Excelsior Wellness returned to NatCon this year not just as an attendee, but as an organization deeply aligned with where the behavioral health field is headed. Building on our 2025 NatCon presentation, where we shared 2024–25 organizational data and outcomes, this year’s conference reinforced that the questions we have been measuring, refining, and acting on are now central to national conversations.
In 2025, Excelsior Wellness presented original data at NatCon that highlighted our approach to integrated care, operational performance, and sustainability during a period of growth and transformation. That presentation underscored a core belief we continue to hold: data is not just about accountability, it is a tool for learning, adaptation, and better care delivery.
“They all deserve applause and recognition for their exemplary dedication and efforts for always going above and beyond their call of duty to support us. Even though the appts are virtual, I can feel their warmth, compassion and hugs as though they were sitting beside me. Bravo Team!“
– A VIEW Client
This year, Kim McFarland, Ryan Kiely, Dovie Britton, and Drew Comito joined peers from across the country to explore what sustainable, integrated behavioral health looks like in a rapidly evolving landscape in a powerful opportunity to validate our work in real time. Across sessions on AI, analytics, and system readiness, many presenters echoed the same conclusions our data had already surfaced: organizations that invest early in measurement, infrastructure, and crossfunctional understanding are better equipped to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
Artificial intelligence and data analytics emerged as defining forces at NatCon, not as futuristic concepts but as presentday operational realities. Speakers emphasized that when AI is deployed responsibly, with clear inventories, governance, and transparency, it can reduce administrative burden and allow clinicians to focus more fully on care. These discussions strongly aligned with what our own data has shown: technology, when paired with intention and guardrails, can be a multiplier for impact.
Several sessions stood out for their clarity and applicability. Virna Little delivered a particularly strong presentation on the Collaborative Care Model, highlighting how it aligns with CCBHC infrastructure when supported by data, IT readiness, and stakeholder engagement. Jesse SiegerWalls brought energy and accessibility to a data analytics session, demonstrating how insights become actionable only when they are understood across roles. Trent Gillespie of Stellis AI also left an impression, reinforcing the importance of partnership models that complement existing services rather than duplicate them.
NatCon also grounded innovation in humanity. One session emphasized research showing that mental wellbeing is strengthened by a small, intentional network of three to five “anchor” people, roles that foster accountability, safety, and active support. Paired with conversations defining grit through guts, resilience, identification, and treatment, the message was clear: data and technology must ultimately serve people, not replace connection.
Taken together, this year’s NatCon affirmed Excelsior Wellness’s strategic direction, focus on core offerings, move away from legacy structures that constrain growth, deepen smart partnerships, and continue using data as a guide rather than a scorecard.
From presenting at NatCon 2025 to engaging with national leaders on what’s next, our consistent presence at NatCon reflects a longterm commitment: to learn openly, share transparently, and lead thoughtfully. As we look ahead to upcoming initiatives, NatCon remains a key milestone in how Excelsior Wellness documents, communicates, and builds its impact.
See our presentation poster from NatCon 2025: https://natcon2025.ipostersessions.com/Default.aspx?s=40-1F-A2-40-71-DB-0D-E0-39-54-32-4E-8A-36-D0-04
Learn more about NatCon: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/natcon/