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.

Enhancing Patient Interactions and Optimizing Point-of-Service Collections in Rural Healthcare

Effective point-of-service collections are critical for the financial health of any healthcare organization. In this training session, Darren Cook—an industry expert with over 25 years of experience—breaks down proven strategies to improve collections, enhance patient interactions, and navigate common challenges in medical billing. Learn how to boost revenue, streamline processes, and create a more sustainable financial future for your practice. Watch now to gain valuable insights and practical tips you can implement immediately. Video length: 59 minutes.

Medicare Advantage: Internal Strategies

Join representatives from Wintergreen as they discuss Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and strategies to address their challenges. Topics include the growth of MA plans, their impact on rural healthcare, administrative complexities like prior authorizations and denials, and opportunities to optimize hospital operations and revenue cycles. The discussion highlights collaboration between clinical and financial teams, robust documentation practices, and effective contract negotiations to improve reimbursement and care delivery. Don't miss the practical insights and Q&A at the end, featuring tips on clinical documentation education and navigating payer relationships. Video length: 51 minutes.