Local Leaders Unite to Advance Rural Healthcare in the Adirondacks

Local Leaders Unite to Advance Rural Healthcare in the Adirondacks

On March 20, the Adirondack Health Foundation hosted its inaugural Rural Health Symposium at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, New York, bringing together more than 80 local and regional attendees to discuss and help shape the future of healthcare across the Adirondack Park.

Centered on the theme “Navigating Change: The State of Rural Healthcare in an Uncertain Era,” the symposium created a forum for dialogue, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in rural communities.

The program featured a keynote overview by Kevin Kerwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Iroquois Healthcare Association, followed by a panel discussion with regional leaders representing healthcare administration, clinical care, public health, and workforce development. Panelists included Aaron Kramer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adirondack Health; Amy Corliss, MD, Medical Director of the Hospitalist Program; Joe Keegan, President of North Country Community College; and Hannah Busman, MPH, Public Health Director of Franklin County Public Health Services.

The panel explored the realities of delivering care in rural communities, including workforce challenges, access to services, behavioral health needs, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration to support patients both inside and outside the hospital setting. Aaron Kramer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adirondack Health, emphasized that “resiliency in rural healthcare depends on collaboration across hospitals, education, public health, and communities.”

The discussion highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing rural health systems, including innovative partnerships, workforce pipeline development, and the increasing importance of addressing social determinants of health to improve patient outcomes. Jen Balog, Executive Director of the Adirondack Health Foundation, described the symposium as “a call to action,” emphasizing the importance of continuing these discussions and building on the momentum to strengthen healthcare across the region.



The event reinforced the Foundation’s mission to support Adirondack Health through philanthropy, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that high-quality care remains accessible close to home. Building on the success of this inaugural event, the Adirondack Health Foundation plans to continue convening partners, fostering collaboration, and establishing the Rural Health Symposium as an annual initiative to sustain ongoing dialogue and progress in rural healthcare.