Advertise on podcast: This Is Rural Health

What happens when California’s fastest-growing older population lives in communities where housing is scarce, healthcare can be hours away, and essential support services are difficult to find? For rural older adults, these challenges are already a reality—and they are only becoming more urgent. In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, we hear from Dr. Pauline DeLange Martinez, a public health researcher and gerontologist at the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing’s Family Caregiving Institute. Dr. DeLange Martinez brings together research, community engagement, and policy expertise to examine how California can better support older adults and family caregivers in rural communities. Dr. DeLange Martinez explores why action is needed now. Nearly one in eleven Californians age 65 and older lives in a rural community, while rural counties have a higher proportion of older adults and higher rates of disability. Even more striking, California’s population age 85 and older is projected to increase by 158% between 2025 and 2040—creating an urgent need to rethink how rural communities approach aging, healthcare, housing, and caregiving. Drawing on a two-year Rural Master Plan for Aging initiative involving three California regions and 227 community participants, Dr. DeLange Martinez shares findings from older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community leaders. The conversation examines three critical areas: Housing: Hidden homelessness, rising costs, manufactured-home challenges, limited affordable housing, and the impact of disasters such as wildfires.Long-Term Services and Supports: The growing pressure on family caregivers, shortages of direct care workers, limited rural services, and the need for better navigation and caregiver support.Healthcare: Long travel distances, provider shortages, delayed care, chronic disease, behavioral health needs, dementia care, transportation barriers, and persistent inequities affecting rural older adults. The episode also explores practical policy recommendations, including expanding home- and community-based services, strengthening the rural direct care workforce, improving transportation, increasing telehealth and community paramedicine, expanding geriatric expertise, and ensuring that older adults are meaningfully included in California’s Rural Health Transformation Plan. But perhaps the most important takeaway is that rural California is not one-size-fits-all. From wildfire recovery in the North State to nutrition access in the Central Valley and extreme geographic isolation in the Inland Empire, rural communities have very different needs—and effective policy must give local communities the flexibility to identify and address their own priorities. Listen to this important conversation to learn what rural aging looks like today, what California can do to prepare for the future, and why supporting older adults must be central to achieving true rural health equity. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Meet the ResearcherWhy Rural Aging Needs ActionMaster Plan for Aging and Rural InitiativeHousing Instability SolutionsCaregiving and Workforce GapsHealthcare Fixes and Final Takeaways The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org. Connect with Dr. Pauline DeLange Martinez:LinkedIn Resources California Master Plan for AgingCalifornia Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Gap AnalysisNational Rural Age-Friendly Initiative — National Rural Health AssociationDementia Care Aware

What if the key to strengthening rural healthcare isn't doing more—but working smarter, together? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, we bring you a thought-provoking conference panel featuring Sylvia Trujillo, healthcare policy and regulatory attorney and leader at the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC), and Dr. Martin Entwistle, Chief of Medical Affairs at Marshall Medical Center. Together, they explore how rural healthcare organizations can move beyond simply adopting technology to building sustainable, scalable systems that improve patient care while protecting the future of rural hospitals. Drawing on Marshall Medical Center's real-world experience, Dr. Entwistle shares how his team shifted from fragmented digital initiatives to a comprehensive strategy centered on telehealth, remote patient monitoring, artificial intelligence, and value-based care. Rather than chasing every new technology, they focused on governance, infrastructure, partnerships, and workflows that could grow with their organization and support long-term success. The conversation also tackles some of rural healthcare's biggest challenges—including workforce shortages, reimbursement, interoperability, financial sustainability, and the risk of losing patients to larger health systems. Sylvia explains how collaboration, strategic planning, and the California Rural Health Transformation Fund can help organizations build stronger regional networks that keep specialty care and healthcare dollars within rural communities. Whether you're leading a rural hospital, community health center, clinic, or healthcare organization, this episode offers practical insights on: Building scalable digital health programs instead of isolated projectsUsing telehealth and remote patient monitoring to improve access and outcomesCreating successful hub-and-spoke partnerships that strengthen rural carePreparing for value-based care and future reimbursement modelsLeveraging available funding and no-cost technical assistance to support digital transformation If you're wondering how rural healthcare can remain financially viable while embracing innovation, this conversation provides both a roadmap and a call to action. Listen now to discover how strategic partnerships, thoughtful planning, and digital transformation can help rural communities deliver better care—without leaving patients behind. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:CTRC Mission and Audience PulseMarshall Case for Virtual CareHub and Spoke PartnershipsBuilding Infrastructure to ScaleRural Transformation Fund Takeaways The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org. Connect with Sylvia Trujillo:LinkedIn Connect with Martin Entwistle:LinkedIn Resources California Telehealth Resource CenterCalifornia State Office of Rural HealthU.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesMarshall Medical Center

What if one of the most important healthcare partners in your community isn't a clinic or hospital—but your local library? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, Lisa Lindsay, Library Programs Consultant with the California State Library, shares how rural libraries are evolving into trusted community health hubs. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in public libraries, Lisa reveals how libraries are helping bridge healthcare gaps through innovative partnerships, trusted relationships, and creative programming that reaches people where they already feel comfortable. From telehealth access and blood pressure monitor lending programs to emergency preparedness, literacy services, nutrition education, and health resource fairs, Lisa demonstrates how libraries are addressing the social drivers of health in ways many healthcare organizations have yet to discover. She also shares inspiring examples from rural and tribal communities across California, highlighting how collaboration between libraries, public health agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare providers is creating healthier, more connected communities. Whether you're a rural healthcare leader, public health professional, librarian, or community advocate, this conversation will challenge the way you think about community partnerships—and reveal why libraries may be one of healthcare's most underutilized assets. In this episode, you'll learn: Why libraries have become trusted access points for health information and services.How rural libraries are expanding access through telehealth, health screenings, and wellness programming.The impact of the Rural Health Connections Project across California.How partnerships with organizations like the American Heart Association are improving cardiovascular health through the Libraries with Heart initiative.Practical ideas for healthcare organizations looking to collaborate with local libraries to better serve rural communities. Healthcare doesn't only happen in hospitals and clinics—it happens wherever people gather, learn, and trust. This episode offers a fresh perspective on building healthier rural communities through unexpected partnerships. Listen now to discover why the future of rural health may begin with a library card. Connect with Lisa Lindsay:LinkedIn Resources Rural Health Connections Project (California)Libraries with Heart (American Heart Association partnership)California State Library (Library Programs & Rural Initiatives) The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

What happens when hospitals are asked to do more with less—while navigating sweeping legislative changes, funding uncertainty, and growing regulatory pressure? In this episode of the California State Rural Health Association Podcast, Dietmar Grellmann breaks down the policy landscape that will shape the future of healthcare in California, with major implications for rural hospitals and the communities they serve. Drawing on his expertise in healthcare policy and advocacy, Dietmar provides an inside look at the California legislative session, where nearly 1,800 bills were introduced, and explains which proposals could have the greatest impact on hospitals. From the California Hospital Association's sponsored legislation to the growing influence of the Office of Health Care Affordability, he explores how reimbursement, hospital financing, workforce challenges, and regulatory mandates are converging at a critical moment for healthcare providers. The conversation also examines the potential effects of federal Medicaid funding changes, ongoing efforts to preserve access to care through California's provider tax program, and the legal battles surrounding affordability targets and insurer reimbursement practices. Dietmar discusses why rural hospitals face unique challenges under statewide policies, the promise—and pitfalls—of artificial intelligence in healthcare, proposed psychiatric staffing regulations, and what emerging political developments could mean for hospitals in the years ahead. Whether you're a rural healthcare leader, policymaker, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers valuable context for understanding the complex decisions being made today—and why they matter for the future of healthcare access across California. In this episode, you'll learn: Why California's legislative session could significantly impact rural hospitals.How state and federal policy changes may affect hospital funding and financial stability.What the Office of Health Care Affordability means for hospitals across the state.The latest on Medicaid financing, provider tax reform, and reimbursement challenges.How the California Hospital Association is advocating for rural healthcare through legislation and litigation.Why workforce shortages, behavioral health regulations, and AI policy remain major priorities. If you want to better understand the forces shaping California healthcare—and what rural hospitals are doing to adapt—this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in for an insider's perspective on the policies, challenges, and opportunities that will define the future of rural health. Connect with Dietmar Grellmann:LinkedIn Resources California Hospital Association (CHA)Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA)California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP)California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Rural healthcare is facing one of its most pivotal moments in decades. With major Medicaid changes, a historic $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, workforce shortages, and growing pressure on hospitals and providers, the decisions being made in Washington today will shape the future of rural communities for years to come. In this episode, we sit down with a leading policy expert from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to unpack the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and what it means for rural providers, patients, and community leaders across the country. From Capitol Hill politics to federal funding opportunities, our guest breaks down the key healthcare issues dominating the national conversation, including Medicaid reform, Medicare Advantage challenges, workforce shortages, telehealth expansion, AI in healthcare, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, and the long-awaited Farm Bill. We also explore the Rural Health Transformation Program—one of the largest federal investments in rural healthcare in generations—and what states must do to secure and sustain funding. The conversation dives into the realities facing rural hospitals and clinics, the impact of federal policy changes on healthcare access, and the innovative solutions emerging across the country to strengthen rural health infrastructure and improve outcomes. Whether you're a healthcare executive, policymaker, provider, educator, or advocate, this episode offers valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of rural health. If you care about the future of healthcare access in rural America, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Tune in for an inside look at the policies, funding, and innovations that could redefine rural healthcare for the next generation. The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Dr. Ramiro Zúñiga, Chief Medical Officer for Health Net Medi-Cal, brings nearly three decades of experience as a board-certified family physician serving rural and underserved communities across California. At Health Net, he co-leads contractual, compliance, and regulatory efforts for the Medi-Cal line of business while providing strategic and operational direction for quality improvement, utilization management, and clinical programs. Previously Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Residency Program Director at San Joaquin General Hospital, Dr. Zúñiga has long combined clinical leadership with system-level transformation. He is also a Volunteer Clinical Professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine and serves on multiple boards, including the Sacramento Latino Medical Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Hispanic Health Foundation, and the Archstone Foundation. In this episode, Dr. Zúñiga breaks down how CalAIM is transforming care—expanding provider networks with community-based organizations, scaling Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports, shifting to outcomes-based payment, and bringing care closer to where people live and learn through school-based telehealth and mobile clinics. He also shares how Health Net is investing in a diverse, community-aligned workforce and real-time data systems to reduce emergency-department visits and readmissions. Subscribe for more rural-health insights—and explore Health Net and CalAIM resources below. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Introduction and Welcome Back Reintroduction and Background of Dr. Zúñiga CalAIM Rollout and Successes Expanding the Medical Ecosystem Addressing Workforce Shortages Focus on Equity and Community Partnerships Whole Person Care and Enhanced Care Management Telehealth and Remote Care Innovations Final Thoughts and Future of CalAIM Connect with Dr. Ramiro Zuniga: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-net Resources https://bridgingthedivideca.comwww.news.healthnet.comHealth NetCalAIM (DHCS)Hazel Health (school-based telehealth)Centene Foundation – Mobile Clinics partnership The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Dr. Wade Banner is a California-board-certified dentist and founder of In Motion Dentists, one of the few practices delivering comprehensive, in-home care—everything from cleanings to crowns and root canals—for seniors, homebound patients, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also operates a specialized brick-and-mortar clinic in La Verne built for accessibility and behavioral needs. In this episode, Dr. Banner breaks down how portable dentistry actually works (spoiler: a carry-on-sized unit and a 7-minute setup), how partnerships with Regional Centers and RDHAPs unlock access, and why treating isolated patients in urban ZIP codes can feel as “rural” as the farthest county. We dig into workflow, equipment, teledentistry collaboration, and the mindset shift new grads need to serve special healthcare needs—plus how any dentist can start with house calls on a limited basis. Subscribe for more conversations on practical solutions for rural and hard-to-reach care. Learn more or request a ride-along via In Motion Dentists. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Introduction and Guest Introduction Dr. Banner's Journey into Mobile Dentistry Working with Special Needs and Regional Centers Challenges and Solutions in Rural Dental Care The Importance of House Call Dentistry Future of Teledentistry and RDHAPs Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with Wade Banner: LinkedIn  Resources In Motion DentistsRDHAP ConnectSan Gabriel / Pomona Regional CenterAseptico Portable Dental UnitsCocoon Portable X-Ray The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

JD Garza is the Associate Director of the California Area Health Education Center (AHEC), hosted at UCSF Fresno, and a board member of the National AHEC Organization. His career centers on partnering with community organizations to serve medically underserved communities.  In this episode, JD breaks down how AHEC recruits, trains, and retains health professionals for rural and underserved areas—at scale. We get into AHEC Scholars (a two-year, interdisciplinary track with community projects), clinical placements across community health centers, and why elevating CHWs, MAs, and CNAs is key. He also shares a standout youth diabetes coaching partnership, outcomes to date, and a practical burnout-prevention curriculum (“Healing from the Heart”) co-built with Hennepin Healthcare. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Introduction to JD Garza and AHEC Overview of California AHEC California AHEC Centers and Partnerships AHEC Programs and Initiatives AHEC Scholars Program Burnout Prevention and Resiliency Program Future Plans and Conclusion Resources California Area Health Education Center (UCSF Fresno) National AHEC Organization HRSA Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program Hennepin Healthcare — Institute for Professional Worklife (burnout resources)Stanford Youth Diabetes Coaching Program The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Ingrid Villeda is a Program & Community Engagement Specialist at the Alzheimer’s Association (Northern CA & Northern NV). She’s spent 8+ years serving older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers—especially in Latino and rural communities—building partnerships and delivering bilingual education that actually reaches families. In this episode, Ingrid breaks down what Alzheimer’s is (and isn’t), who’s at higher risk, and how new anti-amyloid therapies are changing the timeline for early-stage patients. We dig into the realities of rural care—limited specialists, long travel, internet deserts—and the concrete fixes that work: training primary care, leveraging Project ECHO, phone-first education, and meeting families where they already are (consulates, food banks, schools). You’ll leave with playbook-level ideas to expand access, support caregivers, and drive earlier detection in hard-to-reach places.  What You’ll Learn From This Episode: Overview of Alzheimer's Association Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia Risk Factors and Research Diagnosis and Treatment Options Challenges in Rural Communities Addressing Rural Healthcare Obstacles Behavioral Symptoms and Care Strategies Resources and Conclusion Connect with Ingrid Villeda: LinkedIn  Resources https://www.alz.org https://uspointer.net https://www.dementiacareaware.org  https://projectecho.unm.edu/initiatives/alzheimers-and-dementia-care-echo/ The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Kristy Bird MaKieve is the founder and CEO of Healthy Rural California, a nonprofit transforming healthcare access in Northern California’s underserved communities. A social entrepreneur and medical society leader, Kristy is spearheading graduate medical education programs, residency training, and innovative partnerships to address the rural physician shortage head-on. In this episode, Kristy shares how Healthy Rural California launched psychiatry and family medicine residencies in Chico, why medical education is the key to reversing decades of healthcare inequity, and how her team is creating pathways for youth, medical students, and future physicians to stay and serve rural communities. She breaks down the economic ripple effects of residency programs, her vision for an interprofessional healthcare campus, and what it really takes to bring lasting health equity to the North State. If you care about solving physician shortages, strengthening rural health, or building community-driven solutions, this conversation is a blueprint for impact. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: Healthy Rural California's Mission Challenges in Rural Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Initiatives Video Presentation: Residency Programs Impact of Residency Programs Community Health and Education Programs Future Plans and Expansion Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Kristy Bird MaKieve: LinkedIn  Resources California Medical Association, National Rural Health Association ,UC Davis School of MedicineNorth Valley Community Foundation  The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Nate Sundheimer—Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Director of Digital & Tech Strategy at Wipfli—joins CSRHA to demystify AI for rural healthcare leaders. With deep roots in healthcare innovation and a mission to make tech practical, Nate delivers a sharp, no-fluff session on how AI can empower rural providers to do more with less. This episode dives into real-world, nonclinical AI applications that reduce burnout, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes—without breaking the bank or disrupting workflows. Nate walks through actionable frameworks for evaluating vendors, calculating ROI, and navigating implementation. Plus, he shares insights from Wipfli’s national survey of rural execs, showing how AI is already at work behind the scenes—even if providers don’t realize it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise or unsure how to vet “game-changing” tech, this is your roadmap. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Nate Sundheimer's Background and CredentialsIntroduction to AI in Rural HealthcareUnderstanding AI and Its ApplicationsCurrent State and Challenges in Rural HealthcareAI Solutions and Implementation StrategiesNonclinical AI and Technology ApplicationsImplementation Challenges and Success MetricsKey Takeaways and Final Thoughts Connect with Nate Sundheimer: LinkedIn  Resources Wipfli – Healthcare Advisory & Technology Services, Microsoft Nuance DAX (Dragon Ambient eXperience),Abridge – AI Medical DocumentationSuki – AI for Clinical Documentation (FQHC focused)OpenLoop – Virtual Staffing for Healthcare The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Kirsten Storne-Piazza is a licensed therapist, healthcare executive, and director of psychiatric programs at Orchard Hospital in rural Northern California. A passionate advocate for mental wellness in healthcare, she’s leading the development of a new inpatient youth psychiatric facility and actively works with first responders and rural health organizations to combat burnout and compassion fatigue. In this powerful talk, Kirsten shares the deeply personal and professional journey that brought her to the frontlines of rural healthcare leadership—including her pivot after the 2018 Camp Fire. She breaks down how her hospital tackled staff burnout head-on, reducing turnover by more than half and raising patient satisfaction to 92%. You’ll learn the tools, surveys, and strategies her team used to reshape culture, rebuild trust, and reignite purpose across departments. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to improve outcomes by investing in their people. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: Kirsten's Background and Passion for Healthcare Defining Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Personal Journey and the Impact of the Camp Fire Addressing Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare Case Study: Orchard Hospital's Approach Steps to Improve Work-Life Balance Leadership and Employee Engagement Initiatives Results and Takeaways The Importance of Taking Care of Healthcare Workers Connect with Kristen Storne-Piazza: LinkedIn  Resources Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL)Studer Group Rounding and Recognition ModelCompassion Fatigue Self-Test The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Holly Laird, Rural and Disability Equity Lead at the California Department of Public Health, is on a mission to reframe how state systems engage with rural communities. A lifelong advocate with deep roots in local and state public health, Holly led the first-ever Rural Health Equity Landscape Analysis at CDPH—a powerful blueprint for how the government can better serve communities historically sidelined in public health conversations. In this episode, Holly shares insights from the year-long analysis, revealing the systemic disconnects that rural Californians face—from data invisibility and outdated funding formulas to the politicization of words like “equity.” She breaks down the findings from both internal CDPH interviews and external community-based organizations, highlighting the urgent need for flexible funding, local partnerships, better broadband, and culturally competent communication. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what true rural equity could look like—and why listening to frontline communities is step one. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: CDPH's Strategic Plan and Priorities Community Inclusion and Partnership Section Rural Health Equity Landscape Analysis Internal CDPH Findings Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Health External Community-Based Organization Findings Barriers and Supports in Rural Health Planning and Next Steps Connect with Holly Laird: LinkedIn  Resources CA-RISE (Rual Initiative for Statewide Equity)Rual Messaging Guide - CA-RISE Toolkits Frameworks Institute - Messaging for Rural Equity Every Woman Counts Program (Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening) California Equitable Recovery Initiative (CERI) Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (CA Department of Technology)  The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

What if the key to solving our aging crisis lies not in city halls but in rural towns—and in elevating the voices of those who’ve been overlooked for too long? In this powerful episode, we welcome Karol Swartzlander, Executive Director of the California Commission on Aging, a 24-year veteran in long-term services, aging policy, and state advocacy. From driving legislative wins to revolutionizing workforce inclusion and housing for older adults, Carol has been at the helm of California’s most forward-thinking initiatives for aging populations. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: Overview of the California Commission on Aging Policy Priorities and State Initiatives Legislative Successes and Challenges Workforce Development and Inclusive Employment Innovative Solutions and Future Plans Emergency Preparedness and Community Engagement Conclusion and Q&A Connect with Karol Swartzlander: LinkedIn  Resources California Commission on Aging Website, Sign Up for AgeWatch Newsletter,Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP)Rural Master Plan for Aging Toolkit  The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.

Brock Slabach on Reimagining Rural Health Care from the Ground Up | CSRHA 2025 Conference Brock Slabach, COO of the National Rural Health Association, brings over two decades of frontline experience to the stage at the 2025 CSRHA Conference. A third-generation Kansas farmer turned policy leader, Brock has become a national force in rural health innovation and advocacy. In this episode, Brock outlines what it will take to strengthen and sustain health care in rural communities. He shares fresh insights on Medicare Advantage, infrastructure renewal, rural emergency hospital conversions, and how to align public policy with the real needs of providers on the ground. You’ll walk away with a smarter understanding of what’s changing in Washington, what it means for California, and how local leaders can shape the future of rural care. What You’ll Learn From This Episode:Introduction of Keynote Speaker Brock SlabachBrock Slabach's Background and AchievementsOpening Remarks and Setting the StageNational and California Rural Health OverviewChallenges in Rural Health ServicesAdvocacy and Policy EffortsMedicare and Medicaid IssuesRural Hospital Closures and Financial StrugglesLegislative Updates and Future PlansExecutive Branch Changes and ImpactsFuture of Rural Health  Connect with Brock Slabach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brock-slabach-596a291 X: https://x.com/BSLABACH Resources: https://www.ruralhealth.us The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders.  For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook. If you enjoy This Is Rural Health, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this! Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.