Our Story

The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub), then the Rural Assistance Center, was launched in December 2002 as the national clearinghouse of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Our charge included helping rural communities navigate the multitude of opportunities and information available that could help them provide better healthcare to their residents.

Dr. Mary Wakefield was the first program director of the Rural Assistance Center, serving in that role from 2002-2005. Since 2005, Kristine Sande has led the efforts of the program.

While we concentrated on providing a comprehensive online library in our early years, our focus has grown to building an evidence-base for rural health. Our toolkits and program models are designed to help our users learn what works in rural communities.

On December 1, 2015, we changed our name from the Rural Assistance Center to the Rural Health Information Hub. The new name better reflects what we do and the services we provide.

We continue to be your guide to information, resources, and opportunities that can help you improve rural healthcare services and population health.

The Impact of RHIhub

Lisa Davis, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Director, explains how her office and staff share RHIhub information in Pennsylvania.

Tina Elliot, Senior Director of the Indiana Rural Health Association, highlights how RHIhub staff can help find statistics, maps, and more.

Alan Morgan, the National Rural Health Association’s CEO, shares how RHIhub can help rural communities find opportunities and resources.

John Supplitt, formerly the Senior Director of Rural Health Services at the American Hospital Association, describes how RHIhub can help support informed decision-making related to rural health issues and policies.