10th Annual Spark Summit 2025 Highlights

Key Insights:

• The theme of UMA’s Spark Summit 2025 was “Powering the Employee, Hiring, and Patient Experience,” offering attendees access to sessions designed to elevate both employees’ and patients' experiences.
• Keynote speaker, Derrick Brooks, kicked off the 10th Annual Spark Summit. Brooks is a former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a major contributor to community-based initiatives.
• Several UMA leaders have offered post-event insight into what Spark means to them, giving attendees insight into what they can experience when attending these events.

From April 15 to 17, 2025, dedicated healthcare leaders from around the country converged in Tampa, Florida, to take part in Ultimate Medical Academy’s (UMA’s) 10th Annual Spark Summit. This three-day event provides industry leaders the opportunity to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting the healthcare workforce today, working together to create a “spark” that shines a light on the best path forward — for everyone involved.

UMA’s Spark Summit 2025 Focused on Elevating Employee and Patient Experiences

The theme for UMA’s 10th Annual Spark Summit was “Powering the Employee, Hiring, and Patient Experience.” Speakers and attendees participated in discussions about the importance of creating a supportive, care-based culture for employees, boosting their well-being and resilience while enhancing patient and customer satisfaction.

A post-summit survey revealed that the session “Empathy in Action: Revolutionizing Workplace Care” was the most popular for attendees. It was moderated by Dr. Jenna Sage, UMA’s Director of Organizational Wellness and Wellbeing, and talked about the importance of empathy for the employee experience within healthcare organizations.

Other sessions highlighted recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies, as well as creating spaces to discuss ways to enhance patient and customer experiences. While each of these was powerful for promoting fruitful discussions about topics that can significantly impact healthcare, it was the keynote speech that set the tone for the event.

10th Annual Spark Summit Keynote Speaker: Derrick Brooks

You may recognize Derrick Brooks as the former linebacker who spent his 14-year NFL career playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But what you may not know is that he is also the founder of Derrick Brooks Charities, an organization dedicated to providing socio-economically challenged youth educational opportunities that inspire them to become future leaders. He also holds several leadership positions within local and national sports groups.

Perhaps his most notable contributions, and what made him a great choice as keynote speaker for Tampa Spark Summit 2025, are his many contributions to the local community. Brooks has done so much for Tampa residents that he was previously named Citizen of the Year by the Tampa Sports Club, in addition to receiving other recognitions and awards.

Spark Reinforces UMA’s Dedication to Advancing the Healthcare Industry

Several Ultimate Medical Academy leaders have shared their thoughts about the annual Spark events. Together, their feedback reinforces the commitment that UMA makes to helping Employer Partners hire and retain top talent, while also giving future participants a glimpse at what they can expect when attending this event:

• Jaysa Boyer, Head, Employer Engagement, calls the energy at these events “unmatched” each year. “It is incredibly inspiring to see how this event has grown,” says Jaysa, “and how our speakers, sponsors, board of trustees directors, and employer partners come together to learn, network, and share best practices that will enhance the future of healthcare.”, and employer partners come together to learn, network, and share best practices that will enhance the future of healthcare.”
• Erik Nelson, Partner, Staffing Solutions, Career Services, shares that UMA’s expertise has made Spark “the event to attend.” This is due, in part, to the level of care the entire team exercises during the planning stages. “We put the time, energy, and attention in this event to make the biggest impact on our Corporate Partners,” Erik says, “while nurturing the relationships that allow us to place so many of our graduates each year.”
• Tim Ehlinger, Strategic Relationships Partner, reiterates UMA’s prioritization of healthcare talent, while constantly advancing toward “the best possible outcomes” for both Employer Partners and UMA grads. “This event showcases what can be possible within some of our most impactful and evolving partnerships,” says Tim, “focusing on relationships to be a top resource for staffing for all our clients.”

Looking Forward to Spark Summit 2026

UMA’s Spark Summit offers attendees access to engaging conversations, insightful workshops, and collaborative learning sessions. It provides a place where leaders intent on improving the healthcare industry can come together to discuss what works today, sharing what they know in the hopes of creating a better tomorrow for employers, employees, patients, and customers.

What’s ahead for Spark 2026? Although the agenda is still in progress, this event will continue to be a place where change-makers can join forces to collaboratively elevate the healthcare workforce, creating effects that extend to the individuals these dedicated employees serve.

If you’d like to learn more about the 2025 Spark Summit or have ideas to discuss at future events, contact UMA and let us know. We’d love your input and hope to see you at Spark 2026!