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 with the mission to provide leadership on rural health issues to improve access to care. Ms. Elizondo received a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Texas A&M University in 2000 and a Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Health from the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health in 2002. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Public Health at the University of Illinois Chicago.

 Before joining the NRHA, Ms. Elizondo served as the primary analyst for rural health care and post-acute care issues at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This position afforded her the opportunity to work as a liaison with Congress during the landmark passing of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, also known as the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. She also completed a fellowship at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy where she took part in implementing a rural leadership program.

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.us/events/event-details?eventId=17 . To find out more about NRHA’s Advocacy efforts visit their website: https://www.ruralhealth.us/advocate. 

“Your voice matters, members of congress need to hear from you and NRHA is here to help you do that” 

-Carrie Cochran-McClain

Carrie joined NRHA staff in 2020 where she is the head lobbyist for the association and is responsible for driving the organization's rural health policy agenda. Carrie has more than 20 years of experience working in federal health policy development, including leadership roles at Health Management Associates, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. In her previous positions she has focused on improving health care outcomes, promoting health equity for vulnerable populations, and advising on health care policy issues. Carrie earned a BA in sociology from Willamette University and an MPA with a concentration in health policy and management from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and a Doctor of Public Health at the UNC Gillings School.

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 Hospitals in both Illinois and Indiana. He received his Doctorate in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2010 and is currently a member of the faculty. He is a past president of both the National Rural Health Association and Indiana Rural Health Association. 

A lifelong learner, Dr. Putnam was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in 2015 and worked for his community’s EMS service until 2019. Dr. Putnam frequently lectures nationally on topics related to the improvement of rural healthcare, transition from volume to value, rural Graduate Medical Education, EMS, and health equity. He was appointed by President Biden to the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force where he chaired the Healthcare Access and Quality subcommittee.  You can purchase a copy of Tim's book here. 

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 Health degree. Jefferson’s degree focuses on policy, which has made her interested in understanding what changes can be implemented at the governmental level to eliminate health disparities faced by individuals residing in rural communities. Jaquesha is also an intern for the Center for Rural Health Leadership, where she enjoys obtaining and refining the skills that will allow her to lead in rural healthcare. Previously, Jefferson worked for the Florida Department of Health as the FLEX Grant Coordinator, where she oversaw and implemented projects related to quality and operational improvement of critical access hospitals across the State. Jefferson has a true passion for serving others, and expanding access to care for all individuals, ensuring that the quality of life is great for all