February 20, 2026

The President’s Message is published in the MHA Weekly News Report, a member-only publication of the Montana Hospital Association. To subscribe, click here.

MHREF Executive Director Shani Rich was in Washington, D.C. last week. Not on an advocacy assignment (unallowed, by the way), but on an education assignment.

She met with our congressional delegation and her primary objective was to highlight the impact of federally-supported rural healthcare programs in Montana. These programs, many of which are hosted by the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation (MHREF), deliver a lot of value for the federal dollar in Montana.

There’s been a lot of focus on the Rural Health Transformation Program recently, and rightly so. I believe that Montana hospitals and our healthcare system will benefit from it. I also believe that the longstanding federal and state healthcare programs hosted at the MHREF will remain key to the long-term strength of our state’s healthcare system.

100% of Montana hospitals benefit from MHREF programs. From quality improvement and financial optimization to workforce development and emergency preparedness, the Foundation’s reach is statewide and deeply rooted in rural communities.

Consider just a few highlights from 2025 alone:

Last year, 1,095 Montana students completed health career simulation experiences through PAVE: Pathways virtual reality education, and 107 high school students participated in immersive healthcare career exploration experiences. At a time when workforce shortages challenge every community, this pipeline work is critical.

MHREF also supported 274 critical access hospital leaders in accessing statewide education and engagement opportunities, while 874 healthcare professionals participated in emergency preparedness training and learning sessions. Rapid improvement and revenue cycle projects supported 15 critical access hospitals, strengthening financial sustainability and operational performance.

Clinical quality and patient outcomes remain front and center. The Rural OB Collaborative guided planning and resource improvements for 55 participants, and patient outcome improvement programs expanded through two new private funders.

This work is the bedrock of our association. While many policymakers may know us primarily for our advocacy, it is arguably the work of our Foundation that is most visible to Montana caregivers and their patients.

Looking ahead, that momentum continues. Our Quality Team is preparing for the 2026 MHA Health Summit, April 8–10 in Butte—the largest gathering in Montana dedicated to quality improvement and patient safety. Our Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are gearing up for high school camps hosted at hospitals across Montana, often serving as a student’s very first introduction to a healthcare career. And our Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP) is planning to host an Advanced HazMat exercise in Glendive later this spring—the first of its kind in Montana. With the Bakken oil fields ramping up production again and Eastern Montana’s healthcare resources stretched across hundreds of miles, this training is not just important—it could be a game changer for a community facing a hazardous materials event.

I want to acknowledge the steady focus of the MHREF team. No matter the political and economic waves of the moment, funding booms and busts, these programs and professionals persevere—and are making a real difference for Montana hospitals and the communities they serve.