Minnesota Rural Health Association

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from MRHA! Today, we give thanks for the dedicated rural health professionals, advocates, and partners who work tirelessly to keep our communities healthy and strong. Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday. 🍁

From student to sonographer, Rachel Matz is now helping patients in rural Minnesota thanks to the Helmsley Charitable Trust’s ultrasound initiative and tuition support from MRHA. “People who come into my sonography room are scared. They’re not feeling good. To be able to tell them, ‘We’re going to get through it; I’m going to take some pictures and we’re going to see what’s going on,’ it’s so rewarding. And I think that’s huge: having a job that allows you to go home at night and say, ‘I did something today." 💙 #MNRuralHealth

We are excited to celebrate the #PowerOfRural this #NationalRuralHealthDay on November 20! Join us in honoring #rural America's resilience and the dedication of healthcare professionals to meet #RuralHealth needs. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/d-qbXPtc. #MRHA #MinnesotaRuralHealth

🏆 MRHA Emerging Rural Health Leader Award: Ranita Bothun Congratulations to Ranita Bothun, Chief Operating Officer at Appleton Area Health and recipient of the 2025 MRHA Emerging Rural Health Leader Award! 🎉 Each year, the Minnesota Rural Health Association honors an individual who is “leading the charge” to improve rural health in Minnesota—and Ranita exemplifies that leadership. From opening a new clinic in a community without healthcare access for over five years to making Appleton Area Health one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work three years running, Ranita’s dedication is unmatched. She’s also a strong advocate for provider recruitment and retention in rural settings, helping ensure communities have access to compassionate, high-quality care. In conjunction with National Rural Health Day, we celebrate Ranita as the true Power of Rural. #MNRuralHealth #NationalRuralHealthDay #MRHA #PowerOfRural

🏆 MRHA Emerging Rural Health Leader Award: Matt Weiseman, PA-C Join us in congratulating Matt Weiseman, PA-C of M Health Fairview – North Branch, the 2025 MRHA Emerging Rural Health Leader Award recipient! 👏 Matt has been a driving force in transforming rural addiction care, leading a system-wide shift to integrate opioid use disorder treatment into primary care, making life-saving care more accessible for rural communities. He’s also a leader in community engagement, serving on the Chisago County Opioid Action Council, launching Narcan Access Points in clinics, and mentoring the next generation of providers through education and leadership roles with the Minnesota Academy of PAs. We’re proud to recognize Matt on National Rural Health Day for his innovative, patient-centered approach and his dedication to rural Minnesota. #MNRuralHealth #NationalRuralHealthDay #MRHA #RuralAddictionCare #PowerOfRural

That’s a wrap on the 2025 Inaugural Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit! 👏 Big thanks to our speakers, attendees, legistlators and partners for driving meaningful rural health conversations. 💙 #MRHAPolicySummit #MNRuralHealth

This afternoon, rural health leaders from across Minnesota are coming together for powerful group discussions. By sharing successes, tackling challenges, and brainstorming better solutions for the future of rural health, these conversations help shape the future of rural health. 💬 #MNRuralHealth #MRHAPolicy Summit

We’re excited to welcome Christopher (Chris) Hasse, Chief Administrative Officer of Mayo Clinic Health System, to the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit! 📍 In the session “Looking into the Future of Rural Health in MN,” Chris will explore how digital tools and innovative care models are transforming healthcare delivery in rural communities, from primary care to hospital operations. With leadership experience across Mayo Clinic and a background in health systems engineering, Chris brings forward-thinking insights on scaling innovation, empowering care teams, and bringing high-quality care closer to home. 🗓️ Wednesday, Nov. 19 | St. Cloud, MN 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gmGWfyjb

🚨 It’s almost here! The Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit is just days away — happening this Wednesday, Nov. 19 in St. Cloud! We can’t wait to see rural health leaders, advocates, and stakeholders come together to shape the future of rural health policy in Minnesota. 📍 Best Western Plus Kelly Inn 🕘 November 19, 2025 👥 Hosted by Minnesota Rural Health Association 👀 Stay tuned to our social media for live updates, highlights, and key takeaways during the event! #RuralHealth #MRHAPolicySummit

We’re honored to welcome Thad Shunkwiler, LMFT, LPCC, ACS, as our closing speaker at the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit. As a licensed behavioral health provider and founder of the Center for Rural Behavioral Health, Thad’s work is improving mental health access across rural America. He’ll leave us with “Remembering Your Why: Reigniting Inspiration in Rural Healthcare" - An inspirational sendoff. 🗓️ Wednesday, Nov. 19 | St. Cloud, MN 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ddPXuEd4