Category Archive

This week we’re having a conversation with Corie Kaiser, the Director of the Oklahoma Office of Rural Health.  Corie joined the Office of Rural Health in 2005.  Since that time, she has maintained the office’s community engagement programs as well as coordinated and maintained quality and performance improvement and financial programs to assist critical access hospitals. “We had three critical access hospitals convert to critical access … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Joanna Hiatt Kim, Vice President of Payment Policy, with the America Hospital Association (AHA).  Joanna leads the association’s work on Medicare payment, including for inpatient and outpatient hospital care, post-acute care, and physician services.  “That is really where leadership comes into play and where the rubber meets the road to make these strategies work.”  Joanna came to the AHA … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Mark Deutchman, M.D., a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Dr. Deutchman has been involved in rural medical practice or teaching for over 35 years. He also has faculty appointments in the School of Dental Medicine and the School of Public Health.   He practiced Family Medicine in rural, southwestern … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Ryan Neville, President and CEO at Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, WI.  Ryan was hired as President and CEO of Memorial Medical Center in 2014. “Becoming part of an ACO has had an impact on how we think about patient care for all our patients, not just our Medicare population.”  A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Ryan holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Dr. Jim Turner, a family medicine doctor at the Cork Medical Center in Marshall, Illinois.  Dr. Turner and his wife are both third-generation residents of Marshall, a town of about 4,000 on the Illinois/Indiana border.  Dr. Turner grew up 2 blocks from where his office is today.  He is actively involved in his community and healthcare in a variety … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with John Gale, M.S., Senior Research Associate with the Maine Rural Health Research Center at the University of Southern Maine. John has conducted extensive research on rural substance use and behavioral health services, the role of hospitals in addressing population and community health issues, and the development of substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery programs. “Our communities are … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Maggie Elehwany, JD, Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy with the National Rural Health Association.  Maggie joined the NRHA staff in 2007 as the head lobbyist for the association and is responsible for the Government Affairs and Policy department. As Senator Chuck Schumer said at a recent meeting, “If we’ve learned nothing … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Marty Fattig, CEO of Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, Nebraska.  Marty has been involved in healthcare for over 35 years.  He began his career as a bench Medical Technologist and expanded his technical skills to include radiology and electrocardiology.  Later on, he entered the field of healthcare administration and has served in various … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Bill Sexton, the Chief Executive Officer at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.  Bill is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University.  In 2006 he served as president of the National Rural Health Association and continues to serve … Read More

This week we’re having a conversation with Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild, Associate Executive Director and Chief Futurist at the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska. A researcher, entrepreneur and high-touch futurist, Dr. Connie, helps leaders and organizations reach their desired futures through strengths-based innovation and strategic foresight. She proudly serves as the Associate Executive Director and Chief Futurist for … Read More