The Rural Health Leadership Institute (RHLI) is a free, three-month leadership development program designed for emerging public health and primary care professionals serving rural communities across New England. Offered by the New England Public Health Training Center and the New England Rural Health Association, RHLI equips participants with essential skills in strategic communications, leadership in times of change, and collaboration. The program uses a community learning approach for networking and discussion with leaders and experts, and includes hands-on activities for skill building.
The Fall 2025 cohort will include six 90-minute webinars scheduled between September and November, complemented by an in-person kickoff and final session, totaling approximately 24 hours of commitment. Continuing education credits (CHES) are available for eligible participants.
How to Apply
The 2025-2026 application opens on June 16th, 2025 and closes on July 11th, 2025.
Visit this link to learn more about the RHLI and to complete your application. Feel free to contact rhli@bu.edu with any questions or concerns about the application process.
The Fall 2025 cohort will include six 90-minute webinars scheduled between September and November, complemented by an in-person kickoff and final session, totaling approximately 24 hours of commitment. Continuing education credits are available for eligible participants, including CME, CNE, CHES, and Social Work credits.
Program Goal and Learning Objectives
To support effective collaboration across public health, primary care, and other sectors, in rural communities across New England, RHLI will focus on critical leadership knowledge and skills, with an emphasis on communication during times of change, complexity, and uncertainty.
RHLI uses a community learning approach for networking and interactive discussions with leaders and experts. Hands-on activities are designed for skill building.
The following themes will be explored:
Understanding Complex Systems and Community Health Challenges
Visioning and Leading Through Change
Setting Outcomes and Defining Success in Uncertain Environments
Collaborative Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Communications: Framing and Storytelling for Impact
Data and Visualization for Influence and Action
Mobilizing Resources and Navigating Barriers
Leadership Reflections and Group Presentations
In resource-constrained rural communities across New England, collaboration among sectors, organizations, and personnel is criticalto address disparities in health and the social determinants of health.Efficacious, inspired leadership is essential to ensure that collaborative work on behalf of rural populations yields desired outcomes, but few opportunities exist in New England to support the development of necessary leadership skills and knowledge among emerging leaders who work in rural areas, particularly in public health and primary care settings. RHLI strives to strengthen capacity among emerging leaders in public health and primary care to support effective collaboration across public health and primary care, and other sectors inresource-constrained rural areas of New England.
Who Should Apply
The RHLI is tailored for professionals with at least two years of experience in health or public health fields, particularly those with lived or professional experience in rural areas. The program is open to individuals working in health departments, community health centers, community-based organizations, and clinics, with strong encouragement for applicants from underrepresented groups and those serving medically underserved populations.
Alumni
RHLI 2024 Inaugural Cohort
The New England Rural Health Leadership Institute had its last session on November 19th, 2024. Aspiring leaders in various public health disciplines strengthened their support of community health while expanding their own leadership skills over the course of the Fall 2024 sessions!
Subject Matter Experts
Patricia Janulewicz Lloyd
DSc, MPH, Principal Investigator, Adjunct Professor, BUSPH Environmental Health
Daniel Merrigan
EdD, MPH, Associate Professor, BUSPH Community Health Sciences
Andy Lowe
Executive Director, New England Rural Health Association
Ezekial Baskin
Rural Health Program Manager, New England Rural Health Association
The Rural Health Leadership Institute (RHLI) is a free, three-month leadership development program designed for emerging public health and primary care professionals serving rural communities across New England. Offered by the New England Public Health Training Center and the New England Rural Health Association, RHLI equips participants with essential skills in strategic communications, leadership in times of change, and collaboration. The program uses a community learning approach for networking and discussion with leaders and experts, and includes hands-on activities for skill building.
