Rural Health Leadership Radio‪™‬ Dr. Bill Auxier

Medical residency in a rural area is one of the key influencing factors for providers to stay and continue practicing in a rural area. This week on Rural Health Leadership Radio we are talking to Yoana Cruz, Clerkship and Sub-Internship Coordinator in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. We talk with Yoana about the growing need for more providers in rural healthcare, and how she is bringing awareness to the need with up-and-coming medical students and working to connect those students with rural residencies. 
“Although I may not be the person that gives direct care for patients, I hope to encourage medical professionals at an early stage of their career to provide the best quality care for patients.” 
– Yoana Cruz
Born and raised in southwest Kansas, Yoana Cruz grew up in a welcoming community, full of hard-working immigrant families from more than thirty countries. Despite its rich heritage and tolerant culture, this agrarian city has many health disparities due to its growing number of immigrants and political refugees. The regional healthcare delivery system is slow to react to the complex medical and social needs of these diverse groups. Yoana’s own experiences with barriers to utilizing the healthcare delivery system as a child of immigrants have informed her perspective on health equity and motivated her to pursue mission-driven work in healthcare administration. 
Yoana has 6+ years of project planning experience in the healthcare setting while previously working at Kearny County Hospital, Cerner Corporation, and now at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is a 1st generation academic student where she received her BBA from Fort Hays State University and recently graduated in May 2024 in her Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas Medical Center. In her spare time, she holds professional development workshops for undergraduate students pursuing business or healthcare-related careers. 

This week on Rural Health Leadership Radio we’re talking to Karen Brown, Revenue Cycle Director at Mountrail County Medical Center. Karen shares the intricacies of revenue cycle, particularly in rural hospitals, and how revenue cycle professionals can work to maximize their efforts. Karen also shares the work she does coaching her staff on revenue cycle matters and offers advice for other rural healthcare financial leaders dealing with similar challenges.
“In rural hospitals, we wear so many hats that sometimes you could have one on and walk through the door and it has to change. Just give yourself some grace…” 
– Karen Brown 
Karen Brown is currently the Revenue Cycle Director for Mountrail County Medical Center. She is originally from Chicago and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Karen enjoys bowling, golfing, and working puzzles.

On this week’s episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we talk to Nick Derusha, Director and Health Officer of the LMAS District Health Department in Newberry, Michigan. Nick gives us a glimpse into what life was like for a rural district health department before, during, and after the pandemic and tells us about the lessons learned from that journey. Nick also shares the impact and importance of leadership development and growth for his organization’s culture, community, and leadership team. 
“Your organization will become a reflection of you….So I would leave people with that insight, and also treat your employees well and take care of your communities.”
-Nick Derusha
I was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and I am married with four daughters. I enjoy hunting, fishing, football, hockey, and spending time with my family. I am a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, have a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health from Ferris State University, Graduate Certificate in the Foundations of Public Health from the University of Michigan and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. I have been the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department (LMAS) Director and Health Officer since 2009. I was President of the Michigan Association of Local Public Health 2020-2022, I am Treasurer of the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital Bandmember the Michigan Center for Rural Health Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation Commission and appointed to the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council.

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are happy to welcome Norberto Orellana, the Public Relations Lead at Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyoming. Norberto shares his inspiring journey from overcoming personal challenges, including cerebral palsy and homelessness, to influencing rural healthcare through public relations. The episode highlights Norberto’s approach to leadership, which focuses on empowerment and utilizing personal narratives to inspire change and build trust within the community.
“A large part of public relations is getting that message out there. Sharing and cheering what we're doing, where we hope to be, where we're going”
- Norberto Orellana
Norberto Orellana defies the odds with a life marked by resilience. Born with cerebral palsy, he rose above chronic homelessness and is on a meteoric rise. His journey, characterized by unwavering belief in individual potential, has inspired countless others at TEDx events and speaking engagements across the country. Devoted to community and civic engagement, Norberto is an advocate for rural healthcare. An aspiring critical access hospital CEO, Norberto hopes to contribute to sustainability and innovation in rural healthcare by serving and inspiring others. To Norberto, success is a duty, obligation, and responsibility – and though Norberto has already come far, he is only just getting started.
 

In this episode of Rural Health Leadership Radio, Dr. Bill Auxier reflects on his recent experience at the Coaching and Leadership in Healthcare event co-hosted by Harvard Medical School, the Institute of Coaching, and McLean Hospital. He discusses the concept of "intelligent failure" as presented by Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing intelligent failures, which are well-considered and lead to valuable learnings, from mere sloppy mistakes. The discussion explores how embracing intelligent failures can foster innovation and growth within organizations and the pivotal role of leadership particularly in rural settings.
“Intelligent failure happens all the time. It happens in science, in industry innovation projects, in sports, and even in ordinary life." 
-Dr. Bill Auxier
"The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth" by Amy Edmondson is a pivotal guide for fostering an environment where innovation and engagement are forefront. This book argues that the traditional workplace culture of conformity and silence is detrimental in today's knowledge-driven economy. Instead, it champions a culture where it's safe to share ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes. 
Edmondson presents practical strategies for creating psychological safety, enhancing team performance, and encouraging the open exchange of ideas to fuel innovation and growth. The book offers a blueprint for leaders looking to nurture a climate of transparency and openness, ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard, thereby driving organizational success. You can purchase a copy of the book here: The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth: Edmondson, Amy C.: 9781119477242: Amazon.com: Books

When you think about rural healthcare, you may not think about Scotland, but Scotland has some very rural areas that deal with similar issues we deal with in rural America.  Hear about what they are doing in rural Scotland to deliver health and wellbeing to their residents, by listening to our conversation with Dr. Emma Watson, 2021-22 U.K. Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice Deputy Medical Director at NHS Highland.
“NHS Highland delivers integrated health and social care, so it is not just about illness.”
~Dr. Emma Watson
Dr. Emma Watson MSc, FRCPath, FRCPEd is a 2020-21 UK Harkness Fellow in Healthcare Policy and Practice.  A Consultant Medical Microbiologist by background and a senior clinical systems leader in Scotland, she is an expert in quality improvement and in medical education and workforce planning.  Emma is Deputy Medical Director in NHS Highland which is, geographically, one of the largest and most sparsely populated combined health and social care systems in the UK.  She is also a senior medical adviser in the Scottish Government.  In both roles her focus is on developing innovative approaches to ensuring equitable access to high quality health care services with a sustainable healthcare workforce, particularly in remote and rural areas.  
Emma has led a number of major change programs including the development of Scotland’s first graduate entry medical school.  Emma previously held a post in the Scottish Government as Clinical Lead for the Scottish Patient Safety Program during which time she ensured quality improvement methodology translated from the development of health policy and strategy through to implementation across the entirety of the Scottish healthcare system.  Scotland was the first country in the world to implement a patient safety program on a whole system basis at national level.  As Director of Medical Education in NHS Highland she focused on the delivery of high quality medical education as a tool to increase recruitment and attract young doctors to the region as well as ensuring there is now an established programme to encourage young people from the area to go to medical school.  During the COVID-19 pandemic she led the clinical response in her region and ensured there was a whole system approach to manage the impact of the virus.