We look forward to hosting the 2nd Annual Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care
in August of 2023
in August of 2023
The annual Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care convenes some of the most exciting voices in health care including senior Administration officials, policymakers, industry experts and health system leaders to explore innovative solutions to the most pressing issues related to rural health today. The 2023 event will focus on building a more resilient workforce to strengthen rural health care for generations to come. The agenda will be curated around diverse speaker perspectives and expertise and will include moderated panel discussions and fireside chats. National media will be invited to join and cover the event in-person or via livestream.
In 2022, Sanford Health convened the inaugural Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care in Sioux Falls, SD. The hybrid event included discussions with industry experts, tech and business leaders and policymakers focused on innovative solutions for improving care access, reducing costs and closing disparities in rural and underserved areas.
Topics focused on issues related to rural health and included:
-Virtual care
-Health equity
-Innovations in technology
-Policy solutions
-Digital transformation
-Patient-centered digital health
In 2022, Sanford Health convened the inaugural Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care in Sioux Falls, SD. The hybrid event included discussions with industry experts, tech and business leaders and policymakers focused on innovative solutions for improving care access, reducing costs and closing disparities in rural and underserved areas.
Topics focused on issues related to rural health and included:
-Virtual care
-Health equity
-Innovations in technology
-Policy solutions
-Digital transformation
-Patient-centered digital health
2022 Event Recap Video
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves more than one million patients and 220,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 47 medical centers, 2,800 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 170 clinical investigators and research scientists, more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations and world clinics in 8 countries around the globe. Learn more.
2022 Speakers
Aneesh Chopra
Co-founder & President, CareJourney
Aneesh Chopra attended Johns Hopkins University and then the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. After graduate school, Aneesh worked in the private sector, and was later appointed by Governor Mark Warner to several councils and commissions. In 2009 President Obama appointed Aneesh as the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Aneesh was charged with promoting innovation to address the nation’s most urgent priorities -- from creating jobs to reducing health care costs and keeping our nation secure. Aneesh ran for the Democratic nomination for Virginia Lt. Governor in 2013. He presently serves as co-chair of the Virginia Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. He lives in Arlington with his wife Rohini Chopra and their two daughters.
Erica DeBoer, RN, MA, CCRN-K, CNL
Chief Nursing Officer, Sanford Health
Erica DeBoer serves as Sanford Health’s chief nursing officer. A member of the organization’s executive leadership team, DeBoer provides clinical expertise for Sanford Health’s work in quality, safety, research and care management. She also oversees the integration of clinical initiatives.
DeBoer has more than 20 years of experience as a front-line registered nurse, including roles in critical care, clinical leadership and education. She most recently served as Sanford Health’s senior executive director of nursing and clinical services and clinical informatics. DeBoer has also served as adjunct faculty for nursing programs at South Dakota State University and the University of Sioux Falls.
Active in several professional associations, DeBoer holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from South Dakota State University and a master’s degree in nursing from Augustana University.
DeBoer has more than 20 years of experience as a front-line registered nurse, including roles in critical care, clinical leadership and education. She most recently served as Sanford Health’s senior executive director of nursing and clinical services and clinical informatics. DeBoer has also served as adjunct faculty for nursing programs at South Dakota State University and the University of Sioux Falls.
Active in several professional associations, DeBoer holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from South Dakota State University and a master’s degree in nursing from Augustana University.
Jeremy Cauwels, MD, FACP, FHM
Chief Physician, Sanford Health
As Sanford Health's chief physician, Dr. Cauwels represents physician interests to the executive leadership team and Board of Trustees. He also chairs the quality cabinet, champions the system’s effort to become a highly reliable organization and oversees enterprise aspects of the medical staff.
Dr. Cauwels started with Sanford Health as a hospitalist in Sioux Falls in 2006, was promoted to director of the group and eventually became Sanford USD Medical Center’s chief of staff. Dr. Cauwels is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Society of Hospital Medicine.
Dr. Cauwels started with Sanford Health as a hospitalist in Sioux Falls in 2006, was promoted to director of the group and eventually became Sanford USD Medical Center’s chief of staff. Dr. Cauwels is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Society of Hospital Medicine.
Sheri Dodd
Vice President and General Manager, Medtronic Care Management Services
Sheri Dodd has over 25 years of healthcare experience spanning the pharmaceutical, medical device and public health sector.
Medtronic Care Management Services (MCMS) includes patient monitoring and care management services focused on improving clinical and economic outcomes for the complex, chronic, comorbid patient. Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies (NDT) focuses on patients with type 2 diabetes with the goal of making glucose a vital sign.
Ms. Dodd joined Medtronic in March 2010 and has served in clinical, health economics & reimbursement leadership roles. Prior to Medtronic, she spent 13 years at Johnson & Johnson and 5 years at the World Health Organization. She holds a Master's degree in Health Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics.
Medtronic Care Management Services (MCMS) includes patient monitoring and care management services focused on improving clinical and economic outcomes for the complex, chronic, comorbid patient. Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies (NDT) focuses on patients with type 2 diabetes with the goal of making glucose a vital sign.
Ms. Dodd joined Medtronic in March 2010 and has served in clinical, health economics & reimbursement leadership roles. Prior to Medtronic, she spent 13 years at Johnson & Johnson and 5 years at the World Health Organization. She holds a Master's degree in Health Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics.
Eric Larsen
President, The Advisory Board Company
Eric Larsen serves as President of The Advisory Board Company, a best practices firm dedicated to improving the performance of healthcare organizations around the world. Eric received his bachelor's degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. In addition to his work with The Advisory Board, Eric serves on the Boards of Directors of several organizations, including on the Board of Directors for Mytonomy, a patient experience cloud company; Contessa Health, a home recovery care organization that offers acute care, post-acute care, and surgical procedure services; and Somatus, a leading provider of value-based kidney care for health plans, health systems, and provider groups. Eric profiles the industry’s preeminent healthcare leaders in his published series, "Lessons from the C-Suite." To date, he has published more than 50 of these conversations, and the majority of his CEO participants are perennial members of Modern Healthcare’s "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare."
LaShawn McIver, MD, MPH
Director, CMS Office of Minority Health
Dr. LaShawn McIver joined CMS as the Director of the Office of Minority Health in 2020. She is a proven public health leader with experience in driving successful health initiatives and public policy efforts aimed at promoting health equity, improving health outcomes, increasing access to care, and promoting health system reform. Previously, Dr. McIver led Government Affairs & Advocacy (GA&A) efforts at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as its Vice President of Public Policy & Strategic Alliances and later as its Senior Vice President of all GA&A. She has also served as the inaugural HIV/AIDS fellow for the Congressional Black Caucus’ Center for Policy Analysis and Research and as a program director at the Baltimore City Health Department.
Geeta Nayyar, MD, MBA
Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Salesforce
Dr. G is Salesforce's Chief Medical Officer. She's a rheumatologist and nationally-recognized leader in health IT, bridging the divide between clinical medicine, business, and digital health. As a Board Member of the American Telemedicine Association and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, she helps steer decision-making at some of the nation’s most influential medical organizations. Her work and expertise have earned her appearances on CNN, PBS and been featured in CNBC and the Huffington Post.
Jerry Penso, MD, MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer, AMGA
Jerry Penso, M.D., M.B.A., is president and chief executive officer at AMGA (formerly the American Medical Group Association), a trade association that represents medical groups and other organized systems of care, including some of the nation’s largest, most influential integrated healthcare delivery systems.
Dr. Penso previously served as chief medical and quality officer for AMGA and president of AMGA Foundation. Under his leadership, the impact of AMGA’s quality programs grew to improve care for 26 million patients.
Prior to joining AMGA, Dr. Penso served as medical director, continuum of care for Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group (SRSMG), the largest integrated healthcare delivery system in San Diego.
Dr. Penso received his Master’s in Business Administration from San Diego State University, his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Penso previously served as chief medical and quality officer for AMGA and president of AMGA Foundation. Under his leadership, the impact of AMGA’s quality programs grew to improve care for 26 million patients.
Prior to joining AMGA, Dr. Penso served as medical director, continuum of care for Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group (SRSMG), the largest integrated healthcare delivery system in San Diego.
Dr. Penso received his Master’s in Business Administration from San Diego State University, his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
David Shulkin, MD
Executive Vice President, Strategic Advisor, Sanford Health
Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, MD, offers his expertise in health care, government, technology and public health as executive vice president and strategic advisor to Sanford Health.
Shulkin is also a director on the Sanford International Board and serves as an ambassador for Sanford Health for its many domestic and international projects.
Prior to serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Shulkin was the leader of the largest integrated health care system in the United States as the VA’s Under Secretary of Health. He has also served in CEO roles for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Temple University Hospital and the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Shulkin received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and is a board-certified internist. He completed an internship at Yale University School of Medicine and a residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center
Shulkin is also a director on the Sanford International Board and serves as an ambassador for Sanford Health for its many domestic and international projects.
Prior to serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Shulkin was the leader of the largest integrated health care system in the United States as the VA’s Under Secretary of Health. He has also served in CEO roles for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Temple University Hospital and the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Shulkin received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and is a board-certified internist. He completed an internship at Yale University School of Medicine and a residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center
Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA
Secretary, American Medical Association Board of Trustees; Professor and Chair of the Musculoskeletal Institute and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Geisinger Health System; Chief Physician Officer, Geisinger System Services
Throughout his career, Dr. Suk has been a vocal leader on public health issues, including the role and importance of organized medicine, resident work hours, social determinants of health and numerous other public health concerns.
Dr. Suk is widely sought after for his expertise in new models for health care payment and delivery, physician engagement, and leadership. In 2018, for example, he disrupted the dialogue on value-based care by developing and offering the world’s first “lifetime warranty” for total joint replacement. Dr. Suk is also one of the nation’s leading clinical voices for well-being through connections with nature, outdoor recreation and unstructured play.
Dr. Suk is widely sought after for his expertise in new models for health care payment and delivery, physician engagement, and leadership. In 2018, for example, he disrupted the dialogue on value-based care by developing and offering the world’s first “lifetime warranty” for total joint replacement. Dr. Suk is also one of the nation’s leading clinical voices for well-being through connections with nature, outdoor recreation and unstructured play.
Senator John Thune
U.S. Senator, South Dakota
For the 117th Congress, John serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and the Finance Committee. He serves as ranking member of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband and ranking member of the Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. He also serves as the Senate Republican whip, the number two position in Senate Republican leadership, and has previously served as chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009–2011 and chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2012-2018.
John and his wife Kimberley live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and they have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, and running.
John and his wife Kimberley live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and they have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, and running.
Jim Weinstein, M.D.
Senior Vice President, Microsoft Healthcare
Dr. James N. Weinstein joined Microsoft in July 2018 as Senior Vice President, Microsoft Healthcare, leading strategy, inequities and innovation. He leads several “precision population health” efforts to forge new paths to end racial and ethnic disparities. He is a pioneer in remote care delivery establishing one first telemedicine and remote sensor technologies programs. In 2015, Dr. Weinstein co-developed ImagineCare, a virtual health care system that incorporates 24/7 connectivity to manage chronic diseases outside the traditional bricks and mortar hospital-based systems.
Dr. Weinstein is the immediate past Chief Executive Officer and President of Dartmouth Health. He led national efforts in U.S. for Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM’s) and Health Equity for more than three decades. Currently he holds a Clinical Professorship in the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University, and the Dartmouth TUCK Business Schools. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and served on the organization’s Board for Population Health and Public Health Practice.
Dr. Weinstein is the immediate past Chief Executive Officer and President of Dartmouth Health. He led national efforts in U.S. for Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM’s) and Health Equity for more than three decades. Currently he holds a Clinical Professorship in the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University, and the Dartmouth TUCK Business Schools. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and served on the organization’s Board for Population Health and Public Health Practice.
2022 Media Coverage
Join us in August 2023
