Leading Rural Health Care

In rural communities, a hospital is more than a place for care—it's a foundation for stability, growth and connection. In this episode, Tina Gillespie, CEO of Harrison County Community Hospital, shares how her organization is investing in the future of care in northwest Missouri. She discusses the journey to build a new hospital, the role of financial strategy in sustaining services and the importance of keeping care close to home. Gillespie also highlights how rural hospitals support their communities beyond clinical care, from workforce development to economic impact. This conversation offers insight into the decisions and leadership required to keep rural health care strong.

Rural health care leaders are making complex decisions every day to keep care local and accessible. In this episode, Todd Ahrens, CEO of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, discusses how he navigates those decisions through a balance of risk, mission and long-term strategy. Drawing on his experience as an attorney and a health system leader, he shares how his perspective on risk has evolved, why growth is necessary for sustainability and how strong community connections shape decision-making. He also addresses workforce challenges, capital investment decisions and the increasing importance of advocacy. This episode highlights the mindset required to lead through uncertainty while keeping patients and communities at the center.

Rural hospitals are often misunderstood, yet they play a critical role in keeping communities healthy and economically stable. In this episode, Karla Clubine, CEO of Pershing Health System, shares what it really means to lead a critical access hospital in today's environment. Drawing from her clinical background, Clubine explains how she approaches leadership decisions, balances patient needs with financial realities and works to expand access through partnerships and technology. She also discusses workforce challenges, the importance of community support and why changing perceptions of rural hospitals matters. This episode highlights both the challenges and the opportunities shaping the future of rural health care.

Rural health care leadership has never been more complex. Financial pressure, workforce shortages, stakeholder expectations and regulatory demands are testing leaders across Missouri. In this episode, Nate Blackford, Senior Vice President of Membership Services at the Missouri Hospital Association and former president of Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville, helps kick off the new Leading Rural Health Care podcast. Blackford shares lessons learned from leading a rural hospital through system transition and the pandemic, talks about the challenges facing leaders and ways to address them and explains how the Missouri Hospital Association can be a support resource.