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Rural Health Leadership Radio™

Over the last ten years, over 100 rural hospitals have closed their doors. Roughly one in three rural hospitals have been identified as “at risk.” If there was ever a need for strong leadership, that time is now. RHLR’s mission is to provide a forum to have conversations with rural health leaders to discuss and share ideas about what is working, what is not working, lessons learned, success stories, strategies, things to avoid and anything else you want to talk and hear about. RHLR provides a voice for rural health. The only investment is your time, and our goal is to make sure you receive a huge return on your investment. For more information, visit www.rhlradio.com or e-mail bill@billauxier.com.
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Now displaying: April, 2024
Apr 30, 2024

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, Kevin Stansbury, CEO of Lincoln Community Hospital in Colorado, shares his diverse and extensive experience in healthcare, including his time working internationally and his transition into rural healthcare leadership. He emphasizes the critical role of rural hospitals in providing essential services and the personal connections that enhance community healthcare. Kevin passionately advocates for more significant investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and policies that support the sustainability and advancement of health services in rural areas.

“The people who work in rural and frontier healthcare, we're so connected to our communities... It's that connection with community that is delightful and really reassuring”

-Kevin Stansbury

Kevin Stansbury serves as the CEO at Lincoln Health in Hugo, CO. Kevin has over 35 years in healthcare, primarily in community hospitals.  He has served in roles in hospital administration, strategic planning, healthcare project planning and service in emerging economies.  His work has taken him not only across the United States but all over the globe, including Bangladesh, Botswana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.  He serves on the Executive Committee of the Colorado Hospital Association Board of Trustees as Immediate Past Chair. He has also served on various State and National task forces supporting rural health. 

Recently Mr. Stansbury was appointed by Governor Polis to the Colorado Option Advisory Committee.  He also serves on the Colorado e-Health Commission. Mr. Stansbury is a founding member of the Eastern Plains Health Consortium.  He received his BS in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming; MS in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University and he received his JD with honors from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Kevin and his wife Jennifer have three grown children, a daughter in Castle Rock with one of their grandchildren, a daughter and son-in-law in Firestone, Colorado with their other five grandchildren; and a son who lives in Wichita, Kansas

Apr 22, 2024

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, hosted by Bill Auxier and Sydney Grant, guest Kristen Juliar, a capital resources consultant with the National Organization for State Offices of Rural Health, discusses her journey into rural healthcare. In our discussion with Kristin, she talks about the importance of understanding rural healthcare needs and highlights various successful partnerships and projects that integrate healthcare with broader community services. Kristin helps rural communities sustain healthcare services by engaging partnerships and accessing capital resources.

“There is a ton of expertise out there, so don’t be afraid to tap into that”

-Kristin Juliar

Kristin Juliar is a seasoned consultant with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, where she leads the Rural Health Capital Resources Council and Center. She has an extensive background in rural health and community development, having previously directed the Montana Office of Rural Health and the Montana Area Health Education Center at Montana State University for 16 years. Before her tenure in Montana, she directed Minnesota's Healthcare Education-Industry Partnership and served as Executive Director of a rural development organization. Juliar is actively involved in various national rural health committees, including the Executive Committee of the National Rural Health Resource Center and the AHA Population and Community Health Advisory Committee. She holds an M.A. in Urban and Regional Studies.

Apr 15, 2024

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, hosted by Dr. Bill Auxier and Sydney Grant, we welcome another young rural health leader, Alana Monson Administrative Fellow at Trinity Health in Des Moines, Iowa. Just months after graduating with a Master's in Health Administration, Alana found herself in the role of interim CEO at Manning Regional Healthcare Center, a critical access hospital close to her hometown in Iowa. 

In our conversation, she discusses how she rapidly transitioned her leadership skills, adapting to the role thanks to a lot of trust from her team. Her story is a testament to the potential for young leaders to make significant contributions to healthcare in rural settings.

“If you were ever facing a challenge or responsibility that might seem daunting to you, just do it because your future will thank you for the growth”

-Alana Monson

Alana Monson is an administrative fellow with Trinity Health – MercyOne in Des Moines, Iowa and recently served as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa. Alana grew up in rural Western Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2020 and Master of Health Administration in 2023. 

While pursuing her graduate degree, she worked with classmates to form the Student Association for Rural Health. In addition to her experience as CEO at a critical access hospital, Alana also has experience working for a Medicare administrative contractor, an academic medical center, a health system, and serving on the Iowa Rural Health Association board.

Apr 9, 2024

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, Aidan Hettler, CEO of Sedgwick County Health Center, shares his unique journey from a recent college graduate with a background in supply chain management to becoming the CEO of a rural hospital at the age of 22. We discuss the importance of servant leadership and the impact young people can have in rural healthcare even without significant experience. Aidan shares the highlights of his role as CEO including the growth of services and his role in the community.

Rural America is a really good place to work if you are young and aspiring to make a really big impact." 

- Aidan Hettler

Aidan Hettler is a Pittsburgh native, who moved to Colorado for his college education. Aidan is now the CEO of Sedgwick County Health Center (SCHC), a critical access hospital system serving a rural community on the Colorado Eastern Plains and extending into neighboring Nebraska. As the largest employer in Sedgwick County, SCHC not only offers crucial medical services through its clinics, long-term care facilities, and a critical-access hospital but also sustains the economic vitality of the region. Aidan’s vision extends beyond his immediate responsibilities, aspiring to collaborate with like-minded professionals and organizations to innovate and champion a rural healthcare landscape where quality care is a universal right, not a privilege limited by geography.

Apr 2, 2024

Capital funding plays a crucial role in the success of rural hospitals. This week, we feature Brian Haapala, CEO of Stroudwater Capital Partners, who is at the forefront of assisting rural healthcare organizations in overcoming the hurdles of securing capital funding. Brian emphasizes the pivotal role of healthcare in small communities and shares his dedication to empowering these communities to drive healthcare improvements from within. 

Our discussion with Brian sheds light on the significance of updating rural healthcare infrastructure. He provides insights into effective strategies for obtaining funding and implementing capital improvement projects in rural environments, underscoring the transformative impact these investments can have on community health support and rural economic vitality.

“Rural Healthcare is the cornerstone of rural economies”

-Brian Haapala

Brian is the CEO of Stroudwater Capital Partners helping improve access to capital for rural health care providers nationally. He is passionate about creating solutions to improve rural healthcare through capital investment, and he guides leaders through the process of securing capital through the rural challenges of limited resources. Brian has over 25 years of experience as an advisor and investment banker to rural health systems and has planned and/or financed over $1.5 billion in rural capital investments over this time. He holds a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan.

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