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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Rural emergency medicine is a calling, not a consolation prize. Dr. Joanne Conroy, CEO of Dartmouth Health, argues that rural EDs demand just as much skill, grit, and innovation as any urban hospital — and that more residents should actively choose this path. With nearly 200 rural hospitals closed since 2005 and 82 million Americans living in rural areas, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Rural emergency medicine is a calling, not a consolation prize. Dr. Joanne Conroy, CEO of Dartmouth Health — the most rural academic medical system in the U.S. — makes a passionate case that rural EDs are every bit as demanding, innovative, and rewarding as their urban counterparts. Drawing inspiration from the TV drama The Pitt, she highlights how rural hospitals are often the sole lifeline for critically ill patients in their communities, handling complex trauma cases, air ambulance arrivals, and everything in between.
The reality on the ground is sobering: since 2005, nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed completely or partially, and more than 400 — over 20% of all rural hospitals — are at risk of closure. That leaves millions of Americans driving hours for care that should be minutes away.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Rural communities aren't just underserved — they're increasingly unserved. Attracting talented clinicians to rural medicine isn't just a workforce issue; it's a public health emergency hiding in plain sight.
