Category Archive

Diane Calmus is Regulatory Counsel for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).  Diane joined the NRHA staff in 2015. She is one of NRHA’s federally registered lobbyists. “We really saw the voice of rural Americans saying how important healthcare is to them.” She previously worked as a legislative assistant to Rep. Kevin Brady, the chair of Ways and Means, where … Read More

Lauren S. Hughes, MD, MPH, MSc, FAAFP, is a practicing family physician and Deputy Secretary for Health Innovation in the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In this role, she creates and leads statewide strategies to improve health and health care delivery for all Pennsylvanians, with a focus on initiatives combatting the opioid and heroin epidemic and transforming rural health care delivery. “The Pennsylvania Rural Health Model … Read More

Rolland “Boomer” Bojo is the Administrator of Grover M. Hermann Hospital, and also the Vice President of Patient Care Services and CNO of Catskill Regional Medical Center. Grover M. Hermann Hospital was recently recognized as a Top 20 CAH by the NRHA for the 4th time in the last 5 years. “Our secret sauce is that we strongly believe in the community.”  Boomer … Read More

Joe Lampard is Vice President and partner at HPSA Acumen.  With over 15 years’ experience in analyzing areas with health professional shortages through HPSA Acumen, Joe has extensive knowledge about the underserved communities in the US.  “The truth is in the data.”  Joe’s professional focus is on increasing access to care for the marginalized and underserved.  This is accomplished through Health Professional … Read More

John Roberts was appointed Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Health Association on February 1, 2004. He has been involved in the association since its inception, and served on its board of directors for six years prior to becoming Executive Director. “Really successful leaders truly are able to articulate a clear vision for their organization, for their hospital and for … Read More

Brant Couch is President of HealthSure, where he provides leadership for business development, programs and strategic account management. HealthSure is the program manager for RHIA, the Rural Hospital Insurance of America. For nearly 15 years Brant has worked closely with community hospitals to develop new and better ways to ensure their success. “Leadership is one word, and that word is … Read More

Amy Yauk is the Director of Nursing at Harper County Community Hospital (HCCH), in Buffalo, OK. HCCH was recently recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a Top 20 CAH. “We pretty much always know all of our patients so it’s real easy to care for them like they’re family.” Amy started her career at HCCH in 1999 as … Read More

Marc Ringel grew up in Chicago, went to college in New Orleans and Madrid, and did his medical training back in Chicago.  He even drove a Chicago Transit Authority bus one summer. Nevertheless, his life led him to serve with the National Health Service Corps as a general practitioner in Yuma, Colorado, a prairie town of 2000 people.  And the … Read More

Happy National Rural Health Day!  To help us celebrate, we’re having a conversation with Kristine Sande. “It’s really great to focus on what makes rural communities great!” Kristine Sande is an Associate Director at the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health.   She also directs the Rural Health Information Hub, formerly known as the Rural Assistance Center, which serves as a … Read More

In this special episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio™, we honor our Veterans.  Veteran’s Day is right around the corner, and to recognize our Veterans living in Rural America we’re having a conversation with Hilda Heady.  Hilda has 50 years of experience as a rural health leader, Hilda has had a variety of roles serving rural America including being a direct service professional, a health professions’ educator and as an advocate for rural families and rural women’s … Read More