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 all for attending the 2024 Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference!
2024 Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference Presentations
Michigan Rural Health Conference Opening Remarks
101: Federal Updates from the National Rural Health Association
102: Staying Compliant in your RHC
103: Veterans Care in the Community
104: Using Technology to Manage Populations
105: Success with Chronic Care Management
106: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation and Vulnerable Rural Elderly in Iosco County, Michigan
107: Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index: Understanding the Impact on Rural Health
Lunch & Rural Health Professional of the Year Award
108: Medicaid and CCBHC Update
109: Social Risk Adjustments and Value-Based Care
110: Farm to Exam Table: Promoting Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Access to Quality Healthcare
111: Addressing Michigan’s Workforce Shortages Through HPSAs and Recruitment and Retention Programs
112: 7th Annual Rural Health Research Day – Student Presentation
113: Strategic Deployment of Provider Practices
115: The State of Public Health in 2024: Charting a Path Forward
201: Rural Recovery Ecosystems
204: Performance Improvement Vs. Plan of Correction
206: Building Readiness for Health Solutions in Rural Michigan
2024 Rural Health Professional of the Year Winner
MCRH was honored to present the 2024 Rural Health Professional of the Year award to Laura Glenn, COO, of Munson Healthcare.
The award has been presented since 1994 to individuals deserving of recognition for their efforts in carrying out exemplary work in promoting health in rural areas, showing excellent leadership in the improvement of healthcare services to the rural areas of Michigan, and making worthy contributions to the improvement of health for the people in rural Michigan.
Laura was in London during the Awards Ceremony, having competed in the London Marathon, but did take the opportunity to put together an acceptance video, which can be found here.
Congratulations, Laura! Your passion and tireless dedication to improving rural health in Michigan are an inspiration!
Rural Health Professionals of Years Past
In Honor of Loren O. Gettel
Previous Award Winners:
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