Schedule at a Glance

Wednesday, August 21

8:00-9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

9:00-9:15 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Joe Ierardi, Wayne Memorial Hospital
Earl Rogers, Georgia Hospital Association

9:15-10:15 a.m. How to Keep Rural Hospitals Independent and Viable
Kevin Cook, University of Mississippi Medical Center

10:15-10:45 a.m. Break

10:45-11:45 a.m. Developing an Efficient Provider Credentialing and Enrollment Program is Key to Quicker Reimbursement
Debbie Gorenz and Joni Pompeo, New Mexico Hospital Association

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Lunch

12:45-1:15 p.m. Opioid Misuse Tool
Michael Meit, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis

1:15-2:30 p.m. Hurricane and Other Emergency Preparedness - What You Need to Know
Rhett Partin and Adrianne Feinberg, Georgia Hospital Association

2:30-3:00 p.m. Networking Break

3:00-4:00 p.m. Negativity Sucks, Leveraging Strengths and Assets to Improve Rural Health and Well-Being
Michael Meit, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis

5:00-6:30 p.m. Reception (Heavy Hors d'oeuvres)


Thursday, August 22

7:00-8:00 a.m. Breakfast

8:00-9:00 a.m. Connecting Beyond Rural
Randy Davis, NorthCrest Medical Center

9:00-9:30 a.m. Break

9:30-10:30 a.m. Managing in the 'Gap'
Mary Ellen Pratt, St. James Parish Hospital

10:30-10:45 a.m. Break

10:45-11:10 a.m. Hospital Improvement Innovation Network Update
Rhett Partin and Kathy McGowan, Georgia Hospital Association

11:10-11:30 a.m. Congressman Buddy Carter 

11:30-11:45 a.m. Georgia HEART Update

11:45 a.m.-noon Recognition of Center for Rural Health Board Members

Noon Networking Opportunities (Lunch is on your own)

9:00-10:00 p.m. Desserts and Cocktails on the Lawn - Sponsored by Gallagher/HCIR


Friday, August 23

7:00-8:00 a.m. Breakfast

8:00-9:00 a.m. Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and New Hospital Transparency Requirements
Chuck Adams and Keri Conley, Georgia Hospital Association

9:00-9:30 a.m. Break and Checkout

9:30-10:15 a.m. Federal Rural Health Update
Travis Robey, America Hospital Association

10:15-11:00 a.m. Rural Legislative Update
Sen. Dean Burke and GHA

11:00 a.m. Door Prize Drawing and Adjournment

Hotel Information
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island

Hotel room rates - $165-$213/night
For room reservations, call 912-638-3631 and ask for the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA)/Center for Rural Health (CRH) room block.

Meeting Brochure