Exploring Rural Health

Today’s podcast features an interview with Amanda Kennedy, manager of the Mercy Virtual Substance Use Recovery Program. She tells us about Mercy’s award-winning RCORP-funded virtual outreach program and the obstacles they have overcome to provide seamless care to patients with substance use disorder. Part 2 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Mercy vSURP’s work winning third place.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recovery-care-jul-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Lincoln County Ambulance District Chief Ray Antonacci and Battalion Chief Sarah Czarnecki. They tell us about an award-winning RCORP-funded initiative allowing them to administer buprenorphine to incarcerated individuals experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Part 1 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Lincoln County Ambulance's work winning first place.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/jail-opioid-treatment-jun-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Casey Balio, PhD, research assistant professor at the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, and Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, director of the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. They share new insights about the rural public health workforce from their recent article published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/public-health-workforce-may-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Kathy Griffis, Chief Operating Officer of Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, TX. We learn about how they have developed routines and protocols to reduce violence and ensure safe healthcare environments for their staff and patients.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/workplace-violence-apr-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Chris Laman, Vice President of Strategy at Columbia Memorial Hospital. We learn about the importance of developing and maintaining the rural allied health workforce.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/allied-health-mar-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Joe Theine and Jen Gero, MD. We learn about community-based recruiting and how it benefits providers and patients alike.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recruiting-feb-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dwain Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the National AHEC Organization, along with Brianna Sheppard, PhD, Director of West Virginia Area Health Education Centers, and Meredith Lair, Executive Director of the Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center. We learn about Area Health Education Centers and how they help to ensure consistent healthcare professional workforce availability in rural areas.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ahecs-jan-2026
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dr. Kevin Biese, Chair of the Board of the American College of Emergency Physicians Geriatric Emergency Accreditation program, and Dr. Natalie Elder, Director of Geriatric Emergency Medicine for the Vermont Health Network. We learn about the Geriatric Emergency Department Certification program, and how it provides a roadmap for organizing and care for rural geriatric patients.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/geriatric-ed-nov-2025
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dan Shane, PhD, Associate Professor with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, about opportunities for applying technological advances in rural health and human services, potential challenges, and future avenues of development.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/tech-innovation-oct-2025
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Today’s podcast features an interview with Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, co-director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, about the prevalence of and difficulties caused by medical debt for both rural patients and providers.
The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/medical-debt-jan-2025
Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.