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Rural Health Council

Members of the KU Medical Center community can collaborate alongside colleagues dedicated to advancing rural health.

Masonic Cancer Alliance screening event in Lyndon, KansasThe KU Medical Center Rural Health Council (RHC) is part of the multi-disciplinary and multi-sector approach from rural health partners across the medical center. The council is a broad collaborative effort at KU Medical Center supporting the Kansas Center for Rural Health in improving health disparities across Kansas. Collaboration is key to improving population health and the performance of health systems.

Members of the Rural Health Council will ensure that the focus and work of the council include the three pillars of effort at the Kansas Center for Rural Health — research, service and education. Members of the Rural Health Council will meet monthly to share information about ongoing programs and activities and to identify collaborative opportunities across KU Medical Center. Information from these meetings will be shared with the Kansas Center for Rural Health Partners, promoting collaborations and networking with others addressing rural health disparities.

The RHC is under the leadership of Lisette Jacobson, Ph.D., MPA, M.A.

Rural Health Council Committee Work

Committee Chair/Co-Chairs
Behavioral Health/Mental Health Matt Byerly, M.D. (Wichita campus), Shawna Wright, Ph.D. (Kansas City campus)
Maternal Child and Family Development Cara A. Busenhart, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, FACNM (Kansas City)
Workforce/Pathway Barb Manning (Kansas City campus), Tina Goosz-Garetson (Pittsburg)
Community Health Across the Lifespan Judy Johnston, MS, RD/LD (Wichita campus), Lauren Foster, OTD, OTR/L (Kansas City campus)
Multi-Specialty Rural Practice-Based Research Allen Greiner, M.D., Hope Krebill, MSW, BSN, RN, Ellie Brent, MPH (all Kansas City campus)
Data & Informatics Dinesh Pal I. Mudaranthakam, PhD, MBA (Kansas City campus); Rosey Zackula MAHayrettin Okut, Ph.D. (Wichita campus)

View the Rural Health Council charter (PDF)

Subscribe to become a member & receive information about the Rural Health Council

Upcoming Rural Health Council Meetings

The Rural Health Council Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Below are details for the next 3 meetings.

Medical student in Salina learns intubation from a faculty member

Join the Council

KU faculty and staff who are involved in rural health-related edcuation, research or service may be eligible to join the Rural Health Council.
Contact Us
KU School of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas Center for Rural Health
Health Education Center
138 N. Santa Fe
Salina, KS  67401
785-822-0402
kcrh@kumc.edu