Rural Health Today

Vascular care is a specialty not always accessible to rural communities, but diagnosis, treatment and surgery for vascular disease is certainly needed by rural Americans. So, how do rural hospitals attract, support and sustain visiting specialists like vascular surgeons to ensure specialty care is available to their communities? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Syed Alam, Vasc...

On this week's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel do a case study, unpacking the decisions and thought process behind their recent merger of two rural health clinics. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media!  https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/...

As rural hospitals continue to struggle, facing unprecedented industry-wide challenges in addition to the rural-specific challenges they have been managing for decades, effective change management is more crucial than ever. So, how do rural hospitals develop and execute a change management strategy to support their teams through tumultuous times? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with L...

Rural hospitals are as unique as the communities they serve, with their own set of demographics, their own geography and their own local history—all of which can be a detriment or an asset to their success as an organization. So, how do rural hospitals leverage their unique positions to best serve their communities and build long-term sustainability? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk Ka...

For rural healthcare to thrive, proactive representation and response in congress is essential. So, how should hospitals navigate the latest legislative decisions on healthcare policy and rural health budgeting. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association to get a legislative update on the state of rural he...

Solid executive leadership is essential to the success of any hospital, but the job of a rural hospital president is unique with its own set of challenges and opportunities. So, how do rural hospital presidents set the stage for the future and lead their organizations with purpose? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Helen Johnson, president of Sparrow Eaton Hospital, about stepping...

Physician Assistants are essential members of the healthcare team whose versatility as providers can help expand access to care in rural communities where it may be harder to recruit a physician. So, how do we prepare more physician assistants for thriving careers in rural environments? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with John McGinnity, professor and director of the Department of PA...

Today’s healthcare industry is facing a staffing crisis that impacts healthcare providers, hospitals and systems of all sizes, including rural. So, how can healthcare careers be promoted to build and expand the talent pipeline for our industry? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brian Peters, president and CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), about healthcare’s s...

Electronic medical records and patient portals are becoming a necessary tool for hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver care in today’s world. But implementing, managing and maintaining a functional EMR is time-consuming, expensive and taxing on an organization. So, how do rural hospitals keep their EMRs up-to-date and build a strong foundation for the evolution of their systems in the futu...

Rural hospitals today face unprecedented financial challenges, cybersecurity threats, staffing shortages and more, often feeling like they are on an island, fighting a battle on all sides. So, how do rural hospitals leverage the support of organizations like the American Hospital Association to continue moving forward? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Jen Porter, Senior Vice Presi...

As obstetrics care around the country continues to disappear with more than 40% of rural communities without local access to delivery care, providing quality OB services in rural America has never been more important than it is today. So, how do rural hospitals build a robust, sustainable obstetrics program that improves and supports the wellbeing of their community? On today’s episode, hosts JJ a...

Home health care is one of the primary ways homebound seniors in rural communities can receive the healthcare they need, but providing that care is no easy feat. So, how do rural homecare providers deliver the best care possible to elderly populations? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Kathy Coe, director of Hillsdale Home Care at Hillsdale Hospital about caring for rural America’s...

Infusion services are important for many patients—especially those who receive infusions regularly and routinely—so having access to this type of care locally can have a significant impact not only a patient’s health, but their quality of life. So, how do rural hospitals build a sustainable infusion service line to create access for their patients and community? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Ra...

A strong cardiopulmonary team is a critical piece of any hospital, including rural. From emergent to inpatient to outpatient care, they are part of it all. So, how do rural hospitals build that team and support its success long-term? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Val Boyd, cardiopulmonary and sleep lab manager right here at Hillsdale Hospital about cardiopulmonary care in rural...

Emergency services are a lifeline for patients suffering immediate and urgent medical conditions, and in rural America, the local hospital emergency room can be the lifeline that ensures a patient makes it until they can get to a higher level of trauma care. So, how do rural hospitals build robust emergency services and earn the trust communities? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with...

It is no secret that struggling rural hospitals and, by extension, the patients they serve need dedicated advocates to ensure long-term sustainability and access to care in rural America. So, how do rural hospitals effectively lobby their elected officials to create positive change in their environment? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Benjamin Frederick, Associate Vice President...

On this week's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk about Hillsdale Hospital's latest campaign to connect with their team, patients, the community, and what lessons can be learned from how they connect with their own rural patients. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach Follow Hillsdale Hospita...

Network security is an important part of any hospital including rural. But rural hospitals may be even more likely targets as bad actors assume there is less security and therefore, more susceptible to breach. How do rural hospitals defy that assumption, ensuring safe networks and secure operations? On today's episode, hosts JJ and Rachel speak with Joshua Daugherty, Network Administrator here at...

Bringing specialty care to rural communities has long been a challenge for rural hospitals, and oncology is one of the most difficult service lines to recruit. At the same time, the prevalence of cancer diagnoses in rural America demonstrates the critical nature of oncological services for those patients. So, how can rural hospitals help their patients access meaningful oncological care? On today’...

Education is the cornerstone of good healthcare, not just for clinical and medical purposes, but also in learning how to effectively manage a hospital. So, how do hospitals help their department heads advance their skills and become stronger leaders? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Meghan Campbell, Chief Nursing Officer for Hillsdale Hospital about her experience in the Rural Hos...

On today's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk about nurse staffing ratio legislation in Michigan and the impact it could have on rural hospitals. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/  https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media!  https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/  https://www.tw...

Price transparency has pushed hospitals to publish detailed information about what they charge for their services, including providing good faith estimates to patients. This initiative is a step forward in the effort to make healthcare costs more transparent and accessible for patients, but it may have value for rural hospitals beyond that. So, how do rural hospitals provide accurate prices to the...

Rural communities and rural hospitals benefit from having strong partners at the local, state and federal level, supporting their goals so they can thrive in today’s environment. So, how do agencies like USDA support rural hospitals, and promote their survival? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brandon Fewins, Rural Development State Director for USDA in Michigan about programs and...

Emergency room admissions are important for any hospital, but especially rural ones as it is truly the front door of the hospital, feeding patients into other departments to receive all the care they need. But admitting from the ER to the floor is easier said than done. So, how do rural hospitals increase emergency room admissions, decrease transfers and get their patients the care they need? On t...

Hospitals have been bracing for healthcare professional shortages for many years now, but those shortages were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic leaving hospitals to contract with staffing agencies at a drastically higher cost with no end in sight. So, how do rural hospitals work in tandem with higher education and workforce development initiatives to raise up the next generation of healthcare...