Exploring Rural Health

"Exploring Rural Health" is a podcast from the Rural Health Information Hub. In each episode, we’ll provide you with engaging and useful information about current issues facing rural healthcare, and talk to the people who are coming up with solutions. We’ll learn about various aspects of rural healthcare, from quality and access to programs and services. Join us each month, as we discuss new research, program implementation, and funding, here on Exploring Rural Health!

Community-Based Recruiting: Keeping Providers Close, with Joe Theine and Jen Gero

Today’s podcast features an interview with Joe Theine and Jen Gero, MD. We learn about community-based recruiting and how it benefits providers and patients alike. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recruiting-feb-2026 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

02-24
17:58

AHECs and Their Role in Sustaining the Rural Healthcare Workforce, with Dwain Harris, Brianna Sheppard, and Meredith Lair

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dwain Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the National AHEC Organization, along with Brianna Sheppard, PhD, Director of West Virginia Area Health Education Centers, and Meredith Lair, Executive Director of the Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center. We learn about Area Health Education Centers and how they help to ensure consistent healthcare professional workforce availability in rural areas. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ahecs-jan-2026 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

01-13
49:37

Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation for Rural Providers, with Kevin Biese and Natalie Elder

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dr. Kevin Biese, Chair of the Board of the American College of Emergency Physicians Geriatric Emergency Accreditation program, and Dr. Natalie Elder, Director of Geriatric Emergency Medicine for the Vermont Health Network. We learn about the Geriatric Emergency Department Certification program, and how it provides a roadmap for organizing and care for rural geriatric patients. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/geriatric-ed-nov-2025 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

11-04
44:48

Technological Innovation in Rural Health and Human Services Spaces, with Dan Shane

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dan Shane, PhD, Associate Professor with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, about opportunities for applying technological advances in rural health and human services, potential challenges, and future avenues of development. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/tech-innovation-oct-2025 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

10-07
35:13

Medical Debt and Its Impact on Rural Patients and Providers, with Carrie Henning-Smith

Today’s podcast features an interview with Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, co-director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, about the prevalence of and difficulties caused by medical debt for both rural patients and providers. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/medical-debt-jan-2025 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

01-07
29:04

Ethical Aspects of Rural Healthcare, with Stephanie Larson and Devora Shapiro

Today’s podcast features an interview with Stephanie Larson, PhD, an Associate with the Institute of Ethics at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Devora Shapiro, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Ethics at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, about creating ethically informed frameworks in rural healthcare in order to best serve rural patients. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ethics-dec-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

12-03
44:54

National Rural Health Day Episode: Addressing Rural Maternal Health Disparities, with Kristen Dillon

Today’s podcast features an interview with Kristen Dillon, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the Federal Office for Rural Health Policy. In this special National Rural Health Day episode, we get an overview of the current state of rural maternal health, including access barriers and disparities in health outcomes, as well as exploring the ways that the Health Resources and Services Administration is working to improve outcomes for rural mothers. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/maternal-health-nov-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

11-20
16:43

Charting a Path to Comprehensive Healthcare for Rural Veterans, with Matt Coleman and James VanCleave

Today’s podcast features an interview with Matt Coleman, Director of the Kentucky State Office of Rural Health, as well as James VanCleave, Rural Project Manager, Veterans Services for the KORH. We learn about the importance of providing support to rural veterans in need of health services. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/veterans-oct-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

10-15
35:08

Building a Regional Healthcare Presence and Partnerships, with Krista Postai and Jason Wesco

Today’s podcast features an interview with Krista Postai, CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, and Jason Wesco, President and Chief Strategy Officer of CHC/SEK. We learn about the community health center’s journey from a single facility operating out of a trailer to having 18 locations across the region that leverage community partnerships to address health-related social needs. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/health-center-sep-2024   Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

09-03
42:55

Applying AI to Rural Health, with Jordan Berg

Today’s podcast features an interview with Jordan Berg, Principal Investigator for the National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center. We discuss present and possible future applications for AI in healthcare, what AI is and isn’t good at, and how it can be especially beneficial for rural patients. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ai-aug-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

08-06
39:58

Disruptors, Essential Services, and Reflections on a Career in Rural Health, with John Supplitt

Today’s podcast features an interview with John Supplitt, Senior Director of Rural Health Services for the American Hospital Association. We discuss rural health disruptors and rural availability of obstetrics and other essential services. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/essential-services-jul-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

07-02
33:13

Reducing Rural Unintentional Injuries, with Amy Rosenfeld, Jessica Dayton, and Jane Strommen

Today’s podcast features an interview with Amy Rosenfeld, Senior Research Director of the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, Jessica Dayton, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Safety Village, and Jane Strommen, PhD, a gerontology Specialist at North Dakota State University overseeing NDSU’s implementation of the Stepping On program. We discuss various types of unintentional injuries, several different programs providing education to reduce the risk of those injuries, and ways in which their outreach is continuing to expand. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/unintentional-injury-jun-2024 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

06-04
46:06

Rural Age-Friendly Health Systems, with Alan Morgan, Rani Snyder, and Jed Hansen

Today’s podcast features an interview with Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, Rani Snyder, Vice President for Program at John A. Hartford Foundation, and Jed Hansen, Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Health Association. We discuss the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative, the importance of ensuring rural health systems maintain accessibility for patients of all ages, the “Four Ms” of an age-friendly health system, and the vital role of direct care workers. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/age-friendly-apr-2024. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

04-02
35:16

Rural Health Leadership, with Steve Simonin

Today’s podcast features an interview with Steve Simonin, President and CEO of Iowa Specialty Hospital and Clinics. We discuss ways healthcare systems can invest in their communities, strategies for ensuring long-term rural health sustainability, and the importance of maintaining communication with state and federal support systems. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/leadership-mar-2024. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

03-05
25:33

Rural Heart Health and Community Partnerships, with Jennifer Conner, Jessica Black, and Dianne Connery

Today’s podcast features an interview with Jennifer Conner, PhD, American Heart Association (AHA) Vice President of Rural Health Southwest Region, and Jessica Black, AHA’s National Vice President of Community Health. Also joining us is Dianne Connery, Director of the Pottsboro Texas Area Public Library. We discuss trends in rural heart health, the impact of several recent national AHA health initiatives, and the value of local and regional health partnerships. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/heart-health-feb-2024. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

02-06
38:48

Supporting People with Disabilities in Rural Communities, with Rayna Sage and Catherine Ipsen

Today’s podcast features an interview with Catherine Ipsen, PhD, and Rayna Sage, PhD, co-directors of the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities at the University of Montana. We discuss problems facing rural people with disabilities, and the support systems enabling them to establish and maintain independence. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/disabilities-jan-2024. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

01-09
32:44

Keeping Rural EMS Reliable and Sustainable, with James Small

Today’s podcast features an interview with James Small, Rural EMS Outreach Director for the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health. We discuss workforce shortages facing rural EMS and strategies that can be used to maintain and improve their services. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ems-dec-2023. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

12-05
44:46

National Rural Health Day and a Behavioral Health Community Star, with Tammy Norville and Jason Lillich

Today’s podcast includes two interviews leading up to National Rural Health Day on November 16th. Features Tammy Norville, National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) CEO, and Jason Lillich, Executive Director of Three Rivers Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Center, a 2023 National Rural Health Day Community Star. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/nrhd-nov-2023 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

11-07
48:24

Rural Housing, featuring David Lipsetz

Today’s podcast features an interview with David Lipsetz, President and CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. We discuss housing in rural communities, and the organizations and programs helping to make it sustainable. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/housing-oct-2023.   Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

10-03
39:49

Rural Recovery Housing, with Ernie Fletcher and Erica Walker

Today’s podcast features an interview with Governor Ernie Fletcher, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Fletcher Group, and Erica Walker, Outreach and Engagement Specialist for the Fletcher Group. We discuss recovery housing in rural communities, and the different levels of support it can provide to clients. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recovery-housing-sep-2023. Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

09-05
31:14

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