Exploring Rural Health

Preventing Death and Permitting Recovery, with Ray Antonacci and Sarah Czarnecki

Today’s podcast features an interview with Lincoln County Ambulance District Chief Ray Antonacci and Battalion Chief Sarah Czarnecki. They tell us about an award-winning RCORP-funded initiative allowing them to administer buprenorphine to incarcerated individuals experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Part 1 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Lincoln County Ambulance's work winning first place. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/jail-opioid-treatment-jun-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/jail-opioid-treatment-jun-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

New Insights on the Rural Public Health Workforce, with Casey Balio and Betty Bekemeier

Today’s podcast features an interview with Casey Balio, PhD, research assistant professor at the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, and Betty Bekemeier, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, director of the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. They share new insights about the rural public health workforce from their recent article published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/public-health-workforce-may-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/public-health-workforce-may-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Workplace Violence Prevention: Impacting Providers and Patients, with Kathy Griffis

Today’s podcast features an interview with Kathy Griffis, Chief Operating Officer of Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, TX. We learn about how they have developed routines and protocols to reduce violence and ensure safe healthcare environments for their staff and patients. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/workplace-violence-apr-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/workplace-violence-apr-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Allied Health Workforce: Supporting Rural Providers

Today’s podcast features an interview with Chris Laman, Vice President of Strategy at Columbia Memorial Hospital. We learn about the importance of developing and maintaining the rural allied health workforce. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/allied-health-mar-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/allied-health-mar-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

Community-Based Recruiting: Keeping Providers Close, with Joe Theine and Jen Gero

Today’s podcast features an interview with Joe Theine and Jen Gero, MD. We learn about community-based recruiting and how it benefits providers and patients alike. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recruiting-feb-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/recruiting-feb-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.