ASSUMPTION
UNIVERSITY
New England Patient Advocacy Conference
Crisis to Compassion: Where Advocacy Matters Most
A two-day, in-person conference in Worcester, MA
For patient advocates, nurses, social workers, care managers, caregivers, students, and healthcare professionals who want practical tools for navigating today’s healthcare system.
OCT 12-13,
2026
About NEPAC
The New England Patient Advocacy Conference is a two-day, in-person conference designed for people who care deeply about helping patients and families navigate healthcare with more clarity, confidence, and support.
NEPAC is intentionally different from a large, impersonal healthcare conference. This is a relationship-based gathering where patient advocates, nurses, social workers, care managers, caregivers, senior service providers, healthcare professionals, students, and community leaders can learn together, ask real questions, and build meaningful connections.
Across two days, attendees will hear powerful stories, gain practical tools, and learn from experienced professionals working in patient advocacy, healthcare navigation, care management, health literacy, billing, ethics, family support, whole-person care, and more.
Our goal is simple: to inspire, educate, equip, and connect the people who believe patients and families deserve better support in today’s healthcare system.
NEPAC is open to the public and created for anyone who wants to better understand advocacy, improve healthcare navigation, and help patients move through difficult healthcare moments with more support and less confusion.
Where to Stay
If you’re traveling to NEPAC, there are plenty of comfortable lodging options in and around Worcester. For the most convenience, consider staying in Worcester (downtown puts you close to dining and easy drive time to campus) with popular hotel options including Hampton Inn & Suites Worcester, Hilton Garden Inn Worcester, Homewood Suites, and AC Hotel Worcester. If you’d prefer a quieter stay (often with more availability), look just outside the city in Shrewsbury, Westborough, or Marlborough, which are all a short drive from Worcester and offer a wide range of well-known hotels. We recommend booking early, as October can be busy with regional events and university activities.
Meals & Networking
Breakfast and lunch are included both days of NEPAC, so attendees can stay focused, connected, and on campus throughout the conference day.
After Day One, attendees are invited to an optional Networking Reception in the atrium of the TFAC building at Assumption University. This add-on event will include high-end appetizers, a cash bar, live jazz, and time to connect with patient advocates, nurses, social workers, care managers, healthcare professionals, speakers, and attendees from across the country.
For dinner outside of the conference, Worcester also offers a variety of casual and sit-down restaurants nearby.
Who Should Attend NEPAC?
NEPAC is open to the public and especially helpful for:
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Professional patient advocates
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Nurses and nurse advocates
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Social workers
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Certified care managers
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Caregivers and family members
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Senior service providers
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Students in nursing, pre-med, social work, public health, gerontology, and healthcare programs
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Healthcare professionals
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Seniors who want to improve health literacy
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Anyone exploring professional patient advocacy
Explore the NEPAC 2026 Agenda
Across two days, NEPAC 2026 brings together powerful stories, practical tools, and
real-world strategies for patient advocacy, care management, healthcare navigation, and family support.
Day One: Inspiration, Mission, and Why Advocacy Matters
Powerful stories, patient safety, trauma, health literacy, serious illness, and the human side of advocacy.
Day Two: Tools for Your Advocacy Toolbox
Practical sessions on billing, denials, financial toxicity, care transitions, family conversations, ethics, AI, whole-person care, and building an advocacy practice.
2026 Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Greater National Advocates is a nonprofit national gateway to independent patient advocacy, offering a nationwide advocate directory and free early guidance through its Advocacy Support Center. GNA helps patients and families find support during complex healthcare situations and shares NEPAC’s commitment to strengthening patient advocacy.
A&M Financial Services is a fiduciary financial planning firm that helps individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions with confidence. With a team that includes financial planning, investment advisory, CPA, and CFP® experience, A&M brings a practical, team-based approach to supporting clients through important financial decisions and life transitions.
The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates supports private, independent health and patient advocates and care managers with education, resources, networking, and practice-building support. APHA’s work helps strengthen the field of independent advocacy and aligns closely with NEPAC’s mission to equip professionals who help patients and families navigate healthcare.
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
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