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
Save the Date for the 2025 Annual Rural Health Conference! - Registration Coming Soon!
Exhibitor/Partnership Information
The Michigan Rural Health Conference provides the single most targeted opportunity to reach the Michigan rural health community with your organization’s message, products, services, and educational outreach efforts. We expect a diverse audience to discuss relevant issues, network, and disseminate information.
Hotel Block Information
The MCRH room block is now available through Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort website. Additional information is attached below:
- Choose Book Now
- Group Code: MCRH042225
- Phone: (877) 232-4532
- Press Option #1 for reservations and referring to the group for Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Address: 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
- Room Block open until Tuesday, April 1st
- When entering the group code, please use the drop-down option under PROMO code to select Group Code, and then enter MCRH042225.
- Please note that it may look as if you are not able to check out on Friday, due to the date having an X through it on the calendar, but you are able to.
2025 Rural Health Professional of the Year Nominations Now Open
Since 1994, the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) has celebrated an outstanding rural health professional for achievements they have directed to advance Michigan’s rural health initiatives. The recipient is chosen through a nomination process and will be celebrated with a special award during the 28th Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference on April 24, 2025, at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Since 1994, the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) has celebrated an outstanding rural health professional for achievements they have directed to advance Michigan’s rural health initiatives. The recipient is chosen through a nomination process and will be celebrated with a special award during the 28th Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference on April 24, 2025, at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
The award is granted to an individual who has carried out exemplary work promoting health in rural areas, shown excellent leadership in improving health care services in rural Michigan, and made worthy contributions to improving the health of the people in rural Michigan.
If you know someone who fits this description – nominate them TODAY!
Please contact Laura Stoddard (laura.mispelon@affiliate.msu.edu) for more information about the Rural Health Professional of the Year nomination process.
Rural Health Professionals of Years Past
In Honor of Loren O. Gettel
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
2018 Andrea Wendling, M.D., Director of Rural Community Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
2017 John Barnas, Executive Director, Michigan Center for Rural Health
2016 Brian Brasser, President, Spectrum Health United and Kelsey Hospitals.
2015 Steve Barnett, President & CEO, McKenzie Health System
2014 Donna Kubic, Managing Director, Beaver Island Rural Health Clinic
2013 Colleen Johnson, Practice Administrator, Lakeshore Medical Centers
Questions? Contact
Michigan Center for Rural Health
Administrative Assistant
517.355.7979
com.mcrhaa@msu.edu