Rural Health Redesign Center

03/05/2026

Rural health care is at a pivotal moment, and our 2025 Annual Report shows just how much is changing across the country.

More than 250 healthcare organizations across 44 states engaged with RHRC in efforts that collectively impacted over 7 million rural residents. Expanded technical assistance programs, next generation payment strategy discussions advanced, and communities continued working to strengthen access to essential services.

This has been a year of meaningful progress and a testament to the growing urgency to protect access to care in rural communities.

Explore the full data, stories, and impact in our 2025 Annual Report rhrco.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025-RHRC-Annual-Report_FINAL.pdf

03/04/2026

Community Memorial Hospital is taking meaningful steps to strengthen teamwork and create more connection across the workplace. In the ongoing effort to build a high‑performing, collaborative environment, their leadership and surgery departments recently participated in a DISC engagement sessions.

The DISC assessment helps individuals better understand their communication and work style. They focused on building cultural awareness, improving communication, and supporting stronger collaboration across the organization.

We were honored to help facilitate these conversations, sharing guidance and insights that helped the group use their individual and collective strengths to improve how they work together.

03/03/2026

Did you know? Rural communities make up 20% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024), yet over half of all primary care shortage areas are in rural America (HRSA, 2024). Rural regions have only about two‑thirds of the primary care physicians they need (HRSA, 2024).

That means millions of people are driving hours for basic care, or going without it altogether. Rural health care isn’t just a statistic, it’s your neighbor, your family, your community.

We believe every person deserves access to quality care, no matter their zip code. That’s why we’re working to change the story for rural America.

Learn more about how we support rural health across the nation at rhrco.org.

02/27/2026

📢 Join us for the Rural Community Action Assembly webinar on March 24.

A significant wave of federal funding for rural health is on its way to states across the country, presenting an opportunity for communities to expand workforce opportunities, improve health outcomes, and catalyze resilient economic growth in rural communities.

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is designed to help communities leverage these resources through strategic investments that address healthcare access and workforce needs. Effective RHT Program implementation may help prevent localized health challenges from becoming broader economic disruptions.

Register today to hear from experts about the RHT Program funds, how to position your organization or community to benefit, and strategies to foster cross-sector partnerships that may attract funding.

Presenters include:

Lisa Davis, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
Jesse Ergott, AllOne Foundation
Alan Morgan, National Rural Health Association
Karin Rhodes, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Janice Walters, Rural Health Redesign Center

Participation is free, but registration is required. https://bit.ly/3ODgWhO

02/26/2026

Reminder to join our upcoming webinar next Thursday!

Join us for our next webinar on March 6th to discuss Rural Emergency Hospital Education with an REH CEO.

This session will cover the REH provider type and the no‑cost technical assistance for hospitals considering conversion available through the Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center.

Attendees will also hear directly from hospital CEOs during a Fireside Chat about their experience with the Technical Assistance Center.

Register today at https://cvent.me/yEmqaN?RefId=EMAIL

02/26/2026

Rural health care is about people, stories, and the power of showing up. Steven Davis and Diana Carpenter joined hundreds of rural health advocates at the NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute in D.C.

We were inspired to see advocates from across the country unite to support health care in rural communities. RHRC is thrilled to be part of the conversations to continue to strengthen rural health care and keep our communities healthy.

By partnering with rural healthcare industry leaders to educate federal policy makers, RHRC remains on the front-lines of driving meaningful change to impact local, rural health care.

02/24/2026

Bullock County Hospital in Union Springs, Alabama has been working hard to expand their services to reflect their ongoing commitment to preserving access to care for the residents who rely on them.

They continue to expand access to specialized care with the launch of their new weight-loss clinic and the development of local infusion services. These initiatives are designed to bridge the gap in rural healthcare, ensuring that life-enhancing treatments are available close to home.

With their strong partnership with local EMS and their support for the community’s large agricultural workforce, the hospital remains a vital anchor for the health and resilience of the community.

Their efforts to continue to strengthen care delivery highlight the necessity that Bullock County plays in supporting the health of their community.

Kayla Combs continues to meet with CEO Amanda Trawick (pictured) to learn more about how the hospital is evolving to meet local needs. RHRC is honored to serve as a technical partner to help them advance their mission.

02/19/2026

We love seeing rural hospitals continue to grow and strengthen the care they provide. Congratulations to Geisinger Hospital on the opening of their new 3B inpatient nursing unit. This is an important milestone in their transition to private patient rooms and their ongoing commitment to patient‑centered care.

02/19/2026

Program Spotlight: Peer Recovery Expansion Program (PREP)

We are excited to continue to lead the Peer Recovery Expansion Program (PREP), an initiative designed to strengthen recovery pathways in rural communities.

PREP bridges critical gaps that often prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. This program reflects our commitment to advancing rural health, improving access to behavioral health care, and empowering providers to meet the needs of their communities.

Thank you to our amazing PREP team for the amazing work on brining much needed care to deserving communities.

02/17/2026

Recognized as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, Warren Memorial Hospital continues to demonstrate what strong leadership and community focused care can achieve.

Their financial improvements have allowed them to provide more rooms for emergency care and inpatient visits to better serve the needs of their community.

Thank you to Warren Memorial Hospital for your caring team and dedication to rural health. We are honored to have worked alongside you on this journey.

Amanda G., Director of Revenue Cycle at Warren Memorial Hospital, shared:

“We need RHRC’s help and love working with them. We are so excited to continue to improve, financially!”

02/12/2026

Over 700 rural hospitals, about one-third of all U.S. rural hospitals are at risk of closing due to financial challenges. In fact, around 360 are in immediate danger within the next few years. These numbers tell a story, rural health care is at a crossroads, with critical needs. These institutions do vital work, and they can't do it alone.

Many of these institutions are in need of technical assistance, like strategic planning and financial and data analytic services, offered by RHRC, to help to support and strengthen the hospitals that serve the needs of our rural communities to ensure they do not have to close their doors on their patients.

When we come together to invest in and support rural health care, communities thrive. Learn more about how we support rural at RHRCO.org.

02/10/2026

We were honored to team up with MMA-CQI to expand access to life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency departments across Maine and New Hampshire.

Through the RISE initiative, they supported six hospitals with hands-on training, clinical tools, and tailored coaching to launch ED-initiated buprenorphine programs. This collaboration is helping shift the standard of care in the Northern Border Region toward more compassionate, evidence-based treatment.