Category Archive

This week we’re having a conversation with Katie Peterson, Chief Nursing Officer at Pender Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Pender, Nebraska. “Our nursing staff is mostly millennials, so short staffing comes from having multiple nurses on maternity leave at the same time, not open positions.” In addition to sitting on the senior executive team and providing nursing leadership, … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Darrold Bertsch, the CEO of Sakakawea Medical Center, a Critical Access Hospital located in Hazen, North Dakota and also the CEO of Coal Country Community Health Center, an FQHC with locations in Beulah, Hazen, Killdeer and Center North Dakota. “There are challenges that certainly come our way, but local challenges need local solutions … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Dr. Scott Daniels, Performance Improvement Coordinator at the State of Hawaii Office of Primary Care and Rural Health. “Providing care in a culturally appropriate way is something that really gets stressed a lot in Hawaii, particularly in the rural areas.” Scott Daniels, Ph.D., has been in health care over eighteen years where he began as an analyst … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Mike Leventhal, Executive Director of Men’s Health Network-Tennessee. “Leadership is the opportunity to serve.” Since 2003, Mike has been serving as Executive Director for the Tennessee affiliate of Men’s Health Network (MHN). Mike is responsible for MHN operations within Tennessee and consults with key staff on program coordination throughout the Southeastern United States, with an acute focus … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Mark Diamond, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance in Australia.  Mark has had extensive experience in the management of public sector health and community services organizations in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia over a period in excess of 30 years. Mark has also occupied central agency roles including the redevelopment of mental health services in South … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Christy Hopkins.  Christy serves as the director of Greeley County Community Development, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring stability and growth for Unified Greeley County.  She is also the secretary for Growing the Vision: A Foundation for the Future of Greeley County and treasurer of The Star Theater of Tribune, a community-owned movie theater. “Greeley County ranks 105th out of 105 … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Carrie Henning-Smith, Ph.D.  Dr. Henning-Smith is the Deputy Director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center and an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Dr. Henning-Smith has led multiple research projects at the Rural Health Research Center, with a wide range of topics … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Hilda Heady.  Hilda has 50 years of experience as a rural health leader, direct service professional, health professions’ educator and strong advocate for rural families and rural women’s health care including childbearing services.  Hilda is also an advocate for Veterans and communities. “We developed a plan to establish the state’s [West Virginia] first alternative in-hospital birth center.”  Hilda Heady’s work and advocacy is focused on … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Tommy Barnhart, President of the National Rural Health Association.  Tommy has over 45 years of experience in healthcare finance and operations, working with hospitals, long-term care providers, home health agencies, hospices, clinics and other healthcare entities. “We need to provide that organization, the hospital organization, with a methodology to move into the future so that it … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association.  Alan is recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in healthcare by Modern Healthcare Magazine, He has more than 26 years’ experience in health policy development at the state and federal level, and is one of the nation’s leading experts on rural health policy. “Global budgeting … Read More