Agency Leader Tours Facility, Participates in Rural Health Podcast
Hillsdale Hospital President & CEO JJ Hodshire meets with Michigan’s State Director of USDA Rural Development Brandon Fewins in front of the MacRitchie North skilled nursing facility. The facility’s construction was supported by funding from the USDA Community Facilities program.
HILLSDALE, Mich.—Brandon Fewins, Michigan State Director for USDA Rural Development, visited Hillsdale Hospital today for a tour of the main campus and to record an episode of Rural Health Rising, the hospital’s rural healthcare-focused podcast with a growing national audience.
“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.”
Fewins joined Hillsdale Hospital President & CEO JJ Hodshire to walk the main campus on Howell Street, visiting the Center for Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, 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.”
Michigan’s State Director of USDA Rural Development Brandon Fewins discusses the diverse types of programs offered by USDA Rural Development while recording for Hillsdale Hospital’s podcast,, Rural Health Rising.
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 healthcare 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.
For more information on Hillsdale Hospital and its services, visit hillsdalehospital.com. To learn more about USDA Rural Development, visit rd.usda.gov.
