This two-day event started at the DECC this morning as medical professionals and leaders from all across the state came together. During this conference they shared ideas and work collaboratively to build healthy communities.

More than 20 interactive sessions fill up June 17th-18th: two keynote speakers, two plenary sessions, the Minnesota Rural Health Association Policy Forum, an awards ceremony and a total of 15 breakout sessions.

Dr. Amer Kaissi, an author, executive coach and award-winning professor of healthcare administration at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, gave their first talk today centered around “Leading in Times of Change: How Leaders Can Balance Humility with Ambition.”

With tomorrow having Dr. Robsan Tura, the assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Equity Bureau, presenting on efforts to advance rural health equity. The concerns about the access to rural emergency services are on people’s minds, but the attendees of the conference hope to find solutions through collaboration.

Over 400 attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors share their finds and goals to take the next steps in future healthcare of the state. Alyssa Meller, Chief Operating Officer of National Rural Health Resource Center, expanded on this.

“The number one reason why folks attend is from a networking perspective. They love to hear from your peers, learning what’s working, what’s not working, so then they can take it back.”

This Conference not only is a place to share ideas and challenges together, but a place to look forward to. As Mark Jones, Executive Director of Minnesota Rural Health Association, spoke on future plans of the conference and how they are looking ahead.

“We’ve got a doctorate student who has been named the 2023, being presented an Emerging Rural Health Leader Award. We really believe in finding those people new into the industry and celebrating their accomplishments because, like our keynote just talked about, it’s all about leadership.”

The Minnesota Rural Health Association plans to use the conference as a steppingstone to begin an advocacy campaign for rural health. Through training events to setting up regulations with legislation and communities, they plan to teach people how they can become involve and keep a focus on specifically rural health care and not just over all health care. Mark Jones shared their standing.

“We are bringing together a group to talk about rural health policy. So, what can we do today and tomorrow, looking at the needs of rural health and the people who live in rural communities. What can we do on the policy side, and how can all the people here be advocates for rural health? So, that’s the charge we take in the conference.”