First-of-its-kind partnership among three rural hospitals is expanding access to chronic care management
Haskell Memorial Hospital CEO Michelle Stevens recently joined other rural hospital leaders to present findings from their collaboration to improve care for patients with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Stevens joined Michael Moorhead, CEO from Stonewall Memorial Hospital and Justa Clark, CEO from Anson General Hospital at the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals conference in Round Rock for a panel discussion, titled “Leading While Learning VBC (Value-Based Care).”
The three hospitals created the first partnership of its kind to offer shared Chronic Care Management and Remote Patient Monitoring programs. Chronic Care Management helps patients stay connected with their healthcare team between appointments by providing ongoing support, coordinating care, managing medications, and addressing health concerns before they become more serious. Remote Patient Monitoring allows hospital-based care teams to monitor certain health information, such as blood pressure readings, while patients are at home.
Together, these services can help patients better understand and manage their health, catch potential problems sooner, and stay connected to care without unnecessary travel.
“Each rural hospital understands the unique needs of their communities, but we also face many of the same challenges,” Stevens said. “By working together, we can share resources and build stronger programs while continuing to provide the personal, local care our patients trust. This partnership is about helping people manage their health close to home and making sure all our communities have access to the support they deserve.”
During the panel discussion, the three CEOs shared how they developed the partnership, involved their teams, and adjusted the program as they learned what worked best. Conference attendees showed strong interest in the model and how it could help other rural hospitals improve care in their communities.
The collaboration reflects Haskell Memorial Hospital’s commitment to offering high-quality care close to home, building strong community relationships, and finding meaningful ways to improve rural healthcare.
