Campbell University’s Department of Public Health welcomed healthcare leaders from across North Carolina on August 19 for a regional meeting focused on strengthening rural health. The event was organized by the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) Foundation and the North Carolina Office of Rural Health (ORH).
Participants included Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt (State Health Director & Chief Medical Officer), Debra Farrington (Deputy Secretary for Health, NC DHHS), and Margaret Sauer (Director of NC Office of Rural Health). They were joined by individuals connected to critical access hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), free clinics, North Carolina State Designated Rural Health Centers (SDRHC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), rural health clinics, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic partners, and academic institutions. Together, these groups explored both the challenges facing rural providers and the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead.
“I was delighted to take part in the Rural Stakeholder Regional Meeting at Campbell University on Tuesday. Dr. Tillman and his students contributed great energy and thoughtful ideas,” said NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer and State Health Director, Dr. Larry Greenblatt. “The Campbell team inspired this group of dedicated partners who are working together to improve rural health across central North Carolina.”
Dr. David Tillman, chair of the Department of Public Health, hosted the gathering and served as a panelist, giving students an educational and networking experience comparable to a national rural health conference. Students in Dr. Tillman’s PUBH 525 Rural Health class, less than three weeks into their program, were actively engaged alongside faculty as they heard directly from North Carolina leaders discussing real-world challenges in healthcare and public health. It was a unique opportunity to see how partnerships, policy, and community-based providers work together to shape access to care in rural communities.
“It was inspiring to join rural health stakeholders and students at Campbell University for such a meaningful discussion. Their perspectives highlight the need to continue investing in innovation and collaboration so that every rural community has access to the care and resources it deserves,” said Maggie Sauer, NCDHHS Office of Rural Health Director. “Rural health is vital to the overall health and well-being of North Carolina, and it was a valuable opportunity to engage with students who are committed to the future of rural health.”
North Carolina is home to the second largest rural population in the nation, creating both significant challenges and unique opportunities for healthcare access. Gatherings like this underscore Campbell’s role in preparing future public health leaders and serving as a convener for critical conversations that impact health outcomes across the state.
“This is a critical time for health in rural communities, and the issues we discussed could not be more important,” said Dr. David Tillman. “We often send our students into communities to experience the complexities of rural health firsthand, but this time the real world came to us in Buies Creek to chart paths for addressing our state’s most pressing challenges.”