PLENARY SESSION | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Conference Welcome

Presentation of the 2024 AHA Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award

Charting the Future of Health Care

R. Scott Dingle, Retired United States Army Lieutenant General; 45th Surgeon General of the United States Army and former Commanding General, United States Army Medical Command

Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle, Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of U.S. Army Medical Command, has led transformative changes in the Military Health System, positioning it to meet future challenges. In this session, LTG Dingle will draw on his extensive experience to explore broader health care system challenges and highlight opportunities for innovation. He will address pressing issues such as workforce shortages, rising costs, and access to care, while examining how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine, can drive the future of health care. LTG Dingle will emphasize the critical role of collaboration—across sectors and systems—in improving patient outcomes and reshaping care delivery for the future.

PLENARY SESSION: What’s the Big Idea? Leading Rural Hospitals into the Future | 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Jamie Orlikoff, President, Orlikoff & Associates, Inc., National Advisor on Governance and Leadership to the American Hospital Association, and health care governance expert

There seem to be few big ideas in health care post-ACA and post-value-based care. So, there is not much for rural leaders to lean into or away from, no clear ground rules to provide a sense of long-term direction. In the absence of a “big idea paradigm,” we can focus on the moment we are in and the immediate challenges we face, or we can create and lead toward our own “big ideas.” This presentation will reflect on the current climate of rural health care in America, how we got here, and where the future currents, or innovative rural leaders, may take us.

PLENARY SESSION: Transforming Rural Health: Strategies for the Future | 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Moderator:
M. Michelle Hood, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Hospital Association

Panelists:
Chris Hasse, Chief Administrative Officer, Mayo Clinic Health System, Rochester, Minn. 
Julie K. Yaroch, DO, President, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, Adrian, Mich.

Hear from leaders in rural health care as they discuss strategies to address the most pressing challenges impacting the health of rural populations and communities. Panelists will share innovative approaches to improving access, addressing workforce challenges and enhancing equitable care delivery through innovative models. Attendees will gain practical solutions they can apply to meet the unique needs of rural communities and drive long-term success in delivering quality health care.

PLENARY SESSION: AHA Washington Update | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Moderator:
Rick Pollack, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Hospital Association

Panelists:
Chad Golder, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary , American Hospital Association 
Travis Robey, Vice President, Political Affairs, American Hospital Association
Shannon Wu, PhD, Director, Payment Policy, American Hospital Association

Join American Hospital Association leaders for a discussion on the latest from Capitol Hill. Learn what policies Congress is considering and what it means for rural community hospitals.

PLENARY SESSION: Transforming Adversity into Leadership | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Liz Murray, Subject of the Emmy-Nominated Lifetime TV movie "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story," and Author of "Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard"

Liz Murray’s extraordinary story of resilience, perseverance, and personal transformation takes audiences on a journey from homelessness to Harvard. Raised by drug-addicted parents and homeless by age 15, Liz defied the odds by graduating high school while living on the streets and later earning a full scholarship to Harvard University. Her inspiring experience offers leaders powerful lessons in turning adversity into opportunity, navigating unexpected change and leading with purpose in challenging times. Through her story, Liz will show how shifting one’s mindset, embracing flexibility and fostering a strong sense of community can empower teams to overcome obstacles and thrive in even the most difficult circumstances.

In this session, Liz will connect her life experiences to the unique challenges health care leaders, emphasizing the importance of resilience and perseverance in leadership. Attendees will walk away with practical insights on transforming problems into opportunities, building flexible strategies in the face of change and cultivating a supportive community within their teams.