The Summit will bring together revolutionary thinkers and innovative practitioners who are launching a new era in the scope and ambition of local care delivery. This year's keynote speakers, who will present during the General Conference on March 31-April 1, 2008, include:

John A. Kitzhaber, MD, President, Estes Park Institute, is also Director for the Center for Evidence-Based Policy at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. He holds an endowed Chair on Health Care Policy with The Foundation for Medical Excellence. A former Senator and two-term Governor of Oregon, Dr. Kitzhaber was instrumental in creating the state’s groundbreaking Oregon Health Plan. In 2006 he launched The Archimedes Movement, a catalyst organization whose vision is to drive the national debate on creating a more equitable and sustainable US health care system.

Capt. Charles Q. North, MD, MS, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides medical advice and guidance to the Office of the Director and staff on American Indian and Alaska Native health care policies and issues. He is the primary liaison and advocate for IHS field clinical programs and community-based health professionals. Dr. North began his career with the IHS in 1977 as a family physician and Director of Community Health Services in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Among his numerous honors and awards are the Lifetime Achievement Award from the IHS National Council of Clinical Directors; Physician Executive of the Year from the Surgeon General Physicians Professional Advisory Committee; and HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.