Florida Rural Health Association’s Annual Educational Summit is fast approaching! The annual summit, now in its 24th year, has always been dedicated to raising awareness of the topics and issues faced by rural health professionals. This year’s focus is Healthcare, Politics, and Funding in Uncertain Times. One of the most important skills that rural health professionals can have is leadership, especially in uncertain times. This year’s keynote speaker, Larry Mullins, understands what it takes to be an effective leader, especially in times of crisis.
Mullins has an impressive resume, to say the least. When he was 18, he enlisted in the Marine Corps not only because he wanted to serve his country, but because he knew the G.I. Bill would help him pay for college when he got out. When he came back and enrolled in community college, he had dreams of being a teacher and a football coach, but working a part-time job as a hospital orderly piqued his interest in healthcare. He became a registered nurse, and then earned a degree in health sciences from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from Northern Arizona University, and a doctorate in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. In 1992, he became the CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis and held that position for nearly 25 years. Through teamwork and inspiring leadership, Mullins developed a comprehensive array of health services in Oregon and helped achieve an affordable, comprehensive, equitable, and publicly funded service for local residents.
Just this year, he went to Antarctica and spent a month retracing the steps of explorer Ernest Shackleton, a leader who has inspired Mullins. Ernest Shackleton led an expedition to Antarctica with the ship ‘Endurance’ in 1914. When his ship became trapped in the ice, Shackleton’s expert leadership allowed them to survive on the floating ice for two years. No one on the ‘Endurance’ expedition died, and the entire crew was eventually rescued from Elephant Island in 1916.
Mullins’ keynote presentation, Leading from the Edge: Crisis Leadership Lessons Using Shackleton and Other Leadership Experiences will highlight how to be an effective and inspiring leader during a crisis, no matter your position or situation. Mullins will also speak on the topic of alternative revenue in the rural healthcare setting. He founded the Samaritan Solutions Institute to help other rural healthcare facilities replicate a model of economic sustainability and community engagement. Learn more here.
Come join us for his lectures, and many more, at the 24th Annual Rural Health Educational Summit. Don’t wait, early bird prices end February 12th. Click here for more information and to register.
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