The Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) has hosted the Michigan Rural Health Conference since 1997. The conference is of interest to a broad range of rural stakeholders and aims to provide engaging education on relevant topics for rural health providers. The conference is targeted towards those working in rural health, including rural health clinics and hospital settings. In addition, the conference also targets individuals and organizations from local public health, community mental health, substance use disorder treatment centers, and those working to positively impact social drivers of health.
Continuing education certificates are provided for social work, and community health workers.
The objectives of this conference include:
1. Provide an opportunity for rural health stakeholders to share and learn from each other.
2. Provide a networking and collaboration opportunity for rural health stakeholders.
3. Provide current and relevant information to rural health stakeholders
Thank you for attending the 2025 Annual Rural Health Conference!
2025 Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference Presentations
Michigan Rural Health Conference Opening Remarks - Thursday
101: Federal Updates from the National Rural Health Association (coming soon!)
102: Strategies to Improve Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Rural Health Clinics
103: Veterans and Their Family's Health & Wellness – Leveraging A Cross-Sector SDOH Strategy
104: Building Bridges: Advancing a Healthcare Workforce Pipeline in Rural Michigan
105: Chronic Care Management (CCM) Session
108: Optimizing RHC Reimbursement Opportunities
109: Caring for People with Disabilities
110: Emerging Workforce Programs and New Initiatives to Address HPSA Shortages
Lunch & Rural Health Professional of the Year Award
112: Billing and Coding Session
113: Adapting Produce Prescription Programs to Meet the Needs of Rural & Tribal Communities
114: EQ Advantage: Driving Workforce Engagement and Well-Being
115: The State of Public Health in 2025: Charting a Path Forward (coming soon!)
Michigan Rural Health Conference Opening Remarks - Friday
201: Tools and Strategies for Rural Resource Allocation (coming soon!)
203: Emergency Operation Planning and Execution
204: Escaping the Silos of Rural Health
205: Michigan Rural Oral Health: State and Local Perspectives (coming soon!)
206: Community Voices: Lessons from Rural Health Projects in Michigan (coming soon!)
2025 Rural Health Professional of the Year Winner
On April 24, Kari Granz, Program and Communication Specialist for the Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP), was honored with the 2025 Rural Health Professional of the Year Award at the 28th Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference.
Presented by John Barnas, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Rural Health, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to improving health outcomes in Michigan’s rural communities. Kari’s leadership has driven impactful initiatives such as the Man Therapy campaign addressing rural male suicide, two health career pipeline programs tackling workforce shortages, and the launch of ThumbCares.org, which connects residents to vital services like healthcare and housing. Her collaborative approach, focus on sustainable partnerships, and hands-on work assisting residents with health coverage have made her a powerful advocate for rural health. Accepting the award, Kari credited “the incredible people who care deeply about rural communities and show up each day to make a difference.” Nominated by the Man Therapy Evaluation team,
Kari Granz is a standout addition to the legacy of rural health leaders making a lasting impact across Michigan.
Rural Health Professionals of Years Past
Previous Award Winners:
2024 Laura Glenn, COO, of Munson Healthcare
2023 Mariah Hesse, CNO, of Sparrow Clinton Hospital
2022 Emily Bergquist, MDHHS Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness & Sam Watson, Michigan Health & Hospital Association & Julie Novak, Michigan State Medical Society & Philip Bergquist, Michigan Primary Care Association & Keisha Sexton, Michigan Rural Health Clinic Network & Kris Nicholoff, Michigan Osteopathic Association & Norm Hess, Michigan Association of Local Public Health
2021- No Award
2020 Duke Anderson, President, CEO, Hillsdale Community Health Center
2019 Mark Hamed, MD, MBA, MPH, Medical Director of McKenzie Health System’s ED/Hospitalist program, Medical Director for Public Health in Sanilac, Tuscola, Huron and Lapeer counties
Questions? Contact
Michigan Center for Rural Health
Administrative Assistant
517.355.7979
com.mcrhaa@msu.edu