In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Olivia Harris, Benefits Specialist at North Country Healthcare, for a timely and informative conversation about employee benefits, open enrollment, and how to make the most of the resources available to staff.

Olivia walks us through what to expect during annual enrollment, shares helpful tips for reviewing coverage options, and offers insight into how benefits support overall well-being throughout the year. We also talk about her role behind the scenes in Human Resources, what she enjoys most about working with staff across the System, and how she helps make a complex topic easier to understand.

Whether you’re new to NCH or a long-time employee, this episode will help you feel more confident and prepared heading into open enrollment.

Tune in for a practical and friendly conversation that reminds us that taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of others.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #humanresources #benefits #employeeexperience #oneteamonemission #ruralhealthcare

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Brooke Belanger, In-House Counsel for North Country Healthcare, for a candid and engaging conversation about law, leadership, and the human side of healthcare compliance.
Brooke shares her journey from public defense to healthcare law and how her experiences across state policy, Medicaid development, and hospital compliance shaped her approach to legal counsel. We talk about what it means to make complex systems understandable, the importance of clarity and communication in healthcare policy, and how thoughtful leadership helps teams make confident, ethical decisions.
Through humor, insight, and deep commitment to community well-being, Brooke reminds us that doing things “by the book” can also be done with heart.
Tune in for a refreshing conversation about trust, transparency, and what it means to serve with integrity in rural healthcare.
#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #leadership #healthcarelaw #compliance #oneteamonemission #ruralhealthcare

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Andrea Tupick, Director of Inpatient Services at North Country Healthcare, to talk about leadership, teamwork, and the fast-paced world of inpatient care.

Andrea shares her journey into nursing leadership and what it takes to oversee a department that never slows down. We discuss the importance of communication, teamwork, and trust in delivering high-quality care, along with what she’s learned about supporting both patients and staff in a constantly changing environment.

Whether you’re on the floor, behind the scenes, or simply curious about what happens within inpatient care, this episode offers an inside look at how strong leadership, compassion, and collaboration shape every patient experience.

Tune in for a grounded and inspiring conversation about nursing, leadership, and the heart of hospital care.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #nursingleadership #inpatientcare #hospitalleadership #ruralhealthcare #oneteamonemission

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Wayne Couture, Director of Imaging Services at North Country Healthcare, to take a closer look at the vital role diagnostic imaging plays in patient care.

Wayne shares his journey into healthcare leadership and what it means to oversee imaging departments across the System. We talk about the technology that makes modern diagnostics possible, the teamwork behind delivering results quickly and accurately, and how imaging supports nearly every other area of care.

From X-rays to advanced scans, Wayne offers insight into the challenges and opportunities of leading imaging services in a rural setting, and what excites him most about the future.

Whether you’re a clinician, a support staff member, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes work that makes diagnosis and treatment possible, this episode sheds light on a critical piece of the care journey.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about technology, collaboration, and keeping patients at the center.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #imaging #diagnostics #ruralhealthcare #oneteamonemission

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Danielle Roy, Clinical Supervisor for Cardiopulmonary, Sleep, Respiratory, Neurology, and Cardiology Services at North Country Healthcare.

Danielle shares her journey into clinical leadership and what it means to oversee such a wide range of specialties. We dive into the Ambulatory EEG project, what it is, why it matters, and how it’s changing the patient experience. She also reflects on the challenges and rewards of working across highly technical fields, the importance of collaboration between departments, and the pride she takes in leading her team.

Whether you’re curious about the latest innovations or simply want to understand more about the people behind the care, this episode offers a fascinating look into the world of cardiopulmonary and neurology services in rural healthcare.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about teamwork, innovation, and what the future holds.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #cardiology #respiratorycare #neurology #innovation #oneteamonemission #ruralhealthcare

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Jesse Raimer, System Director of Materials Management at North Country Healthcare, to explore the critical but often invisible work that keeps our hospitals and affiliates running.

Jesse shares his career journey and what it means to oversee everything from supply chains to everyday essentials across a rural healthcare system. We talk about the challenges of ensuring resources are where they need to be, how his team collaborates with clinical staff, and why Materials Management is more than just moving boxes—it’s about making patient care possible.

Whether you work in a clinical department or support role, this episode sheds light on the behind-the-scenes systems that impact every patient interaction.

Tune in for a practical and eye-opening conversation about teamwork, logistics, and the people who make care possible long before a patient walks through the door.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #materialsmanagement #supplychain #healthcarelogistics #ruralhealthcare #oneteamonemission

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Tom Mee, Chief Executive Officer of North Country Healthcare, for a candid conversation about leadership, vision, and navigating the complexities of rural healthcare.

Tom reflects on his journey from bedside nurse to system CEO, and how those experiences shape the way he leads today. We talk about the importance of trust, transparency, and collaboration across affiliates, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing rural health systems in today’s changing environment.

As NCH looks ahead to a new fiscal year, Tom shares what he sees on the horizon and what it means to keep staff and patients at the center of every decision.

Whether you’re on the front lines, in a support role, or simply curious about what it takes to lead a complex healthcare system, this episode offers an inside look at leadership in action.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about resilience, vision, and staying true to mission in rural healthcare.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #leadership #ruralhealthcare #oneteamonemission #tommee

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Evelyn Robbenolt-Jones, who leads Behavioral Health at North Country Healthcare, for a candid conversation about mental health, substance use, and the unique challenges and opportunities of providing care in rural communities.

Evelyn shares what first drew her to this work, how behavioral health and substance use disorder intersect, and what she wishes more people understood about the realities of behavioral health services. We talk about stigma, access to care, and the role that every staff member—clinical or not—can play in supporting patients and colleagues.

Whether you’re on the frontlines of patient care or working behind the scenes, this episode offers important insight into how behavioral health touches every part of what we do.

Tune in for a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about resilience, connection, and hope.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #substanceusedisorder #oneteamonemission #ruralhealthcare

Episode 10: In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Julie Bolton, System Infection Prevention RN and Emergency Room RN at Weeks Medical Center and UCVH, to explore the vital but often misunderstood world of infection prevention.

Julie shares what a day in her role really looks like, how she supports staff across the System, and why infection control is about so much more than policies and protocols. We talk about her dual perspective working both in prevention and on the frontlines of the ER, the biggest challenges in keeping patients and staff safe, and the small actions that make the biggest difference.

Whether you’ve ever wondered “What does infection

 control actually do?” or simply want a clearer view of the teamwork behind patient safety, this episode sheds light on a role that impacts every corner of healthcare.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about prevention, resilience, and why the details matter.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #infectionprevention #nursing #patientsafety #oneteamonemission

In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Greg Cook, President and CEO of Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, for a candid conversation about leadership, community, and what it takes to guide a critical access hospital in the North Country.

Greg reflects on his career journey, from pharmacy services to operations and supply chain, and how those experiences shape his approach to leading UCVH as he nears his two-year anniversary. We talk about building strong teams, collaborating across the NCH System, and meeting the evolving needs of patients and families in a rural setting.

Whether you are on the front line, part of an operational team, or simply curious about how a community hospital thrives, this episode offers a practical look at purpose-driven leadership in rural healthcare.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about strategy, relationships, and staying grounded in mission.

#ruralroots #northcountryhealthcare #nch #ucvh #gregcook #ruralhealthcare #leadership #communityhospital #oneteamonemission