106. Ohio Rural Health Conference Recap: Telehealth, Policy Gaps, and Coaching Lessons

In this episode of Stepping In It, we’re fresh off the Ohio Rural Health Conference and digging into the biggest takeaways. From telehealth becoming the new standard for specialty and psychiatric care to the rise of telehospitalists improving patient outcomes in rural hospitals, we explore what these shifts mean for behavioral health access. We also unpack ongoing confusion around B3 and OBBBA definitions, highlighting how unclear policy impacts care delivery. Plus, pharmacist and coach Jerry Fu shares the AGES model for learning and leadership—offering practical ways to break through barriers, connect to what people value, and create lasting change.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover highlights from the Ohio Rural Health Conference and what they mean for rural healthcare.
• Explore the intersection of farming life and behavioral health in real conversations.
• Learn how rural communities are addressing workforce shortages and innovative care solutions.
• Uncover surprising challenges and opportunities in behavioral health access across states.
• Hear firsthand reflections on travel, conferences, and the realities of rural health advocacy.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:08 - September 9th, Episode 106: Ohio Rural Health Conference Review

00:00:17 - Kicking off the podcast and today’s topic

00:00:21 - Reflections on Ohio trip and rural conference experiences

00:00:48 - Road trip stories and setting the stage

00:01:05 - Observations from farming fields and weed control

00:01:37 - Extra moisture and its impact on crops

00:02:13 - Conference location in Oxford, Ohio

00:02:22 - Surprising reflections on Miami University memories

00:02:46 - College culture and local atmosphere

00:03:22 - Small-town quirks and social traditions

00:04:10 - Transition into rural health conference sessions

00:05:02 - Keynote highlights and national updates on rural health

00:06:28 - Rural workforce challenges and opportunities

00:08:15 - Behavioral health stigma in rural Iowa communities

00:09:50 - Federal perspectives on rural healthcare access

00:11:30 - Suicide prevention discussions and next steps

00:13:05 - Wrapping up with reflections and call for continued advocacy

Links:

• https://www.ohioruralhealth.org/upload/25finalconferencebook.pdf
• hippocampus

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners

https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pG-dBcOyu-A