Mike joined The Center in January 2023 as a program specialist for the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) program. Today, he works across the DRCHSD program, Rural Hospital Stabilization (RHSP) program, and business development teams, serving as health care technology manager where he supports rural health care organizations through telehealth and health information technology implementation.
Growing up in rural Indiana, Mike learned early on how important local hospitals and clinics are to a community. When the hospital he was born in closed in 2018, he developed a deeper appreciation for the challenges facing rural health care and the importance of access. This belief was reinforced even more when a close family member suffered a stroke and passed away after having to seek care outside her community. With the values of independence and resourcefulness that were instilled in him growing up rural, he has dedicated his career to helping rural health care organizations implement health technology solutions in the hopes of addressing the many barriers to care that rural residents face.
Mike earned his bachelor’s in biology from Eastern Michigan University. He also earned a Certificate in public health and a master’s in public health from the University of Colorado Denver. Since then, he has held various roles focused on clinical and population health research, quality improvement, and health care technology.
To Mike, the most pressing need in rural health today is technology infrastructure and making sure that rural communities are prepared for the next generation of healthcare delivery. He knows that while many organizations are being asked to adopt systems such as telehealth, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, most still operate on aging technology platforms. Through intentional investments in electronic health records, cloud-based technologies, data and analytics platforms, and digital tools that support care delivery, rural providers will have the foundation necessary to support innovation while remaining competitive in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.
When he’s not working, you can likely find Mike at home in Lincoln, Nebraska spending time outdoors with his family, hunting, fishing, and hiking. He also enjoys working on cars and tackling hands-on mechanical projects in his garage.