Rural Health Today

Mental health and substance use treatment organizations are vital to hospitals across the country, especially those serving rural areas where behavioral health providers and services are more limited. These organizations often bridge the gap between a patient boarding in the ER and their safe discharge home, or an inpatient stay and post discharge follow-up care. On todays episode, hosts JJ and Ra...

Understanding the challenges and opportunities in rural healthcare is necessary for healthcare leaders. Rural hospitals must develop strategies to address these issues for the benefit of their patients and communities. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Amy Elizondo, Chief Strategy Officer for the National Rural Health Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twi...

Rural healthcare is much the same and also very different from state to state across the country. State rural healthcare associations tackle issues that support their members’ ability to provide care in their rural communities. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Heidi Lucas, Executive Director of the Missouri Rural Health Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://...

Rural healthcare is much the same and also very different from state to state across the country. State rural healthcare associations tackle issues that support their members’ ability to provide care in their rural communities. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Andy Lowe, Executive Director of the New England Rural Health Association Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://...

Rural healthcare is much the same and also very different from state to state across the country. State rural healthcare associations tackle issues that support their members’ ability to provide care in their rural communities. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Jonathan Dayton, Executive Director of the Maryland Rural Health Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  http...

Rural healthcare is much the same and also very different from state to state across the country. State rural healthcare associations tackle issues that support their members’ ability to provide care in their rural communities. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Kylie Nissen, Executive Director at the North Dakota Rural Health Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  htt...

Osteopathic medicine is a cornerstone of our national healthcare, and the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) plays a vital role in advancing the practice of osteopathic medicine in our state. The MOA contributes to rural communities by connecting doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) to rural practice opportunities, positively impacting care access for our underserved patient populations. On t...

Access to healthcare is vital to rural communities, but as rural healthcare grows more challenging to sustain, many systems have realized they can’t do it on their own. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Andrew Daniels and Angie McConnachie, co-CEOs of Aspire Rural Health System. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://twitter.com/hillsda...

Access to healthcare is vital to rural communities, but as rural healthcare grows more challenging to sustain, many hospitals have realized they can’t do it on their own. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Andrew Daniels and Angie McConnachie, co-CEOs of Aspire Rural Health System. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://twitter.com/hills...

Michigan healthcare policy is never standing still. Thanks to rural health policy advocates, we have representation among policy makers, but every hospital needs to be actively aware of the changes in healthcare policy and how they impact hospital operations. On this weeks episode, hosts JJ and Rachel speak with Lauren Lapine, Senior Director of Legislative and Public Policy at the Michigan Hospit...

Many rural hospitals around the nation are fighting the same battles in legislation, operations, and workforce. Advocacy and connection are essential to understanding the issues and taking necessary action to make a difference to healthcare in rural areas. On todays episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Chris Mitchell, President and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association.

Michigan healthcare legislation directly impacts both the day to day activity and long term sustainability of healthcare organizations. If rural hospitals want to be involved, we have to stay updated as we can and rely on connections with rural health advocates. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Adam Carlson, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Michigan Hospital Association.

Maternal health is vital to a rural community's well being, especially labor and delivery care. As OB units close all over the country, the rural OB's that remain face growing challenges to keep their doors open. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Hillary Zimmerman, Hillsdale Hospital's Clinical Nurse Manager of Labor and Delivery, about the state of rural maternity health. Follow R...

If you've ever worked in healthcare. you know that healing goes beyond medical treatment. Spiritual well-being is a vital part of a patient's recovery and in healthcare, we have a role in fostering that healing. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Reverend Lucas Miller, Hillsdale Hospital Chaplain. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://t...

Mental health is a rising issue in pediatric services, especially in rural areas where access to specialized psychiatric care is limited. With the growing need for qualified mental health services, the shortage of psychiatric healthcare professionals becomes all the more relevant. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brittany Brannan, Nurse Practitioner & Pediatric Mental Health Speci...

As a small-town hospital, health literacy is a vital part of our community’s wellbeing. Healthcare is meant to go beyond the walls of a healthcare facility, so that patients are equipped to improve their health and maintain necessary recovery. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Lance Wells, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, about health literacy. Follow Rural Health Rising...

Emergency rooms are a lifeline for patients and for local hospitals, as they stand in the gap to care for patients who need immediate and significant intervention, while also serving as a gateway to the rest of the hospital and its services. So, how do rural hospitals ensure that their emergency rooms meet the needs of their community, in both clinical quality and patient experience? On today’s ep...

As a regional hospital system, healthcare governance and leadership remain local. But the more successful and competitive a regional system is, the more interested larger systems become in acquiring that regional group. So, how do regional hospitals and health systems maintain their independence in an ever-consolidating market? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Bill Manns, Presiden...

The partnership between hospitals and pharmacies is an essential link for quality patient care. As the national healthcare industry faces a major medicine shortage, pharmacies and hospitals are both struggling to find solutions. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Joseph Dula, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services for CPS, about pharmacy contracting and medicine shortages. Vi...

Mental health services are a crucial piece of the healthcare industry, and with a combined increase in demand and decrease in supply for these services, the collective healthcare system is feeling the squeeze. So, how do rural hospitals adapt to best serve patients in need of mental healthcare? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Mark Eastburg, CEO Pine Rest Christian Mental Health S...

As a community-centered, rural hospital, we know the struggle of existing independently when resources are scarce. Unfortunately, sometimes hospitals have no other choice but to accept a merger or acquisition. How do rural hospitals maintain the trust of their community as they face hard choices and dramatic change? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Letitia Fecher, Vice President,...

We are taking time off this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to tune in next week as we resume our weekly episodes!

Long COVID is a condition plaguing many Americans in the wake of the pandemic, and treatment for long COVID symptoms isn’t standardized and can be hard to come by. So, how do hospitals care for patients experiencing long COVID symptoms? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with James Jackson, Director of Behavioral Health at the ICU Recovery Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center i...

Hospital culture is an essential part of creating a safe and healthy workplace for team members. So, how do rural hospitals create a positive hospital culture, even in today’s challenging healthcare environment? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Stacy Feltz, Chief Administrative Officer at Hillsdale Hospital about building a strong workplace culture. Follow Rural Health Rising on T...

Access to medical and ambulance transport is important and often life saving for rural communities with a limited EMS and transport services. So, how do rural hospitals manage the challenge of limited ambulances in their service area? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Robert Dionne, Chief Executive Officer of Ultra EMS about ambulance services in a rural community. Follow Ultra EMS...