The Power of Rural: Then, Now, and What’s Next

On National Rural Health Day, join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for The Power of Rural: Then, Now, and What’s Next, a special panel discussion celebrating 15 years of National Rural Health Day.

Each year, the Community Stars program recognizes individuals and organizations making a difference in rural communities across the country. But their stories don’t end with recognition.

Hear from past Community Stars as they reflect on how their work has evolved, the progress they’ve made, and what they’ve learned along the way. Through real-world stories and engaging conversation, panelists will share the innovative approaches, partnerships, and lessons that have helped create lasting impact in their communities, explore what it takes to sustain and expand successful rural health initiatives, and offer their perspectives on the opportunities ahead for rural health.

Moderator

Bill Auxier, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Center for Rural Health Leadership

Dr. Bill Auxier, known as the ‘Professor of Rural Health Leadership,’ is President & CEO of Center for Rural Health Leadership. He has assisted rural health leaders across the country to become more effective leaders through training, education, and coaching.

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Cultural transformation of a rural health organization and running NRHA’s Certification Programs are key areas of focus along with other opportunities to enhance rural health leadership effectiveness. He is an award-winning best-selling author and an Institute of Coaching Professional Fellow through Harvard Medical School.

Panelists

Erika Kurtz, RN, BSN, CEN

Co-Director

Rescue Divas

Charge Nurse & Clinical Educator, Emergency Department

Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center

With nearly 30 years of nursing experience, including 26 years in the Emergency Department, Erika Kurtz brings extensive clinical expertise to emergency care education.

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She currently serves as a charge nurse and clinical educator in the Emergency Department at Tamarack Health in Ashland, Wisconsin, and as a critical care transport nurse for the Ashland Fire Department. She is also an ACLS and PALS instructor. Erika has been involved with Rescue Divas since its inception and has served as Co-Director since 2017. As the camp’s lead educator, she teaches CPR, first aid, and Stop the Bleed training while coordinating hands-on learning experiences with emergency care professionals.

Mary Zinnecker

Program Director

Rescue Divas

Information Director

Northwest Wisconsin CEP

Mary Zinnecker has worked with Northwest Wisconsin CEP since 2014, where she currently serves as Information Director.

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She has been involved with Rescue Divas since its inception and has served as Program Director since 2017. Rescue Divas, recognized as a National Rural Health Day Community Star in 2015 and 2019, introduces young women to careers in emergency medical services. Mary brings expertise in program coordination, technology, and grant writing to her work with the program.

Mellie Boagni

Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer

Arkansas Rural Health Partnership

Executive Director

Rural Health Association of Arkansas

With more than 23 years of experience in rural healthcare, community development, strategic planning, and grant development, Mellie Boagni is dedicated to strengthening rural healthcare systems and expanding access to quality, affordable care.

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Since founding the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) in 2008 with five rural hospitals, Mellie has grown the organization into a statewide healthcare network connecting rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, academic medical institutions, and community partners. Under her leadership, ARHP has secured approximately $160.8 million in grant funding to support workforce development, healthcare access, rural hospital sustainability, and innovative healthcare delivery models. Recognized as Arkansas’s 2016 Community Star, Mellie has also received numerous distinctions, including recognition as one of Fierce Healthcare’s 2025 Women of Influence and selection as a National Rural Health Association Rural Health Fellow.

John B. Waits, MD, CPE, FAAFP

CEO

Cahaba Medical Care

Program Director and DIO

Cahaba+UAB Family Medicine Residency

Dr. John B. Waits is the co-founder and CEO of Cahaba Medical Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center established in 2004 in rural Bibb County, Alabama.

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Since its founding, the organization has grown to serve nearly 47,000 patients across 30 locations throughout central Alabama, including rural communities in the state’s Black Belt region. In 2013, Dr. Waits and Dr. Lacy Smith co-founded Cahaba Family Medicine Residency, where he serves as program director and Designated Institutional Official (DIO). Dr. Waits is a practicing, board-certified Family Medicine and Obstetrics physician with a particular interest in healthcare policy and its impact on maternal and infant care, healthcare access, and care for uninsured and underinsured populations. His contributions to rural healthcare earned him recognition as Alabama’s 2017 Community Star.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this project. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $1,145,000. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.