Michigan Center for Rural Health Staff

Executive Director

I provide resources and structure to MCRH staff so they can do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- Michigan Health & Hospital Association Small or Rural Hospital Council - Member
- National Rural Health Association Grassroots Committee - Member
- Michigan Community Dental Clinics - Member
- iMPROVE Health - Member
- MSU School of Public Health Advisory Council - Member

Director of Programs & Services

I provide guidance and oversight to MCRH programming, including identifying strategic ways to expand resources into rural MI. I strive to lead impactful programming, and support the MCRH staff in our overall goal of improving the health of rural Michiganders.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- Michigan Health Council – Board Member
- National Organization of State Office of Rural Health – Board Member, Policy Analysis and Response Committee (PARC) Chair
- National Rural Health Resource Center – Board Member

Workforce Initiative Manager

I work to raise awareness of healthcare workforce needs in rural Michigan communities and promote scholarship, grant, and loan repayment opportunities available for healthcare students. I build connections between educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and community partners to ensure the long-term success of rural healthcare providers through effective recruitment and retention efforts.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- University of Michigan - Flint Educates Rural Nurses (UM-FERN)
- Michigan Area Health Education Centers (Mi-AHEC)

Rural Education Manager

I coordinate professional development webinars for various health care providers in rural Michigan via the Grand Rounds Program and the Project ECHO program. I also serve as a main point of contact for MCRH Conferences, including the MI CAH Conference, The MI Rural Health Conference, and the MI Rural Opioid Summit bringing relevant and up-to-date content to Rural MI stakeholders. In addition, I work closely with MDHHS to facilitate the CDC COVID Health Disparities Project in 23 Rural Local Public Health Departments, with a focus on building capacity by increasing community health workers in rural MI.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- Rural Oral Health Advisory Group - Member

Administrative Assistant

I support MCRH staff with technical assistance, educational resources, account management & conference planning.

NMORC Project Director

I and the Northern MI Opioid Response Consortium (NMORC) team collaborate with a wide variety of rural providers to reduce substance use disorders. We aim to improve the quality of life in northern Michigan for community members, friends, families, and co-workers.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- The Refuge of Gaylord (supports the unhoused population) - Board Secretary
- Face Addiction Now /Otsego Chapter(formerly Families Against Narcotics) - Board President
- Sunrise Centre in Alpena - Member
- NMSAS Recovery - Council Member
- Michigan Association of Recovery Community Organizations (MARCO) - Advisory Member

NMORC Project Associate

I am a resource for the Northern MI Opioid Response Consortium (NMORC) membership. I focus on providing mental health first aid education, advocacy and other education/programming related to substance use disorder in our 25-county region, with a goal to reduce substance use disorders in Northern Michigan.

Projects and Communications Coordinator

I support various grant programming through resource development, technical assistance, and project planning.

NMORC Project Associate

I am a resource for Substance and Opioid Use Disorder services in northern Lower Michigan with the goal to find synergy, promote symmetry and share best practices in prevention, treatment, recovery support services and workforce efforts to create a stronger organizational safety net and promote healthier lifestyles in the Tip of the Mitt.

Administrative Assistant

I support MCRH staff with technical assistance, educational resources, account management & conference planning.

Quality Improvement Advisor

I provide our rural hospitals with resources and technical assistance, in operations, finance, and quality improvement projects.

Director of Provider Solutions

I lead initiatives to enhance the operational, financial, and clinical performance of Michigan's Rural Health Clinics. I oversee the Michigan Rural Health Clinic Network, fostering collaboration and driving innovation through programs like Healthy Hearts for Michigan and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease for Rural Providers. I am passionately dedicated to advancing rural healthcare through innovative solutions, expert technical assistance, and impactful leadership.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- National Association of Rural Health Clinic – Member, Policy Committee
- National Organization of State Office of Rural Health - Executive Committee Member, Secretary

Hospital Programs Manager

I provide the facilitation of quality improvement initiatives within MI Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Through collaboration with the MI CAH Quality Network, I am dedicated to driving positive change by identifying areas for enhancement, sharing best practices, and implementing strategies that elevate the standard of care. I serve as a resource for the emerging Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model. As a liaison for this provider type, I am committed to supporting REHs in navigating regulatory requirements. My role also extends to the integration of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) in three Independent Critical Access Hospitals, enabling these hospitals to harness the benefits of RPM, leading to improved patient outcomes, and enhanced medical services.

Social Drivers of Health Manager

I strive to promote frameworks and programs that address the social drivers of health, to improve the health and well-being of rural residents. I value an upstream approach to health and wellness, supporting population health initiatives, guiding collaboration efforts, and advancing health equity for rural communities.

Boards/Advisory Councils:
- Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act Strategic Planning Group - Member
- Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) Priority Subcommittee - Member
- Rural Oral Health Advisory Group - Member
- Michigan Social Health Interventions to Eliminate Disparities (MSHIELD) Social Care Advisory Council - Member

IREACH Project Director

I provide benefit and resource information to Veterans, their families, and their caregivers in an effort to connect them with the benefits they’ve earned, and deserve, which can improve their quality of life. I also provide Veteran resource information to health care providers so they can help make connections, and better serve their Veteran patients.