Brinks DEA Consulting Founder Scott Brinks will be the Keynote Speaker for IHFDA 2026

We are honored to announce that Scott Brinks, Founder and Chief Consultant of Brinks DEA Consulting, will be the keynote speaker at the International Health Facility Diversion Association (IHFDA) 11th Annual Conference, which will be held September 28-29, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference brings together healthcare diversion professionals, pharmacists, hospital leaders, compliance officers, investigators, law enforcement representatives, and other experts dedicated to protecting patients and preventing drug diversion in healthcare settings.

This year’s keynote presentation, “From Evidence to Empathy: The Truth About Diversion Investigations and Addiction”, reflects a deeply personal and professional journey that has shaped Scott’s perspective on diversion prevention, addiction, and patient safety. The presentation is based on lessons learned throughout a career that spans more than two decades in federal law enforcement, including service as a DEA Diversion Investigator and leader, followed by years of assisting hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, and healthcare organizations throughout the United States with DEA compliance and diversion prevention.

Unlike traditional compliance presentations that focus exclusively on regulations and enforcement, this presentation will explore the human side of diversion investigations. The central message is simple but powerful: the purpose of diversion prevention is not merely to identify discrepancies or catch individuals. The mission is to protect people. Patients, healthcare professionals, organizations, and communities all depend upon effective diversion prevention programs and compassionate responses to substance use disorders.

A unique aspect of the presentation is that it combines three distinct perspectives. Scott will be joined by Sarah Boblenz, a highly respected former Diversion Investigator and Dan Dormont, a highly respected former senior Government attorney with both DEA and the Food and Drug Administration.  Sarah and Dan bring decades of investigative and regulatory experience to the discussion. Together, they will share real-world lessons from diversion investigations, practitioner diversion cases, long-term care pharmacy investigations, and hospital compliance matters.

One of the most compelling portions of the keynote is Scott’s personal story about addiction and its impact on his family. The presentation explores how addiction affected a family headed by a DEA professional who once believed that addiction was something that could never happen within his own home. Through this experience, Scott gained a profoundly different understanding of addiction, recovery, treatment, and the importance of compassion. The presentation highlights how personal experiences transformed his perspective on medication-assisted treatment, recovery, and the support systems needed for long-term success.

The keynote will also address why healthcare diversion professionals play such an important role within healthcare organizations. While many clinicians and executives are visible leaders within a hospital, diversion investigators often work behind the scenes. Yet their work protects patients from medication substitution and theft, supports colleagues who may be struggling with impairment or substance use disorders, safeguards healthcare organizations, and helps prevent controlled substances from entering illicit channels.

Attendees will gain practical insights into:

• How addiction affects individuals, families, and healthcare teams.
• Real-world practitioner diversion investigations.
• Long-term care pharmacy diversion cases.
• DEA hospital inspections and compliance trends.
• Lessons hospitals can learn from recent enforcement actions.
• Strategies for strengthening diversion prevention and compliance programs.

The presentation also emphasizes a philosophy that has become central to Scott’s work as a consultant: accountability and compassion are not opposing concepts. Effective diversion prevention programs require both. Healthcare organizations must maintain robust controls and investigate discrepancies, while also recognizing that addiction is a medical condition that can affect anyone, including healthcare professionals, leaders, and family members.

As healthcare organizations continue to face increasing scrutiny regarding controlled substance accountability and diversion prevention, the need for informed, balanced leadership has never been greater. This keynote will challenge attendees to think beyond compliance and consider the broader mission of protecting patients while supporting recovery and promoting a culture of safety.

For Scott, being selected as a keynote speaker is both a professional honor and a personal opportunity to share lessons learned from some of the most challenging experiences of his life and career.

“The work of diversion investigators often goes unnoticed, but the impact is enormous. Every investigation represents an opportunity to protect patients, support colleagues, and strengthen the integrity of healthcare. My goal is to help attendees understand both the evidence and the empathy required to do this work effectively.”

The Brinks DEA Consulting team looks forward to connecting with healthcare leaders and diversion professionals at the 2026 IHFDA Annual Conference and contributing to an important conversation about the future of diversion prevention, addiction awareness, and patient safety. The conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is available both in person and through hybrid attendance options.