37th Annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference 2024 | American Hospital Association | 11 February 2024 | Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821, US

It will gather more than 1,000 rural health leaders committed to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities. The conference will feature top rural practitioners sharing actionable strategies and resources aimed at improving access to care, leveraging unique workforce approaches, implementing digital technologies and prioritizing health equity.

We will explore the most significant challenges facing rural health care providers and present innovative approaches to transform care delivery and business practices.

Participants will:
• Develop strategies to enhance the resilience and flexibility of the rural health care workforce.
• Promote the adoption of innovative approaches to improve quality, patient safety and performance in rural health care to enhance patient satisfaction, increase efficiency and reduce costs.
• Explore disaster preparedness and response plans specific to rural communities.
• Explore new models of care and payment that align with rural health care systems' needs.
• Elevate equity and eliminate disparities in treatment, access and outcomes.
• Advance community and population health and economic development in rural areas through collaborative efforts between health care organizations, public health agencies and community stakeholders.
• Share inventive approaches to mergers, joint ventures and affiliations to help improve financial stability, operational efficiency and clinical outcomes.
• Learn how advances in telehealth, information technology and artificial intelligence are improving access in rural communities.
• Share best practices in health care delivery for American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
• Highlight best practices for achieving governance excellence in rural health care organizations, including effective leadership, stakeholder engagement and accountability.

Who Should Attend:
• Rural Hospital CEOs, Administrators, Senior Executives and System Leaders
• Governing Board Members
• Nursing and Physician Executives
• Public Health and Community Leaders
• Executives of Rural Health Care Associations, Networks and Clinics

2024 Speakers

Benjamin Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, Hutchinson, Kan.

Kevin Andryc
Chief Medical Officer, University Hospitals - Conneaut and Geneva Medical Centers, Geneva, Ohio

Elisa Arespacochaga
Vice President, Clinical Affairs and Workforce, American Hospital Association

Casey Baird
Director of Quality and Infection Prevention, UP Health System – Portage, Hancock, Mich.

Julie Balaban
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

Ashley Ballah
Senior Director, Ancillary Services, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, Ohio

Marie Barry
Director of Community Economic Development, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

Annie Bass
Chair, Board of Trustees, Phelps Health, Rolla, Mo.

Nikhil Baviskar
Program Manager, Trustee Services, American Hospital Association

Frank Beaman
Chief Executive Officer, Faith Community Health System, Jacksboro, Texas

Luke Beirl
Chief Executive Officer, Hayward Area Memorial Hospital, Hayward, Wis.

Chris Benson
Executive Director, Juniper Advisory

Karl Bezak
Assistant Professor of Medicine, UPMC, Pittsburgh

Jeff Bowman
Chief Executive Officer, Retired, South Central Kansas Hospital, Arkansas City, Kan.

Joshua Brackett
System Regulatory Director, Facilities Operations, Banner Health, Phoenix

David Brash
Chief Executive Officer, Logan Regional Medical Center, Logan, W.V.

Kara Brooks
Senior Associate Director of Sustainability, American Society for Health Care Engineering, American Hospital Association

Leon Caldwell
Senior Director of Health Equity, Strategy and Innovation, Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, American Hospital Association

Christina Campos
Administrator, Guadalupe County Hospital, Santa Rosa, N.M.

Michael Canady
Chief Executive Officer, Holzer Health System, Jackson, Ohio

Tiffany Capeles
Chief Equity Officer, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City

Justin Chamblee
Executive Vice President, Coker Group

Jodi Cisco-Goff
Associate Program Director Rural Surgery Residency Program, Marshall Department of Surgery/Logan Regional Medical Center, Logan, W.V.

Joanne Conroy
Chief Executive Officer and President, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, N.H.
Chair, AHA Board of Trustees

Emily Jane Cook
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Jeannie Cross
Trustee Emeritus, Adirondack Health, Saranac Lake, N.Y.

William Cummins
Associate Vice President of Business Development and Rehabilitation, Family Health West, Fruita, Co.

Stacey Dawson
PhD, MSN, CNM
Women's Health Consultant, Indian Health Service

Erica DeBoer
Chief Nursing Officer, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Art delaCruz
Chief Executive Officer, Team Rubicon; Officer, United States Navy, Retired

Chris DeRienzo
MD
Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive, American Hospital Association

Mohamed Diab
MD
Chief Executive Officer, Accountable Care Organization, CVS Health

Denise Didonato
Director of Operations and Clinical Services, University Hospitals - Conneaut and Geneva Medical Centers, Geneva, Ohio

Barbara Dieckman
Director of Knowledge Map and Patient Education, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, N.H.

Kristen Dillon
MD, FAAFP
Chief Medical Officer, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA, HHS

Jana Distefano
MPH
Director, Community Health, PRC

Chelsie Falk
Senior Director, Sanford Wheaton Medical Center, Wheaton, Minn.

Wanda Figueroa
President and Chief Executive Officer, RiverValley Behavioral Health Hospital, Owensboro, Ky.

Kurt Forsyth
FACHE
President, Intermountain Health - Delta & Fillmore Community Hospitals, Delta, Utah

Philip J Fracica
MD, MBA, FACP
Chief Medical Officer, Bothwell Regional Health Center, Sedalia, Mo.

Tina Freese Decker
MHA, MSIF, FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chair-Elect, AHA Board of Trustees, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Jason Gahring
MSN, MBA, RN
Vice President for Ambulatory Services, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, Ohio

Eric Garrard
PT, FACHE
Vice President, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Wellstar Health System, Marietta, Ga.

Kathy Garrett
MD
Board Director, Orlando Health, Orlando, Fla.

Jason Glowczewski
Pharm.D., MBA, FASHP
Chief Operating Officer, University Hospitals - Conneaut and Geneva Medical Centers, Geneva, Ohio

Adrienne Goldberg
PhD, MSW, LICSW
TelePalliative Social Work Lead, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Wash.

Rachel Gonzales
Chief Executive Officer, MadisonHealth, Rexburg, Idaho

Tammy Groves
Chief Human Resource Officer, Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

James Heilman
MD, MBA
Vice President of Strategic Outreach, Oregon Health & Science University

M. Michelle Hood
FACHE
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Hospital Association

Joslin Hubbard
MSW
Social Worker, St. James Healthcare - Intermountain Health

Johnathen Inskeep
Security Strategist, Critical Insight

Andrew Jager
Senior Director, Population Health, American Hospital Association

Antonio Jones
LHNA
Director of Skilled Nursing Facility, Wellstar -Twin Fountains Home

Michele Juffer
Board Member, Wagner Community Memorial Hospital Avera, Wagner, S.D
Executive Director, Wagner Area Growth

Nathan Kaufman
Managing Director, Kaufman Strategic Advisors and Matterhorn Strategic Advisors

April Ennis Keippel
MA
Community Health Director, MT/WY Market, Intermountain Health

Lisa Kidder Hrobsky
Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Political Affairs, American Hospital Association

Julie Kim
Senior Program Manager, Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, American Hospital Association

Amos Kington
Director of Facilities and IT, MadisonHealth, Rexburg, Idaho

Korrey Klein
MD
Chief Executive Officer, Family Health West, Fruita, Co.

Pamela Knecht
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACCORD LIMITED

Dennis Knox
FACHE
President, Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, The Dalles, Ore.

Bharath Krishnamurthy
Director, Health Analytics & Policy, American Hospital Association

Aimee Kuhlman
Vice President, Advocacy and Grassroots, American Hospital Association

Beth Langenburg
BSN, RN
Chief Operating Officer, Corewell Health Big Rapids & Reed City Hospitals, Big Rapids, Mich.

Carolyn Leja
DNP, MBA, RN, CNM, NE-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Corewell Health Big Rapids & Reed City Hospitals, Big Rapids, Mich.

Rebecca Lemmons
Regional Director of Community Health and Well-Being, Saint Alphonsus Health System, Boise, Idaho

Kathy Leonhardt
MD, MPH
Principal Consultant, The Joint Commission International

Todd Linden
FACHE
President, Linden Consulting

Corey Lively
Chief Executive Officer, Great Plains Regional Medical Center, Elk City, Okla.

Steve Loveless
Owner and Principal, SoundMind Leadership

Sal Lo
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jorie AI

Mary Mannix
FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer, Augusta Health

Brandie Manuel
RN, CPHQ, CPPS
Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer, Jefferson Healthcare, Port Townsend, Wash.

Paige Marsolais-Heitman
MA
Marketing and Public Relations Director, Phelps Health, Rolla, Mo.

Kristi Martinsen
Senior Advisor, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Kristie McCoic
Administrator, Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hillsboro, Wis.

Bill Menner
President, Bill Menner Group

Matt Mercer
Chief Financial Officer, Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Sandusky, Ohio

Jake Milstein
Chief Marketing Officer, Critical Insight

Athena Minor
MSN, RN, CNCO
Chief Nursing and Chief Clinical Officer, Ohio County HealthCare, Hartford, Ky.

Yvonne Moon
Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospitals Conneaut and Geneva Medical Centers

Lindsay Morse
MSN/NED, RN, ACM
Vice President, Care Management, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, Vt.

Keith Mueller
Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, College of Public Health, University of Iowa

Kevin Murphy
MD, MSW
Principal and Founder, EnnobleMD

Geeta Nayyar
MD
Former Chief Medical Officer, Salesforce
Author of Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare’s Misinformation Illness

Lisa Nelson
MA
Community Leader, Freeman Health System, Joplin, Mo.

Gregory Norman
Senior Director, Community Health, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

Kendra Noyes
Chief Operating Officer, Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Haru Okuda
MD, FACEP, FSSH
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning
Associate Vice President, Interprofessional Education and Practice, University of South Florida

Jamie Orlikoff
President, Orlikoff & Associates, Inc.
National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association

Somer Overshon
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications, Learning & Outreach, Phelps Health, Rolla, Mo.

Danielle Pagnard
RN
Chief Nursing Officer, Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Sandusky, Ohio

Tina Pattara-Lau
MD, FACOG
Maternal Child Health Consultant, Indian Health Service

Eilidh Pederson
MPH, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer, Western Wisconsin Health, Baldwin, Wis.

George Pink
PhD
Deputy Director, North Carolina Rural Health Research Program; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rick Pollack
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Hospital Association

John Riggi
National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, American Hospital Association

Jennifer Riley
Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Regional Health, Craig, Co.

Travis Robey
Vice President, Political Affairs, American Hospital Association

Brad Rogers
Chief Operating Officer, Valley Health Medical Group

Terri Scannell
Principal Advisor, Sustainability and ESG, OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio

Kristin Schwartz
Senior Associate Director of Federal Relations, American Hospital Association

Ty Shaull
Chief Executive Officer, Wyandot Memorial Hospital, Sandusky, Ohio

Jason Shenefield
FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer, Phelps Health, Rolla, Mo.

Bryce T. Sillyman
MHA, FACHE
Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Bryan Slaba
MHA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer, Wagner Community Memorial Hospital Avera, Wagner, S.D.

Natasha Margarita Smith
she/her
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Barbara Sowada
PhD
President, Board of Trustees, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Rock Springs, Wyo.

Rachel Spalding
DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes, Ind.

Lacey Starcevich
Patient Access Registration Specialist, St. James Healthcare - Intermountain Health

Erin Sullivan
Associate Professor, Suffolk University, Sawyer Business School

John Supplitt
Senior Director, Field Engagement, Rural Health Services, American Hospital Association

Ellen Thompson
Director of Risk, Compliance & Quality, Western Wisconsin Health, Baldwin, Wis.

Erik Thorsen
MBA, CPA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Astoria, Ore.

Steve Todd
Chief Executive Officer, St. Luke Community Healthcare, Polson, Mont.

Phil Traylor
Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy, Banyan Medical Solutions

Steven Vix
MD
Medical Director, Trauma Program, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Newberry, Mich.
Medical Director, Medical Control Authority for Luce County

Sue Ellen Wagner
Vice President, Trustee Services and Engagement, American Hospital Association

Darren Walker
Owner and Principal, SoundMind Leadership

Janice Walters
Chief Operating Officer, Rural Health Redesign Center

Susan Wathen
MHRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Vice President, Human Resources, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, Hannibal, Mo.

Weston Weaver
Pharmacy Manager, Uintah Basin Medical Center, Roosevelt, Utah

Paulette Wehner
Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and DIO, Marshall University School of Medicine/Marshall Community Health Consortium

Shannon Williams
Director of Patient Financial Services, Kirby Medical Center, Monticello, Ill.

Fran Witt
DNP, MBA, LNHA, RN
President and Chief Executive Officer, Effingham Health System, Springfield, GA

Albert Wu
MD
Chief Medical Officer, Dollar General

Shannon Wu
Senior Associate Director of Payment Policy, American Hospital Association

Kevin Yingling
Chief Executive Officer, Mountain Health Network

Lori Zindl
Vice President of Business Development, Inovalon