August 27, 2026  ·  Jeff & Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center - Ames IA

Iowa Suicide Prevention Coalition Summit 2026

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Arrival, Registration, and Networking

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM

Welcome and Overview of the Day

Speaker(s): Lori Reynolds, LISW, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Des Moines VA Health Care System
8:40 AM – 9:25 AM

Suicide Risk Factors: Health and Aging

Speaker(s): Crystal Doig, B.S. Aging Resources of Central Iowa
9:25 AM – 9:55 AM

Suicide Risk Factors: Rural Occupations and Financial Concerns

Speaker(s): David Brown, Ph.D., LMFT, CFLE, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
9:55 AM – 10:10 AM

Networking Break

10:10 AM – 10:55 AM

The Intersection of Drug Overdose and Suicide: Integrated Approaches for Prevention

Speaker(s): Adrienne Hearrell, PA-C, DMS, MMSc, MPH, Advanced Public Health Solutions, LLC
10:55 AM – 11:30 AM

Suicide Risk Factors: Lethal Means Access

Speaker(s): Gina Moulas, MSN, BSN, RN, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, VA Nebraska – Western Iowa Health Care System, Machelle Koser, MSW, CSW-PIP, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Keynote: Risk Factors to Resources: The Value of Connections

Speaker(s): Deb Moeller MSW, LCSW, LMSW, Suicide Prevention-Program Coordinator, Iowa City VA Health Care System
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Panel Discussion: Iowa Suicide Prevention Resources

Facilitated by: Peggy Dickey, LISW, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Iowa City VA Health Care System and James Gatti, LISW, LCSW Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, Davenport VA CRRC

 

Topic and Panel Member:

  • 988 – Julie Maas, LMSW, Suicide Prevention Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – Amara Huffine, Area Director AFSP
  • NAMI of Iowa – LeMar Yeager, Education & Engagement Manager, NAMI Iowa
  • Iowa Violent Death Reporting System – Derma Rivera, Principal Investigator and Program Director
  • Iowa Primary Care Association – Abbey Ferenzi, LMHC, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services
  • Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) – Laura Larkin, LMSW, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services  
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Networking Break

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Q&A for the Panel

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Wrap-Up, Evaluation, and Dismissal

Speaker(s): David N. Brown, Ph.D., LMFT, CFLE, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach