Exploring Rural Health

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.

AHECs and Their Role in Sustaining the Rural Healthcare Workforce, with Dwain Harris, Brianna Sheppard, and Meredith Lair

Today’s podcast features an interview with Dwain Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the National AHEC Organization, along with Brianna Sheppard, PhD, Director of West Virginia Area Health Education Centers, and Meredith Lair, Executive Director of the Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center. We learn about Area Health Education Centers and how they help to ensure consistent healthcare professional workforce availability in rural areas. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ahecs-jan-2026 [https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/ahecs-jan-2026] Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.