The MHA Center of Rural Excellence held its first Board of Directors meeting June 24 during the 2026 MHA Annual Membership Meeting. The board conducted organizational business focused on governance, rural health initiatives and strategic priorities.
MHA staff provided updates on governance, rural health policy, workforce development, health finance and advocacy initiatives to support the board’s strategic priorities.
Amy Barkholz, senior vice president and general counsel, MHA, provided governance updates, including a review of the bylaws, articles of incorporation and policies related to effective board governance. Lauren LaPine-Ray, DrPH, vice president, policy & rural health, MHA, and executive director, MHA Center of Rural Excellence, provided an update on Michigan’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
The board also participated in strategic discussions on priorities affecting rural healthcare. Ken Krapohl, chief human resources officer, MHA, led a discussion on enhancing existing MHA workforce initiatives to better engage rural hospital leaders. Jason Jorkasky, senior vice president, health finance, MHA, facilitated a discussion on revenue cycle initiatives. Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations and public policy, MHA, and Amy Barkholz led a discussion on the MHA Strategic Action Plan.
Standing reports were presented by MHA CEO Brian Peters on the American Hospital Association; Ross Ramsey, MD, CEO, Scheurer Health, on the MHA Small or Rural Hospital Council; and Wendy Frush, CEO, Munising Memorial Hospital, on the Upper Peninsula Hospital Council. The next meeting of the Center of Rural Excellence is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine-Ray at the MHA Center of Rural Excellence.