Mental health services are a crucial piece of the healthcare industry, and with a combined increase in demand and decrease in supply for these services, the collective healthcare system is feeling the squeeze. So, how do rural hospitals adapt to best serve patients in need of mental healthcare? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Mark Eastburg, CEO Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services about mental health services. Follow Mark Eastburg on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/...
Dec 07, 2023•45 min
As a community-centered, rural hospital, we know the struggle of existing independently when resources are scarce. Unfortunately, sometimes hospitals have no other choice but to accept a merger or acquisition. How do rural hospitals maintain the trust of their community as they face hard choices and dramatic change? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Letitia Fecher, Vice President, Public & Community Health Systems Practice Lead, with Jarrard Inc. about change management in ru...
Nov 30, 2023•42 min
We are taking time off this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to tune in next week as we resume our weekly episodes!
Nov 23, 2023•1 min
Long COVID is a condition plaguing many Americans in the wake of the pandemic, and treatment for long COVID symptoms isn’t standardized and can be hard to come by. So, how do hospitals care for patients experiencing long COVID symptoms? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with James Jackson, Director of Behavioral Health at the ICU Recovery Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. about long COVID recovery. Visit ICU Recovery online! https://www.icudelirium.org...
Nov 16, 2023•50 min
Hospital culture is an essential part of creating a safe and healthy workplace for team members. So, how do rural hospitals create a positive hospital culture, even in today’s challenging healthcare environment? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Stacy Feltz, Chief Administrative Officer at Hillsdale Hospital about building a strong workplace culture. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/ https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/ https://twitter.com/...
Nov 09, 2023•33 min
Access to medical and ambulance transport is important and often life saving for rural communities with a limited EMS and transport services. So, how do rural hospitals manage the challenge of limited ambulances in their service area? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Robert Dionne, Chief Executive Officer of Ultra EMS about ambulance services in a rural community. Follow Ultra EMS on social media and online! https://twitter.com/ultraemsohio https://www.facebook.com/ultraemsohio ...
Nov 02, 2023•44 min
Vascular care is a specialty not always accessible to rural communities, but diagnosis, treatment and surgery for vascular disease is certainly needed by rural Americans. So, how do rural hospitals attract, support and sustain visiting specialists like vascular surgeons to ensure specialty care is available to their communities? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Syed Alam, Vascular Surgeon at Hillsdale Hospital about vascular care in a rural hospital. Follow Rural Health Risi...
Oct 26, 2023•36 min
On this week's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel do a case study, unpacking the decisions and thought process behind their recent merger of two rural health clinics. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/ https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-cent...
Oct 19, 2023•27 min
As rural hospitals continue to struggle, facing unprecedented industry-wide challenges in addition to the rural-specific challenges they have been managing for decades, effective change management is more crucial than ever. So, how do rural hospitals develop and execute a change management strategy to support their teams through tumultuous times? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Letitia Fecher, Vice President, Public & Community Health Systems Practice Lead, with Jarrard Inc...
Oct 12, 2023•43 min
Rural hospitals are as unique as the communities they serve, with their own set of demographics, their own geography and their own local history—all of which can be a detriment or an asset to their success as an organization. So, how do rural hospitals leverage their unique positions to best serve their communities and build long-term sustainability? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk Karen Cheeseman, CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace, Michigan, about meeting the need...
Oct 05, 2023•46 min
For rural healthcare to thrive, proactive representation and response in congress is essential. So, how should hospitals navigate the latest legislative decisions on healthcare policy and rural health budgeting. On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association to get a legislative update on the state of rural healthcare policies. Find National Rural Health Association online! https://www.ruralhealth.us/ Follow...
Sep 28, 2023•43 min
Solid executive leadership is essential to the success of any hospital, but the job of a rural hospital president is unique with its own set of challenges and opportunities. So, how do rural hospital presidents set the stage for the future and lead their organizations with purpose? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Helen Johnson, president of Sparrow Eaton Hospital, about stepping into her role as a rural hospital president. Find Sparrow Eaton Hospital online! https://www.sparrow...
Sep 21, 2023•37 min
Physician Assistants are essential members of the healthcare team whose versatility as providers can help expand access to care in rural communities where it may be harder to recruit a physician. So, how do we prepare more physician assistants for thriving careers in rural environments? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with John McGinnity, professor and director of the Department of PA Medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine about expanding training op...
Sep 14, 2023•28 min
Today’s healthcare industry is facing a staffing crisis that impacts healthcare providers, hospitals and systems of all sizes, including rural. So, how can healthcare careers be promoted to build and expand the talent pipeline for our industry? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brian Peters, president and CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), about healthcare’s staffing challenges today and how MHA is working to combat them in Michigan. Follow Rural Health ...
Sep 07, 2023•42 min
Electronic medical records and patient portals are becoming a necessary tool for hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver care in today’s world. But implementing, managing and maintaining a functional EMR is time-consuming, expensive and taxing on an organization. So, how do rural hospitals keep their EMRs up-to-date and build a strong foundation for the evolution of their systems in the future? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with David Winn, Vice President of Parkview Connect...
Aug 31, 2023•49 min
Rural hospitals today face unprecedented financial challenges, cybersecurity threats, staffing shortages and more, often feeling like they are on an island, fighting a battle on all sides. So, how do rural hospitals leverage the support of organizations like the American Hospital Association to continue moving forward? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Jen Porter, Senior Vice President, Field Engagement at American Hospital Association about the various ways AHA supports hospital...
Aug 24, 2023•38 min
As obstetrics care around the country continues to disappear with more than 40% of rural communities without local access to delivery care, providing quality OB services in rural America has never been more important than it is today. So, how do rural hospitals build a robust, sustainable obstetrics program that improves and supports the wellbeing of their community? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Sarah Spencer, OB-GYN, at Hillsdale Hospital about obstetric care in rural h...
Aug 17, 2023•43 min
Home health care is one of the primary ways homebound seniors in rural communities can receive the healthcare they need, but providing that care is no easy feat. So, how do rural homecare providers deliver the best care possible to elderly populations? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Kathy Coe, director of Hillsdale Home Care at Hillsdale Hospital about caring for rural America’s elderly population in their homes. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/rural...
Aug 10, 2023•40 min
Infusion services are important for many patients—especially those who receive infusions regularly and routinely—so having access to this type of care locally can have a significant impact not only a patient’s health, but their quality of life. So, how do rural hospitals build a sustainable infusion service line to create access for their patients and community? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Randy Holland, Infection Control Officer and Director of Ancillary Services right her...
Aug 03, 2023•41 min
A strong cardiopulmonary team is a critical piece of any hospital, including rural. From emergent to inpatient to outpatient care, they are part of it all. So, how do rural hospitals build that team and support its success long-term? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Val Boyd, cardiopulmonary and sleep lab manager right here at Hillsdale Hospital about cardiopulmonary care in rural hospitals and longevity in a healthcare career. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twit...
Jul 27, 2023•45 min
Emergency services are a lifeline for patients suffering immediate and urgent medical conditions, and in rural America, the local hospital emergency room can be the lifeline that ensures a patient makes it until they can get to a higher level of trauma care. So, how do rural hospitals build robust emergency services and earn the trust communities? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Lance Wells, medical director of emergency medicine, right here at Hillsdale Hospital about prov...
Jul 20, 2023•39 min
It is no secret that struggling rural hospitals and, by extension, the patients they serve need dedicated advocates to ensure long-term sustainability and access to care in rural America. So, how do rural hospitals effectively lobby their elected officials to create positive change in their environment? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Benjamin Frederick, Associate Vice President of Advocacy & Government Relations of Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, Mich. about advocating for ...
Jul 13, 2023•44 min
On this week's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk about Hillsdale Hospital's latest campaign to connect with their team, patients, the community, and what lessons can be learned from how they connect with their own rural patients. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp ...
Jul 06, 2023•31 min
Network security is an important part of any hospital including rural. But rural hospitals may be even more likely targets as bad actors assume there is less security and therefore, more susceptible to breach. How do rural hospitals defy that assumption, ensuring safe networks and secure operations? On today's episode, hosts JJ and Rachel speak with Joshua Daugherty, Network Administrator here at Hillsdale Hospital on what it takes to keep Hillsdale Hospital safe and secure from outside threats....
Jun 29, 2023•53 min
Bringing specialty care to rural communities has long been a challenge for rural hospitals, and oncology is one of the most difficult service lines to recruit. At the same time, the prevalence of cancer diagnoses in rural America demonstrates the critical nature of oncological services for those patients. So, how can rural hospitals help their patients access meaningful oncological care? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Dr. Sagar Patel, radiation oncologist at Saint Francis Heal...
Jun 22, 2023•38 min
Education is the cornerstone of good healthcare, not just for clinical and medical purposes, but also in learning how to effectively manage a hospital. So, how do hospitals help their department heads advance their skills and become stronger leaders? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Meghan Campbell, Chief Nursing Officer for Hillsdale Hospital about her experience in the Rural Hospital CNO Certification program. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhea...
Jun 15, 2023•26 min
On today's minisode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk about nurse staffing ratio legislation in Michigan and the impact it could have on rural hospitals. Follow Rural Health Rising on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ruralhealthpod/ https://twitter.com/hillsdaleCEOJJ/ https://twitter.com/ruralhealthrach/ Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www....
Jun 08, 2023•29 min
Price transparency has pushed hospitals to publish detailed information about what they charge for their services, including providing good faith estimates to patients. This initiative is a step forward in the effort to make healthcare costs more transparent and accessible for patients, but it may have value for rural hospitals beyond that. So, how do rural hospitals provide accurate prices to the public, while utilizing price transparency data to their advantage? On today’s episode, hosts JJ an...
Jun 01, 2023•47 min
Rural communities and rural hospitals benefit from having strong partners at the local, state and federal level, supporting their goals so they can thrive in today’s environment. So, how do agencies like USDA support rural hospitals, and promote their survival? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Brandon Fewins, Rural Development State Director for USDA in Michigan about programs and initiatives to support rural healthcare. Michigan Rural Development State Office https://www.rd.usd...
May 25, 2023•51 min
Emergency room admissions are important for any hospital, but especially rural ones as it is truly the front door of the hospital, feeding patients into other departments to receive all the care they need. But admitting from the ER to the floor is easier said than done. So, how do rural hospitals increase emergency room admissions, decrease transfers and get their patients the care they need? On today’s episode, hosts JJ and Rachel talk with Carla Wilber, about care delivery models that support ...
May 18, 2023•38 min
