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Forget everything you thought you knew about rural healthcare. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Keleman, CEO of Providence Health Serving Humboldt, shatters the "medical desert" stereotype by revealing how metropolitan-level medical care exists in this coastal Northern California community.

Having worked for healthcare giants including Stanford, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health, Keleman brings a unique perspective to Providence's operations in Humboldt County. With surprising candor, he shares how the community performs robotic thoracic surgeries, offers comprehensive oncology services, and provides advanced trauma care—all services you might expect only in major urban centers.

The conversation explores the rich history of St. Joseph Hospital, which began in 1912 when twelve Sisters arrived from France with a simple but revolutionary mission: "Go out into communities, find like-minded individuals who share in your values, find a problem and solve it." That outreach-focused foundation continues to shape Providence's approach today.

What truly distinguishes Humboldt's healthcare landscape, according to Keleman, is the unprecedented collaboration among providers. Unlike the competitive environments he experienced elsewhere, here competitors regularly come together to address community health challenges collectively. This "Humboldt way" extends to physician recruitment, with initiatives like "Home in Humboldt" bringing together the Coast Guard, Cal Poly, and local healthcare systems to attract medical talent.

Perhaps most revealing is Keleman's personal discovery of Humboldt's unique community bonds. Despite being relatively new to the area, he articulates a profound insight: "Humboldt's the first place I've ever lived where I understand the concept of community... I've never really understood the depth of a relationship until I moved here."

Ready to challenge your assumptions about what's possible in rural healthcare? Listen now and discover why this CEO believes the future of medicine might be found not in crowded urban centers, but in collaborative communities like Humboldt County.

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About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

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