Logo for the Ascend Rural Summit event, scheduled for September 23-24, 2024, with the theme 'Innovation for Rural Well-Being'.
A panel conversation at the Ascend Rural Summit featuring four diverse speakers seated on stage with purple curtains and floral arrangements, with an audience listening.
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2024 Program

2024 Program

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Day 1
September 23

12 p.m. Doors Open

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12:45 p.m. Opening Remarks

    • Dr. Chad Coauette, Chief Executive Officer, Sourcewell

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1 p.m. Defining Rural America: A Socio-Economic Snapshot of America's Heartland

Keynote | Amanda Weinstein, Ph.D., Director of Research, Knowledge, and Evaluation, Center on Rural Innovation

  • What is “rural America?” This opening keynote address will set the stage for the Summit by outlining the macro-level trends shaping life in rural communities. Dr. Amanda Weinstein is an esteemed economist with a particular focus on rural and agricultural communities. Through a socio-economic lens, she’ll explore the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of rural America, health, well-being, and technology, painting a comprehensive picture of what it means to be rural.

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1:50 p.m. Bridging the Gap: Rural Mental and Physical Health Challenges and Opportunities

Keynote | Dave Shideler, Chief Research Officer, Heartland Forward

  • AscendRural and Heartland Forward are publishing a landmark white paper that shines a light on the critical issues surrounding mental and physical health in rural America. In this session, Dave Shideler of Heartland Forward will preview key insights from the white paper, which examines the disproportionate barriers faced by rural citizens, including workforce shortages, limited accessibility, stigma, and gaps in health and digital literacy. By delving into these issues, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing well-being in rural communities and get a glimpse into the technologies and strategies being explored to help address these pressing issues.

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2:40 p.m. Break

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2:55 p.m. Lightning Talk | Aligning Incentives and Scaling Technology for Healthier Communities

    • Sapna Swaroop, Ph.D., Chief Solutions Officer, Homeward

  • Homeward Chief Solutions Officer Sapna Swaroop, Ph.D., will share how Homeward is transforming healthcare delivery in rural communities through partnerships with health plans and systems, aligning incentives to improve health outcomes and better support rural Americans. Learn how Homeward’s technology platform bridges care gaps by connecting  members to essential social services and local resources, fostering trust, and ensuring quality care through close collaboration with local providers — empowering rural Americans to live healthier lives.

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3:10 p.m. Rural Voices: Frontline Perspectives on Community Mental Health and Well-being

    • Dawn Espe, Executive Director, The Sowing Room (Moderator)

    • Pamela Gigi Chawla, M.D., MHA, VP Chief of General Pediatrics, Children’s Minnesota

    • Monica Kramer McConkey, Rural Mental Health Counselor/Consultant, Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, LLC

    • Julia Davick, LPCC, Mental Health Professional and Clinical Supervisor, Northern Pines Mental Health Center

  • “Rural America” is a topic of increasing research and conversation on the national stage, yet few Americans truly understand the mental health and well-being challenges facing these communities. This session will bring together a diverse group of frontline professionals who are directly engaged with the mental health crisis in rural America, exploring critical questions such as: What are the unique challenges facing farmers, ranchers, young people, and marginalized groups in rural communities? How can we foster greater social inclusion and improve access to support? How can rural healthcare leaders leverage technology to define challenges and implement solutions? Through this panel, attendees will gain a better understanding of rural realities, directly from those addressing these issues on the ground.

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4 p.m. Lightning Talk | Teaching Resilience, Building Persistence: Increasing Student Motivation, Mental Health, and Success

    • Katie Dorn, Co-Founder, EmpowerU

  • EmpowerU’s highly personalized, data-driven Tier 1 and Tier 2 solutions equip students with the skills they need to be mentally resilient, self-directed learners and reach their goals. In this session, Co-founder Katie Dorn will discuss EmpowerU’s proprietary technology platform, which combines online lessons with robust embedded coaching. She’ll explore how EmpowerU can help expand school districts’ capacity to meet the urgent need to support student well-being and mental health, sharing proven results across attendance, grades, and engagement.

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4:15 p.m. Innovating for Impact: New Frontiers in Rural Healthcare 

    • R. Brent Wright, M.D., Vice-chair for Rural Health, Associate Dean for Rural Health Innovation, University of Louisville (Moderator)

    • Maria Rodriguez Alcala, Ph.D., Director, Health & Wellness, Heartland Forward 

    • Rachelle H. Schultz, Ed.D., President/CEO, Winona Health 

    • Laura Murray, Ph.D., CEO/Founder, CETA Global Inc, and Senior Scientist, Johns Hopkins School Public Health

  • Today's deepening gap between urban and rural economies and innovation ecosystems is having a massive impact on healthcare delivery in rural America. As we grapple with this shifting landscape, rural communities need new approaches to mental health and well-being that address their unique experiences. How are the investment community, private companies, philanthropy, academia, and think tanks confronting this challenge? What investments are being made in new data models, digitally-led solutions, and innovative approaches to improve access to quality care? This session will bring together some of the key players to share their learnings from decades of experience in rural settings, all powered by a common goal of shifting the trajectory of rural mental health and well-being.

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5:05 p.m. Closing remarks

    • Aynsley Deluce, Summit Director

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5:10 p.m. Networking reception

  • Day 1 will wrap up with a networking reception. Chat with other attendees and enjoy snacks, soft drinks, wine, beer, and cocktails on site at The Grand 1858. 

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Day 2
September 24

8:30 a.m. Doors Open

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9:20 a.m. Opening Remarks

    • Bob Seward, VP Solution Development and Innovation, Sourcewell

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9:30 a.m. From Struggle to Growth: Strategies to Advance Mental Health for Rural First Responders

Keynote | Joe Wood, Vice President of Strategy and Operations, Boulder Crest Foundation

    • Derrick Edwards, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, Tennessee Tech University 

    • James Small, Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager, Wisconsin Office of Rural Health

    • Dr. Rick Holton, Supervisor and Manager of Training Specialists, City of Miami Police Department

  • In a keynote address, Joe Wood of Boulder Crest Foundation will share his experiences as a combat veteran and well-being advocate for military personnel, veterans, and first responders. Alongside his personal mental health journey, he’ll share insights from the Struggle Well program, which focuses on “post-traumatic growth” and the tools that can help first responders move from resilience to growth.

    Following the keynote, Wood will be joined by a group of first responders in a panel discussion to explore such questions as: How does the culture of first responder communities influence their willingness to seek help? Given the critical shortage of trained, culturally-competent rural clinicians, how can first responder communities support each other? How are technology-led solutions bridging some of these gaps? Through rich, honest discussions, this session aims to highlight the tools and solutions that are working, and what can we learn from them.

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10:40 a.m. Break

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11 a.m. Lightning Talk | Cybersecurity Considerations for Mental Health Services in Rural Communities

    • Laura Kreofsky, MHA, MBA, Director, Rural Health, Microsoft

    • Jim Roeder, Vice President of IT, Lakewood Health System

  • In rural communities, mental health services face unique cybersecurity challenges that can significantly impact patient care and data security. This session will explore how the increasing reliance on digital health records and telehealth services exposes sensitive patient information to cyber threats. It will also examine how limited resources and infrastructure in rural areas can exacerbate these risks, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. The speakers will provide best practices for hospital leaders to prevent unauthorized data access and discuss ways to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, including HIPAA, SAMHSA, and the Cures Act, to protect both institutional integrity and patient mental health. 

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11:15 p.m. Enhancing Mental Health Prevention in Rural Areas Through Mental Hygiene and Metabolic Health

Keynote | Zak Williams, CEO, PYM Health

  • In this keynote, Zak Williams of Prepare Your Mind will explore the link between mental hygiene and metabolic health, focusing on specific strategies that can be effective in rural communities. Drawing inspiration from his personal mental health journey and the experience of losing his father, Robin Williams, to suicide, Zak will discuss the science behind the connections between diet, sleep, stress, physical activity, and mental well-being. He’ll also share case studies of successful community-based and technology-led approaches to integrated care, offering attendees practical guidance and a fresh perspective on the relationship between body and mind.

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12:10 p.m. Lunch

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1 p.m. Rural Technology for Rural Realities: Approaches to Thoughtful Implementation

    • Jim Roeder, Vice President of IT, Lakewood Health System (Moderator)

    • Laura Kreofsky, MHA, MBA, Director, Rural Health, Microsoft

    • Mary Grove,Managing Partner, Bread & Butter Ventures

    • Engers Fernandez, M.D., MBA, MHILS, Chief Innovation Officer, NXT

  • The transformative potential of technology in mental health and well-being is widely acknowledged, yet new technologies are rarely developed with rural communities in mind. In this session, panelists will address key questions such as: What needs to happen for new technologies to be successfully implemented in rural contexts? What do funders, founders, innovators, and companies need to understand about rural life to effectively adapt their mental health and well-being innovations? What are the risks of introducing tech solutions to rural communities without proper buy-in? Through an engaging discussion, we’ll examine how intentional approaches to technological implementation can tackle challenges like workforce shortages, geographic isolation, and health literacy.

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1:50 p.m. Lightning Talk & Wellness Activity | Cultivating Lifetime Wellness in Rural Communities

    • Duncan Addison, Co-Founder, Wellnify.ai

    • Travis McDonough, Founder & CEO, Wellnify.ai

    • Robert Smith, Chairman, Fan Huddle

  • Wellnify.ai is a wellness platform on a mission to build healthier communities by improving mental and physical health. Through the power of artificial intelligence, gamification, and behavioral science, Wellnify.ai helps turn community members into wellness participants, cultivating healthy habits that can last a lifetime. In this session, Wellnify.ai will share key lessons from its rural pilot programs and offer a sneak peek into some of the exciting initiatives they have on the horizon. As part of the presentation, Minnesota Vikings legend Robert Smith will lead Summit attendees through a wellness activity based on the Wellnify.ai platform.

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2:10 p.m. Thriving Futures: Transforming Mental Health for Rural Youth Through Innovation

    • Joshua Stein, M.D., Physician, Psychiatric Assistance Line, PrairieCare (Moderator)

    • Dr. Cierra Gromoff, CEO, Co-founder, Kismet Health 

    • Nick Woods, Co-Founder & Chief Technologist, Hazel Health 

    • Barbara Skodje-Mack, Ed.D., LMFT, Director, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, CentraCare

  • The youth mental health crisis in the United States is well documented, and rural young people face even greater challenges in accessing quality support compared with their urban counterparts. At the same time, technology is revolutionizing support options for a wide range of mental health needs. This panel will explore questions like: How do the experiences of rural youth differ from urban and suburban youth? In what ways does technology exacerbate youth mental health issues, and in what ways can it be supportive? How can technology improve mental well-being and resilience in schools and in the home? We’ll hear from clinical and technology leaders about the importance of understanding and engaging with the unique experiences of rural youth when designing and implementing new technologies, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to thrive.

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2:55 p.m. The AscendRural Innovation Challenge Launch

    • Bob Seward, VP Solution Development and Innovation, Sourcewell 

    • Taylor McPartland, CEO, Scale Health  

    • Shelli Baltman, President and Founding Partner, The Idea Suite

  • Sourcewell, through its AscendRural program, is partnering with ScaleHealth to launch the inaugural Innovation Challenge at this year’s Summit. In this session, we’ll unveil the details of the first Challenge and issue a call to action for innovators and technology leaders to submit proposals for new technology-led solutions that support rural mental health and well-being. Selected Challenge participants will be announced at the end of 2024 and will have the opportunity to pilot their technology solutions with a local community partner in Region Five of central Minnesota. The budget for these pilots is up to $150,000, alongside incremental funding for the local partner.

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3:35 p.m. Break

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3:50 p.m. Lightning Talk | Digital Therapeutics: Closing the Gap in Rural Mental Health Care 

    • Belinda Carrasco, Ph.D., U.S. Clinical Director, Koa Health

  • In this lightning session, Dr. Belinda Carrasco will shed light on digital therapeutics and how they can improve access to quality mental health care in rural communities. Dr. Carrasco will highlight recent studies that show how digital therapeutics can improve outcomes in shorter times than traditional teletherapy. Finally, she’ll explain how digital enablers can help close the gap in rural mental health care by supporting patients in between sessions and streamlining processes for care providers.

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4:05 p.m. Connecting Rural America: Innovative Approaches to the Crisis of Broadband Access 

    • TJ Kennedy, Founder, The Public Safety Network (Moderator)

    • James Mitchell, Managing Director, Obelisk Associates

    • Santo Cruz, Senior VP & Chief Legal Officer, CentraCare

    • Tina May, VP, Rural Services and Chief of Staff to the CEO, Land O'Lakes, Inc.

  • Over 20 million Americans lack fundamental access to broadband and fixed internet connections today. While dozens of programs are seeking to close the digital divide, it’s clear that government entities cannot solve this problem alone. On this panel, we’ll explore creative methods to tackle last-mile connectivity and discuss incentives to encourage more meaningful industry participation, answering such questions as: How have government agencies attempted to solve this problem, and how can public-private partnerships fill critical gaps? How do race, geography, and socioeconomic factors influence broadband access? What health and well-being benefits can rural communities gain with greater access? This panel will provide deep insight into an often-overlooked yet essential topic that significantly affects the health and well-being of much of rural America.

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4:50 p.m. Closing Remarks

    • Bob Seward, VP Solution Development and Innovation, Sourcewell