KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

Kentucky REC Conference: Practical HIPAA Security Compliance Strategies

Kentucky REC Conference: Practical HIPAA Security Compliance Strategies

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online

Oct. 29 2026, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House

headshot of Amy Daley
Trudi Matthews
Head Shot of Kory Haas of Faith Healthcare

From Risk to Resilience: Practical HIPAA Security Compliance Strategies

Speakers: Amy Daley and Lindsey Steele, Kentucky REC along with Special Guest Kory Haas, Faith Healthcare

In 2026, OCR launched its “Risk Management Initiative” to highlight deficiencies identified during recent security incident investigations. Lack of security risk assessments and risk management activities were the two most common findings cited. While the HIPAA Security Rule is pending finalization, healthcare organizations can use OCR’s insights to proactively build a stronger, more defensible compliance program.

In this discussion, Kentucky REC HIPAA Security Advisors Amy Daley and Lindsey Steele, will be joined by guest speaker Kory Haas, IT Director and HIPAA Security Officer for Faith Healthcare, to share practical insights and real world perspectives from the field.

The session will focus on helping healthcare organizations translate risk findings into meaningful action through a three-step approach: Assess, Mitigate, and Document.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these foundational practices can address security gaps and strengthen their organization’s overall security posture.

About Amy Daley 

headshot of Amy DaleyAmy Daley, CHPS, has been a Health IT Advisor for Kentucky Regional Extension Center since 2014 and is the HIPAA Team Lead. She specializes in HIPAA Security guidance for healthcare organizations across the state of Kentucky. Amy obtained her B.S. in Computer Information Systems from the University of Louisville. Amy has been a guest speaker at various conferences in Kentucky presenting on topics related to HIPAA Security and Promoting Interoperability. Her background includes expertise in the areas of implementation, training and management of EHR systems.

About Lindsey Steele

Lindsey Steele is a Health IT Advisor for Kentucky REC specializing in HIPAA Security guidance and education. Lindsey’s expertise includes helping regulated entities across Kentucky identify and strengthen their security safeguards through risk assessments, mitigation strategies and conducting network vulnerability scans. Prior to joining Kentucky REC in 2024, Lindsey was a Health Information Technology Manager with more than 20 years of experience where she focused on management of EHR implementation and support, oversight of compliance and regulatory programs, and development of IT training programs for clinical and operational staff.

About Kory Haas

Head Shot of Kory Haas of Faith HealthcareKory Haas, PhD-IS, MS-IT, CSIS+, is an experienced healthcare technology leader, a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, and the IT Director for Faith Healthcare, Inc. His work focuses on healthcare IT, HIPAA compliance, cybersecurity, risk management, and implementing secure, reliable technology systems that support patient care and protect sensitive health information.

Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 29: Building Connections Through Payer Programs

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online

Oct. 29 2026, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House

Trudi Matthews
Trudi Matthews

From Regulations To Relationships: Building Connections Through Emerging Payer Programs

Speakers: Alicia Anderson and Jessica Elliott, Kentucky REC

Healthcare is rapidly evolving from a system focused on individual services to one built on relationships, coordination, and accountability for outcomes. Emerging payer programs and CMS initiatives, including mandatory payment models, Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) requirements, Collaborative Care Arrangements, and Care Coordination Agreements, are creating new expectations for how providers work together across the continuum of care.

Join our Kentucky REC experts Alicia Anderson and Jessica Elliott as they explore recent legislative and payer developments, highlighting how stronger connections between healthcare providers, community resources, and care teams can improve patient outcomes, improve utilization, and lower the total cost of care.

Attendees will gain practical insights into the opportunities and challenges these programs present. You will learn how your organization can position itself for success in an increasingly value-based healthcare environment.

About Alicia Anderson 

Alicia Anderson, MS, is a Practice Transformation Advisor and Dyad Team Lead with the Kentucky Regional Extension Center. She has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare quality improvement, health information management, and performance improvement. Ms Anderson partners with healthcare teams across Kentucky to advance quality improvement, practice transformation, and value-based care initiatives.

Her work focuses on using data to drive quality improvement and translating complex regulatory and payer requirements into practical strategies that improve clinical performance and patient outcomes. She works closely with healthcare teams to turn performance data into actionable insights that support informed decision-making and sustainable improvement. Alicia also serves as an instructor for Ethics in Healthcare at the University of Kentucky and holds a Master of Science in Information Communication Technology from the University of Kentucky.

About Jessica Elliott

Jessica Elliott is the Lead Practice Transformation & Quality Improvement Advisor at the Kentucky Regional Extension Center. Jessica is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPPS) and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). She has over 20 years of healthcare experience, including expertise in quality improvement implementation science and regulatory policy analysis. She partners with clinicians and healthcare organizations to design and implement strategies enhancing patient outcomes, optimizing care processes, and maximizing efficiencies in the transition to value-based care.

Jessica also leads projects including HEDIS measure optimization and chronic disease grant initiatives focused on patient activation and linkages to community resources.

Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 29: Debate – AI in Healthcare

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online

Oct. 29 2026, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House

AI is transforming healthcare, but what are the opportunities, risks, and realities organizations should be preparing for today? Join four University of Kentucky healthcare leaders for a lively AI in Healthcare Debate at 3:30 pm as they examine the promises and challenges of artificial intelligence in clinical care, operations, compliance, and patient engagement. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate through audience questions and hear diverse perspectives on one of healthcare’s most talked-about topics.

Debate Participants

Cody Bumgardner —Debater

Dr. Cody Bumgardner is Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Assistant Dean for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, where he serves as Division Chief of Pathology Informatics and directs Biomedical Informatics for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. He founded the UK Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, and was recently named Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation at the University of Louisville.

He has directed CLIA-certified clinical genomics processing since 2015 and built the compliant research computing that now hosts institutional AI services across health-system, state, and federal data. His group develops medically focused imaging foundation models, in-house medical large language models, and clinical tools for decision support, protocol adherence, and healthcare analytics.

Romil Chadha, MD —Debater

Romil Chadha, MD, MPH, MBA, is Chief Medical Information Officer at UK HealthCare and Professor of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky. A practicing physician and clinical informatician, he focuses on using technology, data, AI, and thoughtful system design to improve patient care, clinician experience, and healthcare operations.

Dr. Chadha supports others in improving the health and well-being of patients through excellence in patient care, teaching and research. He also provides medical leadership for all clinical information systems and innovative technology, and champions medical informatics for the advancement of the clinical quality.

Mark Hoffman, MD —Debater

Mark R. Hoffman, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer, Good Samaritan Hospital and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Dr. Hoffman’s primary research interests include uterine fibroids and outcomes following robotic surgery, and he is a member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Hoffman focuses his practice on medical and surgical treatments of complex gynecologic problems including fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding and chronic pelvic pain. In addition to nonsurgical treatments, he can offer a minimally invasive approach when surgery is needed.

Kayla Staley, RHIA, MBA —Debater

Kayla Staley is the Director of Patient Access, Experience & Digital Engagement at UK HealthCare, where she leads initiatives focused on improving the patient experience through digital innovation, access optimization, and operational transformation. With extensive experience in healthcare technology, Epic, patient engagement platforms, and enterprise process improvement, Kayla works at the intersection of clinical operations, technology, and strategy.

She has been actively leading the evaluation and adoption of artificial intelligence solutions within healthcare, with a focus on practical applications that enhance patient access, streamline workflows, and support staff efficiency while maintaining strong governance and responsible implementation practices. As a healthcare leader, she is passionate about leveraging technology to create meaningful improvements for both patients and care teams.

Trudi Matthews —Moderator

Trudi Matthews, Chief of Value-based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, UK HealthCare; Executive Director, UK Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC); Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences

Trudi Matthews serves as Chief of Value Based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UK HealthCare, the health system of the University of Kentucky (UK). In this role, Trudi works with UK HealthCare’s executive team and ambulatory leadership to ensure success in value-based programs for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers. Trudi also serves as government affairs and policy lead for UK HealthCare overseeing a team responsible for reviewing and analyzing state and federal government policy initiatives.

Trudi is also Executive Director of the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC) at UK. Trudi oversees this state-wide center charged with assisting health care leaders, practices, and hospitals across Kentucky with using technology, connectivity, process improvement and value-based care models to improve the quality and value of health care. From 2015-2019, she was Managing Director of the Kentucky REC, leading and supporting multiple externally sponsored projects such as Kentucky’s Practice Transformation Network Grant, Medicaid Meaningful Use/Promoting Interoperability Support, and several CDC-funded projects with the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Kentucky REC Annual Conference Oct 29: Trudi Matthews on Healthcare Policy & More

Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online

Oct. 29 2026, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House

Trudi Matthews

Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Update: What’s Next 

Speaker: Trudi Matthews, Chief of Value-based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, UK HealthCare; Executive Director, UK Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC); Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences

Stay informed on the latest healthcare policy developments and emerging regulatory initiatives shaping the future of care delivery. This session will provide an overview of key federal and state policy trends, value-based care priorities, reimbursement changes, and regulatory developments that healthcare organizations should prepare for in the near future.

About Trudi Matthews

Trudi Matthews serves as Chief of Value Based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UK HealthCare, the health system of the University of Kentucky (UK). In this role, Trudi works with UK HealthCare’s executive team and ambulatory leadership to ensure success in value-based programs for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers. Trudi also serves as government affairs and policy lead for UK HealthCare overseeing a team responsible for reviewing and analyzing state and federal government policy initiatives.
Trudi is also Executive Director of the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC) at UK. Trudi oversees this state-wide center charged with assisting health care leaders, practices, and hospitals across Kentucky with using technology, connectivity, process improvement and value-based care models to improve the quality and value of health care. From 2015-2019, she was Managing Director of the Kentucky REC, leading and supporting multiple externally sponsored projects such as Kentucky’s Practice Transformation Network Grant, Medicaid Meaningful Use/Promoting Interoperability Support, and several CDC-funded projects with the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.

QPP Time Sensitive Announcement! QPP Portal Data Slated for Removal

Photo of a clinician and patient looking at each other with text in foreground: Quality Payment Program and link to website listed qpp.cms.govCMS recently announced that Performance Year 2022 resources and performance data will be archived with the release of 2025 performance feedback, slated to occur in late September 2026.

In order to ensure you have all relevant audit documentation, our Kentucky REC advisory team recommends that you download all 2022 data for your organization from the Quality Payment Program Portal as soon as possible.

This includes (but is not limited to):
• Detailed performance feedback and submission information for PY 2022
• Connected Clinician Reports
• Eligibility information, including Alternative Payment Model (APM) Participant Lists for PY 2022
• Webpage resources

Contact your Kentucky REC expert advisors for all your QPP questions. Not a client? We’re here to help! Call us at (859) 323-3090 and set up an appointment to speak with a team member today about what we can do for you!

CMS Finalizes FY 2027 IPPS Rule: What Hospitals Need to Know About Medicare Promoting Interoperability

decorative imageCMS recently finalized several changes to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program that hospitals should be aware of as they plan for upcoming reporting years.*

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the FY 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Prospective Payment System final rule on July 31, 2026, which was published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2026.

The final rule includes changes across several hospital quality programs, including the Medicare Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs). You can view and download the final rule and related documents at the CMS webpage below.

Visit the CMS 2027 IPPS Final Rule Home Page Here

What Hospitals Should Know

CMS finalized several changes that will affect future Medicare PI reporting periods, including:
• Removal of the ONC Direct Review and ONC-ACB Surveillance attestations beginning with the CY 2026 EHR reporting period
• Changes to the Electronic Prior Authorization measure, including its transition to a mandatory measure beginning with CY 2028
• Addition of a Unique Device Identifier (UDI) measure beginning with the CY 2027 EHR reporting period
• Changes to the electronic referral loop measures, with their removal delayed until CY 2029
• Updates to the Medicare PI eCQM measure set beginning with the FY 2030 payment determination

While some of these changes are still a few years away, hospitals should begin considering how they may affect their EHR capabilities, workflows, reporting processes, and overall Medicare PI strategy.

Don’t Wait Until the Next Reporting Period

The Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program continues to evolve, making it increasingly important for hospitals to understand not only their current requirements, but also what is coming next.

With changes to measures, certification requirements, electronic exchange, and eCQMs, now is a good time for hospitals to review their current PI processes and identify areas that may require attention before future requirements take effect.

Not sure what these changes mean for your hospital?

KENTUCKY REC Can Help
The Kentucky Regional Extension Center (KY REC) works directly with Kentucky hospitals and CAHs to help them understand and successfully navigate the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program.

Our team can help your hospital:
• Understand current and upcoming Medicare PI requirements
• Identify potential compliance gaps
• Prepare for changes to future reporting periods
• Review your hospital’s PI performance and reporting strategy
• Navigate CMS and ONC requirements

Don’t navigate the changing Medicare Promoting Interoperability requirements alone.

Contact our Kentucky REC team today to learn how we can help your hospital prepare for current and future Medicare PI requirements. Call us at 859-323-3090.

*This article provides a high-level overview of finalized CMS policies and is intended for educational purposes. Hospitals should review official CMS guidance and program specifications when determining their specific Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program requirements.