Second Cohort Launches from Rural Health Clinic Leader Certification Program

 [Kansas City, Mo.] – The Center for Rural Health Leadership (CRHL) launches the second cohort of the Rural Health Clinic Leader 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 health clinic leaders, for rural health clinic leaders 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 management, clinic operations, regulatory compliance, leadership development, quality, and more.

The following individuals were accepted into the July 2026 RHC Leader Cohort:

• Amanda Costabile, Cogdell Family Clinic – Snyder, TX
• Berkley Roberts, Tipton Medical Clinic and Pixley Medical Clinic – Tipton, CA
• Beth Humphries, William Bee Ririe Hospital and Rural Health Clinic – Ely, NV
• Charlene Hancock, Arbor Health – Morton, WA
• Christina Harvill, Columbia Basin Family Medicine – Ephrata, WA
• Deja Papillion, Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center – Liberty, TX
• Gina Smock, Rice Medical Center & Associates – Eagle Lake, TX
• Heidi Mathews, Jefferson Healthcare – Port Ludlow, WA
• Jacque Jacobsen, Belleville Medical Clinic – Belleville, KA
• Jean Ann Street, Shortgrass Community Health Center – Hollis, OK
• Kim Kelley, Weiser Memorial Family Medical Center – Weiser, ID
• Kim Cody, Glendive Medical Center Gabert Clinic – Glendive, MT
• Lucas Thompson, Box Butte General Hospital – Alliance, NE
• Lydia Ben-Halkini, Nahata'Dziil Healthcare Clinic – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Paisley Burleson, Coal County General Hospital RHCs – Coalgate, OK
• Payton Dittmann, Astera Health – Astera, WA
• Penny Black, LifeCare Clinics of Roseau, Warroad, and Greenbush, MN
• Pravin Shende, Fall River Health Services – Hot Springs, SD
• Sherri Blair, Virginia Rural Health Association – Blacksburg, VA
• Sirena Allmon, Crane Rural Health Clinic – Crane, TX
• Stacey Raven, Beaver County Memorial Hospital – Beaver, OK
• Sydney Acosta, Haskell Rural Health Clinic – Haskell, TX
• Tabetha Gaydeski, Forks Community Hospital RHCs – Forks, WA
• Tawna Duncan, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center – Libby, MT
• Teshina Cody, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital – Fort Defiance, AZ
• Tiffany Slaydon, Fast Pace Health – Merryville, LA

“This program was built to equip rural health clinic leaders 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.