NARHC 2024-2026 Board of Director Candidates
There are 12 candidates in this year's NARHC Board of Directors election with 1 incumbent. This term election there are a total of 3 seats up for election. Please take a moment to review the candidates bio or, if available, watch their campaign video.
If Available, Click on the Candidates Names to Watch Their Video Message... VOTE HERE
Aubrey is the Revenue Cycle Manager and Chronic Care Management Program Director at Pillow Clinic, an Independent Rural Health Clinic in Helena, Arkansas. She has over seven years of experience in healthcare finance and Chronic Care Management Services. Aubrey is an alum of Louisiana Tech University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. While the bulk of her experience comes from working in a Rural Health Clinic, she got her start in healthcare finance by working at Pafford Emergency Medical Services while attending college in Ruston, LA. Directly after graduation, she started at Pillow Clinic as a billing clerk where she quickly worked her way into the Billing Manager Position. Within her first year working in a Rural Health Clinic, she became a Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional who dedicates her time to leading and implementing change at Pillow Clinic. In June of 2019, Aubrey implemented a Chronic Care Management Program and her team serviced 37 patients. Since implementation, her team has grown the program to consistently serve at least 1,000 patients per month. Chronic Care Management is one of Aubrey's passions and she loves to answer questions or consultations! Aubrey and her husband, Dylan, live in Avilla, Arkansas with their three Labradors. Together they enjoy waterfowl hunting and watching their Labradors compete in Hunting Retriever Champion Hunt Tests but when the weather sends the duo indoors, they enjoy entertaining and cooking for their friends.
Aubrey Haynes, BS Business Management, CRHCP
Director of Revenue Cycle, Pillow Clinic, 101 Shirley Hicks Dr., Helena, AR 72342
ahaynes@pillowclinic.net
Cassie has operated as the Rural Health Clinic Manager for Springfield Clinic, out of Springfield, Illinois since 2019. In her role, she oversees the RHC compliance, cost reporting, and RHC billing for 15, soon to be 16, RHCs across Central Illinois. She has worked in and with Rural Health Clinics for over 25 years, serving in multiple different roles and has been in various management roles over the past 17 years. She has served on the both the Illinois Rural Health Association Board of and the NARHC Education Committee since 2021. Through her years of experience in healthcare and Rural Health, she serves as a trusted resource for her organization and many other colleagues throughout the Rural Health community. Cassie realized early on in her career that she could not see herself anywhere other than working in health care and most specifically rural health care. Since then, she has strived to learn and understand all facets of the rural health care business. She was of the first 200 to complete NARHC’s Certified RHC Professional course. Cassie loves to educate others on rural health and has worked hard in her current role to educate providers, managers, clinical staff, and other front-line staff throughout her organization on what it means to be an RHC and how it relates to their individual role in the organization. Through her involvement in NARHC, she hopes to spread her knowledge and love for RHCs to others outside her organization.
Cassie Beesley, CRHCP
Rural Health Clinic Manager, Springfield Clinic, LLP, 1025 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703
cbeesley@springfieldclinic.org
Chastity is the Senior Director of Non-Clinical Services and Rural Health at Graham Health System. Over the past 19 years, she has served in multiple progressively increasing leadership roles in their Multi-Specialty Clinics and Acute Care Hospital Business, Scheduling and Registration Offices. She oversees operations and directs clerical staff for multi-specialty physicians and mid-level providers in 5 different locations. With her most recent role in Rural Health, she is responsible for RHC compliance and staff education. In addition, she is in the process of preparing for certification with the upcoming openings of 3 additional satellite clinics.Chastity volunteers and devotes a considerable amount of time within her community. She served as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce for 5 years and was awarded the Chamber Ambassador of the Year as recognition for implementing a recruitment and retention program to attract and retain new ambassadors. She has served on the Canton YWCA USA Board for 9 years and has held the positions of Board Treasurer and most currently as Board President. She is also serving on the Canton United Way Board where she is Board President. By utilizing our community needs assessment, we are able to identify the needs of our community and those we serve. By combining our efforts, we truly are able to make a difference in our community.
Chastity graduated with her Associates degree in Arts and Science from Spoon River College where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She later obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Management and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Business Administration. She was in the first class to receive the CRHCP certification in March of 2018. Chastity’s dedication and passion is leading, giving back to those she serves and making a difference in the lives of others. Serving on the National Board of Rural Health would be an honor and a privilege to serve alongside a team of professionals who are advocates for Rural Health Clinics. She would greatly appreciate your support to serve on the National Rural Health Board of Directors.
Chastity Swope, CRHCP
Senior Director of Non-Clinical Services and Rural Health, Graham Health System, 180 S. Main St., Canton, IL 61520
cswope@grahamhospital.org
Corina "Cori" Friedrich, CRHCP
Cori is the Practice Manager of several rural health clinics in Indiana and Illinois for Union Health. She began her rural health career as a biller at the Clay City Center for Family Medicine, the first certified RHC in Indiana to serve the public. Cori has been instrumental in developing and integrating numerous innovations including behavioral health, optometry, telehealth, as well as being part of a rural training track to better meet the needs of the 878 residents of Clay City. In addition, Cori has led new certifications and change of ownership processes for other clinics. Cori has been with Union Health for over 24 years. Her passion continues to be for helping people in her community and encouraging her staff to join her in community events such as the health fair and other rural community gatherings.
Corina Friedrich, CRHCP
Practice Manager, Clay City Center for Family Medicine, 315 Lankford, St., Clay City, IN 47841
cfriedrich@uhhg.org
Donna is the Office Manager over OLOLPG Riverside Family Medicine, an independent RHC and Assumption Primary Care, a provider based RHC in Louisiana. Donna is responsible for oversight of compliance with RHC rules and regulations for 3 Rural Health Clinics that are owned by Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group out of Louisiana. Donna has served on the Louisiana Rural Health Association Board of Directors for the last 3 years. Donna has 18 years’ experience in Rural Health operations and was part of the first group that took and passed the NARHC’s Certified RHC Professional course.
Donna Felder, CPC, CRHCP
Office Manager, OLOLPG Riverside Family Medicine, 18740 Hwy 22, Maurepas, LA 70449
donna.felder@fmolhs.org
Elliot Myers, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Elliot is the clinic administrator for two independent NARHC member rural health clinics in Louisiana, St. Landry Family Healthcare in Washington, Louisiana, and Harmon Medical Clinic in Opelousas, Louisiana. Elliot has opened and successfully operated three rural health clinics since starting his family practice in 2014. He is also the clinic administrator and operator for a third non rural health clinic. His service area includes rural areas in south central Louisiana. In addition, he has opened a behavioral health clinic in those rural health clinics. Elliot has operated and practiced as a family nurse practitioner in rural health since 2014 and as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2022. He has worked in rural health since he has graduated as a nurse practitioner in 2013 and has over 10 years of experience in rural health. He is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and psychiatric nurse practitioner and has also obtained his doctorate in nursing practice in 2020. He also published his dissertation titled “The Development and Evaluation of an Informational Repository to Assist Family Nurse Practitioners with the Establishment of Primary Care Clinics in Rural Areas.” In addition, he received the 2023 Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award from the Louisiana Board of Nurse Practitioners. He also received in June from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners the Louisiana Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence. Elliot has spent his whole career working in rural health operating clinics while also practicing as a clinician that has provided a unique administrative and clinician skill set that can assist in giving a unique perspective in rural health.
Elliot Myers, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Clinic Administrator/Nurse Practitioner, St. Landry Family Healthcare/Harmon Medical Clinic, 536 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Washington, LA 70589
elliot.myers@lhcgroup.com
Ivan Jara, CRHCP
Ivan Jara currently serves as the Director of Outpatient Clinics at Kaweah Health, a level 2 trauma center with over 500 beds and the largest district hospital in California. Ivan is responsible for five provider based NARHC member rural health clinics, two urgent cares, and three commercial medical offices in various cities within Tulare County, California. With over 12 years of outpatient care experience, Ivan’s goal is to support high-quality access to care for patients living in medically underserved areas.
Born in California’s Central Valley, Ivan began his journey in healthcare as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2010 at a rural health clinic in Dinuba, California under Adventist Health where he provided direct care to patients of various demographics and backgrounds. Ivan had the privilege of caring for pediatric, women’s health, family medicine, and specialty care patients during his time as a nurse in Dinuba.
Five years later, Ivan accepted an opportunity as Practice Administrator of a multi-specialty rural health clinic, supporting multiple primary care providers and specialists including a large support team. During this time, Ivan found his passion for leadership and developed a desire for growth and development in outpatient care. As his passion for leadership grew, so did the opportunities for growth. At the end of 2016, Ivan accepted his first directorship with Adventist Health supporting a complex set of rural health clinic service lines in the heart of Hanford, California where he spent his next 4 years. During his tenure, Ivan was responsible for providing director level leadership to Behavioral Health, Dental, Chronic Disease Management, Primary Care, Pediatric, Adult Specialty, Comprehensive Women’s Health, Graduated Medical Education Family Medicine, Urgent Care, and Centralized services. He also focused on improving the quality of care of patients served and maintained a highly engaged workforce, including providers. In 2020,
Ivan accepted a position at Kaweah Health where he continues to work. During his time at Kaweah, Ivan has expanded his scope in the outpatient space focusing on business development, physician and advanced practice provider recruitment, medical group partnerships, contract negotiations, and implementing new clinics and service lines.
Ivan graduated from San Joaquin Valley College in 2010 where he received his Associate of Science degree in Nursing and passed his nursing board exam to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. In May of 2022, Ivan graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Governors University.
Having grown up in Tulare County, Ivan’s passion for healthcare is driven by his desire to help his community. Ivan was born at Kaweah Health and raised in Farmersville, California. In 2010, he married his beautiful wife Crystal and moved to Visalia, California where they currently reside. Both Ivan and his wife serve as healthcare leaders. They enjoy spending their free time with their 2 dogs, camping, and traveling.
Ivan Jara, CRHCP
Director of Outpatient Clinics, Kaweah Delta Exeter Health RHCs, 1633 S. Court St., Visalia, CA 93277
ijara@kaweahhealth.org
Jonathan Pantenburg, MHA
Jonathan Pantenburg is a nationally recognized healthcare management consultant who advises non-profit, profit, and governmental entities through complex issues including financial analysis, provider alignment and designations, cost reduction, mergers and acquisitions, provider contracting, and operational improvement. Jonathan co-founded Wintergreen and serves as a Principal at Wintergreen, a Maine-based consulting firm focused on rural and community healthcare providers.
For his practice, hospital, and health system clients, Jonathan quantifies opportunities to improve financial and operational performance. In addition, he regularly contributes to thought leadership to advance the agenda for rural and community healthcare providers. Recently, Jonathan completed and presented a national study, in addition to state-specific impact analyses, on the impact of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 on Rural Health Clinic reimbursement. In addition, he has worked with RHCs across the country to improve performance under the new upper payment limits.
Prior to joining Wintergreen, Jonathan worked as a Principal at a national healthcare consulting firm and before that, as a Chief Financial and Operating Officer for a 21-bed Critical Access Hospital where he gained practical experience in the financing and operationalization of rural strategies. He holds a Master of Health Administration from Ohio University, a Bachelor of Business Accounting from University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of U.S. History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Jonathan’s experience as an operator coupled with his background advising entities ranging from independent clinics and hospitals through multi-state systems and healthcare entities on finances and operations positions him to make meaningful, insightful contributions to the NARHC members and leadership. He respectfully requests your support to serve on the NARHC Board of Directors.
Jonathan Pantenburg, MHA
Principal, Wintergreen, Inc., 21 Pinehurst Ln., Falmouth, ME 04105
jpantenburg@wintergreenme.com
Justin is the Director of Clinic Operations for Burgess Health Center. His organization has three provider based NARHC member RHCs in Northwest Iowa. He serves on the board of the Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics and is in year two of being a CHRHP. Justin has 5 years of experience leading clinic operations most recently leading his team to win the 2023 Population Health Pioneer Award for Community of the Year from Signify Health! Justin began his career in healthcare 12 years ago as a Certified Nursing Assistant and has had many experiences since, shaping his commitment to excellent healthcare delivery in the rural setting today!
Justin Hummelgard, MHA, CRHCP
Director of Clinic Operations, Burgess Health Center, 1600 Diamond St., Onawa, IA 51040
jhummelgard@burgesshc.org
Lauri is the Regional Rural Health Clinic Administrator for East Hawaii Health Clinics located in Hawaii County, Hawaii. Ka’u Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital located within the East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation and has 5 provider-based NARHC Member RHCs located on the “Big Island” of Hawaii. These clinics provide care to 85% of the island’s population of over 200,000 people. Lauri has worked in healthcare for over 30 years, the majority of which were spent in rural communities. She has over 20 years of hospital and clinic operations experience. Lauri is a member of the Hawaii State Rural Health Association and serves on the Board of Directors for two other non-profit organizations based in East Hawaii. She continues to passionately serve her community by growing healthcare services that are accessible to all.
Lauri Redus, MHL, CHRHP
Regional RHC Administrator, Ka'u Hospital Rural Health Clinics/ East Hawaii Health Clinics, 1190 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720
lredus@hhsc.org
Michael Calhoun, MBA ~ INCUMBENT
Michael is the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director for Citizens Memorial Healthcare (CMH), an integrated healthcare system that owns and operates 13 certified Rural Health Clinics. All are NARHC members. He has worked for CMH in various positions for 22 years before assuming his current role in January 2022.
Michael currently serves on the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) Board of Directors. He also has previously served as a board member and President of the Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics (MARHC). Working for CMH and serving as a board member for NARHC and MARHC has ignited a passion within Michael for rural healthcare. It is his desire to draw from his experience to continue to advocate for the advancement, growth, and support of the RHC program locally and nationally.
Michael was named to the Board of Examiners for the 2015 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Baldrige Award is the nation’s highest honor for organizational innovation & performance excellence. Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification & peer recognition, demonstrating competencies related to customer focus, communication, ethics, action orientation, team building & analytical skills.
Michael has his Bachelor degree and his Master degree in Business Administration from Southwest Baptist University
Michael Calhoun, MBA
CEO, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, 1500 N. Oakland Ave., Bolivar, MO 65613
mike.calhoun@citizensmemorial.com
Roger has been a member of the National Association of Rural Helath Clinics (NARC) Policy Committee for the past three years. During his term, he has attended all but one national meeting, has recently represented NARC in Washington DC lobbying for legislative and policy changes and has actively participated on the Policy Committee in discussions and recommendations concerning NARC positions and recommendations with new regulation and legislative initiatives. His career has included involvement with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy "National Advisory Commission on Rural Health and Human Services, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) "Clinical Champions" with discussions on national Quality Payment Program initiatives and outcomes. He has presented at the CMS Quality Conference many times, is involved with quality committees with the Nebraska Medicaid providers of United Health Care and Nebraska Total Care (a division of Centene). Now, he would like your support for a position on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Roger Wells has been active at local, state and national policy levels since his graduation from the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1987. Since his graduation, he has served in rural medicine with extensive experience as a provider in the Rural Health Clinic, as a provider in Critical Access Hospitals in surgery, emergency departments, and nursing home care. Presently, he is employed at the Lexington Regional Health Center in Lexington, Nebraska. He also provides care in a satellite clinic in a community of 600. With this experience, he has tremendous insight concerning the current regulation and policy challenges.
The recent Public Health Emergency (PHE) has allowed the RHC to prove its tremendous value to the rural population. Unfortunately, the RHC was not included in many policy and reimbursement benefits. With a tremendous effort from the NARC staff, and congressional support, additional benefits were eventually forwarded. RHC's responded with drive through testing and developing telemedicine access to rural patients. We were recognized for our efforts with improved funding and support.
Now, we face new challenges from the termination of the PHE. The continued use of the G2025 code distorts and obscures visit data is not recognized as an "office visit". The reimbursement is also lower than the "All Inclusive Rate (AIR)" inhibiting an incentive to initiate new telemedicine platforms. Other issues include: Physician Assistants cannot be "contracted" in the RHC, we need to remove outdated lab regulation requirements, we need clarification on RHC location guidelines due to the removal of the "un-urbanized areas" decision, and remove the behavior limitations of 49% of clinic visits if they are in a Mental Health Shortage Area.
New employment challenges are surfacing with the use of virtual employment removing our current staff at all levels. We see an exodus of personal ranging from Health Information Coders to medical providers. Large institutions are recruiting and hiring our staff providing higher salaries and large benefit packages allowing them to work virtually. This is causing even more strain on our support staff, nursing, office administration, and other necessary personnel. The AIR then, needs modification to reflect this change in cost. The population of the rural community is quickly shifting to a more ethnic diverse culture. This has presented challenges in providing appropriate ethical treatment and the understanding of minority health culture preferences. New office innovation will be needed with flexible model policy to provide appropriate care for these patients.
Mr. Wells would be grateful for your support as your choice for the Board of Directors. Roger promises to support the NARC mission: “To educate and advocate for Rural Health Clinics, enhancing their ability to deliver cost-effective, quality health care to patients in rural, underserved communities". He would appreciate the opportunity to work with you and the present Board Of Directors team to enhance the RHC program. He has made himself available to devote his time and effort and would appreciate your vote.
Roger Wells, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Lexington Regional Health Center, 1105 N. Erie, Lexington, NE 68850
rogerdwells@icloud.com
