Brock Slabach, Chief Operations Officer, NRHA  Brock joined NRHA in 2008. He is NRHAs Chief Operating Officer. He was a rural hospital administrator for more than 21 years and has served on the board of the National Rural Health Association and the regional policy board of the American Hospital Association. Brock specializes in rural health system development that encompasses population health and the varied payment programs moving rural providers into value-based purchasing models. He serves on the Board of Directors of Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Brock is the 2015 recipient of the Calico Quality Leadership Award of the National Rural Health Resource Center, received the American Society of Healthcare Pharmacists (ASHP) Board of Directors’ Award of Honor for 2018 and the NRHA’s President’s Award in 2023. ​Brock earned a master of public health degree in health administration from the University of Oklahoma and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives

Sarah Gideon, MBA, Executive Director, Health Innovations Network of Kansas (HINK)

Sarah has been leading HINK,a 15-member hospital network, since 2016. with a steadfast commitment to the mission of building strategic relationships to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services for the residents in our communities. Guided by a mission to foster collaborative partnerships, HINK, under Sarah's leadership, serves the healthcare needs of a diverse population across 14 counties in Northeast Kansas. The service area, characterized by a largely rural population, underscores Sarah's dedication to addressing unique healthcare challenges faced by these communities. A proud alumna of Kansas State University, Sarah Gideon brings nearly 15 years of extensive experience in healthcare management to her role. Her journey began in the agriculture sector, instilling in her a profound understanding of rural issues and communities. This background has become a driving force in her advocacy for accessible and quality healthcare in rural settings. Beyond her professional commitments, Sarah is deeply engaged in community service. She volunteers for several community organizations in Jackson County, showcasing her strong belief in service

Elya Prystowsky, Executive Director, The Rural Collaborative

Dr. Elya Prystowsky has served as the executive director of the Rural Collaborative since 2019. Prior to this, she served as the executive director of the Olympic Community of Health, one of nine accountable communities of health in Washington State. Elya holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Washington School of Public Health and a MS in population health from Harvard University School of Public Health. Elya is a fierce advocate for rural health, women’s health and the use of data to drive decisions in healthcare.