The MHA hosted a CEO Rural Round Table event May 25 where healthcare leaders safely gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to collaborate on ways to foster growth and make immediate and long-term improvements in rural communities.
The interactive event, generously sponsored by HPS, engaged participants through facilitated conversations about workforce research and funding, economic development and collaboration among stakeholders, peers and expert guest panelists, who included:
- Elise Bur, executive director, Center for Rural Health, Northern Michigan University
- Frank Nagle, director, Community Impact in Michigan, Promedica
- Marty Fittante, CEO, Region 1, InvestUP
- Sarah Lucas, deputy director, Office of Rural Development, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer, Office of the Governor, State of Michigan
Other presenters included Helen Johnson, CEO, Sparrow Eaton, and chair, MHA Small & Rural Hospital Council; Lyn Jenks, governance consultant and facilitator; Lauren LaPine, director of Small & Rural Hospital Programs at the MHA; Jim Lee, vice president of Data Policy & Analytics at the MHA; and Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president of Public Affairs & Communications at the MHA.
To assist rural members in expressing their unique needs to lawmakers, the MHA is also planning a Rural Advocacy Day for Sept. 21 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center. Additional details will be shared soon. Questions about the Rural Round Table event should be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.