Fifth Cohort Graduates from Rural Health Nurse Certification Program

[Kansas City, Mo.] – The Center for Rural Health Leadership (CRHL) graduates the fifth cohort of the Rural Health Nurse Certification Program.

CRHL was built in response to the National Rural Health Association’s initiative to address the rural hospital closure crisis by equipping rural health professionals with the knowledge and skills to lead successfully during the most difficult time in rural healthcare history. This program was created by rural nurses, for rural nurses and was informed through an essential question: “What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?”

The program includes expert-led classes and interactive live discussion sessions covering essential topics like financial overview, leadership development, patient outcomes, and more.

Congratulations to the September 2025 Rural Health Nurse Cohort:

• Amanda Favela, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita – Vinita, OK
• Andrea Brobst, North Shore Health – Grand Marais, MN
• Andrea Root, Redlands Community College – El Reno, OK
• Angela LaPointe, Care Design NY – Plattsburgh, NY
• April Barnhart, Southern Humboldt Community Health District – Garberville, CA
• Chastity R. Yazzie, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Dacia Cunejo, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Dana Vernon, Unity Medical Center – Manchester, TN
• Hannah Morgan, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita – Vinita, OK
• Jenna Pellowski, Emplify Health – La Crosse, WI
• Jill Tso, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Julie Sawyer, University of Nevada, Reno & Carson Valley Health – Gardnerville, NV
• Julie Sellmeyer, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita – Vinita, OK
• Kelli Wessel, Ascension St. Vincent Salem Hospital – Salem, IN
• Leslie Olesen, Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center – Chamberlain, SD
• Marie Riemer, Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center – Hillsboro, ND
• Melinda Culp, Saint Francis Health System – Vinita, OK
• Molly Johnson, Alice Hyde Medical Center – Malone, NY
• Nicole Lee, Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center – Hillsboro, ND
• Rachel Peterson, Lexington Regional Health Center – Lexington, NE
• Ramona Allen, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Stephanie Fugleberg, Sanford Medical Center Mayville – Mayville, ND 

“This program was built to equip rural health nurses with the skills, strategies, and support to lead through the toughest challenges facing rural healthcare today,” said Sydney Grant, Chief Learning Officer for CRHL. “It’s about more than just learning—it’s about community, confidence, and action.”

To learn more about the Center for Rural Health Leadership, visit https://www.crhleadership.com.

About the Center for Rural Health Leadership

The Center for Rural Health Leadership (CRHL) equips rural healthcare leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to create stronger, more sustainable healthcare organizations. Through specialized programs and expert-driven education, CRHL is committed to developing the next generation of rural healthcare leaders and strengthening healthcare in rural America.