On September 6th, 2025, NEPHTC was proud to launch the 2025 Rural Health Leadership Institute (RHLI) cohort during the New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) Student Summit, hosted at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
The year’s kickoff gathered rural health professionals with diverse backgrounds committed to strengthening leadership capacity and addressing the unique health challenges faced by rural communities across New England.
Highlights from the kickoff included an inspiring leadership lecture led by Professor Dan Merrigan of the Boston University School of Public Health. Dr. Merrigan’s session explored the foundations of effective leadership in rural health contexts, emphasizing adaptive leadership, collaboration, and resilience.
The session also featured a guest speaker with Dr. Erin Sullivan of Suffolk University, who spent time with the cohort to discuss burnout in rural health settings and strategies to bolster support, strength, and community amongst rural health professionals across many fields.
The session concluded with worktime on the culminating projects, wherein learners will develop a public health response strategy to one of five problems, focusing on sustainable, community-driven solutions for health improvement. Participants engaged in networking, mentorship and peer-learning, all of which will continue to be fostered throughout the three-month RHLI.
RHLI staff and learners left the session feeling energized and committed to furthering rural health together. NEPHTC is excited to walk alongside the 2025 RHLI cohort as they grow in their leadership skills and make a lasting impact on rural health across New England!
