USDA Rural Development state director visits Hillsdale Hospital

HILLSDALE — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's state director for Michigan visited Hillsdale Hospital Tuesday, April 25, for a tour of the main campus and to record an episode of "Rural Health Rising," the hospital’s rural health care-focused podcast with a growing national audience.

Brandon Fewins joined Hillsdale Hospital President and CEO JJ Hodshire to walk the main campus on Howell Street, visiting the Center for Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, the behavioral health unit and more. He also toured the Bediako Birthing Center and the MacRitchie North skilled nursing unit for long-term care, both of which were built in 2013 with funding support from the USDA Community Facilities program.

“USDA already has a great relationship with Hillsdale Hospital,” Fewins said.  “This was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the needs of rural hospitals and strengthen our partnership.”

“USDA Rural Development has supported our hospital and community in significant ways over the years,” Hillsdale Hospital’s Chief Communications Officer Rachel Lott said. “We are grateful for their continued partnership and look forward to many more years of working together for the good of our patients and their families.”

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As part of the visit, Fewins joined Hodshire and Lott to record an episode of "Rural Health Rising," which seeks to raise awareness around the health care challenges, successes and opportunities facing rural America. The episode will drop in the podcast feed on May 25 and covers USDA Rural Development programs, projects and partnerships.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: USDA Rural Development state director visits Hillsdale Hospital