Healthcare Leaders to Discuss Rural Health Transformation Program Initiatives at 2026 Healthcare Workforce Summit

The Michigan Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is creating new opportunities to strengthen and sustain the healthcare workforce across rural Michigan. At the 2026 Healthcare Workforce Summit: Building What’s Next on October 27, the session “RHTP and the Rural Workforce: Year One Perspectives” will highlight the projects, partners, and strategies behind RHTP-funded workforce initiatives. 

The speakers will discuss the initiatives’ goals and expected impact, opportunities for partnership and alignment, and ways organizations across Michigan can help amplify their reach.

The speakers include:

• Crystal Barter, MS, Director of Programs & Services at the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH). Crystal oversees state and federal contracts focused on quality and performance improvement, including the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program and the Small Hospital Improvement Program. She has expanded MCRH’s reach and programming, notably by leading the formation of the nation’s first certified rural health clinic quality network. She also serves on the newly formed Rural Health Transformation Advisory Council. 

• Lauren LaPine-Ray, DrPH, MPH, Vice President of Policy & Rural Health at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and Executive Director of its Center of Rural Excellence. Lauren serves as the association’s lead policy representative, with expertise in rural healthcare and behavioral health. She leads the Center’s work to support and advocate for Michigan’s rural hospitals and works with healthcare leaders to improve care delivery and access. She also serves on the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Congress and the Michigan Association of Mental Health Board of Directors. 

• Phillip Bergquist, Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) and Michigan Community Health Network (MCHN). Phillip provides executive direction for the association and its affiliated Clinically Integrated Network. He oversees support for member organizations in areas including workforce, value-based care, health information technology, and organizational sustainability. Before becoming CEO, he served as Chief Operating Officer of MPCA and Honor Community Health, a community health center serving Oakland County, and as Manager of Policy and Strategic Initiatives at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

  
  

Together, they will offer perspectives on how RHTP-funded initiatives fit into broader efforts to strengthen rural Michigan’s healthcare workforce. The conversation will also look ahead to how the momentum, partnerships, and promising practices emerging from this work can be sustained and built upon over time. 

The 2026 Healthcare Workforce Summit: Building What’s Next will take place on October 27 and bring together healthcare employers, educators, policymakers, workforce professionals, and community partners to identify practical next steps for strengthening Michigan’s healthcare workforce.

Learn more and register at mhcsummit.eventbrite.com.