AI in Rural Health: Data, insights, and discussion on AI's growing role in rural hospital operations

How are urban and rural hospitals adopting and using artificial intelligence? And what factors are shaping AI adoption in rural hospitals?

In this recorded webinar, Dr. Brian Whitacre, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, shares recent data on AI adoption, use, and evaluation across hospitals—including a real-world case study of AI in action, followed by an engaging Q&A and discussion with participants.

In this webinar:

• New insights into AI adoption in urban and rural hospitals
•  Key factors influencing AI adoption in rural communities
• A real-world AI case study
• Audience discussion and Q&A

Watch to learn what the data is telling us about the future of AI in rural healthcare.

Video length: 40 minutes.

Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals in Oklahoma, September 2026

Click the image below to open the map as a PDF document.

Cybersecurity & AI Resources for Rural Resiliency from Microsoft

Join Laura Kreofsky from Microsoft Philanthropies, who leads efforts in rural health resiliency. Laura outlines Microsoft’s initiatives to help rural hospitals strengthen cybersecurity and adopt practical AI solutions. The cybersecurity program includes free risk assessments, staff training, and nonprofit pricing for software and services. Laura also highlights the Rural Health AI Lab, developing tools like a Denials Navigator to streamline billing processes, and announces upcoming partnerships like discounted Starlink satellite services. She encourages rural healthcare professionals to take advantage of Microsoft’s educational webinars, AI training navigator, and networking through the rural health community. Video length: 30 minutes.

2023 National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has recently updated its Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties. This update reflects changes in population, development, and community characteristics over the past decade. Below the map, you will find a table listing the 11 counties in Oklahoma that changed classification between 2013 and 2023.

Click the image to open the map as a PDF document.

County	2023 Classification	2013 Classification
Creek County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Garfield County	Small metro	Micropolitan
Le Flore County	Noncore	Medium metro
Okmulgee County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Osage County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Pawnee County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Rogers County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Sequoyah County	Small metro	Medium metro
Tulsa County	Large central metro	Medium metro
Wagoner County	Large fringe metro	Medium metro
Washita County	Micropolitan	Noncore

Critical Access Hospital Case Study on Recruitment & Retention

In this webinar, Rob Bloom from Wintergreen and Rich Duvall, CEO of North Star Health Alliance, explore innovative strategies to improve recruitment and retention in rural hospitals through a real-world case study focused on employee benefits. They detail how transitioning from a fully insured to a self-funded health plan can create significant cost savings, which can then be reinvested into workforce incentives like increased time off, retirement benefits, and even zero-premium health insurance. The discussion emphasizes the value of aligning HR strategy with organizational goals to build a stronger, more competitive rural health care workforce. Video length: 41 minutes.

Oklahoma Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Access Program (OKCAPMAP)

Join Christina Brandt and Dr. Sarah Coffey from the OSU Center for Health Sciences as they introduce the Oklahoma Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Access Program (OKCAPMAP). This webinar addresses the statewide need for pediatric mental health services, highlights statistics on youth suicide rates in Oklahoma, and discusses how OKCAPMAP supports primary care providers with psychiatric consultation, medication guidance, and referral resources. Learn about ADHD diagnosis and treatment, crisis response, and how OKCAPMAP is bridging gaps in child mental health care. Video length: 59 minutes

Employee Investment Benchmarks

Join Rob Bloom and Brett Shippee as they dive into employee investment benchmarks and strategies to become the employer of choice in today’s competitive job market. This webinar explores key recruitment and retention challenges across various clinical, IT, and finance roles while offering data-driven insights into compensation, benefits, PTO, student loan forgiveness, and deferred compensation. Learn how strategic investments in health insurance and retirement plans can help rural healthcare facilities attract and retain top talent. Stay tuned for part two on March 12th, where we'll look deeper into healthcare cost-saving strategies. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights! Video length: 34 minutes.