Northeastern Health System Puts Rural Health Transformation Funds to Work for Local Patients

Tahlequah, OK – September 22, 2025 – Northeastern Health System (NHS) is taking an active role to make sure the new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding doesn’t get lost in red tape but reaches the people it was meant to help in northeastern Oklahoma.

“Our patients deserve more than promises. They deserve real change,” said Jim Berry, NHS Chief Executive Officer. “We’re not sitting back waiting to see what happens with these dollars. We’re working every day to make sure they turn into services, technology and training that improve care right here at home.”

With the help of RHTP funds, NHS plans to:

• Bring more specialty care closer to home by expanding telemedicine and upgrading the technology and infrastructure needed to reach even the most rural patients.

• Use artificial intelligence tools to reduce paperwork and streamline processes so nurses and doctors can spend more time with patients.

• Grow the local health-care workforce by expanding residency programs, partnering with technical schools and increasing support for students pursuing health careers.

NHS leaders also expressed gratitude to Senator Markwayne Mullin for his work securing the funding and to Senator Susan Collins for partnering with him to double the original appropriation. “We appreciate the effort it took to get this done,” Berry said. “But even doubled, the current funding still falls about a two-thirds short of what rural providers truly need.”

To make every dollar count, NHS has built a three-part advocacy strategy: seven area hospital CEOs have joined forces to emphasize and communicate with a unified message the needs; Berry has carried that message directly to the Oklahoma Hospital Association; and Mark McCroskey, an Oklahoma Board of Health Trustee, has reinforced NHS’s message at the state agency level.

“Rural health care is at a turning point,” Berry added. “These funds can mean more services, more providers, and better access for our patients. We’re grateful for our elected officials’ support and we’ll keep fighting to make sure the money does what it was meant to do — improve care for our community.”

About Northeastern Health System

Northeastern Health System (NHS) is a leading rural healthcare provider in northeastern Oklahoma, offering a full spectrum of services including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient services, and specialty clinics. NHS is committed to patient-centered care and advancing health outcomes in the communities it serves.