Podcasts about Rural health

Earlier this month, the Hunger & Health Coalition welcomed Lindsey Sullivan as the organization's new Executive Director. Lindsey is no stranger to the non-profit scene in Watauga County, having served as Health Strategist at AppHealthCare, where, among other projects, she was a lead voice in the creation of STABLE Workplaces.On this week's Mind Your Business, we catch up with Lindsey at the ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated home of Hunger and Health Coalition, a space that connects their footprint to the Community Care Clinic, following a merger of the two organizations in 2025. After the event, we sat down to discuss leading through transition, the value of listening in the early days of a new role, and how prior knowledge of a business can accelerate opportunity for growth.We'll also provide some fresh news on the FY27 budget plans for Watauga County and the Town of Boone. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

The $50B Rural Health Question In this session, Scott Cook, VP of Business Development at Infinx, unpacks what the Rural Health Transformation Program may mean in practice. The conversation will explore what the funding is designed to accomplish, why each state's approach matters, and how rural healthcare organizations should think about sustainability once the five-year funding period ends. The session will also look at the operational burden behind transformation funding. Rural health teams may be asked to apply for, justify, track, and operationalize funding while already managing workforce shortages, payer pressure, technology gaps, and limited administrative capacity. Scott will help frame the practical questions rural providers should be asking now: What can this funding realistically support? What happens when it goes away? And how can organizations use this moment to strengthen revenue cycle, access, and care delivery instead of simply chasing short-term dollars? Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Health Affairs Publishing's Jeff Byers welcomes Sarah Jane Tribble of KFF Health News to the pod to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Fund, highlighting how it aims to improve infrastructure and access in rural communities amid ongoing challenges like hospital closures, workforce shortages, and Medicaid cuts. To learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Fund, join us on June 8 for a free event featuring Kate Sapra and Katherine Ornstein highlighting state initiatives focusing on improving care for older adults.Join us on June 23 for an exclusive Insider virtual event examining how antitrust policy in health care is evolving at both the federal and state levels, featuring insights from Katherine Gudiksen, Leemore Dafny, and Nathan Hostert.Related Links:Rural Health Payout Series (KFF Health News)Rural America at a Glance (U.S. Department of Agriculture)Federal Budget Cuts Won't Hit All Hospitals Equally: How States Can Better Analyze Hospital And Health System Financial Data (Health Affairs Forefront)Sign up for Health Affairs' free newsletter to catch up on our new articles, podcasts, and events.

We are excited to have Joyce Fetrow, project director of the North Michigan Opioid Response Consortium, join us on today's episode of Rural Health Today. Opioid use continues to be prevalent in rural communities, especially those lacking the resources to address it with sustainable solutions. Joyce is here to share her perspective as a leader in the field of opioid response. We'll talk about effective programming, prevention methods, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-fetrow-cprm-cprm-m-chw-87473914b/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/michigan-center-for-rural-health/

The Rural Health Transformation Program brings $50 billion in federal funding to states over five years, but the real question is whether temporary funding can create lasting operational change. In this episode, Scott Cook, VP of Business Development at Infinx, joins Stuart Newsome to discuss what rural providers should understand about the program, the state-by-state variability, and the operational realities behind applying for and sustaining these funds.Brought to you by www.infinx.com

Sia Beasley shares how simple, consistent movement— and meaningful social connection — can transform healthspan and quality of life, especially as we age. From evidence-based fall prevention and the power of tai chi to the critical role of strength, mobility, and community belonging, the conversation highlights practical ways to stay independent and thrive across the lifespan. The episode also shines a light on persistent rural health challenges, including limited access to care and resources, while emphasizing the resilience and creativity of rural communities in overcoming these barriers. Sia shares insights on how small, intentional lifestyle choices can build strength, prevent decline, and support a longer, more fulfilling life. Read more about Sia here: https://phes.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/sia-beasley

Hays Post reporter Tony Guerreo chats with Ellis Co Health Director, Melissa Miller   Full Article Here

From leadership shakeups at the federal level to one of the largest investments in rural health in decades, public health is navigating a moment of uncertainty and opportunity.  In this episode, ASTHO senior analyst for Government Affairs, Catherine Murphy, unpacks the ripple effects of ongoing changes at the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC. Workforce reductions, leadership turnover, and shifts in advisory bodies like ACIP are reshaping how guidance is developed, how states access expertise, and how much trust clinicians and communities place in public health recommendations. Later, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, zooms out to the state level, where leaders are racing to deploy Rural Health Transformation Program funds under tight timelines and complex compliance requirements. We'll hear comments Dr. Kansagra made at a recent EY educational webinar titled, “Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program.”Recent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health | ASTHONow, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship | HAN | CDCThriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams

Monica McConkey, Eyes on the Horizon founder and rural mental health specialist, joins us on today's guest episode of Rural Health Today. Today we're talking about access to mental healthcare in rural communities. Monica is here to share her perspective as a leader in rural mental health. We'll talk about service closures, how stigma affects care, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamcconkey/ https://www.eyesonthehorizon.org/ https://www.facebook.com/eyesonthehorizonconsulting

Send us a MessagePursuing RHT opportunities that are not in strategic alignment can create “strategy creep” or “strategy swap” scenarios that likely won't play out well in the short or long termIn this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff explores a critical strategy challenge facing rural healthcare organizations today: how to navigate the massive Rural Health Transformation (RHT) opportunity without losing strategic focus.With $50 billion in funding, multi-organization collaboratives, and increasing pressure to participate, healthcare leaders are being presented with more opportunities than ever before. But as Sue shares from her decades of experience as a healthcare strategist, not every opportunity is strategic.This episode introduces two key risks organizations must guard against:Strategy Creep — layering new initiatives on top of existing priorities, stretching teams thin and reducing execution qualityStrategy Swap — replacing carefully developed strategic priorities with externally funded initiatives that may not align with the organization's true needsSue emphasizes that while funding can accelerate strategy, it should never define it. Instead, organizations must stay grounded in their mission, their community's needs, and their clearly defined strategic priorities.She also shares practical decision filters to help leaders evaluate which opportunities to pursue — and which to pass on — so they can maintain focus, protect their teams, and achieve meaningful, lasting results:Does this directly advance one of our top strategic priorities on our plan?What are we going to need to stop or de-We're stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We'd love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Learn more and register for the 2026 Healthcare Executive Forum - We look forward to seeing you on June 17-18 in Madison, Wisconsin!Hi! I'm Sue Tetzlaff. I'm a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong.For decades, I've worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I've learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It's the hardest thing, and it determines everything.When you're ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you:1. Listen to the Culture Change RX PodcastEvery week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email NewsletterGet practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won't find on the podcast.

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives in Social Work, we explore how states and organizations can use Rural Health Transformation Program funds to drive long-term sustainability. Rural health strategy expert Zil Joyce Dixon Romero, Senior State Government Affairs Manager at the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), shares practical insights into the barriers states face, proven strategies for sustaining impact, and how to navigate evolving policy environments. You'll hear perspectives on maximizing funding, building creative partnerships, and aligning strategy with shifting federal and state priorities, including real-world considerations for implementation success. Whether you're a state official, healthcare administrator, or community partner, this episode offers actionable guidance to help you sustain funding impact, navigate policy shifts, and strengthen rural health systems. Highlights: Strategies to extend the impact of Rural Health Transformation Program funding Common barriers to sustainability—and how to overcome them The role of partnerships and policy alignment in long-term success Subscribe to Fresh Perspectives in Social Work for more episodes like this, and visit berrydunn.com to explore how we support sustainable health initiatives.

Pennsylvania has just a few months left to spend its first round of federal funding dedicated to rural health.  The money is intended to offset Medicaid losses during the next decade, with this initial award prioritizing existing program stabilization.  Emergency responders are exploring what future funding rounds could mean for their services.Submissions are now being accepted for The Older Artists of PA Showcase planned for later this summer at the State Capitol. And a deeper dive:In suburban Philadelphia, a farm and a nonprofit are teaming up and forging a unique partnership to fight both food waste and hunger.

How Mayo Clinic Health System is transforming care for largely rural communities while reshaping culture, workforce, and AI-enabled practice across a widely dispersed network.

In this episode, Tessa Misiaszek, President of Leadership Solutions at AMN Healthcare, explores how rural healthcare organizations can adapt to new CMS expectations by strengthening data infrastructure, leadership capacity, and operating models. She shares why workforce strategy, accountability, and transformational leadership are critical to sustaining performance and long term success.This episode is sponsored by AMN Healthcare.

Health Innovation Summit ICYMI episode, features a panel on Rural Health Transformation, moderated by Avery Muse, following a DocuSign/Microsoft “Medicare Connect” demo showing verified digital ID, secure record access, consent signing, appointments, claims status, and transportation support. Panelists from HHS, CMS, cybersecurity, and DocuSign discuss rural challenges: 20% of the U.S. is rural, staffing can be 60% or less, 180+ rural hospital closures since 2010, and one-third of rural patients drive 25+ miles for care, with rural areas leading in chronic disease. They explain the $50B CMS-managed program, state applications and allocations, CMS oversight via a PMO, spending guardrails across 11 categories, and clawback authority. Voyagers Program | ACT-IAC A Hell of a Regiment: To Gettysburg and Beyond with the Twentieth Maine | ACT-IAC Summary - A Hole in One with ACT-IACSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate. Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria TellsCourtesy of Epidemic Sound(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young CommunityCourtesy of Epidemic Sound)

The Big Unlock · Linda Stevenson, Chief Operations & Information Officer, Fisher-Titus Health In this episode, Linda Stevenson, Chief Operations & Information Officer at Fisher-Titus Health, shares how rural health systems are driving innovation under significant resource constraints. Leading a 100-bed community hospital with a lean IT team, she highlights the realities of “doing more with less”—from workforce shortages to the critical need for interoperability in coordinating care beyond organizational walls. Linda challenges the industry's fixation on AI as a standalone strategy, advocating instead for a problem-first approach: start with the clinical or operational need, then determine if AI is the right fit. She emphasizes that true transformation comes from aligning technology with enterprise priorities, not chasing hype. She also points to persistent gaps in interoperability and growing cybersecurity risks, particularly in rural settings where vulnerabilities can impact the broader ecosystem. Her message is clear: stay grounded in strategy, focus on outcomes, and prioritize partnership over products to drive meaningful, scalable change. Take a listen. This guest appearance was facilitated through conversations initiated at ViVE.

Today's podcast features an interview with Casey Balio, PhD, research assistant professor at the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, and Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, director of the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. They share new insights about the rural public health workforce from their recent article published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/public-health-workforce-may-2026 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

In this episode, Brendan Harris, President, UPMC for You and State Programs & Patti Jackson-Gehris, President, UPMC North Central and Williamsport markets, discuss UPMC's strategies to improve rural healthcare access through workforce development, telehealth expansion, and innovative care models that address geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

Rural communities face some of the most complex and often overlooked public health challenges. Today, Melanie Ramsey, deputy director of CDC's Office of Rural Health, discusses how a new national effort is working to close those gaps.  The Rural Health Academy is a growing initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of state and local health leaders. Ramsey will share how the Academy is fostering peer-to-peer learning, connecting federal and state partners, and equipping leaders with practical tools to better serve rural populations.  Some states are exploring creative solutions like housing incentives for health workers, while new federal coordination efforts aim to align strategy and funding across agencies.  Ramsey also highlights CDC's Rural Public Health Training Plan, a free, self-paced program built to deliver real-world, scenario-based training to anyone working in rural health.National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network | HomeAbout the Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | CDCProject Firstline | Project Firstline | CDCRural Health Mapping ToolRural Health Science Tips | Rural Health | CDCRural Public Health Training Plan - CDC TRAIN - an affiliate of the TRAIN Learning Network powered by the Public Health FoundationRural Public Health | Rural Health | CDCASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Modernizing and Strengthening Data For STI PreventionFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO

Connecticut recently moved the needle in a big way with committed funding to agencies supporting rural health initiatives. So, we're reconnecting with the leader from the New England Rural Health Assoc. to learn how our state is setting the pace on a number of public health fronts impacting our rural communities, as well as how our neighboring states are coming to grips with similar challenges.

In this episode, Brendan Harris, President, UPMC for You and State Programs & Patti Jackson-Gehris, President, UPMC North Central and Williamsport markets, discuss UPMC's strategies to improve rural healthcare access through workforce development, telehealth expansion, and innovative care models that address geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

Connecticut recently moved the needle in a big way with committed funding to agencies supporting rural health initiatives. So, we'll reconnect with the leader from the New England Rural Health Assoc. to learn how our state is setting the pace on a number of public health fronts impacting our rural communities, as well as how our neighboring states are coming to grips with similar challenges.Then we'll celebrate a new program out of the University of Bridgeport that is placing Honors Civic Fellows into Bridgeport schools to lead interactive workshops for students focusing on civic responsibility, leadership, and community engagement. And we'll close continuing our celebration of 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer - by introducing Kies Orr-LaVack, a fourth-generation dairy farmer and co-owner of Fort Hill Farms in Thompson who was a former CT Outstanding Young Farmer, and whose farm was the 2025 New England Green Pastures award winner! 

Longtime Sen. Hob Bryan, chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee, discusses the recent failed attempt by lawmakers to override the governor's veto of a bill aimed at oversight and transparency in spending of hundreds of millions of federal funds for rural health care in Mississippi.

Have you ever heard anyone say something like, “He's a typical farmer. He's built tough and will just power through.” Well, maybe it's time for this image to go. Special guest Kathy Walker joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today's episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Kathy has a degree from Purdue University in health promotion and is the Program Director for the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) who handles the programming for Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives.Kathy will share about how she ended up working for IRHA and specifically, how she began working with growers and ag businesses in the areas of mental health and suicide.In addition to her QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, you'll learn how Kathy is equipped to help employers by providing training to assist and refer employees and growers in navigating mental health and stress issues. “Farmers… [are] a demographic that has a high rate of suicide… Yeah, they're strong, self-sufficient… but they're also human beings, and we all have our limits.”If you're struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to the Purdue Farm Stress team which is a group of professionals who are equipped to resource growers with tools, programs, and additional resources to help handle the day-to-day stresses growers face. You can find out more information about the Purdue Farm Stress team at https://extension.purdue.edu/farm_stress/index.html. 

Rural Health Today is thrilled to welcome to the show Alana Skye Campbell, senior director of healthcare access at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Today we're talking about healthcare deserts in rural America and how access to local care impacts the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Alana is here to share her perspective and insight on healthcare access for multiple sclerosis care and treatment. We'll talk about barriers to receiving care and treatment in a healthcare desert, the impact of limited access on the wellbeing of a community, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-skye-campbell/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-ms-society/https://www.facebook.com/nationalmssociety

Kathleen Sebelius was in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when the Affordable Care Act became law. Now, she and a bipartisan group are putting their best thinking forward for how to fix rural health care. Their report from Aspen Institute's Health Strategy Group calls the rural mortality gap a “moral […] The post Kathleen Sebelius Ran HHS. Now, She's Tackling Rural Health appeared first on Healthy Communities Online.

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: National Association of Rural Health Clinics, “Congress Takes Steps to Exempt Health Care Workers from New H-1B Fee,” April 16, 2026, https://www.narhc.org/News/33042/Congress-Takes-Steps-to-Exempt-Health-Care-Workers-from-New-H-1B-Fee.  Congress.gov, “Text - H.R.7691 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act of 2026,” https://lawler.house.gov/uploadedfiles/lawler_169_xml.pdf. Rural Health Research Gateway, “Identification and Characteristics of Under-Resourced and High-Need Rural Counties,” April 13, 2026, https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/alerts/708. Rural Health Research Gateway, “County-Level Differences in Health Professional Shortage Areas by Rurality, Age, and Disability Status,” April 9, 2026, https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/alerts/693. Kayla Robbins, “A Therapy Office on Wheels Is Reaching Homeless Youth Left Behind,” April 9, 2026, https://invisiblepeople.tv/a-therapy-office-on-wheels-is-reaching-homeless-youth-left-behind/. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

I am thrilled to be in the studio with today's special guest, Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, founding director at Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.  Today we're talking about infectious disease management in rural healthcare settings. Dr. Bhadelia is here to share her perspective and insight as an infectious disease physician. We'll talk about the role hospitals play in infectious disease prevention, public trust in healthcare authorities, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahid-bhadelia-81a775b7/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buceid/ https://www.bu.edu/ceid/

Send us a MessageIn this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff and Julie Coneset discuss the importance of meaningful celebrations, focusing on the 'why' behind recognition efforts, and share practical ideas and a comprehensive celebration guide to foster a culture of celebration in healthcare settings.How to get your guide to creating meaningful Hospital Week and other celebrations: Email info@capstoneleadership.net and request CELEBRATION GUIDEWe're stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We'd love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Learn more and register for the 2026 Healthcare Executive Forum - We look forward to seeing you on June 17-18 in Madison, Wisconsin!Hi! I'm Sue Tetzlaff. I'm a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong.For decades, I've worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I've learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It's the hardest thing, and it determines everything.When you're ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you:1. Listen to the Culture Change RX PodcastEvery week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email NewsletterGet practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won't find on the podcast.

Tennessee could get about $1 billion to invest in its rural health care over the next five years. Gov. Bill Lee and his administration are drumming up excitement for the plan, which they say is an opportunity to rebuild the state's broken rural health infrastructure.But some critics are worried there may be strings attached.On today's episode of This Is Nashville, our Healthcare Hollow series continues. We're sorting through the good, the bad and the unknown in this moment of rural health transformation.Guests:Arielle Zionts, rural health correspondent, KFF Health NewsJacy Warrell, chief executive officer of the Rural Health Transformation FundJessica Snowden, pediatric infectious disease pediatrician and vice chancellor for research, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterThis episode is part of our Healthcare Hollow series, made possible, in part, by the NIHCM Foundation.

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Sabrina Ho, “NRHA Statement on the President's FY 2027 Budget Request,” April 3, 2026, https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2026/04-april/nrha-statement-on-the-president%E2%80%99s-fy-2027-budget-request, National Rural Health Association. Molly Gamble, “756 hospitals at risk of closure, state by state,” December 26, 2025, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/756-hospitals-at-risk-of-closure-state-by-state/, Becker's Hospital Review. Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, “Rural Hospitals at Risk of Closing,” January 2026, https://chqpr.org/downloads/Rural_Hospitals_at_Risk_of_Closing.pdf.  Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga, “These Kansas elementary students dissect frogs — and it could help fight a doctor shortage,” April 7, 2026, https://www.kcur.org/health/2026-04-07/these-kansas-elementary-students-dissect-frogs-and-it-could-help-fight-a-doctor-shortage, Kansas City Public Radio. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

Atrazine contaminates U.S. water more than any pesticide. Learn why it's still used, how it harms health and fertility, and why regulators haven't stopped it. #Atrazine #EndocrineDisruptors #WaterPollution #HealthTalks

America's rural hospitals are closing at an alarming pace, and Tennessee holds the highest closure rate.In a series of reports this month, WPLN takes an in-depth look at this crisis — how it has harmed communities and what is being done to reverse course.In this episode, Health Reporter Catherine Sweeney and This Is Nashville host Blake Farmer dive into history of these closures. Then, Catherine takes us to Linden — a rural Tennessee town that lost its hospital and got it back. Finally, providers discuss what communities can do to fill in the gaps when traditional health care delivery is hard to find.This episode is part of our Healthcare Hollow series, made possible, in part, by the NIHCM Foundation.GuestsKyle Kopec, Chief Operating Officer, Braden HealthShatiqua Jamerson, Administration and Programs Coordinator, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health CenterDr. Charae Farmer-Dixon, Dean, Meharry School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College

Rural Health Today welcomes Dr. Ross Ramsey, president and chief executive officer at Scheurer Health, as this week's guest.  In this episode we'll talk about how the trust between physicians, patients and health organizations has been fractured in rural health, and what it will take to repair that trust. Dr. Ramsey will share his perspective on how rural hospitals can build relationships with their communities and how it benefits patients to do so. We'll talk about health literacy, social determinants of health and what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossramsey/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/scheurerhealth/ https://www.facebook.com/ScheurerHealth

States are rolling out plans for their share of a $50 billion fund meant to improve rural health care. In some states, the money may provoke rural hospitals to cut services.

Rural Health Today is excited to welcome to the show Amy Brown, chief nursing officer at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. In this episode we'll cover workplace violence in healthcare settings and the impact it has on care teams. Amy will share her perspective on how rural health has been fractured by violent actions against the healthcare staff who are the heart of our hospitals. We'll talk about burnout as a result of workplace violence, resources hospitals can employ, and what it all has to do with rural health. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-brown-88324043/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/michiganhospitals/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.facebook.com/MichiganHospitals

With $50 billion flowing through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), healthcare leaders are questioning whether this marks short term stabilization or a real opportunity to redesign rural care. In this episode of PwC's Next in Health, Glenn Hunzinger speaks with Thom Bales and Jill Olmstead about how states are deploying funds, how accountability is shaping execution, and what sustainable rural transformation could look like. Discussion highlights:Why the RHTP differs from prior relief efforts, with funding tied to measurable outcomes and accountabilityHow states are prioritizing workforce sustainability, value based care, and regional partnershipsThe role of technology, telehealth, shared data infrastructure, and AI in expanding access and modernizing rural delivery modelsWhat successful execution requires across governance, compliance, milestone tracking, and multi state coordinationWhy provider engagement with state strategies and ecosystem collaboration will be critical to successWhat durable rural transformation could look like over the next three to five yearsSpeakers:  Glenn Hunzinger, US Health Industries Leader, PwC Thom Bales, US Health Services Advisory Leader, PwC Jill Olmstead, Principal, Health Services, PwCYou can access the full report here: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-policy-and-intelligence-institute/ruralhealth.htmlFor more information, please visit us at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/health-research-institute/next-in-health-podcast.html.

We speak with Ron Flanary, co-author of "Big Emma," a book that explores the story of a powerful steam locomotive that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. Also, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs. The post An Author Interview, Rural Health And Data Centers, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Episode Topic: Bridging Gaps, Empowering CommunitiesAI holds immense promise, yet Ketan Paranjape warns the “last mile” remains a formidable barrier. From rural Indiana to India, infrastructure gaps and cultural nuances challenge the scalability of digital health. Explore how we can bridge this divide by prioritizing human kinship and ethical innovation over mere algorithmic speed. Featured Speakers:Dr. Ketan Paranjape, Bioscope AIBukata Hayes, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MinnesotaEmily Ho, NorthwesternErwin Tan, AARPShelley Kendrick '10 MNA, EcumenRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/418575.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled The Rural Health Revolution. Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

Today's guest on Rural Health Today is Dr. Mark Holmes, academic leader and health policy researcher at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. To advocate for rural health, leaders in healthcare need to understand the ins and outs of how our field is influenced by changes to policy and payment models. We'll talk about Medicaid changes, health access, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow Dr. Mark Holmes on social media! https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-holmes-2269bb46/ Follow UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health on social media! https://www.linkedin.com/school/uncpublichealth/  https://www.facebook.com/UNCpublichealth

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Jakob Emerson, “Lawmakers introduce bill to reverse Medicaid cuts, expand Medicare benefits,” March 2, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-reverse-medicaid-cuts-expand-medicare-benefits/, Becker's Healthcare. Arielle Zionts and Sarah Jane Tribble, “States face pushback on their rural health transformation plans,” March 3, 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/states-rural-health-transformation-plans/, CBS News. Caroline Hudson, “Hospitals do the math on upcoming ACA coverage losses,” March 3, 2026, https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/mh-uhs-hca-tenet-aca-exchange-enrollment/, Modern Healthcare. Sydney Roach, “Juniata College is planning a rural health collaborative in Huntingdon County with federal funding,” March 3, 2026, https://radio.wpsu.org/2026-03-03/juniata-college-rural-health-collaborative-huntingdon-county-federal-funding, WPSU. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

Editor's Summary by Linda Brubaker, MD, and Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ, Deputy Editors of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, for articles published from February 28-March 6, 2026.

Rural Health Today is excited to welcome to the show Ewa Panetta, director of community health impact and engagement at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. Today we're talking about rural health safety nets and what it takes to provide access to healthcare in underserved communities. Ewa will share here perspective of how rural health has been fractured by a lack of resources and adequate reimbursement to hospitals. We'll talk about what's happening to our rural populations, the role hospitals have in their communities, and what it all has to do with rural health Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPodhttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewa-k-panetta-cpps-a637322b/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/michiganhospitals/posts/?feedView=all https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHospitals

In this episode, Jamie Wiggins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Arkansas Children's, discusses record patient growth driven by streamlined access, a multi year expansion including the National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Effectiveness, and a five year strategy to strengthen rural pediatric care and chronic disease management across the state.

Today, we're back talking with John Barnas, who answers your questions on how to maintain teleheath capabilities in rural settings. Follow Rural Health Today on social media! ⁠https://x.com/RuralHealthPod⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665⁠  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! ⁠https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠ ⁠https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/⁠  Follow John Barnas on social media! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-barnas-a7519115/⁠ Follow the Michigan Center for Rural Health on social media! ⁠https://www.facebook.com/MCRH91/

Major federal investments and national guidance can shape the future of public health, but only if states can turn policy into practice. This episode looks at two sweeping developments and the on-the-groundwork required to make them matter. First, Chris Salyers, Director of Programs and Evaluation at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health explains the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a $50 billion, five-year investment aimed at strengthening rural communities. With no clear blueprint for moving funds at this scale, states are in the early stages of building advisory groups, navigating procurement and contracting rules, and working to ensure dollars actually reach rural providers and organizations, not just large outside entities. Salyers highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, peer learning, and using this planning window to build systems that allow smaller, capacity-strapped rural groups to compete for funding.  Then, Shannon Vance, Director, Family and Child Health at ASTHO, breaks down the newly released 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and their wide-ranging implications. With chronic disease driving nearly 90% of U.S. healthcare spending, the updated guidance, including stronger limits on added sugars, greater emphasis on protein and full-fat dairy, and life-stage–specific recommendations, could reshape everything from individual eating habits to major federal nutrition programs. Vance explores the ripple effects for SNAP, WIC, and school meals, where agencies are already juggling recent rule changes, tight budgets, and supply challenges.Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHOThe 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines: Understanding the New Pyramid | ASTHOFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHOASTHO (@ASTHO) / XAssociation of State and Territorial Health Officials (@asthonews.bsky.social) — Bluesky(1) Instagram(1) LinkedInFacebook

In this episode, James Wellman, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, discusses using AI and data analytics to optimize revenue cycle management, improve patient care, and address the unique challenges facing rural health organizations.

In the 2025 budget bill, Congress created the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to help struggling hospitals, doctors, and patients in rural America. But rural hospitals are expected to lose three times that through Medicaid cuts in that same budget bill. So, what will it take to keep rural healthcare afloat? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Maryland finds out how much the state will get from a nationwide competition for federal rural health investment.Guest(s):Christina Koontz, paramedic Elizabeth Kromm, assistant secretary for population health and strategic initiatives, Maryland Department of HealthMike Salvadge, chief of emergency medical services, Allegany County, Md. Meena Seshamani, Maryland secretary of healthHemi Tewarson, executive director, National Academy for State Health PolicyLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.