TruBridge Rural Health Collaborative: Strengthening Rural Healthcare
Advancing Rural Hospital Sustainability Through RHTF
Rural Health Collaborative
We partnered with The Health Management Academy (THMA), a leading executive membership and peer-learning organization, to launch the Rural Health Collaborative to advance rural health transformation. An initiative tailored exclusively for hospital executives, the Rural Health Collaborative will unite rural health leaders, policymakers, and industry partners to share best practices and drive modernization efforts under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Inaugural launch of The Rural Health Collaborative
Each spring, we host a multi-day National Client Conference bringing together TruBridge rural and community clients. This year, we are pleased to introduce the inaugural Rural Health Collaborative as part of the event, uniting rural and community health leaders to exchange insights, engage with industry experts, and explore RHTF funding opportunities.
Led by THMA, this one-day program on April 9 is designed exclusively for hospital executives and provides focused learning, peer collaboration, and expert guidance on CMS funding structures, RHTF eligibility, and strategic approaches to advance rural health transformation and support long-term financial sustainability.
Session Agenda
What you can expect
This RHTF-focused program provides a full day of targeted discussions designed for hospital executives, covering engagement with state associations and government officials, workforce recruitment and retention strategies, and peer-to-peer executive breakout sessions. Details of the sessions are outlined below.
The Rural Health Transformation Fund: What CMS Expects
Policymakers have made clear that the Rural Health Transformation Fund is not a short-term stabilization program, but a vehicle to fundamentally reshape how care is delivered in rural communities. This session will lay bare what is – and what is not – true about the origins and intent of RHTF and unpack what current federal leaders want to see from states and providers. Members will gain expert insight into the program, governance, and CMS priorities around rural funding needs.
Featuring: Bill Finerfrock, Congressional Advisor
Green Flags, Red Flags: Working with States on RHTF
Each state has taken a unique approach to their RHTF processes, from full stakeholder engagement to closed door decision making. Members will engage in breakout sessions to learn directly from peers on how they’ve aligned internally, and how they’ve engaged externally with their state associations and government officials. Discussions will surface best practices, unearth common questions, and yield practical takeaways for better engagement and alignment.
Facilitator: Keith J. Mueller, Director, Rural Policy Research Institute and former president of NRHA
Recruitment, Retention, and Reality: What’s Actually Working in Rural Markets
Competition for clinical and non-clinical workers has intensified nationwide, but rural hospitals face unique structural challenges. This peer-driven conversation will spotlight executives who have implemented strategies to improve recruitment, retain workers, and delivery outside-the-box ed workforce strategies. Panelists will explore financial tradeoffs, cultural considerations, and measurable outcomes from their efforts. Leaders will gain practical insights they can adapt immediately within their own organizations.
Moderator: Bill Finerfrock, Congressional Advisor
Rural Hospital Executive Panelists (additional panelists being confirmed):
- Angie Christian, COO, Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison, WV
Technology Enablement for Rural America
Five of CMS’ ten allowable use categories for RHTF funds are directly related to advancing technology for rural care. In this session, members will hear from peers who have implemented various tech solutions that move beyond hype and focus on improving access, quality, and operational efficiency in rural settings with a lens on sustainability and solving long-term problems.
Fireside Chat: Expert Insights for the Road Ahead
This fireside chat-style interview will provide deep insights on the RHTF within one specific state: the goals, funding process, priorities, and key next steps. Discussions will capture priorities, goals, and recommendations for actionable next steps for rural health executives who wish to partner with their state leaders on areas of common interest.
RHTF: Role-Based Executive Breakout Discussions
During this time, members will break out by executive type to spend time discussing issues with direct peers. Topics may include workforce alignment, financial sustainability, and/or other RHTF issues.
Facilitators: Jasmaine McClain, Jess Evora and Stephanie Bernardes, THMA
The Healthcare Management Academy (THMA)
THMA excels as a leader in bringing together rural healthcare executives to solve the most pressing challenges in the healthcare industry. Through its peer learning, research, and numerous strategic partnerships, THMA supports executive leads across the healthcare, industry, and policy ecosystems.
Fall 2026 Forum: Washington, D.C. — Policy Alignment for Rural Health Executives
This fall, the Collaborative will host a fall 2026 Forum in Washington, D.C., for the next gathering of rural hospital executives, policymakers, and industry leaders to convene to assess progress and outcomes and align on ways to continue to advance initiatives supporting the sustainability of care in rural healthcare systems and communities. More information and registration details available in spring 2026.
Our new partnership with THMA