Rural Spotlight Interviews

Learn about key rural health and human services issues from national, state and local experts who share their knowledge and experience.

Rural Mental Health’s Stressors, Barriers, and Protective Factors: Q&A with Dr. Dawn Morales

Dawn Morales


As Program Chief of the Office of Rural Mental Health Research, Dawn Morales, PhD, discusses recent stressors such as the financial impact of natural disasters on farmers and ranchers as well as the loss of revered elders in indigenous communities due to COVID-19. She also stresses the importance of cultural competency in mental healthcare and rural-specific protective factors.

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April 5, 2023

Philanthropy, Cross-Collaboration, and the Ecosystem That Is Rural Healthcare Delivery: Q&A with Dr. Shao-Chee Sim

Shao-Chee Sim


As vice president for research, innovation, and evaluation at Texas-based Episcopal Health Foundation, Shao-Chee Sim, PhD, discusses how philanthropic organizations can make small rural research investments — and, in particular, leverage cross-funder collaboration — that impact not only funders themselves, but also healthcare delivery systems and the rural Americans they serve.

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September 21, 2022

National Health Service Corps 50th Anniversary: Q&A with Dr. Luis Padilla

Dr. Luis Padilla


Dr. Luis Padilla, Associate Administrator for HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce and Director of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), discusses the NHSC’s 50th anniversary and the organization’s many initiatives to bring healthcare professionals to underserved communities.

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June 29, 2022

“It’s the relationships”: Q&A with Peggy Broussard Wheeler

Peggy Broussard Wheeler


Peggy Broussard Wheeler, Vice President of Policy at the California Hospital Association, discusses the challenges that the hospitals in her state and nationwide have faced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares rural hospitals’ unique strengths and the importance of collaboration and relationships.

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January 19, 2022

Understanding the “Tool-ish-ness” of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld

Dr. Jonathan Neufeld


Clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld, clarifies telehealth as an “enabler” of healthcare delivery. Emphasizing that telehealth is only a set of telecommunication tools, he details how the unique use and flexibility of these tools by skilled providers can bring quality care and impact rural health equity.

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December 8, 2021

Vaccinating Rural America: Q&A with Dr. Amanda Cohn

Amanda Cohn, MD


Amanda Cohn, MD, Chief Medical Officer on CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, shares how the CDC is providing funding, creating resources, and partnering with other organizations to increase vaccination rates in underserved communities such as rural, tribal, and communities of color.

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May 12, 2021

Asset-Based Thinking: Q&A with Graham Adams

Graham Adams


Graham Adams, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Office of Rural Health (SCORH), shares how his office is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing social determinants of health like employment.

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February 10, 2021

Listening to Rural Stories: Q&A with Alisa Druzba

Alisa Druzba


Alisa Druzba, director of the New Hampshire’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, discusses her journey to becoming a SORH director, the ways her state has been affected by the pandemic, and the favorite parts of her job.

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November 25, 2020