CAH Virtual Conference
Sixth-Annual CAH Conference
Stroudwater’s virtual conference was created to equip Critical Access Hospital leaders with the strategies, tools, and insights they need to thrive—not just survive. Now in its sixth year, this event brings together clinical, financial, operational, and strategic best practices and real-world case studies from Critical Access Hospitals.
Our team of rural healthcare experts shares down-to-earth, actionable guidance rooted in decades of experience working with hundreds of hospitals nationwide. We’re driven by a deep belief that every rural community deserves access to high-quality, sustainable care.
This no-cost conference supports that mission by offering practical, high-impact solutions that help hospitals adapt, grow, and meet the moment with confidence.
Agenda
Week 1
Tuesday
June 9th
Keynote: Building the Rural Workforce of the Future
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Benjamin Anderson, MBA, MHCDS
CAH Strategic Risk: Moving from Vulnerability to Sustainability
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Jeff Sommer, MPP
The Future of Rural Healthcare: Strategies for Success
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Eric Shell, CPA, MBA
John Downes, MBA, LEED, AP
Wednesday
June 10th
Service Line Development Best Practices: Grounding Growth in Financial and Operational Realities
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Wade Gallon, CPA, FHFMA
Cameron Smith, MBA, CPHQ
From Gap to Growth: How One Hospital Built a Swing Bed Program to Improve Care Delivery
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Lindsay Corcoran, MHA
Leveraging RHC Flexibility to Expand Specialty Services: Financial, Operational & Strategic Considerations
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Amy Graham, MBA, CRHCP
Wade Gallon, CPA, FHFMA
Thursday
June 11th
Performance Improvement and Strategic Options: Success Factors that Expand Opportunities
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Wade Gallon, CPA, FHFMA
Clare Kelley, MPH
Practice Management in Rural Settings: High-Impact Fixes for Immediate Improvement
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Shad Ritchie, MHA, FACMPE, CRHCP
Megan Hazelton, MS-HCM
Survey Readiness: Reducing Regulatory Risk and Strengthening Organizational Confidence
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Carla Brock Wilber, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CATC, CPHQ
Christie Bishop, MSN, RN
CAH Financial & Operational Best Practices: The High-Impact Levers That Move the Needle
2:00 PM EDT – 3:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Eric Shell, CPA, MBA
Daniel Given, CPA, CHFP
Week 2
Tuesday
June 16th
From Data to Dollars: Using Rural Health Data to Strengthen Grants, Advocacy, and Transformation Planning
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Keith Bubblo
The Succession Gap: Protecting Revenue and Services in an Aging Medical Staff
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Clare Kelley, MPH
Crafting Compelling Grants in a Competitive Landscape
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Jolene Robichaud
Wednesday
June 17th
Planning for the Future: Evaluating Rural Facility Needs Through a Strategic and Financial Lens
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenter
John Downes, MBA, LEED, AP
From Nice-to-Have to Need-to-Have: The Evolving Role of Strategic Partnerships for CAHs
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Jeff Sommer, MPP
Zachary D’Argonne, LCSW
Twenty-Five Years of Progress: Evidence-Based Strategies for Rural Hospital Replacement
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenter
Brian Haapala, MHSA
Protect Your Value: Positioning Rural Hospitals for Stronger Partnerships
2:00 PM EDT – 3:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Jeff Sommer, MPP
Clare Kelley, MPH
Thursday
June 18th
FMV Under the Microscope: Protecting Your Hospital in a $6.5B Enforcement Environment
11:00 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Shad Ritchie, MHA, FACMPE, CRHCP
Megan Hazelton, MS-HCM
Strengthening Revenue Cycle Performance: Aligning Internal Teams and External Partners to Drive Financial Performance
12:00 PM EDT – 1:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Amy Graham, MBA, CRHCP
Ryan Breneman, DBA
The Rural Provider Dashboard: Aligning Performance Across Your Organization
1:00 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT
Presenters
Paula Knowlton
