Episodes
Helping our children thrive is a vital part of building healthy communities. As a rural hospital providing a full continuum of care, we know the value of occupational and speech therapy in kids’ lives. Lumen Pediatric Therapy shares our vision for healthy families, and they work to provide evidence-based services that will benefit children with autism. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Nicholle Mehr, Chief Executive Officer at Lumen Pediatric Therapy. Follow Rural Health...
Published 05/30/24
Independent hospitals exist for the health and wellbeing of their communities. Amidst a rapidly changing healthcare environment, locally controlled rural healthcare organizations can remain autonomous and dedicated to their patient populations. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Terry Scoggin, Chief Executive Officer at Titus Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 05/23/24
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 Jared Kosin, president and CEO of the Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 05/16/24
Every community needs maternal and infant healthcare, and yet, many rural areas no longer have access to it. In a time when obstetric care is becoming more and more difficult to find, some rural hospitals are striving to sustain the high-quality birthing services that every woman, infant and family that needs. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Jennifer Mewes, RN, OB Leader at Iowa Specialty Hospital. Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 05/09/24
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 Maggie Sauer, Director of the North Carolina Office of Rural Health. Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 05/02/24
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 Jacy Warrell, chief executive officer of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 04/25/24
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 Rachel are live in St Louis, MO at the National Council on Mental Wellbeing with guest Annette...
Published 04/18/24
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...
Published 04/11/24
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...
Published 04/04/24
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...
Published 03/28/24
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...
Published 03/21/24
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...
Published 03/14/24
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 today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Kris Nicholoff, Chief Executive Officer, and Jenell...
Published 03/07/24
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/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Aspire Rural Health System on social...
Published 02/29/24
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/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Aspire Rural Health System on social...
Published 02/22/24
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 Hospital Association. Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 02/15/24
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.
Published 02/08/24
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.
Published 02/01/24
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 Rural Health Rising on...
Published 01/25/24
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://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/  https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital...
Published 01/18/24
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 Specialist at Viking Psychiatry, about mental health in pediatric services. Visit Viking...
Published 01/11/24
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 on...
Published 01/04/24
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 episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Val Hepker, clinical nurse manager and trauma coordinator of...
Published 12/28/23
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, President and Chief Executive Officer for Bronson Healthcare, about regional independence and healthcare...
Published 12/21/23
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. Visit CPS online!  https://cps.com/  Follow Rural Health Rising on...
Published 12/14/23