by Stacey Tyler | Sep 26, 2025 | Community Impact
Why it matters: Dan Lundergan’s remarkable 50-year journey from laundry aide to CEO of University of Utah Health exemplifies exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence. The Utah Hospital Association presented Lundergan with the...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 25, 2025 | Community Impact
Why it matters: Last week at the Utah Hospital Association’s Annual Awards ceremony in Midway, Katy Welkie, recently retired Vice President of Intermountain Children’s Health, received UHA’s Distinguished Service Award for her four-decade career transforming...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 23, 2025 | Community Impact, Medicaid, Rural Hospitals
1 BIG THING: Historic AHA Leadership Visit The Utah Hospital Association’s Annual Fall Learning Conference in Midway welcomed Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association — marking the first time in more than 25 years an AHA president has...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 20, 2025 | Community Impact
Key takeaway: The Utah Hospital Association recognized four outstanding healthcare leaders during the Annual Awards Ceremony in Midway, celebrating their significant contributions to Utah’s healthcare system. The event, held in collaboration with the Utah Organization...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 17, 2025 | Rural Hospitals, Workforce
THE BIG PICTURE: Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal makes staff feedback a cornerstone of their safety culture. WHY IT MATTERS: In rural healthcare settings, strong staff engagement and support systems are essential for maintaining high-quality patient care....
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 15, 2025 | Community Impact, Rural Hospitals
Rural communities across Utah depend on critical access hospitals for essential healthcare services. These specialized hospitals provide care that rural residents rely on, often operating as the only medical facility for miles. What Makes a Critical Access Hospital?...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 12, 2025 | Community Impact, Rural Hospitals, Workforce
At Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal, “making communities healthier” goes far beyond healthcare delivery — it’s a comprehensive approach to community wellbeing. The community approach CEO Alan Olive explains that Ashley Regional’s purpose is purposeful, not...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 10, 2025 | Community Impact, Rural Hospitals
In an era when rural hospitals across the country are closing their doors, Intermountain Health has taken the opposite approach – and the results are transforming patient outcomes. Why it matters: Intermountain has maintained all ten of its rural facilities across...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 8, 2025 | Community Impact, Rural Hospitals
The big picture: While rural hospitals nationwide face closure at alarming rates, Utah stands out as a success story with none currently at risk of shutting down. By the numbers: 146 rural hospitals closed across America between 2005 and 2023 (USDA) 0 rural hospitals...
by Stacey Tyler | Sep 5, 2025 | Community Impact, Rural Hospitals
When a rural hospital closes, it’s not just healthcare that’s lost – the entire community’s future is at risk. Why it matters Rural hospitals like Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal serve as critical anchors for their communities, providing essential care and...
