AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference will offer innovative ideas, fresh insights and effective strategies

With approximately 62 million Americans living in rural areas and depending on the nearest hospital for most of their care needs, we know that it is more important than ever to preserve the economic health and viability of the nation’s rural hospitals. 

The 33rd Annual AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, to be held Feb. 2-5 in Phoenix, focuses on sustaining rural hospitals and positioning them for a healthy future. The conference brings together senior executives, physician leaders, trustees, nurse executives and community leaders and offers the chance to absorb powerful insights and ideas directly from the nation's leading rural hospitals and health systems.

The conference, which combines thought leadership and applied learning, will showcase prominent leaders from inside and outside of health care who offer unique perspectives and solution-oriented thinking on many timely topics, such as pursuit of innovation and value. 

The program features:  

• Content focused squarely on the unique and urgent challenges faced by rural providers and their communities.
• Thought-provoking keynote presentations to drive the pursuit of innovation and leadership excellence.
• Educational programming designed specifically for trustees.
• Hot topic roundtable discussions to spark facilitated conversation on current rural health care issues. 
• Numerous opportunities to network with fellow rural health care leaders and field partners.

Attendees of the conference can expect to: 

• Gain practical tools for achieving peak operational and clinical performance, while improving value and affordability.
• Understand what the latest developments in Washington in an election year mean for rural hospitals and their communities.
• Revitalize leadership, boost governance expertise and create a renewed culture.
• Strengthen the hospital’s capacity to deliver value-based care through strategic partnerships and collaborations.
• Engage clinical talent and enhance care delivery through innovative workforce solutions.
• Explore how virtual health technologies are improving access to care.

Now is the time to find new and better ways to advance affordability and value in rural health care as together we face challenges that range from low patient volume to unrealistic government reimbursement formulas. 

Join us in Phoenix for an unparalleled opportunity to learn and share with renowned health care leaders innovating at the forefront of change. 

The early bird registration deadline is Dec.13. Please visit our conference webpage for more information.

Wurth is executive vice president and chief operating officer of the AHA.