Learning together: Three Rivers at this year’s rural health conference

Last week, CEO Scott Graham represented Three Rivers Hospital on a panel titled “Hospital Financial Stress: What Should Boards Pay Attention To?” at the WSHA & AWPHD Rural

Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan. The panel focused on the financial realities facing rural hospitals today, including how CEOs and boards are preparing for upcoming changes tied to federal policy, and what boards need to hear from leadership to stay financially informed.

Scott spoke about TRH’s experience during COVID-19, when a state order pausing elective surgeries caused hospital revenue to dry up almost overnight. He described how the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) went “all hands on deck” to help TRH secure emergency state funding and avoid closure during that cash crisis. His key message to fellow rural hospital leaders: reach out for help early, and don’t let shame around financial distress get in the way of asking for support. He also spoke to the importance of transparency with hospital boards, emphasizing that TRH’s board is briefed weekly on the hospital’s financial standing so there are no surprises.

Joining Scott on the panel was a CEO from East Adams Rural Healthcare, which was recently the first hospital in Washington to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation. They shared a similar story of financial distress and how WSHA’s support helped them avoid closing their doors.

The Three Rivers team also took in a keynote from Washington’s new Secretary of Health, Dennis Worsham, at the conference. Worsham shared what he’s learned traveling the state and listening to communities during his first 100 days in office, with rural health access very much part of the conversation.

The Rural Hospital Leadership Conference has become a can’t-miss event for our team each year. Beyond the sessions themselves, it’s a chance to connect with fellow rural hospital leaders from across the state, compare notes on shared challenges, and bring home new ideas and resources. WSHA and AWPHD continue to be invaluable partners in supporting rural hospitals like Three Rivers, and this year’s conference was no exception.