Today we have another special episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio! We are having a panel discussion at the Indiana Rural Health Association’s Annual Conference, with several guests lined up to chat with us!

“We need to work in our own communities to build the workforce from the ground up.”

~Jim Ballard

The panel discussion covers topics ranging from access to quality medical care in rural communities, finding new models of education to train students in real-life environments, cultural issues in the community, to the humanizing technology. The panelists touched on issues they have experienced within their organizations and areas, and shared their best practices and unique solutions that helped bring their community closer together. Along with creative problem solving, the discussion also included what rural healthcare leaders can look to in the future, as well as ways the rural community can work to break down barriers to receiving quality healthcare.  

“You see those emerging innovative solutions that are born out of necessity, where CEOs are able to innovate across borders without labels.”

~Michael Snyder 

Today, we will hear from Michael Snyder, Emma Eckrote, Jim Ballard, and Dennis Weatherford. 

• Michael Snyder is from MEK – Marketing, Engagement, Knowledge, where he works in consulting and change management in Indianapolis.
• Emma Eckrote is a medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine, in the Rural Medicine Education Program. 
• Jim Ballard is the Executive Director of the Indiana Area Health Education Center and is also an Associate Professor in Family Medicine at Indiana University’s School of Medicine. 
• Dennis Weatherford is the CEO of Putnam County Hospital in Greencastly, Indiana.