Methodist Fremont Health CMO shares keys to success in rural health

To succeed in rural health, hospitals should capitalize on their close connection with the rural communities they serve, according to the new CMO of Methodist Fremont Health.

Michele Williams, MD, became the inaugural CMO of the 75-bed hospital that is part of Omaha, Nebraska-based Methodist Health System this month. Williams, who is a practicing emergency medicine physician, previously served as the hospital's emergency medicine medical director, and she will continue to serve in that role in addition to working as hospital CMO.

From a clinical perspective, rural hospitals such as Methodist Fremont Health compared to many hospitals in urban settings need to take advantage of their close relationship with the communities they serve, according to Williams.

"Most of our staff live in this community and we know the patients who we are taking care of," Williams says. "We have a strong connection with the community, which helps us know patients well and care for them better."

HealthLeadersMedia.com: Hospital CMO Shares Keys to Success in Rural Health