Michelle Mills, Chief Executive Officer
As the CEO, Michelle brings substantial experience and working knowledge of rural health issues and has worked closely with rural communities and providers to make a positive impact on rural health delivery. Michelle is responsible for building relationships that the Center has established with other organizations, funders, and rural healthcare leaders and is dedicated to collaboration. In 2009, she received the Patient Safety Leader of the Year Award and in 2011 graduated from NOSORH’s Leadership Institute. Michelle earned her BA in Communications from Regis University. She enjoys any activity outdoors with her family and is an avid DIYer.

Emily Berger, Program Assistant
Emily provides program assistance to the Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) program. She received her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Emily has previous experience with nonprofits, including 826 National in San Francisco and the Windham Regional Community Council in Connecticut. In her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking and traveling.

Melissa Bosworth, Director of Workforce and Outreach
As the Director of Workforce and Outreach, Melissa is responsible for addressing the healthcare provider needs of rural Colorado. She’s a Colorado native who earned her Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Music Therapy and is currently working on her graduate degree in Health Services Administration at Regis University. Melissa’s background includes ten years in administration of long-term care services for people with developmental disabilities, policy and advocacy for vulnerable populations, and safety net dental treatment services. Although not practicing music therapy, she believes that music has a place in everyone’s life.

Jennifer Dunn, Director of Programs
Jennifer works as the Director of Programs, where she is responsible for the oversight of the CAH, RHC, and EMS/Emergency Preparedness programs. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. In her free time, Jen enjoys cycling, jogging, volunteering, and traveling.

Amanda Emerson , Program Assistant
Amanda provides support to the Outreach Department as the program assistant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Science and International Studies from Northern Michigan University, and has experience working with rural communities around the world addressing environmental concerns. Amanda is an outdoor enthusiast, rain or shine, you’ll always find her in the back country.

Jamie Groy, Recruitment Coordinator
As a Recruitment Coordinator in the Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) program, Jamie is responsible for connecting rural clinics and hospitals with physicians and other medical providers interested in practicing in a rural area. She is originally from Montana, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication Studies from the University of Montana. She has previous experience with the Montana AHEC system. Jamie enjoys being in the outdoors, snowboarding, traveling and experiencing new things.

Alicia Haywood, Policy and Advocacy Manager
Alicia Haywood is the Policy and Advocacy Manager for the Colorado Rural Health Center. Her day-to-day activities include tracking state and federal legislative and regulatory issues related to rural health and serving as a conduit of information between rural Colorado, Denver, and Washington DC. She also heads up CRHC’s involvement with Colorado HealthStory, a story telling project designed to capture Coloradans’ experiences with health and healthcare. Alicia earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Colorado – Denver and a BA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She was recently selected for the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Fellow Program, a year-long rural health policy training program. When not “policy-wonkin’” she enjoys biking and playing with her fox terrier, Ramona Quimby.

Samantha Hiner, Program Assistant
Samantha provides support to the Programs Department as the program assistant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and Communication from Berry College, and has experience with event coordination and program development. A native of Decatur, GA, Samantha enjoys cooking, jogging, being outdoors and reading.

Jennifer Jones, Finance Manager
As the Finance Manager, Jennifer is responsible for all general accounting functions, ensuring that CRHC’s financials are correctly stated, managing the audit and budget processes, and assisting with ensuring proper internal controls. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at the University of Tulsa and later earned her designation as a CPA. Jennifer previously worked for several years as a for-profit Staff Accountant and briefly worked as an auditor. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, traveling, ballroom dancing and is an avid hockey fan.

Lakesha Jones, Grants Manager
As the Grants Manager of CREATE (Colorado Resources for Emergency and Trauma Education) and Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Programs, Lakesha’s role of overall program management allows for direct interaction with grantees daily, as well as manage and coordinate the committees' that govern each program. She holds a MPA from Loyola University, and a B.A. in Public Administration from Talladega College. Lakesha’s passion to help others dates over 11 years, as she saw success writing grants for several nonprofit organizations in Colorado, Nevada, Illinois and California through her own organization Write Resources, LLC. The best part of being at CRHC is….. “Knowing that thousands of people will get the benefit of a well, trained medical professional…because of the education and training opportunities funded through CRHC.".

Sara Leahy, Colorado Provider Recruitment Program Manager
Sara manages the Colorado Provider Recruitment program which assists rural facilities with their recruitment needs and in turn helps physicians and other healthcare professionals find job opportunities in a rural and underserved areas of the state. Originally from upstate New York, Sara earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from The State University of New York at Oneonta. From there, she gained experience at several non-profit, member-based organizations. In her free time, she loves to explore Colorado's great outdoors and spend time with her friends and family, especially her new baby, Charlie!

Angela Marino, Quality Improvement Specialist
Angela works with the Rural Health Clinics in the northeastern part of the state, as well as ClinicNET clinics in the Denver Metro area.  Prior to joining CRHC, Angela worked with Health TeamWorks as the Program Coordinator for Improving Performance in Practice, a practice transformation program.  She has a background in nonprofit work and teaching.  While living in Germany and working on her master's degree, she saw how different their healthcare system was and developed an interest in being part of improving healthcare in the US.  Angela moved to Colorado in 1998 from Illinois and loves all things outdoors.

Bridgette Olson, Program Manager
As the Program Manager for CRHC, Bridgette is responsible for the oversight and coordination of CRHC’s membership constituency and is the event coordinator for CRHC’s two annual conferences; the Annual Rural Health Conference and The Forum. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. She has previous experience with nonprofits, including a federally funded grant project through the United States Attorney General’s Office. Bridgette enjoys reading, refinishing vintage furniture and watching James Bond films.

Robyn Purvin, Recruitment Coordinator
As a Recruitment Coordinator in the Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) program, Robyn is responsible for connecting rural clinics and hospitals with physicians and other medical providers interested in practicing in a rural area. Before CRHC, Robyn worked for Inner City Health Center as a development associate. She has her bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral economics from the University of Arizona. She is currently enrolled in the masters of social science program at University of Colorado Denver. She enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and going to concerts.

Suzie Rick, Office Manager
Suzie comes to CRHC with an architectural background focused on rural healthcare settings. She provided project design, technical production, and construction administration on numerous skilled care and assisted living facilities throughout rural communities of North Dakota. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Environmental Design from North Dakota State University. The rural vernacular is a treasure to her, as she grew up on her family’s original homestead in North Dakota. Suzie moved to Colorado in 2001 and enjoys sharing time with family and friends as well as every aspect of sports and outdoor recreation.

Courtnay Ryan, Programs Coordinator
Courtnay relocated to Colorado from Washington State after working in healthcare administration for over seven years. Most recently she worked on a support staff team for several Emergency Departments in the greater Seattle area. She worked with the clinical staff to maximize Medicare reimbursement and to advocate both Federal and State policies in the hospital setting. She has a two year degree from the University of North Texas and is working towards a BA in Business Administration. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, photography and loves the great outdoors!

Amy Salazar, Administrative Assistant
Amy supports the Executive Director and Office Manager as well as providing general office administrative support. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from Midwestern State University.  She worked extensively in the for-profit sector following three years as a Special Education Teacher. She relocated from Texas in 2000.  She has a deep understanding and personal connection to the issues facing rural communities as she was born and raised in a very small Texas town and still considers it “home”. 

Ron Seedorf, Emergency Preparedness Manager
Ron manages the Hospital Preparedness contract through the CDPHE Emergency Preparedness & Response Section that provides funds to help hospitals, clinics and first responder agencies enhance their capacity to respond in the event of a mass casualty or pandemic event. Ron comes from Yuma, Colorado, where he worked at Yuma District Hospital as their Grants Manager and Trauma Coordinator. With a BS in Business Management and Administration, Ron has over 20 years in private business experience and has worked in Emergency Medical Services as an EMT for almost 20 years.

Caleb Siem, Critical Access Hospital Program Manager
Caleb grew up in Platteville Colorado and went to the University of Northern Colorado for his undergrad where he received his B.A. in Philosophy with an emphasis in ethics and public policy, and minored in political science. Caleb met his wife Emily at UNC and they were married in January of 2012. Caleb just finished his Master’s degree in Humanities at the University of Colorado Denver where he focused on philosophy and bioethics. Caleb enjoys mountain biking and other outdoor Colorado activities, and is excited to work with the Critical Access Hospitals in the state.

Kathryn Steele, Quality Improvement Specialist
Kathryn comes to the Colorado Rural Health Center from Montrose, CO, with a varied background in the medical field. She began writing grants several years ago while working in a private practice. It was there that she developed a passion for promoting rural, integrative healthcare. She holds a degree in Medical Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has owned and operated several organic markets. Creative writing, camping, music, family and friends, and one precious grandson contribute to her personal mission to “live an awesome life!”

Danette Swanson, HIT Program Manager
As Health Information Technology Program Manager, Danette is responsible for helping meet the HIT needs of hospitals in rural and underserved areas of Colorado. Danette has past experience in the rural hospital and clinic setting and has worked in medical equipment resource management, database management, marketing, sales operations, contracts, IT project management, and legal compliance in a variety of industries. She earned her BA in Organizational Management and Communications from Concordia College.