Meet the Board: Crystal Barter

Crystal Barter serves as Director of Programs and Services at Michigan Center for Rural Health and is a member at large of the MHC Board of Trustees. With a career devoted to supporting rural communities, Crystal brings a passion for strengthening the systems and people who provide care in Michigan’s most underserved areas. She recently shared her thoughts on what makes being part of the MHC board meaningful, and how it aligns with her work and professional goals. 

“As Director of Programs and Services at the Michigan Center for Rural Health, I have committed my career to supporting rural communities by strengthening the systems and people who care for them. I believe that improving access to healthcare in rural Michigan goes hand-in-hand with investing in a strong, well-supported, and locally rooted health workforce - ensuring that rural residents not only have access to high-quality healthcare, but also to meaningful opportunities to enter and grow within the health professions.

Serving on the Michigan Health Council (MHC) board is a natural and deeply meaningful extension of my work. MHC’s mission to improve access to quality healthcare by strengthening the health workforce directly aligns with my passion for improving health outcomes for Rural Michiganders. I’m proud to work with MHC to address workforce shortages, expand educational and career pathways, and build a healthcare system where every Michigan resident—regardless of geography—has access to care from professionals who reflect and understand their community.”

Through her role on the MHC Board of Trustees, Crystal brings a rural health perspective that helps inform strategies to address workforce shortages, expand training and career pathways, and strengthen healthcare systems across Michigan. Her insight supports MHC’s focus on ensuring a strong and sustainable healthcare workforce for the future. 

For a complete list of MHC’s Board of Trustees, visit mhc.org/meet-the-board.