Category Archive

Today’s guest is Dr. Elisha Yaghmai, CEO of FreeState Healthcare, formerly known as Vigilias Telehealth. Born in California, Dr. Yaghmai has lived in every major region of the United States, and logged time in Africa and Asia. He went into medicine to change the world, but found medicine changed him instead. FreeState Healthcare is his way of fighting back by … Read More

In this week’s episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we’re having a conversation with Dave Pearson, President & CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, also known as TORCH. TORCH is a professional association whose members consist of acute care hospitals with under 150 beds. “…exciting things going on here and a lot of it is pointed … Read More

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we’re having a conversation with Lynn Barr, CEO of Caravan Health.  Lynn is an energetic entrepreneur with thirty years of experience in healthcare, where she has shepherded four start-ups and twelve medical inventions through research, the FDA and on to worldwide markets. Through Caravan Health, Lynn is a recognized leader in the development … Read More

The 2017 TORCH Annual Conference & Trade Show (TORCH = Texas Organization for Rural and Community Hospitals) was held in Dallas, TX, April 18 – 20.  The title of the meeting was New Directions in Rural Healthcare. “The environment for rural health, as you know, is very challenging.  We have a lot of issues and things we need to think … Read More

Bill Jolley is Vice President for Rural Health Issues for the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA). In this role, Bill is responsible for the development and implementation of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program and for expanding services, such as technical assistance and training, to rural hospitals. He has won several awards, including the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Quality Award … Read More

John Barnas serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), a non-profit organization affiliated with Michigan State University. He has held this role since February of 2000. He also serves on the National Rural Health Association Government Affairs Committee and Medicaid Task Force. In his current role as Executive Director of MCRH, John is responsible … Read More

Chris Clayton appeared as a guest on Meet the Press with Chuck Todd after the last presidential election to help explain how Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America.  Rural America made the difference.  Chris is the Policy Editor and Interim Markets Editor for DTN/The Progressive Farmer, where he has worked since 2005. He has … Read More

Joy Williams has spent the last six years working with a faith-based organization that helps improve health capacity in rural areas. Now she is writing a book about faith and patient advocacy while completing her Master’s of Divinity at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem. She has hands on experience educating rural populations on healthier living by teaching them how … Read More

Peggy Wheeler is the Vice President of the Rural Healthcare Center at the California Hospital Association. Peggy also serves on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, which is an independent advisory body to the Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to how the department and its programs serve rural communities. “Rural healthcare is … Read More

Pat Schou is the Executive Director of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network and the Illinois Rural Community Care Organization. She was recognized for being among the Top 25 Women in Leadership for Peoria, Illinois in 2013, received a Women of Distinction award in Illinois Valley in 2013, and was recognized as the 2014 Illinois Rural Hero by the National … Read More