The Future Is Now: Rural Health Leaders Chart a Path Forward at Annual Summit
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On an overcast day in Sioux Falls, some of the most influential voices from across the country came together, full of energy and optimism, to explore solutions to the most complex issues facing rural health care today at the fourth annual Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care.
“The future of rural health care depends on more than just identifying our challenges. It requires us coming together and learning from each other and building solutions together,” said Bill Gassen, Sanford Health president and CEO.
Shaping policy through partnership, advocacy
The day kicked off with a fireside chat with American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack, who spoke about the importance of advocacy and partnership to solve challenges facing the field related to access and affordability. He also emphasized the power of telling the hospital story to strengthen trust and advance policy priorities.
“When you look at all the polling about trust, doctors, pharmacists, nurses … they have so much credibility,” Pollack said. “It’s hard to break through, which is why we have to constantly work and make sure that we tell that positive story and give people the opportunity to visit our facilities and see what we do and see the heroic work of our caregivers.”
Public policy was top of mind for many in attendance, with state and federal officials delivering remarks, including CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., Gov. Larry Rhoden of South Dakota and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Dr. Oz urged leaders to “find the best ideas” for a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, adding the potential for far-reaching impact.
“The lessons that we learn by improving rural care, many times are translatable to urban areas as well,” said Dr. Oz.
‘Bullish’ and optimistic about the future
Other topics included the promise of AI, leadership principles, improving the patient experience and making health care more affordable. American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D., spoke about his recent journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, and how that has influenced him as a leader and physician.
“To then become a patient, I think just makes you more informed about the system,” said Dr. Mukkamala. “When I tell them about my story, in navigating the health care system … that’s an amazing experience that helps to inform decisions. So ground-level experience, but 10,000-foot-level decision making. When one intersects with the other that closely, I think it makes for better decisions.”
Shifting landscapes and questions about funding can be difficult to navigate, but leaders in states ranging from New Mexico to New Hampshire were unified and optimistic at the end of the day.
“35% of the hospitals in the country are rural hospitals, and 25% of the people receive care at those facilities. So, we’re a big part of the American ecosystem,” said Joanne Conroy, M.D., president and CEO at Dartmouth Health. “We have to be vocal at any number of levels about how we need to transform rural health care in the U.S.”
In the end, leaders moved the conversation forward, with Gassen summing up the sentiment of many of this year’s attendees in his closing remarks.
“I’m going to leave this place as I did coming in, but even a little bit more optimistic. I am very bullish about the future of rural health care,” Gassen said. “I hope that you leave here feeling energized about our collective ability to lead and to actually transform real change. Thank you again for what you do each and every day for the patients who you serve.”
Summit Segments and Speakers:
Telling the Hospital Story: The Power of Advocacy and Partnership
Rick Pollack, MPA, president and CEO, American Hospital Association
Bill Gassen, JD, president and CEO, Sanford Health (moderator)
From Disruption to Action: Leveraging Data and Innovation to Transform Patient Care
Nworah Ayogu, MD, MBA, partner, Thrive Capital
Emily Barey, MSN, chief nurse evangelist, Epic
Ateev Mehrota, MD, MPH, professor and chair, Brown University School of Public Health
Dave Newman, MD, chief medical officer of virtual care, Sanford Health (moderator)
Bridging Clinical Research and Patient Care through AI and Technology
Seema Verma, MPH, executive vice president and general manager, Oracle Health and Life Sciences
Alexis Kayser, healthcare editor, Newsweek (moderator)
When the Doctor Becomes the Patient: Reflections on Purpose, Leadership and the Future of Health Care
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president, American Medical Association
Heather Spies, MD, MBA, FACOG, physician director of clinician experience and well-being, Sanford Health (moderator)
Embracing the Future: Leading Change and Advancing New Possibilities
Joanne Conroy, MD, president and CEO, Dartmouth Health
Bill Gassen, JD, president and CEO, Sanford Health
Andrea Walsh, JD, president and CEO, HealthPartners
Erik Wexler, MBA, president and CEO, Providence
Alexis Kayser, healthcare editor, Newsweek (moderator)
Thriving in a Dynamic Landscape: How Provider-Aligned Plans Drive Value and Keep Patients at the Center
Tony Hernandez, MHA, president, Presbyterian Health Plan
Dan Liljenquist, JD, chief strategy officer, Intermountain Health
Molly Smith, group vice president for public policy analysis and development, American Hospital Association
Tommy Ibrahim, MD, MBA, MHA, executive vice president and CEO, Sanford Health Plan (moderator)
Building a Culture of Innovation and Trust
Aneesh Chopra, chief strategy officer, Arcadia
Mario Schlosser, co-founder and chief technology officer, Oscar Health
John Doerr, MS, MBA, chair, Kleiner Perkins (moderator)