2024 ICAHN Annual Conference

2:00 PM | Chancellor Ballroom

Rural Health Policy Update: A National Lens

Join the National Rural Health Association's policy leadership for an insider’s update about what’s going on in Washington, and what to expect for rural health in the coming year. Participants will learn about the recent Presidential and Congressional election impact on rural health providers and patients and how session participants can engage in rural health advocacy on behalf of their communities.

About Dr. Carrie Cochran-McClain

Dr. Carrie Cochran-McClain serves as the Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Carrie joined NRHA staff in 2020 where she is the head lobbyist for the association and is responsible driving the policy agenda for rural health for the 21,000 member organization.

Carrie has more than 20 years of experience working in federal health policy development, including leadership roles at Health Management Associates, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. In her previous positions she has focused on improving health care outcomes, promoting health equity for vulnerable populations, and advising on health care policy issues.

Carrie earned a BA in sociology from Willamette University and an MPA with a concentration in health policy and management from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She completed a doctor of public health at the UNC Gillings School with a focus on access to obstetrical care in rural areas.

2:50 PM | Chancellor Ballroom

Moving from “Meh” to Motivated – Turning Today’s Promises Into Tomorrow’s Progress

Most of us have had the experience of attending a conference and taking away a lot of great ideas to go back and implement at our organizations. We seem to struggle many times with leading those changes effectively when we are met with obstacles, resistance, and unexpected challenges. This session will inspire, inform, and instruct you on how to effectively lead those changes in your organization when you leave the conference!

About Clay Linkous

Clay currently provides coaching and/or consulting services to organizations in multiple industries. These include healthcare, insurance, real estate, construction, non-profit, retail, and the personal beauty industry. From 2021 to 2023, Clay led the VIP Service Strategy of a healthcare provider that Fortune Magazine named as a company that will change the world and Newsweek named as one of America’s Most Loved Workplaces for two years in a row. Through executive coaching, leadership skill development, change management, and system improvements, he helped ensure that the VIP Service being delivered to their patients included how they as a provider could help address the social determinants of health they face each day. This included needs outside of traditional clinical care, such as housing, transportation, food insecurity, and loneliness.

For the last 10 years, Clay continues to work with Huron Consulting Group (formerly the Studer Group) as an International Executive Coach, Speaker, and Consultant. In this role, he coached hundreds of organizations and thousands of leaders in the US, Canada, and Europe. He has coached organizations ranging as small as 15 employees and $2 Million in revenue and up to 90,000 employees and $26 Billion in revenue. Prior to his career with Huron, Clay’s early leadership background included leading both clinical and non-clinical areas of responsibility in a Level 1 Trauma Academic Medical Center.

Clay and his wife, Katie, have been married for 22 years and live outside Knoxville, TN, with their large family.

Clay & Katie are considered community leaders in the Knoxville area and are helping make the region a better place through the businesses they own, the investments they make in the community, the non-profit they founded, and the six kids they are trying their best to raise along the way. 

10:50 AM | ROOM: LINCOLN

Rural Healthcare Marketing; Short term Wins to Build Long-term Gains

Healthcare marketers in rural communities wear many hats, and as a result, are often asked to do more with fewer resources and less time. How can you keep up, let alone get ahead? We’ll discuss a variety of actionable solutions that rural healthcare marketers can implement across creative, UX, media, reporting, and more, to ensure you’re meeting the needs of your patients--and your C-Suite.

About Lindsey Brown

Lindsey Brown is the Director of Activation at Hedy & Hopp, A Healthcare Marketing Agency. In her role, Lindsey oversees all aspects of activation, from owned & paid channels and user experience, to analytics, data, and technology. Lindsey was born, raised and educated in Central Illinois and has spent the last 18 years helping marketing teams build, execute and measure holistic marketing strategies that directly impact business outcomes.

10:50 AM | ROOM: TECHNOLOGY

Rural Health Leadership: A Great Privilege and Responsibility

Understand how a leader's mindset and engagement can unlock unrealized potential for your rural hospital team.

Review strategies, tools, and tactics used for guiding industry leading operations. financial performance and health improvement.

About Toby Freier

Toby Freier is President of New Ulm Medical Center-Allina Health. Toby has been a frequent speaker across the nation on rural health transformation for the past 20 years. New Ulm Medical Center has received Top 100 CAH ten times. Healthgrades Patient Safety and Patient Experience award several years. AHA Nova award, Minnesota Hospital Association Workplace of Year. Innovation of the Year, and Community Health Improvement awards. New Ulm Medical Center is a fully integrated rural delivery system and national leader in innovation and population health. 

10:50 AM | ROOM: HONORS

Navigating the Future: Board Leadership in Charting a New Path for Rural Hospitals

This session will explore the pivotal role of hospital boards in steering the strategic direction of rural healthcare organizations amidst an evolving landscape. Board members will gain insights on how to effectively navigate their fiduciary roles to build a resilient and thriving hospital system. We will discuss key responsibilities such as recruiting the right talent, board orientation as a process, quality and financial oversight, board development, the board as a boss, and critical board documents.

About Kathy Hull, MHA

Kathy Hull has been in healthcare for almost 40 years. She started her career as a clinical lab scientist and retired as a CAH CEO in 2022. She is now the CHNA and New Services Coordinator for ICAHN. 

About Tracy Warner, CRHCEO

ICAHN Executive Director, Tracy Warner, is an experienced healthcare executive and governance subject matter expert with knowledge gained from over 30 years in association and hospital leadership roles, including leading a rural hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She began her healthcare career at the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) where she
was responsible for the initiation of policy analysis, and formulation and execution of
strategy on behalf of member hospital interests. Her responsibilities at IHA also
included association management responsibilities as a member of senior leadership.

Following her work as an advocate for Iowa hospitals, she joined UnityPoint Health-Des Moines as the director of a network of six rural hospitals under management agreements. Over the course of 14 years in that position, Tracy was a valuable
resource to rural hospital Boards and senior management on a variety of subjects including health care policy, leadership, governance, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and strategy.

Culminating her experience in governance, in 2021 Tracy founded Board Business
LLC, a consulting firm that guides rural hospital Board leadership to create efficient
and effective governance processes resulting in more time for focused strategy
discussions and optimal decision-making to impact organizational sustainability.
Tracy earned the Certified Rural Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CRHCEO)
designation from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) in 2021 after completing a ten-month curriculum addressing leadership, operations, financial and clinical modules.

Tracy grew up in the Kansas City area and moved to Iowa after graduating from the
University of Kansas. She’s an avid sports fan and actively follows the Kansas City
Chiefs, Chicago Cubs, KU basketball and Iowa State football. She and her husband,
Rick, have four kids and four grandkids

10:50 AM | ROOM: QUAD

Cyber Insurance for Healthcare: Coverage Strategies for a Secure Future

Cyber Insurance for Healthcare: Coverage Strategies for a Secure Future" explores the critical role of cyber insurance in safeguarding healthcare organizations against the escalating risks of cyber threats. This presentation will highlight essential coverage components tailored to the unique needs of the healthcare sector, ensuring protection against data breaches, ransomware, and regulatory fines.

Attendees will gain insights into how strategic cyber insurance policies can provide a robust safety net, enabling healthcare providers to maintain patient trust and operational resilience in the face of digital challenges.

About Sonyia Townsend

Sonyia Townsend is a seasoned cyber insurance broker specializing in Professional Liability and Cyber Insurance. With over 16 years of experience in the insurance industry, Sonyia has developed a deep expertise in crafting tailored insurance solutions that protect businesses from the growing complexities of cyber threats. 

Sonyia is currently employed at Arlington/Roe, a wholesale broker and Managing General Agent (MGA) based in Indianapolis, IN. Arlington/Roe partners with independent insurance agents throughout the Midwest to place insurance solutions for their clients. 

10:50 AM | ROOM: KNOWLEDGE

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Facts about Health Professional Shortage Areas and Programs Available to Address Them

This presentation will:

• Provide an overview of Health Professional Shortage Area and Medically Underserved Area/Population designations including how they are scored and which programs utilize these designations.
• Provide an overview of loan repayment programs including National Health Service Corps and programs offered through the State of Illinois for health care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas including the requirements and benefits of each program.
• Provide a brief overview of the J1 Visa Waiver Program for foreign physicians seeking to practice in the state of Illinois.

About Kandice Kent

Kandice Kent has been employed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for 7 years and currently serves as the Health Professional Resource Manager in the Center for Rural Health overseeing the Illinois State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), Underserved Health Care Professional Workforce Program (UHCPW), J1 Visa Waiver Program, and the Illinois Podiatric Medicine Scholarship Program. Kandice is the expert for IDPH in matters related to loan repayment for health care professionals in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). In addition, she also oversees the process of foreign national physicians seeking to obtain a J1 Visa Waiver to practice in a HPSA in the state of Illinois and assists in providing those who require a National Interest Waiver.

About Carla Cox

Carla Cox has been employed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the past 24 years and currently serves as the Primary Care Manager/Analyst in the Center for Rural Health, administering the federal Primary Care Office Grant for the state of Illinois. Carla serves as subject
matter expert for IDPH in matters of healthcare provider shortage designations and is responsible for the identifying, evaluating, and updating Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas/Population (MUA/P) designations within Illinois. In addition, she participates in National Health Service Corps (NHSC) activities for the recruitment and retention of loan repayors and scholars by reviewing and providing extensive technical assistance to site representatives on NHSC site new and recertification applications and responding to public inquiries pertaining to NHSC Programs.

12:45 PM | ROOM: LINCOLN

Building Strong Donor Relationships in Rural Communities

In this session, we will discuss strategies for fostering meaningful connections with donors in rural areas, where relationships are often deeply rooted and trust is critical. By prioritizing collaboration over competition, we can create a supportive network among healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and community stakeholders that enhances fundraising efforts.

Learn how building strong donor relationships can lead to more impactful fundraising outcomes and improved community health.

About Randi Bohannon, MPA, CFRE

Randi Bohannon is a dedicated executive leader with over 20 years of diverse experience across nonprofit organizations, government, and educational institutions. As the Executive Director of Horizon Health Foundation, she oversees all philanthropic efforts supporting Horizon Health's mission, including fundraising campaigns, grant management, community partnerships, and donor engagement. Since joining Horizon Health in 2021, Randi has driven significant initiatives that have supported healthcare services and strengthened community relations throughout the rural communities in and around Edgar County.

Randi's career is defined by her ability to build influential coalitions and foster collaborations with community leaders and stakeholders at all levels.

Before joining Horizon Health, she served as Director of Development at Eastern Illinois University, where she led strategic initiatives to enhance alumni engagement and philanthropic growth. Additionally, Randi was the Executive Director of the East Central Illinois Development Corporation (ECIDC), where she championed economic development across eleven counties.

Passionate about healthcare innovation in rural areas, she excels at connecting philanthropic resources with organizational needs to drive impactful change.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Randi is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and is actively involved in several local organizations. 

12:45 PM | ROOM: HONORS

Continuing the Journey: Board Member Q&A on Navigating the Future

This interactive session provides an opportunity for board members to ask questions and delve deeper into the strategic topics discussed earlier. Panelists will address key issues, share practical insights, and provide guidance on governance, leadership, and the evolving role of hospital boards in shaping the future of rural healthcare. Participants will gain valuable perspectives to enhance their effectiveness in navigating challenges and opportunities ahead.

12:45 PM | ROOM: KNOWLEDGE

Building an Integrative Medicine Program at a Rural Critical Access Hospital

Factors in designing and implementing a sustainable integrative medicine providing highly engaged and optimal outcome services in a rural health clinic (RHC) setting. Services include integrative medicine, functional medicine, lifestyle medicine where most insurances are accepted and acupuncture where most services are cash.

About Dr. John Kim

Dr. Yoon Hang "John" Kim is a leader in integrative medicine, known for developing comprehensive healthcare programs and reducing costs while improving patient outcomes. He has expertise in integrating oncology, functional medicine, and pain management, and has pioneered educational initiatives like the WellMed Acupuncture Academy. Dr. Kim is also a published author and speaker, recognized for his successful implementation of integrative medicine in healthcare settings.

About Raigan Brown, MHA, RN

Raigan Brown MHA, RN is the Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hospital. Raigan was previously the Director of Emergency, Outpatient, and Inpatient Departments at Memorial Hospital. While at Memorial Hospital, she has been a leader in the start-up of a new primary care practice, facilitated the process to obtain accreditation for six primary care practices as Patient Centered Medical Homes, and facilitated the process for three primary care practices to be accredited as Rural Health Clinics. Raigan was also a leader in the implementation of the Epic electronic medical record system.

She is passionate to continue learning about strategy, operations and the challenges and opportunities in rural healthcare. She earned her Master of Healthcare Administration degree in 2016 from Kaplan University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Iowa Wesleyan College in 2010.

About Ada Bair, MHA

Ada Bair joined Memorial Hospital in Carthage 21years ago as the CEO, bringing significant clinical and administrative experience. She received her BSN from Miami University in Ohio and her Master in Health Administration from the University of Minnesota.

A proven leader and dedicated healthcare professional focused on identifying and delivering innovative solutions that communities need. Currently responsible for an 18-bed critical access hospital, 8 clinics, a 62-apartment senior campus which includes supportive living and 2 memory care houses, and a childcare facility. Her vision has enabled Memorial to expand with a MedSpa and integrative medicine. Memorial Hospital was recognized by the National Rural Health Association as Outstanding Rural Health Organization in 2023 and has a 5 Star status with CMS.

Some activities include past president of the ICAHN Board, member of IHA Small and Rural Hospital Steering Committee, IRCCO Board, past president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and board member of Hancock County Economic Development. Identifying food insecurities, she founded Food for Thoughts of Hancock County, weekend backpack meals for children. A founding board member of the Legacy Theater Foundation. Awards include Kiwanian of the Year, Carthage Citizen of the Year, ICAHN Presidential Award and National Recipient of the Founders Award from Custom Learning Systems.

12:45 PM | ROOM: TECHNOLOGY

CAHs and Artificial Intelligence-Marketing, Medicine, and Everything in Between

Clinical Perspective: AI technologies are rapidly transforming healthcare delivery and promise to reduce the cost of care and potentially improve outcomes. For rural populations, AI can potentially reduce access barriers, for example by improving remote monitoring and readmission risk prediction. However, challenges in learning robust and reliable AI models remain as significant obstacles. 

Marketing Perspective: With the acceleration of generative AI tools for creating anything from websites, graphics/assets to writing articles, POVs, it’s important to try it out and get comfortable. However, in healthcare [marketing] it’s important that we explore these platforms with responsible curiosity. Hedy & Hopp has derived a few core tenets to guide you and developed actionable ideas for getting started.

About Dr. James Rehg

James M. Rehg is a Founder Professor in the Departments of Computer Science and Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering at UIUC, where he is the Director of the Health Care Engineering Systems Center. He received his Ph.D. from CMU in 1995 and worked at the Cambridge Research Lab of DEC (and then Compaq) from 1995-2001, where he managed the computer vision research group. He was a professor in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech from 2001-2022. He received an NSF CAREER award in 2001 and a Raytheon Faculty Fellowship from Georgia Tech in 2005. He and his students have received best student paper awards at ICML 2005, BMVC 2010 and 2022, Mobihealth 2014, and Face and Gesture 2015, and a Method of the Year Award from the journal Nature Methods. Dr. Rehg served as the Program co-Chair for ACCV 2012 and CVPR 2017 and General co-Chair for CVPR 2009. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers and holds 30 issued US patents. His research interests include computer vision, machine learning, and mobile and computational health (https://rehg.org).

Dr. Rehg was the lead PI on an NSF Expedition to develop the science and technology of Behavioral Imaging, the measurement and analysis of social and communicative behavior using multi-modal sensing, with applications to developmental conditions such as autism. He is currently the Deputy Director and TR&D1 Lead for the NIH NIBIB-funded mHealth Center for Discovery, Optimization, and Translation of Temporally-Precise Interventions (mDOT), which is developing novel on-body sensing and predictive analytics for improving health outcomes (https://mdot.md2k.org/)

About Lindsey Brown

Lindsey Brown is the Director of Activation at Hedy & Hopp, A Healthcare Marketing Agency. As the Director, Lindsey oversees all aspects of activation, from owned & paid channels and user experience, to analytics, data, and technology. Lindsey was born, raised and educated in Central Illinois and has spent the last 18 years helping marketing teams build, execute and measure holistic marketing strategies that directly impact business outcomes.

12:45 PM | ROOM: QUAD

The Values-Driven Organizational Model: Building a Thriving Culture

By embracing a Values-Driven Organizational Model and crafting impactful values, vision, and mission statements. hospital Leaders can cultivate a positive workplace culture that boosts morale and retention.

This can be accomplished through establishing a 1-1 coaching and personal and professional development program that benefits every member of your team.

About Caleb Sutton

Since joining lntegritas in 2015, Caleb Sutton's focus has been promoting the growth and development of lntegritas and our team members. Caleb's mission is to nurture a healthy, productive, and joyful work culture at lntegritas that, in turn, provides excellent service to our providers and clients.

About Tonya Odum

Tonya Odum is an accomplished professional with a rich background in higher education, business, and workforce development. Her expertise in project and administrative management is marked by strong leadership and a dedication to cultivating authentic organizational cultures that drive continuous growth and success.