Food as Medicine: Prescriptions for Nutrition in Preventive Care
As a healthcare leader who has spent most of my career in rural and underserved communities, I have seen firsthand how much our environment influences our health. One of the most powerful yet overlooked factors is food. We often think of prescriptions as pills, procedures, or referrals, but nutrition can be just as important. In […]
Artificial Intelligence in Primary Care: Opportunities and Ethical Challenges
Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most talked about tools in healthcare. Everywhere I go, people ask how it will impact patient care, clinical workflows, and the future of medicine. As someone working daily in rural and underserved communities, I see both the excitement and the hesitation. AI holds incredible promise for primary […]
The Intersection of Transportation and Healthcare Access in Rural Areas
Living and working in rural healthcare has shown me one of the most overlooked yet powerful truths about health: access is not just about having a clinic or hospital nearby. It is about having the means to get there. Transportation plays a crucial role in determining whether people can actually receive care, follow up with […]
The Future of Healthcare Delivery: Micro-Hospitals in Rural Communities
As someone who has spent much of my career focused on expanding access to quality healthcare in underserved areas, I have seen firsthand how rural communities often face unique challenges. From hospital closures to provider shortages, the gap in care continues to grow. Yet, innovation often rises in times of need, and one of the […]
Integrating Social Services with Healthcare: Addressing the Full Spectrum of Patient Needs
When I think about what it truly means to care for a patient, I can’t separate their medical needs from the realities of their everyday life. Health is about far more than lab results, medications, or procedures. It’s about whether a person has a safe place to live, healthy food to eat, reliable transportation, and […]
The Role of Telepharmacy in Expanding Access to Rural Healthcare
Access to healthcare is one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities. As a healthcare leader rooted in serving underserved populations, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as filling a prescription can become a barrier to wellness for families in these areas. Pharmacies may be miles away, operating on limited hours, or nonexistent […]
Women in Rural Healthcare: Shaping the Future from the Front Lines
When I think about the future of healthcare in rural America, I picture women—strong, determined, and compassionate—leading the charge. From nurses and nurse practitioners to administrators, physicians, and community health workers, women have long been the backbone of rural healthcare. And as we face unprecedented challenges in access, equity, and workforce shortages, their leadership has […]
Harnessing Data Analytics to Improve Population Health Outcomes
As a healthcare leader working in rural and underserved communities, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with trying to deliver high-quality care with limited resources. One of the most powerful tools I’ve embraced to bridge those gaps is data analytics. While it may sound like a buzzword or something only big hospital systems use, […]
Expanding Home Healthcare Services: A Solution for Aging Populations in Rural Areas
As someone who has spent much of her career serving rural communities, I’ve witnessed the shifting needs of our patient populations—especially when it comes to our seniors. One of the most pressing challenges we face today is how to care for an aging population in regions where hospitals are few, distances are long, and medical […]
Strengthening Emergency Preparedness in Rural Healthcare Systems
When you live and work in rural America, you learn quickly that access to care is everything—and often, it’s the difference between life and death. As a healthcare provider rooted in the Mahoning Valley, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible resilience of rural communities. But I’ve also seen their vulnerability when disasters strike—whether it’s a severe […]