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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250515T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250515T190000
DTSTAMP:20260604T033800
CREATED:20250418T182715Z
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UID:10000058-1747328400-1747335600@acheal.org
SUMMARY:From Strain to Strength: Transforming Rural Health Through Collaboration
DESCRIPTION:Alabama’s rural healthcare system is at a tipping point\, with over half of the state’s rural hospitals operating at a financial deficit and nearly 20 facilities at immediate risk of closure. Critical services—including labor and delivery\, inpatient care\, and chemotherapy—have been scaled back or eliminated across multiple counties\, creating dangerous care deserts. As hospitals close or convert to limited-service models\, rural residents face longer travel times for essential care\, fewer specialty services\, and worsening health outcomes. The effects are particularly severe for maternal and infant health\, chronic disease management\, and timely emergency care—placing both patients and providers under extraordinary strain. Healthcare systems across Alabama are responding with innovative models aimed at stabilizing and reimagining rural care delivery. USA Health has launched a Rural Care Program Office focused on expanding telemedicine and physician recruitment in underserved regions. UAB Health System has sustained multiple rural partnerships—most notably with Whitfield Regional Hospital and J. Paul Jones Hospital—to maintain access to oncology and inpatient services in the Black Belt. Huntsville Hospital Health System oversees a coordinated network of regional hospitals in North Alabama\, integrating operations and clinical services across facilities like Red Bay\, Marshall\, and Decatur Morgan. These collaborative initiatives reflect a growing commitment to not only keep doors open but also build a more connected\, resilient future for rural health. This panel brings together some of the state’s most experienced leaders in rural healthcare strategy\, operations\, and clinical delivery. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into the current landscape\, the real-time innovations underway\, and what’s needed next to ensure Alabama’s rural communities are not left behind. If you are involved in health system planning\, rural operations\, policy\, or strategy\, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Heavy Hors D’oeuvres will be served and Cash Bar Available \nModerator:\n\nAllison RossSenior Vice President\, Government AffairsHuntsville Hospital Health SystemAllison Ross leads Huntsville Hospital’s legislative and policy strategy at the local\, state\, and federal levels. With deep experience in healthcare advocacy\, she plays a key role in shaping policy that supports hospital sustainability and rural access to care. \n\n\nPanelists:\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam Dean\, MSHAExecutive Vice President\, Regional Hospital OperationsHuntsville Hospital Health SystemSam Dean oversees operations for Huntsville Hospital’s network of regional facilities across North Alabama. With nearly two decades of leadership experience\, he brings deep expertise in rural hospital management and health system integration. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Martin Heslin\, MD\, MSHAChief Medical and Quality OfficerUAB Health SystemDr. Martin Heslin leads clinical quality and performance improvement across UAB’s health system. A surgical oncologist with over 25 years of experience\, he has helped sustain rural care through academic partnerships and system-level innovation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nElizabeth Kirby\, MSHA\, MBAExecutive Director\, Virtual Care and Rural Initiatives USA HealthElizabeth Kirby leads USA Health’s rural health and telemedicine strategy across southwest Alabama. A former rural hospital CEO\, she is dedicated to strengthening access and building sustainable care models for underserved communities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNathan Tudor\, MBA\, FACHE\, is the Chief Executive Officer of Monroe County Hospital in Monroeville\, Alabama. With over two decades of experience in rural healthcare leadership\, he has been instrumental in revitalizing community hospitals across the South. Prior to his current role\, Tudor served as CEO of MidCoast Health System in Texas\, where he earned the Texas Hospital Association’s Pioneer Award for innovative rural health strategies. He holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MBA from the University of Tennessee \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is proudly supported by\n Coker Healthcare Consulting\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCoker is a proven partner in developing high–performing organizations so they can deliver high–quality care.
URL:https://acheal.org/event/from-strain-to-strength-transforming-rural-health-through-collaboration/
LOCATION:AC HOTEL HUNTSVILLE DOWNTOWN\, 435 Williams Ave\, Huntsville\, United States\, 35801
CATEGORIES:In Person,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://acheal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/From-Strain-to-STrength-12.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250521T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250521T190000
DTSTAMP:20260604T033800
CREATED:20250323T193804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T170659Z
UID:10000057-1747846800-1747854000@acheal.org
SUMMARY:Revenue Resilience: Safeguarding Cash flow during Mergers\, Acquisitions\, and Electronic Medical Record Transitions - NEW DATE and LOCATION!
DESCRIPTION:Birmingham’s healthcare landscape is undergoing unprecedented transformation. UAB Medicine is in the midst of a significant enterprise-wide transition from Cerner to Epic\, impacting clinical operations\, revenue cycle functions\, and cross-departmental workflows across one of Alabama’s largest health systems. Simultaneously\, UAB has expanded its footprint through the acquisition of five community hospitals\, creating both immense opportunity and complex financial and operational challenges. \nJoin healthcare executives and financial leaders from across the region for a dynamic panel discussion on how to maintain revenue integrity during periods of massive system change. Panelists will share real-world insights into monitoring cashflow\, managing payer disruption\, adapting revenue cycle strategies\, and aligning financial models during EMR transitions and post-merger integration. \nModerator: \n\n\nRyan Schultz – Associate Vice President\, Clinical Funding and Strategic Support\, UAB MedicineWith over two decades of experience in healthcare finance and operations\, Ryan leads efforts across UAB Medicine to improve organizational performance through human\, process\, and technology-focused strategies. He most recently helped redesign UAB’s clinical funding models distributing over $250 million in clinical revenue. \n\n\nPanelists: \n\nPat Wulf – Senior Vice President\, Coker GroupA nationally recognized expert in revenue cycle transformation and post-merger integration\, Pat has over 40 years of advisory experience. He has led revenue cycle and data analytics engagements for systems ranging from $25M to $15B and is a frequent speaker at HFMA and ACHE events.\n\n\n\nScott Hughes – Chief Financial Officer\, St. Vincent’s Hospital – UABAs CFO for one of UAB’s newly acquired hospitals\, Scott brings direct insight into the financial challenges and opportunities tied to hospital integration and alignment during health system expansion. \n\n\nIan Stewart – Partner\, Guidehousean Stewart is a seasoned healthcare executive with deep expertise in revenue cycle operations\, financial transformation\, and performance improvement. He currently serves as a Director in the Healthcare segment at Guidehouse (formerly Navigant)\, where he helps healthcare organizations enhance financial performance through strategic\, data-driven solutions. \n\n\nThis panel will highlight best practice strategies to minimize disruption\, preserve operational continuity\, and drive performance in the face of transformational change. \nPresented by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is proudly supported by\n Coker Healthcare Consulting\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCoker is a proven partner in developing high-performing organizations so they can deliver high-quality care.
URL:https://acheal.org/event/revenue-resilience-safeguarding-cash-flow-during-mergers-acquisitions-and-electronic-medical-record-transitions/
LOCATION:Innovation Depot – Main Event Space\, 1500 1st Ave N\, Birmingham\, AL\, 35203\, United States
CATEGORIES:In Person,Networking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://acheal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Rev-Resilience-Flyer-2-for-Event-Page-2025.05.06.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ACHE of Alabama":MAILTO:acheforum@gmail.com
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