Brad Gibbens, MPA

Brad Gibbens is the associate director for community development and policy of the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences and an assistant professor at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. His primary areas of responsibility are community development, community engagement techniques, and health policy.

The Center for Rural Health is one of the country’s most experienced rural health offices being formed in 1980 to serve as a focal point for rural health activity in North Dakota. The Center’s primary functions revolve around providing technical and community assistance to health care providers and facilities, conducting provider and facility oriented social science and health services research, conducting health policy analysis, and advocating for rural concerns.

Gibbens works closely with health policy, government affairs, community development (including assessments, planning, and community engagement), grant development, and information dissemination activities. Center programs that address community development include the following: State Office of Rural Health, Rural Hospital Flexibility, Small Hospital Improvement Program, Rural Access to Emergency Devices, Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND Rural Health Grant Program, VOICE, and the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health. Gibbens is also the project director for a W.K. Kellogg supported rural policy initiative called Rural People, Rural Policy.

He has given numerous presentations on such subjects as Rural Health Trends and Issues, The Future of Rural Health, The Importance of the Community in Rural Health, State Rural Health Policy Activities, The Role of the Health Sector in Community and Economic Development, Grant Development, and Health Planning. He has facilitated numerous strategic planning sessions and grant writing workshops. Gibbens has successfully secured approximately $8 million in grants through 38 separate grant awards. Gibbens served as an alternate member to the North Dakota Health Task Force from 1990 to 1995. From 1993 to 1999, he served as a board member of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), which represents all 50 state rural health offices and received their Recognition Award in 1996 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He is presently Co-Chair of the NOSORH Legislative Committee and a member of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Committee. He is an active member of the National Rural Health Association, serving on the State Office Council. He is currently a member of the Governor’s Health Insurance Advisory Committee and the Community of Care Advisory Committee and a past member of the Statewide Bioterrorism Committee. He is a member of the Steering Committee for the Flex Program having served as Chair from 1999-2005. He is the past chair of the National Flex Tracking Project Advisory Committee.

Gibbens is a native North Dakotan (fourth generation) growing up on a durum wheat farm near Cando. He has his Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from UND.

Established in 1980, the Center for Rural Health is one of the nation's most experienced rural health organizations. It has developed a full complement of programs to assist researchers, educators, policymakers, health care providers and, most importantly, rural residents to address changing rural environments by identifying and researching rural health issues, analyzing health policy, strengthening local capabilities, developing community-based alternatives, and advocating for rural concerns.

Contact Information:

Tel:	(701) 777-2569
Email:	bgibbens@medicine.nodak.edu
Web site:	http://ruralhealth.und.edu

Projects

• Area Health Education Center Program -- The purpose of the AHEC is to improve the distribution, diversity, supply and quality of health care personnel in the health care services delivery system.
• Evaluation of North Dakota Family Support Coalition -- Evaluation of the project's goal, which is to establish a collaborative network of organizations serving families of children with special health care needs to improve outcomes of children and their families.
• Flex Program -- Assist small rural hospitals to maintain access to health services for rural residents.
• Rural People, Rural Policy -- A five year national program that builds and strengthens multi-state and multi-organizational networks of local organizations to develop policy options to help rural communities and small towns.
• Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant Program -- Works toward the building of a comprehensive system of coordinated services for individuals with TBI and their families.
• Vision, Opportunity, and Inspiration through Civic Engagement -- Works to develop and build rural community capacity based on a regional approach.

Publications

• Guest Commentaries Weigh in on Health Care Reform, Gibbens, B., August 2009
  Brad Gibbens, Interim Co-Director, had a commentary on the implications of health reform on rural North Dakota printed in the North Dakota Farmers Union magazine. The commentary looks at critical rural health issues such as health workforce, rural facility survivability, and the need for flexibility and innovation in rural health.
• 2008 North Dakota Flex Program and Critical Access Hospital State Rural Health Plan, Miller, M., Gibbens, B., Lennon, C., & Wakefield, M., November 2008
  
• 2008 North Dakota Flex Program and Critical Access Hospital State Rural Health Plan Summary, Miller, M., Gibbens, B., Lennon, C., & Wakefield, M., November 2008
  
• North Dakota Health Care Workforce: Planning Together to Meet Future Health Care Needs (Part I), Wakefield, M., Amundson, M., Moulton, P., & Gibbens, B., January 2007
  
• North Dakota Health Care Workforce: Planning Together to Meet Future Health Care Needs (Part II), Amundson, M., Moulton, P., Wakefield, M., Beattie, S., & Gibbens, B., April 2007
  
• Demographics, Gibbens, B., Spring 2006
  
• Access to Health Care for Rural America: Why it Matters, Wakefield, M. & Gibbens, B., Around the Kitchen Table, Issue 14, February 2006
  

Presentations

• The Fundamentals of Grant Writing
  Presented by Gibben, B. on Oct 29, 2009 at the community based grant writing workshop, Bottineau, ND.
  
• The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Rural Health
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Oct 19, 2009 at the annual Hospital Community Meeting hosted by the Ashley Medical Center, Ashley, ND.
  The focus of the presentation was 1) the importance of community in rural health, 2) current rural health issues, and 3) health reform and rural health.
• North Dakota Flex Program Progress & Plans
  Presented by Gibbens, B., & Miller, M. on Aug 13, 2009 at the Flex Advisory and Steering Committee meeting, Grand Forks, ND.
  
• A Rural Health Perspective on National Health Reform: Access is More than Coverage
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Aug 10, 2009 at the Midwest Rural Assembly, Sioux Falls, SD.
  The Midwest Rural Assembly is a byproduct of the National Rural Assembly and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Rural People Rural Policy initiative. Approximately 170 people from 14 states attended representing interests in health, economic development, community development, housing, Native American, education, poverty, immigration, human rights, environment, and other rural areas.
• What Does My Hospital Have to do With My Town's Economic Development?
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Aug 1, 2009 at the AgriWellness, Inc., The Clock is Ticking for Rural America Conference, Sioux Falls, SD.
  
• North Dakota Rural Hospital Flexibility Program: Grant and Technical Assistance for ND CAHs
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jul 22, 2009 at the Towner County Medical Center's board of directors meeting, Cando, ND.
  The presentation also included discussions on other federal grants such as the Rural Health Outreach, Network Development, and Network Development Planning grants.
• Health Care as a Driver in Economic Development
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jul 18, 2009 at the Critical Access Hospital Boards' of Directors, Grand Forks, ND.
  
• The Importance of Health Reform for Rural Health in North Dakota
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jul 2, 2009 at the Senator Conrad's Health Reform Round Table, Grand Forks, ND.
  Brad Gibbens provided testimony on North Dakota health issues and health reform to Senator Kent Conrad as part of the Senator's "Health Reform Round Table" held at Altru Health System. Mr. Gibbens was part of a panel of six experts.
• Health Care as a Driver in Economic Development
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on May 9, 2009 at the CAH and LTC Board Training, Bootcamp '09, Dickinson, ND.
  
• Community Development Tools for Decision Making
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Apr 24, 2009 at the multi-community forum hosted by the MHCH Foundation, Chamberlin, SD.
  
• North Dakota State Rural Health Plan: A Tool to Guide Decision Making
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Mar 31, 2009 at the (Cancelled) Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, ND.
  
• How to Talk the Talk: Shaping Your Message to Educate Policy Makers
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Feb 12, 2009 at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, webinar.
  
• How to Write a Proposal that a Grant Reviewer will Love
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jan 29, 2009 at the Cavalier County Job Development Authority with representatives from area health facilities, schools, art council, and faith based community, Langdon, ND.
  
• A Rural Health System in Change
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Nov 24, 2008 at the Occupational Therapy graduate 511 Service Delivery System class, Grand Forks, ND.
  The focus of the lecture was on dynamics found in rural communties as they relate to the sustainability of rural health delivery systems.
• You Want Me to Write a Grant? Fundamentals of Grant Writing.
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Nov 6, 2008 at the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Grand Forks, ND.
  A two part grant writing session given on November 6 and 13, 2008.
• The Power Potential of Economic Development and Health Care
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jun 17, 2008 at the Economic Development Association of North Dakota, Summer Conference, Carrington, ND.
  Discusses the economic contribution made by rural health organizations and providers to both local economies and the state's economy overall. In addition, the discussion dealt with issues facing rural health and the role of the Center for Rural Health in working with rural communities.
• Factors Shaping North Dakota Rural Heath Policy
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jun 5, 2008 at the Legislative Candidate Forum, Grand Forks, ND.
  Presentation on rural health policy issues in North Dakota to presented at a legislative candidate forum.
• Rural Health Policy: Framing Your Message to Maximize Change
  Presented by Gibbens, B., Knudson, A., & Fry, T. on May 8, 2008 at the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
  Policy framing is an approach to communicate policy messages to an audience so that they better understand the perspective of the presenter. Policy framing techniques have been acquired through the Center's participation in the Rural People Rural Policy program of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
• The Rural Health Delivery System
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Apr 21, 2008 at the International Visitor Leadership Program, Minot, ND.
  Alana Knudson and Brad Gibbens co-presented as part of a panel presentation on April 21, 2008, Minot Center for Family Medicine. The event was the International Visitor Program, Public Safety: Preparing for Potential Pandemic Disease. This international educational program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. International participants included representatives from Bangladesh, Ghana, and India. Dr. Knudson's presentation was titled "The Rural Public Health System" and Mr. Gibbens' presentation was titled " The Rural Health Delivery System." The event was hosted and facilitated by Kim Krohn, MD, Director, Center for Family Medicine, Minot, ND.
• Future of Rural Health Care: Factors Driving the Need for Change
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Apr 3, 2008 at the Cooperstown Community Forum, Cooperstown, ND.
  Brad Gibbens and Chris Lennon facilitated a community forum in Cooperstown, ND on April 3, 2008. The forum is the second in a series of community forums held in rural North Dakota to gain the perspective of North Dakotans on rural health issues and how to structure the rural health system in the future. The forums are part of the input process for the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program's State Rural Health Plan. Mr. Gibbens provided a presentation, "The Future of Rural Health Care: Factors Driving the Need for Change." The event was hosted by the Coooperstown Medical Center.
• Rural Health Policy: Framing Policy Messages to Better Understand Your Message
  Presented by Gibbens, B. & Knudson, A. on Mar 27, 2008 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Fargo, ND.
  The presentation addressed a policy communication process, referred to as policy framing, and how this process can be applied to further rural health policy development. Common framing techniques and applications were discussed. The Center for Rural Health has been applying the process to policy messages and to grant development.
• Access, Cost, and Workforce: Three Factors Driving Rural Health Care in North Dakota
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Feb 27, 2008 at the Linton Community Forum, Linton, ND.
  
• North Dakota Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant Advisory Committee Meeting
  Presented by Quinn, R., Gibbens, B., Moulton, P., & Wagner, S. on Jan 31, 2008 at the Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant Advisory Committee Meeting, Bismarck, ND.
  
• North Dakota Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant
  Presented by Offutt, S., Wagner, S., Gibbens, B., & Kruger, R. on Oct 30, 2007 at the Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Grant Advisory Committee Meeting, Bismarck, ND.
  
• Future of Rural Health: A Convergence of Community and Policy Frames
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Aug 17, 2007 at the Upper Midwest Rural Health Policy Summit, University of Minnesota, Crookston, MN.
  Additional information is available in the presentation narrative.
• Rural Economic Development Believes in Wellness Too
  Presented by Dickson, L., Gibbens, B., & Rice, J. on May 16, 2007 at the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference, Anchorage, AK.
  
• Nursing Consortium Testimony
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jan 29, 2007 at the North Dakota Senate Human Services Committee, Bismarck, ND.
  
• Factors Impacting the Rural Health Delivery System
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Oct 30, 2006 at the Occupational Therapy 511 Service Delivery System class, Grand Forks, ND.
  
• Challenges and Options in Rural Healthcare
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Jun 21, 2006 at the Richardton Community Forum, Richardton, ND.
  Discusses: Population Change, Health Workforce, Hospital Finance and Capital, Technology, Quality of Care, Options/Solutions
• E-Money: Finding the Funding Source for You
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Mar 2, 2006 at the Electronic Medical Record Conference, Bismarck, ND.
  This presentation provides information on funding relative to HIT in ND including federal policy proposals, the RAC, grant writing tips, and potential federal and private based funding sources.
• Factors Impacting the Rural Health Delivery Systems
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Nov 7, 2005 at the Occupational Therapy 511 Service Delivery System, Grand Forks, ND.
  Presentation given to students in the University of North Dakota's Occupational Therapy 511 Service Delivery System class.
• The Role of Community in Healthcare Leadership
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Nov 1, 2005 at the Nelson County Health Systems, McVille, ND.
  Presentation discussing how the local healthcare system can work with the community to build a healthier community.
• Issues and Opportunities In Rural Health
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Apr 15, 2005 at the West River Health Services department managers meeting, Hettinger, ND.
  Discusses North Dakota demographics, economics, workforce, and strategies.
• Rural Health: Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit
  Presented by Gibbens, B. on Mar 29, 2005 at the Occupational Therapy Service Delivery System class, Grand Forks, ND.
  Talk given to University of North Dakota students of the Occupational Therapy 511 Service Delivery System class.
• Strengthening Rural Health Care Facilities through Community Development
  Presented by Gibbens, B. & Miller, M. on Mar 9, 2005 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Bismarck, ND.
  What is community development and why is it important in strengthening rural health care facilities?
• North Dakota Critical Access Hospital and Flex Program Survey - 2005
  Presented by Gibbens, B. & Miller, M. on Mar 8, 2005 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Bismarck, ND.
  Discusses results from the Critical Access Hospital and Flex Program Surveys.

Topic Areas

• Community Development
• Evaluation
• Hospitals and Clinics
• Policy