Expert Work Group

Our Expert Work Group is designed to ensure that our research is relevant to decision makers (including federal/state policymakers and those in the rural health system), and reaches decision makers and practitioners who can use it to good effect. In policy relevance, we strive to address questions that are of national interest to core rural health constituencies, but also of concern to rural residents, practitioners, managers, and leaders. Within our areas of research, these are individuals who are well informed on issues of behavioral health, rural health insurance and Rural Health Clinics at one or more of these levels. We have sought members with national perspectives, state-level policymakers, and those with community and practice level experience who understand rural behavioral health and rural health issues more broadly.

Lisa Davis, MHA

Director, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. She is past-president of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association. Her experience focuses on rural health issues, rural health policy, women's health, the health care needs of special populations, and the un- and underinsured.

Therese Hanna, MHS

Executive Director, Center for Mississippi Health Policy, an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides objective information to inform policy decisions. Her previous positions include State Insurance Administrator for the State of Mississippi and Director of Policy and Planning with the State Department of Health.

Pablo Hernandez, MD

Former Administrator, Wyoming State Commission for Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, Dr. Hernandez currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the School of Medicine, University of Massachusetts-Worcester.

Wayne Myers, MD

Retired pediatrician, founder and director of the University of the Kentucky Center for Rural Health. Dr. Myers also served as director of the Office of Rural Health Policy.

Gail Nickerson

Director of Clinic Services, Adventist Health, providing oversight for over thirty Rural Health Clinics in California, Oregon and Washington. Ms. Nickerson is the President of the Board of the California State Rural Health Association, as well as Chair of the RHC Constituency Group, Trustee of the National Rural Health Association, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, and founder and President of the Board of the California Association of Rural Health Clinics.