May 2026 Center for Rural Health Update
FOCUS on Rural Health
The Care Team of Tomorrow
North Dakota middle and high school students explore healthcare careers and practice hands-on skills through
membership in HOSA.
News
Five North Dakota Hospitals Named Among Top 20 in
Nation
Five North Dakota Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are listed in the Top 20 CAHs for 2026, released by the
National Rural Health Association and the Chartis Center for Rural Health.
2026 Rural Health Award Recipients
Announced
The Outstanding Rural Health awards banquet will be held on June 3 in Grand Forks as part of the Dakota
Conference on Rural Health.
New Funding Opportunities Available
The Health Resources and Services Administration is promoting five new funding opportunities for rural
communities.
What's
in the Near Future for Urban Elder Healthcare?
Dr. Collette Adamsen, director of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging, shares results of
the Native Urban Elder Needs Assessment Survey.
Source: Native America Calling
Brain
Injury
Andrea Watkins, resource facilitator for the North Dakota Brain Injury Network, discusses brain injury and
work with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on brain injury screening for
residents.
Source: KFYR TV
Funding & Other Opportunities
Dakota Conference on Rural
Health
The Dakota Conference on Rural Health will take place on June 3 & 4 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.
The reimagined conference will feature one and a half days of keynotes, breakout sessions, an awards
ceremony, and more.
Now Accepting R-COOL-Health
Scrubs Camp Grant Applications
Grant Applications are being accepted to host a Scrubs Camp in your community. Through creative and
interactive activities, these exciting camps provide an opportunity for students in grades 5-12 to learn
about health careers available in rural North Dakota.
Deadline: August 14 at 4:00 pm Central
CRH Events
| May 20 |
TeleECHO:
Supporting Children and Families Through Loss – A Grief-Informed Approach for
Healthcare Presented by Dr. Nicola Herting, a specialist in child psychology, this clinic will discuss children experiencing grief. |
| May 27 |
Webinar:
Safe Shelter is Brain Injury Care for Peer Support Specialists Hosted by the North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN), this webinar will feature NDBIN's peer support specialists Mychal Cook and Beth Beckers, as they explain the importance of a safe space for survivors after a brain injury. |
| June 4 |
New Qualified Service
Provider (QSP): Next Steps Monthly Meeting This monthly meeting will provide recently approved QSPs with an introduction to the QSP handbook, as well as resources, links, and advice to support them in their role as a QSP. Hosted by the North Dakota QSP Hub. |
| June 9 |
TeleECHO:
Prescribing Opioids to Older Adults – Things to Consider Presented by Dr. Kurt DeVine, a family and addiction physician, this clinic will discuss prescription medicine in aging adults. |
| June 10 |
Webinar: Brainwave
Benefit Group Christian Kimbrough is a survivor of a gunshot wound to the head and founder and CEO of Brainwave Benefit Group, a neurotechnology company developing headwear for cognitive performance and brain wellness. Hosted by NDBIN. |
| June 10‑11 |
North Dakota Native American
Veterans Stand Down Event The 4th annual statewide North Dakota Native American Veteran Stand Down will be held at Prairie Knights Casino and Resort in Fort Yates. |
| June 17 |
TeleECHO:
Together, Yet Alone – How the Most Connected Generations Became the Loneliest and What
We Can Do About It This Pediatric Mental Health clinic will be presented by Thad Shunkwiler, an associate professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a licensed behavioral health provider. |
Publications & Resources
New Insights on
the Rural Public Health Workforce, with Casey Balio and Betty Bekemeier
Rural Health Information Hub's latest Exploring Rural Health Podcast episode featured Casey Balio,
East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, and Betty Bekemeier, Northwest Center
for Public Health Practice, discussing their recently published article on rural public health workforce.
The Distribution of the Youth
Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural and Urban America in 2025
Distributed by the Rural Health Research Gateway, this brief from the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
examines the distribution of the child and youth behavioral health workforce across rural and urban areas of
the U.S.
Medical Students Write About Health Outcomes
The Targeted Rural Health Education (TRHE) project helps resident physicians and health profession students
take a closer look at the health needs of communities in which they are training. The writers promote
positive health outcomes in their rural communities. Here are the four most recent articles: