News and Announcements
2021 ICAHN Rural Health Fellows Project Development

The inaugural class of the ICAHN Rural Health Fellowship began its eight-month leadership journey at a live, socially distanced event kick-off on October 28 in Springfield. The Rural Health Fellowship is designed for up-and-coming critical access hospital leaders. The experience covers four main pillars:
- Rural health
- Leadership
- Operations
- Finance
Fellows participate in online learning, a service project, and a book club with the goal of developing confident leaders who are equipped with the skills needed to lead in a rural community. Project development is one of the key aspects of the ICAHN Rural Health Fellowship. Acquiring the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully take an idea and grow it into a project that will benefit rural healthcare is an important skill that 2020-2021 ICAHN Fellows have gained.
It is with pleasure we share the projects from the inaugural class of the Rural Health Fellowship, who will graduate on May 5.
Raigan Brown Outpatient Nursing Services
Harold Calderon Department KPI Project
Kim Calvert Business Intelligence for a Critical Access Hospital
Susan Chenoweth Leadership Onboarding and Resource Guide
Deepa Dummi
Erin Frank Using CRM in a Rural Hospital
E. David Harrison Integrated Behavioral Health Expansion Project
Emily Hendrickson/Stephanie Meyers Expanding Mental Health Services in Rural Healthcare
Andrew Kleinschmidt Improving Outpatient Arrival Rates
Arica Schmidt CQI-Lean with a Twist of Just Culture
Lacey Stults Marshall Specialty Clinic
Joe Whitson Cross Department Mentorship Program
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About ICAHN
The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) advances the strength, sustainability, and transformation of Illinois’ rural hospitals through collaboration, advocacy, and shared solutions that improve performance and community health. Representing Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ICAHN is a nationally recognized rural health leader supporting sustainable hospitals, strong communities, and a healthier rural Illinois—Better Together.
