Frontiers, a three-episode documentary series from the AHA’s Advancing Health podcast, explores how rural hospitals and health systems are strengthening maternal care. Hear leaders share how they are investing in services, supporting care teams and building partnerships to keep care within reach for mothers and families.
The series is part of the AHA’s Innovations in Rural Maternal Health project, a broader effort to gather and share insights that can help rural hospitals strengthen and sustain maternal care in their communities.
EXPLORE THE EPISODES
Episode 1: Committing to Rural Maternal Care
For rural hospital leaders, maternal care is an investment in families and the future of their communities. Hear how leaders are making maternal care an organizational priority, investing in staffing and clinical readiness, and advocating for the resources needed to sustain local services.
Featured organizations:
Canton-Potsdam Hospital - Rochester Regional Health, Harrison Memorial Hospital, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Smith County Memorial Hospital and Western Wisconsin Health.
Episode 2: The People Powering Rural Maternal Care
Sustaining rural maternal care takes a team. Explore how hospitals are bringing together OB-GYNs, family medicine physicians, certified nurse-midwives, nurses and other partners to meet the needs of mothers and babies. Leaders share approaches to introducing students to rural practice and supporting clinicians through simulation, mentorship and hands-on training.
Featured organizations:
Banner Health, Dartmouth Health, Harrison Memorial Hospital, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Western Wisconsin Health.
Episode 3: Connected Rural Maternal Care, Closer to Home
Rural care does not have to be disconnected. Hear how hospitals are using virtual consultations, remote monitoring and regional partnerships to connect local care teams with clinical expertise. Leaders discuss coordinated transfers, shared learning and the relationships that make these approaches work.
Featured organizations:
Avera Health, Banner Health and Dartmouth Health.
Meet The Voices of Frontiers
Ashley Blake, D.O.
Harrison Memorial Hospital
Eilidh Pederson, MPH, FACHE
CEO, Western Wisconsin Health
Benjamin Anderson, MBA, MHCDS
President and CEO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center
Blake McLaughlin, D.O., MSOL, MHCDS, FACOG
Senior Medical Director, Women’s Services, Banner Health
Jill White, BSN, R.N.
CNO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center
Lakin Lyon
CNO, Smith County Memorial Hospital
Kimberlee McKay, M.D.
Clinical Vice President, OB-GYN Service Line, Avera Health
Samantha Crouch
Director, Nurse-Midwifery program, University of Arkansas Medical Center
Sarah Ragsdale, MBA, BSN, R.N.
CEO, Smith County Memorial Hospital
Sinéad Ingersoll, FACHE, FACMPE, MHA
COO, Canton-Potsdam Hospital/St. Lawrence Region, Rochester Regional Health
Emily Brayton, BSN, R.N.
Perinatal Outreach Nurse, Population Health, Dartmouth Hitchcock; Director of Operations, Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Network
Keep Exploring
Find additional stories, strategies and insights from the AHA to support maternal care in rural communities.