Sanford Health Leaders Share Optimism for the Future of Rural Health Care at National Conference

Sanford Health leaders joined more than 1,000 rural health leaders this week in Texas to commit to advancing rural health and providing quality care for patients and communities.

The 2026 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, concludes today in San Antonio. The conference has featured top rural practitioners sharing actionable strategies and resources aimed at improving access to care, leveraging unique workforce approaches and implementing digital technologies.

Bill Gassen, Sanford Health president and CEO, Brad Reimer, Sanford Health chief information officer, and Daniel Hoody, M.D., chief physician and medical officer at Sanford Bemidji were among the featured speakers and panelists selected to share how Sanford Health is shaping the future of rural health care.

During a featured fireside chat, Gassen reflected on the realities of leading a rural health system through disruption and driving meaningful transformation. The candid discussion was moderated by M. Michelle Hood, FACHE, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association.

“As the largest rural health system in the country, we are well positioned to lead smart, strategic transformation, whether that’s scaling virtual care, building a stronger pipeline of rural clinicians by growing our own or harnessing AI tools to deliver more proactive and personalized care,” said Gassen. “We’re focused on cultivating a culture of innovation — being clear about where we’re going, investing with intention and encouraging our teams to challenge the status quo.”

Last year, Gassen was elected as chair-elect designate of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees. In 2027, he will serve as chair of the AHA Board, the top-elected official of the national organization that represents America’s hospitals and health systems and works to advance health care across the country. Gassen has served on the AHA Board of Trustees since 2024.

Reimer’s panel explored how rural systems are leveraging AI — especially ambient AI — to support early recognition, documentation integrity, patient outcomes and workforce extension while navigating consent, trust and equity concerns. The session, entitled AI to Enhance Clinical Workflows in the Rural Hospital Setting, was moderated by Chris DeRienzo, M.D., senior vice president and chief physician executive of the American Hospital Association.

“Sanford Health has taken a deliberate and disciplined approach to AI, focused on practical applications that deliver measurable value, supported by strong governance, security and organizational trust,” said Reimer. “AI allows us to meet patients where they are and rethink how work gets done – strengthening access, enhancing the patient experience and supporting our teams as patient demand and care needs continue to grow.”

Hoody’s panel highlighted innovative strategies for addressing workforce challenges at rural hospitals. A prime example taking place at Sanford Bemidji is the rural rotation program in partnership with Hennepin Healthcare. Hennepin sends emergency medicine and psychiatry residents on a month-long rotation to Sanford Bemidji, designed to give residents exposure to rural medicine.

“Traditional recruitment alone isn’t going to be enough to meet the workforce challenges rural health care is facing. With more than one-third of rural physicians in Minnesota expected to retire in the next five years, simply competing for the same shrinking pool of clinicians isn’t a sustainable strategy,” said Hoody. “Our focus has shifted from recruiting harder to building earlier, more intentional pathways into rural care – and doing that at scale.”