Rural hospitals across the U.S. are on the brink—operating with razor-thin margins, workforce shortages, and rising uncompensated care that threaten their survival. In this episode of Healthspark, we break down an award-winning strategy developed by Syracuse University’s first-place Fleming Case Competition team that offers a bold, data-driven blueprint for rural healthcare sustainability.

Drawing on publicly available financial, population health, and broadband data, the team evaluated multiple at-risk rural regions and identified Texas’s Southeast Coastal Corridor as the strongest pilot market for transformation. Their proposed solution, the Wellness and Health Insight Model (WHIM), combines shared digital infrastructure, telehealth-enabled emergency diversion, and targeted patient engagement to reduce avoidable emergency room utilization, lower readmissions, and curb uncompensated care.

The episode explores how WHIM’s regional governance model, interoperable data systems, and five-year financial pro forma translate innovation into measurable impact—projecting more than $8.4 million in cost avoidance while positioning rural hospitals for long-term sustainability beyond federal grant funding.

This conversation is a masterclass in how strategy, technology, and regional collaboration can move rural hospitals from survival to sustainability—and how the next generation of healthcare leaders is already building scalable solutions.

Zhen (Elena) Shi is an MBA candidate at Syracuse University with concentrations in Finance and Supply Chain Management. With a background in agricultural science and applied data analytics, her work has focused on using digital tools to improve productivity and sustainability in rural systems. She brings a strong strategy and operations perspective to healthcare innovation and consulting. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhen-shi-170666326

Alexandra Perry is a dual M.S. in Biotechnology and MBA student at Syracuse University specializing in the intersection of clinical care, innovation, and business strategy. With hands-on experience as a medical assistant and medical scribe, she brings firsthand insight into patient workflows and healthcare operations. She plans to pursue a career in biotechnology and medical device patent law. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-perry-1715b7220

Allison Hellman is a dual MBA and Master’s in Biotechnology student at Syracuse University focused on life science consulting and healthcare strategy. A former licensed biology educator and two-time case competition winner, she led the financial modeling and governance design for the Fleming competition–winning rural healthcare strategy. 🔗 http://linkedin.com/in/allison-hellman-6936baa2

Xiaoying Feng is a marketing PhD candidate at Syracuse University whose research examines consumer behavior, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. With prior training in biomedical engineering and experience analyzing large-scale emergency medical services data, she contributed behavioral science and patient engagement insights to the team’s rural healthcare solution. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaoying-feng-b11a32192/

Celso Perez Mayo is a Master of Business Analytics student at Syracuse University with a background in supply chain management and optimization modeling. His experience spans analytics consulting, cost-performance modeling, and humanitarian logistics, bringing a systems-level perspective to healthcare sustainability challenges. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/celso-perez-mayo-b46b54262/

Host & Editor: Dr. Ginger Raya Founder of Healthspark and a healthcare strategy leader focused on innovation, systems transformation, and the future of care delivery.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joshua Ortiz-Guzman — scientist, entrepreneur, and systems builder — whose work spans biotechnology, clinical research, environmental innovation, and space technology. As Director of Clinical Research at Rio Grande Urology, Joshua leads groundbreaking cancer research in underserved communities, integrating clinical trials, real-world data, and biomarker discovery.

He is also the founder of Prodigy Cells Labs, developing advanced biobanking and precision medicine platforms; Aurum Tech, engineering microbes for regenerative agriculture, waste transformation, and space-based protective systems; and Minos Life Tech, a consulting firm helping bridge science, business, and policy. His ventures have gained congressional support, SBIR funding, ISS National Lab recognition, and strategic partnerships across government and industry.

We explore Joshua’s journey from advancing gene therapy at Texas Children’s Hospital to building interdisciplinary frameworks that drive real-world solutions for human and planetary health. This conversation is packed with insights on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of healthcare technology.

🎧 Audio Editor: Keerthi Bhoda

🔗 Connect with Dr. Joshua Ortiz-Guzman: Website: ProdigyCells.com | Aurumbio.tech | Minoslifetech.com Instagram: @joshuaortizguzman Twitter/X: @Jpit3 LinkedIn: Joshua Ortiz-Guzman, PhD

In this episode of Healthspark, we sit down with Ethan Nkana — attorney, MBA, and founder of Rocky Mountain Physician Agency — to talk about why doctors deserve the same contract advocacy as professional athletes. Drawing from his unique path from hospital administration to “talent agent for doctors,” Ethan shares how he helps physicians level the playing field in salary and contract negotiations, the biggest threats he sees to physician autonomy, and where innovation can drive real change in healthcare. Whether you’re a doctor in training or a seasoned physician, this conversation will give you practical insights to protect your value and your future.

Audio Editor: Keerthi Bhoda

📞 Connect with Ethan Nkana: Call/Text: 720.471.0059 📱 Instagram: @physicianagency 📘 Facebook: Ethan Nkana JD MBA 🐦 X (Twitter): Rocky Mountain Physician Agency official account (linked via RMPA.co) 💼 LinkedIn: Ethan Nkana / Rocky Mountain Physician Agency ▶️ YouTube: Rocky Mountain Physician Agency channel (linked via RMPA.co)

💻 Website: RMPA.co