Conference tackles challenges of health care workforce

June 9, 2026 - 23:22

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Dakota Conference on Rural Health brought together medical professionals, educators, and policymakers this week to address one of the state's most pressing issues: the shortage of health care workers in rural communities. Speakers highlighted several University of North Dakota programs designed to train and retain providers in areas that need them most.

Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a family physician from Minot, told attendees that the problem is not just about hiring new doctors. It is about keeping them in small towns where burnout is high and resources are limited. She pointed to UND's RuralMed program, which offers loan repayment for medical students who commit to practicing in underserved areas after graduation.

Other speakers discussed the growing role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in filling gaps left by retiring doctors. UND's School of Medicine and Health Sciences has expanded its training tracks for these roles, with a focus on placing students in rural clinics during their clinical rotations.

The conference also addressed mental health care, which remains a critical need across the state. A panel on telepsychiatry showed how remote consultations can help patients in isolated areas get access to specialists without traveling long distances.

Organizers said the goal of the conference was to move beyond talk and into action. Several attendees signed up for a new mentorship network that pairs experienced rural providers with students still in training. The hope is that early exposure to rural practice will encourage more graduates to stay in North Dakota after they finish school.