Rural Health Program

The Rural Health Program aims to positively impact, in clear and measurable ways, the health and well-being of people and communities across the state of Minnesota, and in rural communities across the country. 

This collaborative effort provides training and support for public health challenges in rural Minnesota and connects local experts with national research and policy work.

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Training and fellowship opportunities

A group of people seated on the grass talk and laugh with each other

How we connect with rural communities for better health

  • Greater engagement between University of Minnesota faculty, students, and staff doing rural-relevant work and local rural health leaders.
  • Creating links between the national research and policy work at the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center with the expertise and challenges in rural communities across Minnesota
  • Establishment of a Postdoctoral Fellowship program in rural health equity
  • Development of Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health), an initiative that offers training and support to community leaders in rural Minnesota to address local public health challenges

Our team

Katy B. Kozhimannil, PhD, MPA
Co-Director
[email protected]

Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW
Co-Director
[email protected]

Katie Rydberg, MPH
Program Manager
[email protected]

Alyssa Fritz, MPH, RD, CLC
Research and Policy Fellow
[email protected]