Threadgold Named Director of North Dakota State Office of Rural Health

Dec 27, 2024

Nicole Threadgold has been named the new director of the North Dakota State Office of Rural Health (SORH). The North Dakota SORH is housed at the Center for Rural Health, within the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

"I look forward to new opportunities as the SORH grant program director while working with the many facilities and funding areas involved," Threadgold said. "The North Dakota SORH team is strong, and I am excited to continue fostering existing and new relationships as we work together to advance rural healthcare across the state."

Prior to this new position, Nicole was the senior project coordinator for the North Dakota Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program at CRH for three years. Before joining CRH, Nicole was foundation director and marketing coordinator for a North Dakota Critical Access Hospital.

Originally from South Dakota, Nicole earned a master's in business administration (MBA) from Mount Marty University in Watertown, South Dakota. She most recently completed the healthcare administration tract of the MBA program through the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

"The North Dakota SORH is instrumental in the success of our rural healthcare facilities and in maintaining the health and well-being of our rural communities," Brad Gibbens, deputy director of CRH, said. "Nicole is passionate about rural health in North Dakota and has first-hand experience having been in leadership in a rural health facility. I know that the program will thrive under her leadership."

About SORH

SORH is a federal-state partnership that helps rural communities build their healthcare services through collaborations and initiatives with a wide range of partners across the state. As part of its operations, SORH facilitates and administers:

• The Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program
• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Rural Health Grant Program
• The Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP)
• The Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health
• Grant development assistance
• Support related to hospitals and facilities and health workforce

All 50 states have a designated SORH, although they vary in size, scope, and services provided. Each SORH's general purpose is to help its individual rural communities build healthcare delivery systems. While funding levels and sources differ, each SORH receives a portion of funding from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy through the SORH Grant program. Through this grant, a SORH is expected to:

• Collect and disseminate information.
• Coordinate rural healthcare activities in states to avoid duplication.
• Provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private entities.