Rural Health Leadership Radio

Securing a healthier future for rural communities begins with the engagement of our younger generations. This week, we're thrilled to host three emerging leaders on Rural Health Leadership Radio: Jenah McCarty, Hallie Vonk, and Nick Lembezeder. These graduate students from the University of Iowa's College of Public Health share their journey in founding the inaugural Student Association for Rural Health (SARH) and outline the organization's objectives. Throughout the episode, they reflect on SARH's influence on themselves and their peers and offer guidance for students aspiring to establish similar organizations. “The Student Association for Rural Health is reinvigorating individual’s passion for rural health, and sharing that passion with the next generation of leaders so we can create a better future for rural health” -Hallie Vonk Nick is a second-year Master of Public Health of Public Health student at the University of Iowa and Co-Programming and Events chair for the SARH. He is from Peosta, Iowa, and spe

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, Karen Cheeseman, CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, shares her journey from an HR role to leading a hospital system. In our discussion with Karen, she highlights collaborative relationships in the communities Mackinac Straights Health System serves including how they integrate tribal medicine into a small hospital. Karen shares the story of a newly built facility thanks to innovative ideas and a land donation by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.  “We’re addressing the care needs in a very comprehensive way in the community, including tribal medicine”  -Karen Cheeseman Karen has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mackinac Straits Health System since 2017.  Previously, Karen worked for the health system for many years and held various leadership roles including the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Human Resource Officer.  Karen holds a master's degree in Organizational Management from

On this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we welcome Elise Bur, Director of the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health. In our conversation, Elise discusses several key initiatives of the Center for Rural Health, including the feasibility of a dental hygienist program to address local needs, an oral health literacy program, and community health worker training to expand essential services. Elise also discusses an innovative Community Paramedicine education program aimed at delivering more comprehensive care to patients in their homes.  “If we can home grow our own, you are more likely to retain them in our rural community” -Elise Bur Elise joined Northern Michigan University in July 2020 as the inaugural director of the NMU Center for Rural Health. She has more than thirty years of combined experience working in higher education and the healthcare industry. Elise is extremely dedicated to identifying, understanding, and addressing regional health care needs through collaborative efforts.

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we’re talking with Frank Brabec, CEO of Brabec Healthcare Management and President of the Imperial Valley Coalition for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities in California. We discuss the significance of community collaboration and how rural communities can come together to face health challenges. Frank shares more about the Imperial Valley Coalition for Sustainable Healthcare Facilities and the unique way they are serving surrounding communities. Brabec emphasizes the critical role of leadership in rural healthcare success, advocating for continuous self-improvement, and working together with community partners.  “Leadership is the number one determinant of rural hospital success. I’ve seen evidence of that over and over. “ - Frank Brabec Frank Brabec is a seasoned healthcare professional with a varied background spanning from his beginnings as an orderly in surgery to leadership roles in hospital and physician practice operations. Since 2008, he has excelled in

This Rural Health Leadership Radio episode features a conversation with Dr. Matt Seeger,  Distinguished University Professor at Wayne State University, who has extensively studied organizational behavior, communication, and crisis management and response. Dr. Seeger shares his unique story as an undergraduate student deeply affected by a tragedy and how that led him to become a leading expert in crisis communication. We discuss the critical role of leadership in navigating crises, especially in rural communities. If you want to learn more about crisis and emergency communication check this website out: https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ “It’s really the whole community that is going to facilitate an effective crisis response” -Matthew W. Seeger, Ph.D.  Matthew W. Seeger, Ph.D., a Distinguished University Professor of Communication and Dean Emeritus, is renowned for his expertise in crisis and emergency risk communication, particularly in the context of infectious disease outbreaks, health promotion, and resilien

This week, we are discussing how executive coaching can be used as a tool for rural health leaders to live up to their highest potential. On this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio Bill & Sydney bring us back to our mission to engage rural health leaders in conversations, learning, and research.  “Coaching can make an incredible difference, make the investment!” -Bill Auxier We discuss leadership development, and how coaching can play an important role in that. Bill highlights the research on the impacts of coaching on the workforce, emphasizing the enhanced resilience and retention for rural health leaders. If you are interested in coaching send us an email bill@billauxier.com and sydney@billauxier.com.

Rural communities in the U.S. are diverse, full of innovation, and each face their own unique health challenges. In this episode, we discuss some less commonly discussed rural health topics with Amy Elizondo, the Chief Strategy Officer for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). In our conversation we discuss topics such as oral health, the scarcity of dentists in rural areas, behavioral health, substance abuse, and the health concerns of the rural indigenous population Amy highlights some of the amazing work being coordinated through the NRHA to address these health issues in rural communities, both through initiatives and health policy advocacy. Check out the NRHA’s Faces of Rural video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpJ4fXRakU “Rural communities are far more diverse than anyone could ever imagine, truly that is where innovation can happen.” -Amy Elizondo Amy Elizondo serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), a non-profit membership organization wit

This week on Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are sharing exciting information about the launch of a new program designed to enhance rural health managers' skills. In this episode, hosts Bill Auxier and Sydney Grant discuss the upcoming Rural Health Management Academy!  “The Rural Health Management Academy helps managers become better leaders “ -Dr. Bill Auxier Tune in to hear insights into the 10 modules covered in the program, addressing topics such as defining management, setting expectations, effective communication, building trust, goal setting, and more. Bill & Sydney’s discussion highlights the unique challenges faced by rural health managers and emphasizes the program's commitment to providing affordable and impactful training.  If you are interested in learning more, we are hosting a webinar on Wednesday February 21st, be on the lookout for an e-mail to sign up soon!

Health policies play a crucial role in shaping the well-being of rural populations. On Rural Health Leadership Radio, we love to learn about significant policies affecting rural communities and ways to engage in advocacy. In this episode, we have a conversation with Carrie Cochran-McClain, the Chief Policy Officer for the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), to gain insights into the impactful world of rural health policies.  Carrie provides an overview of current rural health policies at the federal level, offering insights into key developments expected in 2024. In our conversation, Carrie emphasizes the influential role of individual voices in shaping policy decisions, and highlights NRHA's efforts to equip advocates with resources. Carrie also shares some fun things to look forward to at the upcoming NRHA Policy Institute on February 13th -15th, exploring the noteworthy events and discussions slated for this gathering.  If you haven't already registered, you can do so here: https://www.ruralhealth.u

Looking for a captivating book to start the year? Look no further! In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are joined by Dr. Tim Putnam, DHA, EMT, FACHE, and a former CEO of a critical access hospital. Tim’s the lead author of Healthcare Leadership and Rural Communities, along with contributing authors Nikki King and Bill Auxier. Tim shares insights into his career journey and how it inspired him to write a book on rural health leadership. The discussion delves into the significance of genuinely comprehending rural communities to enhance their health, and Tim explains how his book serves as a valuable resource in achieving this understanding.  “In Rural Healthcare, you get a chance to really make a difference and see the impact.”  -Tim Putnam    Tim Putnam DHA, EMT, FACHE has worked in the healthcare field since 1983 in laser/minimally invasive surgery research working with the Father of Laser Medicine, Dr. Leon Goldman. Most recently, he has spent the last two decades as CEO at Critical Access H

Happy New Year! We are ringing in 2024 by having a conversation on the importance of healthcare access to the well-being of rural communities.  This week we welcome Jaquesha Jefferson, a Master of Public Health Candidate at Florida State University and current intern for the Center for Rural Health Leadership, to discuss her capstone research on rural healthcare access. In our conversation, Jaquesha shares why she was inspired to choose this health issue for her capstone, and how she identified gaps in policy that are negatively affecting rural residents.  “My Capstone looked at the root causes for lack of access to healthcare in rural areas rather than relying on short-term solutions that may exacerbate the problem over time. “ -Jaquesha Jefferson Jaquesha Jefferson, CommHIT’s lead Data Analyst, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences on a Pre-Clinical Track from the University of Central Florida in August 2022. She is currently enrolled at Florida State University, pursuing her Master of Public

As 2023 comes to a close, Co-Hosts Bill Auxier, PhD, and Sydney Grant, MHA are reflecting on this exciting year with the ever-growing community at Rural Health Leadership Radio.  Join us on this episode where Bill and Sydney share some of their favorite moments from 2023, ranging from insightful podcast interviews to the growth of the NRHA Certification Programs. Throughout our conversations this year, we've heard inspiring stories, innovative strategies, and compelling research from both seasoned and new rural health leaders. Bill and Sydney also discuss some exciting things coming in 2024, including individual and team coaching, the Rural Health Management and Leadership Academy, and, of course, many more engaging conversations on Rural Health Leadership Radio. “We’ve met some amazing people this year and allowed them to share their stories” -Sydney Grant We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of our mission this year—to enhance the world by involving rural health leaders in conversat

During this holiday season, it’s wonderful to hear stories about strong leadership based on trust and love, and it’s also wonderful to hear stories of inspiration.  Stories of miracles.  That’s exactly what this special holiday episode is about.  Travis Udall is our guest, and he shares his story about his experiences as the CEO of a critical access hospital in rural Arizona.  Travis delves into the significance of servant leadership and shares a moving story of how his hospital staff united to support a patient. Caring for this patient made a lasting imprint on the culture of the hospital and staff. Travis’s story serves as a reminder of the shared humanity we can all celebrate this holiday season. “Make your leadership personable. Unify people, love people.” -Travis Udall Travis Udall BA, MA-ED Leadership, is the father of four and happily married for 35 years. He and his wife have 9 beautiful grandkids. He has served as a community leader as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and CEO of White Mountain R

Recruiting and retaining employees is a top priority for most rural hospitals, and important to sustain the future of rural healthcare. Human Resource leaders across the U.S. are employing creative strategies to boost employee engagement. In this week's RHLR episode, Jenna Janu, HR Director at Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, Minnesota, sheds light on her initiatives to address these issues.  On this week’s episode of RHLR, Jenna discusses her journey to rural healthcare. She also discusses the success of a mentorship program for new employees that Jenna created at Glacier Ridge. She highlights how this program has made a difference for employee engagement across the hospital.   “Mentorship is not just a one-time experience, but a continued source of learning and guidance.”  -Jenna Janu  Jenna Janu is a 2019 graduate of the University of North Dakota. After graduating from UND, she went on to earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Mary, a private university near Bis

Data-backed decision-making is crucial in healthcare, but it can often be challenging, especially for rural hospitals with limited resources. However, from this week's conversation on Rural Health Leadership Radio, we learned that using, analyzing, and understanding community health data is more than achievable for rural hospitals.  Join us this week as we engage in a conversation with Liz Craker, Health Systems Support Coordinator for the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and John Wadsworth, Co-Founder of REDiHealth. We discuss how leveraging data to understand patient populations can help increase access to care and manage care gaps in rural areas. Liz and John discuss the importance of their collaboration with each other and the rural hospitals they serve. We also delve into the exciting aspects of rural health, including fast-paced innovation, creativity, and how they are assisting rural hospitals in using data to support these efforts. “The c

Successful rural hospitals often have the characteristics of strong leadership, a culture of teamwork, and community support. In our upcoming episode, we explore the strategies for achieving this with our guest, Natalie Ryder, who serves as the Hospital Administrator at Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital & Borgess Allegan Hospital in Allegan, Michigan. During this week’s conversation on Rural Health Leadership Radio, Natalie highlights the importance of cultivating a positive workplace culture and fostering teamwork. She provides valuable insights into her approach to breaking down silos between hospital locations and implementing standardized processes for sustainable success, and how her past roles and military background help her achieve this.  “I want anybody that works for me to feel supported and safe being themselves...there is no reason why we can’t be smiling all day” -Natalie Ryder Natalie Ryder is a Regional Hospital Administrator covering three hospitals in SW Michigan: 2 Critical Access Hospitals

Collaboration and connection are aspects we often emphasize in rural health. The rural advantage allows us to collaborate with each other and uniquely connect with our communities.  Our guest this week on Rural Health Leadership Radio is no stranger to collaboration. We are delighted to share with you our conversation with Kevin Bennett, a Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Chair of the Department of Translational and Clinical Sciences, Director of the South Carolina Center for Rural & Primary Healthcare, and the Research Center for Transforming Health.  Dr. Bennett discusses his work in rural health, emphasizing the importance of addressing food insecurity and bridging gaps in healthcare access. He highlights the need for comprehensive solutions, including collaborations with medical education institutions. We also explore how to attract young professionals to a rural lifestyle. “Rural is more than a label, there’s a beauty to it and a strength in the community connection.”

We love to celebrate on Rural Health Leadership Radio, and this week is one of our favorite occasions of the year: National Rural Health Day on November 16th! Since 2011, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has devoted the third Thursday of every November to spotlight rural health and pay tribute to rural communities. This week, we welcome Tammy Norville, CEO of NOSORH, as our special guest to discuss how NOSORH is marking National Rural Health Day this year. We discuss Tammy's personal journey in the field of rural health. Additionally, we explore various ways everyone can participate in National Rural Health Day, either virtually or within your local community. Check out these websites for more information on National Rural Health Day: NOSORH.org,   PowerofRural.org “National Rural Health Day is a celebration of the positive and the crazy, creative, and innovative ways rural health providers meet the needs of those folks they serve every day.” -Tammy Norville Tammy Norville j

If you are a veteran, thank you for your service! In recognition of all veterans, Rural Health Leadership Radio is proud to publish this special episode to honor all veterans this Veterans Day Nearly a quarter of all U.S. veterans choose to live in rural areas upon their return from active military service. Rural communities offer strong community support and close-knit relationships, enhancing the appeal of rural living for veterans. On the other hand, veterans contribute valuable leadership skills and core values to these rural areas. In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are celebrating veterans and the great ways they contribute to rural communities. We are joined by three veterans and rural health leaders:  Athena Minor, CNO/CCO of Ohio County Healthcare in Hartford, Kentucky. Hannah Zaun, CNO of Dakota Regional Medical Center in Cooperstown, North Dakota. Kenda Clopton, CNO of Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette, Arkansas. We welcome these three healthcare and military heroes to celeb

Over the past decade, we've witnessed substantial declines in cancer prevalence nationwide. However, the reduction in cancer mortality and incidence has been notably slower in rural areas of the United States. To mitigate the rising trend of cancer incidence and prevalence in these regions, it's important to place emphasis on cancer prevention. In this week's episode, we delve into the importance of prevention in the context of cancer. Joining us on Rural Health Leadership Radio is Bill Couzens, the founder and president of LessCancer.Org. Bill shares with us the story behind creating one of the first organizations committed to cancer prevention and how LessCancer.org is contributing to the reduction of cancer rates in rural communities. “Nobody was talking about preventing cancer...So it’s a conversation that we started as an organization” -Bill Couzens  William U. (Bill) Couzens is an American advocate, blogger, speaker, and founder of the Next Generation Choices Foundation, also known as LessCancer.org cha