Data, and Disruption
Presented by Official Conference Sponsor Doctivity
Justeen McKittrick, RN, BSN, MHS, NE-BC.
VP, Operations & Customer Success, Doctivity Health, 

Alex Waller
Director of Physician Relations & Referrals, Renown Health 

Steven Simmons
Senior Director Physician Relations, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Physician liaisons are facing a radically different landscape than they were even five years ago. Referral patterns are shifting, competition is intensifying, and health systems are demanding measurable impact in an environment where resources are tight and expectations are high. This discussion brings together experienced liaison leaders, strategists, and market intelligence experts to unpack the challenges shaping the role today—from leakage and access barriers to relationship fatigue, data fragmentation, and the pressure to demonstrate ROI.

Attendees will walk away with practical strategies for prioritizing outreach, strengthening provider relationships, using data more effectively, and elevating the liaison function as a strategic driver of growth. If your team is being asked to do more with less, this conversation will hit home.

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

AAPL Past Presidents Feud:  AAPL Legends Edition!

Join past presidents of the American Association of Physician Liaisons for a special anniversary session combining leadership insight, professional reflection, and friendly competition. The session begins with a candid discussion on the evolution of the physician liaison profession and pivotal moments in AAPL history.

Then, the energy shifts  to our Past Presidents Feud:  AAPL Legends Edition - a Family Feud–style game where former presidents compete using real survey responses from physician liaisons across the country. Expect laughs, audience interaction, and relatable topics ranging from referral relationships to office visit habits and common liaison challenges. The session concludes with one final takeaway from each panelist: their advice for the next 25 years of the profession.

We’re collecting member responses to build the survey boards, spark friendly competition, and create buzz leading into conference. Submit your answers to our featured questions and be part of the action. Your response could be the #1 answer revealed live on stage. 

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Networking Happy Hour

Join us from  for our Networking Reception sponsored by Clarify following the day’s sessions. Unwind after a day filled with great education, reconnect with colleagues, and make new connections.

To add to the excitement, attendees can enjoy drawings from a caricature artist, create a custom hat at the Hat Bar from Longhorn Fashions, and shop for permanent jewelry from Bonded Chains. (Both the hat bar and permanent jewelry vendors accept cash or credit card.) Join us for light appetizers and cocktails before hitting the town!