First Responder Center for Excellence

MENTAL WELLNESS SYMPOSIUM

Registration ends Tuesday, 05/12/2026 12:00am EDT

 

 

 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR EVENT INFORMATION

AGENDA

2026 Mental Wellness Symposium

May 31 – June 3, 2026
University of Iowa


Sunday, May 31, 2026

Opening Reception – Kinnick Stadium

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration – Hubbard Commons

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
University Shuttle to Kinnick Stadium (Hotel pickup – location TBD)

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Opening Reception (Food & Drinks Included)

5:15 PM
Welcome Remarks

6:15 PM
Group Photo

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Stadium Tours

7:00 PM
Reception Concludes

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
University Shuttle Return to Hotels (Drop location TBD)


Monday, June 1, 2026

6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration – Hubbard Commons

6:45 AM – 7:15 AM
University Shuttle to Burge Marketplace (Hotel pickup – location TBD)

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Included)

8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Opening Ceremony

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Rethinking Suicide – Dr. Craig Bryan

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
AM Break (Included)

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
After the Sirens: The Echo That Remains – Frank Leto

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
University Shuttle (IMU pickup) & Lunch (Included)

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
The Magic Is Us – Lightning Talks

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Emily Haas

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
From Evidence to Action: Zero Suicide in the Florida Fire Service – Kellie O’Dare, Ph.D. & Jeff Orrange

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
PM Break (Included)

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Expectation, Action, Impact: Let Us Navigate Together – Kimberly Lightley

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Moral Injury in the Fire Service – John Oates & Michelle Fayed

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Closing Remarks – Chief Frank Leeb & Chief Dena Ali

4:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Dinner (On Your Own – Burge Marketplace)

6:00 PM
University Shuttle to Walker Homestead Winery (Pickup location TBD)

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Welcome Reception – Walker Homestead Winery

8:30 PM
University Shuttle Return to Hotels


Tuesday, June 2, 2026

6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration – Hubbard Commons

6:45 AM – 7:15 AM
University Shuttle to Burge Marketplace (Hotel pickup – location TBD)

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Included)

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome – Chief Frank Leeb & Chief Dena Ali

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM
First Responder Relationships – Aaron Back

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Helping the Helpers – David Dachinger & Bonnie Rumilly

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
AM Break (Included)

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Looking Beneath the Surface – Dr. Brooke Bartlett

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Behind the Badge and the Couch – Margaret Riback

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
University Shuttle (IMU pickup) & Lunch (Included)

12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
Reprogramming the First Responder Brain – Jim Burneka

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Firefighter’s Blind Side – Chief Dena Ali & Chief Frank Leeb

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Project FIREPROOF – Dr. Suzy Gulliver & Brandon Dreiman

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
PM Break (Included)

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Returning to Ourselves – Melissa Lawlor

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
The Invisible Scar – Brandon Cory

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks – Chief Frank Leeb

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Vendor Happy Hour (1 Drink Included)

Dinner (On Your Own – Burge Marketplace or Big Grove Brewery)


Wednesday, June 3, 2026

6:30 AM
Registration – Hubbard Commons

6:45 AM – 7:15 AM
University Shuttle to Burge Marketplace (Hotel pickup – location TBD)

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Included)

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome – Chief Frank Leeb & Chief Dena Ali

8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
Advanced Skills for Managers – Manuel Almaguer

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Built to Last – Kory Pearn

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
AM Break (Included)

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Dr. Zlatan Krizan

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Practical Sleep Science – Joel M. Billings, Ph.D.

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Closing Remarks – Chief Frank Leeb & Chief Dena Ali

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch (On Your Own – Burge Marketplace)

Optional Experience

1:00 PM
Motorcoach Departure to Field of Dreams (Pickup location TBD)

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Field of Dreams – Optional Tour

4:00 PM
Motorcoach Return to Hotels (Drop location TBD)

SPEAKERS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS