Monday May 11, 2026
The Indiana Primary Health Care Association proudly presents
Navigator Monday (NM).
Navigators are the backbone of community health centers. One of the cornerstones of navigator training in the state of Indiana, Navigator Monday provides the most thorough training for community health center navigators and all those working in the Medicaid arena.
Navigator Monday is a one-day training event that brings together Indiana Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, SHIP Counselors, and Community Health Workers, and experts in insurance enrollment (Medicaid, Marketplace, and Medicare).
This day of learning will provide you with the tools you need - plus networking opportunities, and continuing education credit.
Location:
The Founders Lodge at Camp Dellwood,
7201 Girl Scout Lane, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Date / Time:
Monday, May 11, 2026 / 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern
Topics we will discuss:
- Policy Updates,
- CE Credits *pending IDOI approval
- Motivation Interviewing
- FSSA Panel
- Networking
Finding excellence and connection in a shifting landscape
Reflections on Navigator Monday 2026 by Jenny Walden
As we close out Navigator Monday, I find myself reflecting not only on the events of the day, but on the incredible people who made it so meaningful.
We began the morning with continuing education and a wealth of shared knowledge. Every presentation and conversation reminded us that growth never stops, and that our collective commitment to learning strengthens the work we do every single day.
From there, we moved into the long-standing FSSA panel — always one of the highlights of the conference for me. There is something powerful about having the opportunity to speak directly with the staff who help implement changes that impact our communities. Open dialogue, honest questions, and shared understanding are what move progress forward.
Lunch brought both nourishment and inspiration with the Bumblebee Story. Scientifically, the bumblebee should not be able to fly. Its wings are too small, its body too large. But somehow, it flies anyway. Maybe that story resonates so deeply because it reflects the work Navigators do every day — overcoming obstacles, defying expectations, and continuing forward even when the path is difficult.
It was only fitting that this moment led into honoring Kim Key with the very first Kim Key Bumblebee Legacy Award. A recognition not only of leadership, but of perseverance, heart, and the lasting impact one person can have on so many others.
The afternoon continued with Marian Frick Rigsby’s thoughtful presentation, Stepping Back to Move Forward: Rethinking How We Help with Motivational Interviewing. Her message challenged us to reconsider how we engage, support, and empower the people we serve.
IPHCA’s own Julia Ketner then brought us up to speed with an exceptional policy update, helping connect the dots between the work happening at the policy level and the lives affected every day in our communities.
And of course, there were moments of joy woven throughout the day — Girl Scout Cookies shared among friends, laughter across tables, and tacos that made lunch feel like a celebration in itself.
One of the most remarkable moments of the day was recognizing the overwhelming number of Navigator of the Year nominations. This year brought a record-breaking 43 nominations — and that doesn’t even include the individuals who received multiple nominations. That number speaks volumes. It reflects the compassion, dedication, and life-changing work happening across this community every day.
To be nominated for Navigator of the Year is an incredible honor. But with so many deserving individuals, we found ourselves asking an important question: how do we continue to recognize excellence when the landscape evolves?
We do what Navigators always do.
We pivot.
After reviewing the nominations, we created new awards designed to broaden the celebration and make recognition more inclusive of the many ways excellence shows up in this work.
More than anything, though, this day was about connection. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, welcome new faces, and spend time with people who care so deeply about serving others.
I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did. Thank you for bringing your energy, your passion, and your purpose into every room you entered.
I already cannot wait to do it all again next year!
Jenny
Nominate your Navigator of the Year!
The Navigator of the Year Award is presented in May every year at our Navigator Monday training day.
Since 2013, Navigators have helped Americans understand their health insurance options and facilitated their enrollment in health insurance coverage. IPHCA’s Navigator of the Year Award recognizes Indiana’s Navigators who exemplify the best skills in patient-centered healthcare navigation.
Navigators specialize in assisting the community, patients, families, and caregivers with Medicaid enrollment and overcoming barriers to receiving care, and facilitating timely access to clinical services and resources.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Reducing barriers to care (which may include patient-centered, provider-centered, or health system-centered barriers) by:
- Assisting in accessing Medicaid enrollment and available resources to overcome barriers on-site or by formal referral and/or:
- Creatively helping with gaps in the available resources to overcome barriers - Improving access to and timeliness of health care services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
- Providing vital support and guidance for timely access to the care system.
- Making the system more transparent, increasing coordination among doctors, and improving quality of care.
- Helping patients and their families find support resources for health-impacting life issues such as food and housing insecurity, transportation,
While working the technical side of the role, this person must also possess passion, dedication, empathy, effectiveness, integrity, resilience, and impact. A worthy advocate should demonstrate a deep commitment to their community and a strong focus on removing barriers.
2026 Navigator of the Year Beverly Milon of Beacon Health Systems receives her award from Jenny Walden
Nomination Process
Nominations will be accepted from patients, caregivers, peers, supervisors, and colleagues who have worked directly with the navigator and experienced or observed the benefits of the navigation process.
Timing
Nominations may be submitted through April 10, 2026. Nominees will be recognized, and the winner will be announced, during Navigator Monday on May 11, 2026, and recognised at the 2026 IPHCA Annual Conference.
Award Criteria
To be considered for this award, the following criteria must be met:
1. Navigation services must have occurred within the last two years.
2. Outstanding patient-centered care must have been provided with demonstrated outcomes.
Selection Process
The Navigator of the Year will be selected by a committee comprised of IPHCA staff.
Nominations must be received by close of business on April 10, 2026 to be considered.