The Rural Impact Michelle Rathman

In this Rural Impact Extra Episodes series, "Women Who Impact," Michelle highlights inspirational leaders making extraordinary impacts in rural health in recognition of National Rural Health Day (NRHD).

In the final episode, Michelle meets with Alana Knudson, Director of the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. With over 25 years of experience leading health services, research projects, and evaluating programs, Alana is doing everything she can to make a positive difference in advancing rural people's and communities health and well-being. Alana shares the critical role research and data play in informing policymakers and ensuring that rural communities' needs are addressed.

Alana shares what motivated her rural-focused career, the impact she sees from her work, advice for people who will one day walk in her shoes, exciting projects she is currently working on, and what her inspiration is.

In this Rural Impact Extra Episodes series, "Women Who Impact," Michelle highlights inspirational leaders making extraordinary impacts in rural health in recognition of National Rural Health Day (NRHD).

In the third episode, Michelle talks with the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Rural Health Center, Michelle Mills. Michelle Mills is deeply committed to rural health at the state and federal levels. She holds other titles, including the National Rural Health Association Board Secretary, Government Affairs Committee Lead, and the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services Committee Member. Michelle Mills feels a passion for preserving the way of life and improving access to care for those who call rural home.

Michelle Mills shares what motivated her rural-focused career, the impact she sees from her work, advice for people who will one day walk in her shoes, exciting projects she is currently working on, and what her inspiration is.

In this Rural Impact Extra Episodes series, "Women Who Impact," Michelle highlights inspirational leaders making extraordinary impacts in rural health in recognition of National Rural Health Day (NRHD). L

isa Davis, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and Outreach Associate Professor on Health Policy and Administration at Penn State, speaks with Michelle in our second episode. Making an impact on a national, state, and university level, Lisa serves on a wide range of boards of directors, advisory committees, and task forces focusing on rural health policy, rural health outreach, and research, economic development, education, as well as vulnerable populations and specific health issues such as oral health and cancer. Lisa shares the importance of collaboration and partnership to address the longstanding issues in rural health.

Lisa shares what motivated her rural-focused career, the impact she sees from her work, advice for people who will one day walk in her shoes, exciting projects she is currently working on, and what her inspiration is.

In this Rural Impact Extra Episodes series, "Women Who Impact," Michelle highlights inspirational leaders making extraordinary impacts in rural health in recognition of National Rural Health Day (NRHD).

In the first episode, Michelle talks with the Director for the Center for Health Care Policy and Resource Development and the Director of the Charles D. Cook Office of Rural Health in the New York State Department of Health, Karen Madden. Throughout her career, Karen has worked on many issues that impact access to care and shares her organization's new focus on health equity and addressing health disparities. Karen's idea to have a day designated for rural health inspired NRHD (celebrated every year on the third Thursday in November), and her invaluable contributions helped transform NRHD from a moment to a movement.

Karen shares what motivated her rural-focused career, the impact she sees from her work, advice for people who will one day walk in her shoes, exciting projects she is currently working on, and what her inspiration is. 

In this extra episode in our series "Rural Health on Life Support,” Michelle talks with Megan Meacham, Director of the Rural Strategic Initiatives Division and Sarah O’Donell Team Lead for Program Development with HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Megan, Sarah, and their colleague Allison Hutchings were awarded the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals 2023 People’s Choice Award, in recognition of their creation and management of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP).

During this conversation, Megan shares the RCORP’s efforts and programs that to bring substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services to rural communities that may not have services or inadequate access to services, as well as how RCORP aims to improve outcomes and increase health equity and access to care for underserved and geographically isolated populations.

Sarah shares examples of how grantees are effectively serving communities, and creating partnerships, networks, and connections for supporting responses to substance used disorder. Also discussed are challenges and barriers to getting care, as well as tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis rural communities.

Extra Episode | Rural Health on Life Support - HRSA's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program with Megan Meacham & Sarah O'Donnell
> Opioid Response | HRSA

> RCORP-TA Resource Portal

> National Maternal Mental Health Hotline | MCHB

> Find a Health Center

> RHI Hub

In this third episode of our series "Do the Math-Calculating the Future of Rural Education," Michelle talks with national communications consultant and rural education policy expert John White. John served as the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education (2009-2013), represented U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the White House Rural Council, and was the Secretary's designee to the Interagency Coordinating Council for the Appalachian Regional Development Initiative.

During this conversation, John highlighted the importance of resources and support for learning in rural areas, filling in the gaps needed to retain and attract rural educators, and developing the talents of rural youth to sustain rural communities and grow local economies. John also shares innovative programming for rural schools and communities, the strengths of diverse rural communities, opportunities for schools that come through partnerships, and strategies for communicating needs to policy and lawmakers to improve support for rural students, teachers, and schools.