Conference
July 17, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT. Doors open at 8:00 AM
Convene, 311 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60606

© Behavioral Health News 2024

Networking Reception, Sponsored by

5:00 - 7:00 PM

9:00 - 9:10 AM

9:10 - 9:40 AM

10:15 - 11:00 AM

9:45 - 10:15 AM

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Despite a fifth consecutive quarter of lackluster results across health care services M&A and the Fed’s inaction in lowering interest rates, has the pressure to deploy capital, a zero percent month over month increase in the consumer price index, and a quietly improving credit market finally converged to crack the ice that has chilled the market for two plus years?  In this session, we will examine the current state of behavioral health M&A and why you don’t have to be a cock-eyed optimist to believe that a few blades of grass are breaking through our winter of our discontent.

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Dexter Braff
President
The Braff Group

SUD providers have had to adapt to new regulations, payment challenges and persistent workforce pressures. All the while, their patients are becoming more complex. This panel will examine the trends, challenges and opportunities that are at the forefront for today’s operators.

Mark Shalvarjian
CEO
Gracent

SOLD OUT

Dr. Nasser Khan
Operations Group President - Comprehensive Treatment Center Division
Acadia Healthcare

Jason Kletter
President 
BayMark Services

11:30 - 12:00 PM

During this panel discussion, we will delve into critical issues related to Medicaid payment policy, advocacy and regulatory matters in the autism space. Their insights promise to be valuable for attendees seeking to navigate the complex landscape of behavioral health.

Neal Tilghman, MPA
Executive Advisor, Addictions and Mental Health Netsmart

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

1:00 - 1:30 PM

Incentive programs. Psychedelics. Emerging medications and treatment plans. This panel will take a look at several measurement-backed innovations helping SUD providers achieve better outcomes – in turn, boosting their business.

Brett Blevins
Founder & CEO Commonwealth ABA

Eric Meier
CEO
Owl

Pamela Greenberg 
CEO
ABHW

Natalie Johnston
Executive Director, Behavioral Health Network
Blue Cross Blue Shield South Carolina

Greg Tierney, Ph.D., LCP
Vice President of Clinical Operations, 
Rosecrance

Jennifer Hahs, M.A. . 
Director of National Professional Relations
Rosecrance

David Iklodi
Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development
Behavioral Framework

Kyle Seco
President
Apara Autism Centers

Rob Haupt
Executive Vice President, Autism Services
LEARN Behavioral

Darren Patz, Esq. 
Partner, Government Affairs and Public Policy DLA Piper, LLP

July 18, 2024 • Chicago, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the event being held?
The Forum will be held at Convene, 311 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60606.

Which ticket type should I purchase?
Provider tickets are for owner, operators, and providers of behavioral health services. Vendor tickets are for vendors and professional firms providing products, services and capital to the behavioral health industry.

What is the refund policy?
We will refund up to 45-days out from the event. No exceptions.

Is there a hotel block?
We do not have a hotel block but if you are in need of accommodations, we recommend The Kimpton Gray or JW Marriott Chicago.

My company or organization owns or is an active investor in a provider. Which ticket type can I purchase?
If your organization owns or invests in a provider or providers in this space, your firm is classified as a private equity investor. If you wish to get the provider pricing, you would need to use that organization's email system/domain to register for the ticket to qualify as a provider. No exceptions.

How do I contact the organizer?
Email us at [email protected].

9:30 - 10:00 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

March 12, 2024

March 13, 2024

3:00 PM

2:30 - 3:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

From telehealth and gambling-addiction services, to eating disorder treatment and more, many SUD providers have expanded their offerings. In this panel, providers will share what works, what hasn’t – and what’s to come. The goal of this discussion: Figure out what it takes to become a “next-generation” SUD business.

Technology advancements and digital health trends are reshaping how autism treatment services are delivered. They’re also helping individuals and families better understand autism, opening up new doors for providers.

In this conversation, C-suite executives from three autism treatment providers will discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the field. The goal: to give attendees the understanding of what it will take to thrive as a business in autism in 2024 – and beyond.

From government programs to commercial payers and cash-pay, this 30-minute panel will explore the latest SUD payment trends (including value-based care developments) among providers and payers.

Whole-person care as a trend has defined health care over the last several years. That’s increasingly true in the autism industry as well. In this panel, providers and payers will speak to how fully integrated, multi-channel care models are shaping today’s cutting-edge autism programs.

11:00 - 11:30 AM

The autism treatment space has drawn significant interest from a variety of investors, from venture capital firms and private equity groups, to dedicated funds and more. In turn, the field has become more crowded for existing players and upstarts alike. This panel will break down the market and examine what it takes to successfully scale.

1:30 - 2:00 PM

In this dynamic session, we'll explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the landscape of behavioral health. Our expert panel will delve into three critical areas:
-The revolutionary potential of AI in treatment and diagnosis
-The paramount importance of cybersecurity in protecting sensitive patient data
-The trend toward vendor consolidation in creating comprehensive, integrated solutions

Sasha Dobranic 
Senior Product Manager Lightning Step Technologies

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Jeff Monroe
Chief Compliance Officer, Woodlake Addiction Recovery

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

George Joseph
CEO
Positive Recovery Centers

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

Edie Calamia
Chief Medical Officer
Aetna Medicaid

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

In this dynamic session, we'll explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the landscape of behavioral health. Our expert panel will delve into three critical areas:
– The revolutionary potential of AI in treatment and diagnosis
– The paramount importance of cybersecurity in protecting sensitive patient data
– The trend toward vendor consolidation in creating comprehensive, integrated solutions

2:30 - 3:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Dr. Benjamin Zaniello
Chief Medical Officer PointClickCare

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Dr. Samit Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
 Ascension

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

Edie Calamia
Chief Medical Officer
Aetna Medicaid

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies

Ticket Prices
Provider: $700
Vendor: $1100

Jennifer Riha
CSO
I Am Boundless

Suzette Glasner, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer Pelago

Rosa Bromka
Chief Operating Officer Boulder Care

Kathleen Stengel
Founder and Former CEO
NeurAbilities

Andrew Rothermel
Chief Executive Officer Defining Wellness Centers

Maks Danilin
CRO
Guardian Recovery

Robert M. Poznanovich 
Chief Business Growth Officer Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

John Driscoll
CEO 
Caron Treatment Centers

Dr. Neil Hattangadi
CEO
Cortica

Dr. Adam Hahs
Chief Science Officer
Hopebridge

Jeremy Klemanski
CEO 
Gateway Foundation

Stacy DiStefano
CEO
CFHS

Jeff Beck
CEO & Co-Founder
AnswersNow

Dr. Pete Vernig
VP of Mental Health Services 
Recovery Centers of America

Mike Miller
Caravel Autism Health
CEO

Cooper Zelnick
Chief Revenue Officer  
Groups Recover Together

Breakfast & Networking

8:00 - 9:00 AM

March 12, 2024

July 18, 2024

July 17, 2024

Location: South Branch Tavern & Grill, 100 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

Krista Boe, M.A. BCBA, LBA
Chief Clinical & Compliance Officer
Acorn Health

As we navigate the most competitive human services market in recent memory, successful organizations know it’s not enough to just keep the lights on. To thrive, they must adopt an innovation mindset, investing in AI, data analytics and platform technology that supports long-term growth plans. Join us for an engaging session that explores the innovations and alliances that drive strategic growth, staff retention and groundbreaking solutions for consumers.

JULY 17, 2025 | CHICAGO, IL

Networking Reception
July 16, 2025
Time and Location TBD