By Sarah Harper, Senior Account Executive, FINN Partners
LinkedIn: Sarah Harper
LinkedIn: FINN Partners
“Our hospital is the only facility within 50 miles that still delivers babies.”
This statement is a common reality for many of the 46 million people living in rural America, yet hearing it firsthand stopped me in my tracks. Dawn Christian, RN, Director of Quality and Process Excellence at Wayne County Hospital shared her experiences from 30 years as a nurse in the community of Corydon, IA, a small town about 75 miles south of Des Moines.
I grew up in the Atlanta suburbs surrounded by big-box stores, grocery chains, and multiple hospitals and clinics. My view of community shifted after spending time in rural West Virginia, where both the region’s beauty and the challenges of limited healthcare access came into focus. One evening stood out when a friend with severe nut allergies had to be rushed to the ER twenty miles away through treacherous mountain roads.
This story is not unique for rural Americans, which is why maintaining local healthcare is essential to ensure strong, healthy communities.
At the TruBridge National Client Conference 2025, health leaders from across the country gathered to learn, share stories, and build connections. These providers do more than care for patients; they are champions for their communities, bringing opportunity, economic growth, and resilience directly to friends, families, and neighbors.
One of those stories comes from Boone Memorial Hospital, located in Madison, WV. Angie Christian, RN and Chief Operating Officer shared some of the ways Boone expands its reach and impact beyond the hospital walls.
The health system has made major strides in bringing economic vitality to their downtown through initiatives like a local farmer’s market to increase access to fresh food and support small businesses. Boone has also expanded its workforce significantly since 2016, growing from ~100 to 500 employees, with plans to add job opportunities for community members that graduate from the hospital’s addiction recovery program.
Another strong community leader is Burke Health, located in Waynesboro, GA, 30 miles south of Augusta. Thomas Kirkland, Director of IT and Compliance shared how his hospital became a safe haven after Hurricane Helene hit the community in fall 2024. Burke Health opened its doors, offering a free place to do laundry, charge electronics, and find comfort and camaraderie despite the devastating storm.
These stories of compassion, strength, and creativity deeply resonate with the community commitment echoed by TruBridge’s leadership. CEO, Chris Fowler kicked off the conference with the reminder that rural health systems represent the head, heart, and soul of their communities.
He reiterated that despite dreary headlines about the challenges of rural care, there are countless stories of local healthcare heroes that must be uplifted and celebrated. His session served as a reminder of the innovation that thrives when communities have the tools they need to succeed.
David Harse, General Manager of Patient Care, discussed the integral role of people in building a strong healthcare foundation where care delivery and technology work together. Harse highlighted the importance of upskilling staff as new tools and features, such as Microsoft Dragon Copilot, are integrated into clinical documentation and daily workflows.
This message was affirmed during Ronald Louks, MD and Wes Cronkite, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer’s session on AI use cases. Both experts described the need for reliable AI and the role of industry consortiums in securing safe AI development.
The Trustworthy and Responsible AI Network (TRAIN) is one example of an industry initiative that works to vet and build responsible technology. Leaders such as Microsoft and TruBridge collaborate to eliminate bias and ensure diverse data is incorporated into these models. As hospitals gain new resources to empower patient care, human touch will always be the most vital medicine.
Hundreds of rural hospital executives at TruBridge’s National Client Conference represent millions of patient stories. These leaders give voice to the needs and lived experiences of their communities and remind us all that healthy communities begin with local care.
As the conference closed, conversations with Dawn Christian, Thomas Kirkland, Angie Christian, and countless others, reminded me of that rural West Virginia town and the people who define it. Beyond healthcare challenges and innovations, these leaders demonstrate the compassion and dedication that keeps rural communities strong.