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.
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.
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.
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.