Rural Health Redesign Center

06/23/2026

Rural hospitals do more than provide access to health care, they sustain the communities around them. In many rural towns, the hospital is one of the largest employers, supporting local families, stabilizing the economy, and serving as an anchor for the entire region.

When rural hospitals thrive, communities thrive. When they struggle, the ripple effects are felt far beyond the walls of the facility.

Strengthening rural healthcare isn’t just a health issue, it’s a community issue and an economic issue.

Learn more about how we are transforming and supporting rural health care at rhrco.org.

06/18/2026

We are proud to celebrate the successful launch of the Heroes for Community Wellness (HEROES) program at Guadalupe County Hospital, a community health worker initiative designed to expand care beyond traditional settings and into the communities that need it most.

Through the HEROES program, trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) are supporting four rural communities within a 40-mile radius by providing essential health screenings, education, and direct support at senior and veteran centers. These efforts help connect individuals to care, address health needs earlier, and reduce barriers to services.

Guadalupe County Hospital is demonstrating how a thoughtful, community-based approach can strengthen rural care. From medication deliveries to home visits, these CHWs are becoming a trusted and consistent resource for the communities they serve.

We were honored to partner with the Guadalupe leadership team to help bring this vision to life and support the launch of this important program.
Congratulations to the Guadalupe County Hospital team for their continued commitment to serving as a vital resource in their community.

Pictured from left to right: Hero Jason Storey CHW; Mandelyn Cordova, CNO; Sunshine Zamora, CFO; Estela Thompson, Heroes Program Coordinator; Leslie Sanchez, RCM/HIM Director; Frank Tenorio, CEO; Hero Sandra Gage, CHW.

06/16/2026

Rural hospitals operate at the intersection of high need and constrained resources, often serving as the only point of care for miles. Wayne Memorial has embraced this with a commitment to patient-centered care, and community partnership. They remain an anchor to their region, serving more than 100,000 residents.

We are honored to have worked with Wayne Memorial as they continue strengthening access, expanding services, and building a healthier future for the communities they serve.

“The work of the RHRC has transformed our hospital's focus from providing ‘sick’ care to providing HEALTH care which has helped drive many other strategic initiatives.”
— Dave Hoff, Former CEO, Wayne Memorial Hospital, PA

06/15/2026

We were honored to participate in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) National Meeting of State Health and Human Services Committee Chairs last week.

Janice Walters, RHRC CEO, presented on critical rural health innovations and sustainable alternative payment models designed to support and sustain rural health transformation for years to come.

A special thank you to Ryan Stringer, Senior Researcher, JD/MPH, at Mathematica, for lending his vital policy expertise during the presentation and panel discussion. We look forward to continuing this momentum as states implement these vital programs to strengthen rural healthcare.

06/11/2026

Clinton Regional Hospital remains deeply committed to providing high-quality healthcare that meets the needs of its community. Their transition to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation has been a critical step in ensuring the hospital can remain open and continue delivering essential services to local residents.

The hospital continues to invest in services that make a meaningful difference for patients. Their Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab program, recently highlighted through educational events, allows patients to receive specialized care close to home while also contributing to the hospital’s long-term sustainability.

Regional Liaison Kayla Combs has been actively engaged with Clinton Regional Hospital’s leadership team, including Brenda Jennings, Quality and Infection Control Director, Chasity Richardson, Assistant Administrator, and Brendan Price, CNO and Assistant Administrator. Together, they continue advancing initiatives that respond to community needs and strengthen care delivery. Clinton’s leadership remains deeply involved and forward-thinking as they build for the future of care in their community.

It is an honor to partner with a facility so dedicated to preserving care locally and improving health outcomes for the people they serve.

06/09/2026

Staffing in healthcare goes far beyond filling shifts. It requires aligning compliance requirements, care delivery, and community needs to ensure safe, high quality outcomes. From laboratory coverage to nurse leadership and emergency department staffing, thoughtful staffing plans help organizations meet regulations while building stronger, more resilient teams.

In this article, Staffing for Success, we explore key components, real world examples, and practical takeaways to help healthcare leaders strengthen their approach to staffing.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5n8sshc6

Staffing for Success: Balancing Compliance, Care, and Capacity Staffing is one of the most complex and far‑reaching challenges in healthcare, touching every aspect of hospital operations. While it is often […]

06/08/2026

Reminder of our upcoming REH Webinar this Thursday, June 11th.
Register Today: https://tinyurl.com/32258f69

On June 11th from 2-3pm EST, join George Pink, Senior Research Fellow at the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and Ken Harman, REH Program Director for RHRC, for an engaging webinar on the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation.

Speakers will highlight recent findings from a Sheps Center research study on REHs, provide a high-level overview of the REH designation, and share key lessons learned.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/32258f69

06/04/2026

Across the country, rural hospitals are working to protect access to care for the people who depend on them. For the 63 million Americans who live in rural communities, these hospitals are essential to their well-being.

Rural hospitals face real pressures, and they need support to stay strong. We work alongside rural hospitals, offering technical assistance and strategic planning to keep care local and sustainable.

Stronger hospitals mean stronger communities. Together, we’re helping build a healthier future for rural America.

National Rural Health Association: https://tinyurl.com/yt7wx4u8

06/02/2026

Rural America represents nearly 97% of the nation’s land area and is home to more than 60 million people. Yet healthcare in these communities continues to face increasing strain. Inpatient volumes are declining, revenue margins are tightening, and far too many rural hospitals remain at risk of closing their doors.

RHRC brings together deep rural health expertise, including leaders who have lived and led in rural communities and understand these challenges firsthand. That perspective shapes our commitment to helping hospitals not just survive, but thrive.

05/28/2026

For more than 50 years, Elkview General Hospital has been dedicated to one mission: providing high quality care for local families and the communities they call home. That commitment continues today as the team works to ensure people can receive “the right care, right at home”, or as close to home as possible.

Elkview’s leadership shared how their recent transition to the REH model is helping them better meet community needs. In many areas, access to outpatient services has already expanded. The conversion has also strengthened Elkview’s financial stability, allowing the organization to maintain essential services while prioritizing long-term sustainability.

A unique strength of Elkview Hospital is its high-quality surgical services program. The hospital offers general surgery and ENT surgical services with hopes to expand its surgical capabilities in the future.

Regional Liaison Kayla Combs continues to meet with hospital leaders to understand their priorities and identify where our support can make the greatest impact.