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In this episode of The Community Health Center Podcast, host Chase Marable sits down with Toniann Richard, CEO of HCC Network, to discuss what it takes to lead a Community Health Center through adversity while continuing to grow, innovate, and serve the community.

Toniann shares lessons from nearly two decades of leadership at HCC Network and the challenges that come with growing an organization in rural healthcare. The conversation explores how CHC leaders can navigate uncertainty, build strong teams, make difficult decisions, and stay focused on their mission even when the environment around them continues to change.

Key Topics Covered:

• Leadership Through Adversity
  How leaders can navigate difficult seasons, uncertainty, and constant change without losing sight of their people or mission.
• Growing a Community Health Center
  Lessons learned from expanding an organization, adding services and locations, and building the infrastructure needed to support sustainable growth.
• Building & Developing Great Teams
  Why organizational growth depends on developing leaders, empowering employees, and creating a culture where people can succeed.
• Making Difficult Leadership Decisions
  How CEOs can balance the needs of patients, employees, communities, and the long-term health of the organization.
• Staying Mission-Focused
  Why the mission of serving underserved communities remains the foundation for making decisions—even during challenging times.
• The Future of Community & Rural Health
  Toniann's perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead for Community Health Centers and the leaders responsible for guiding them.

This conversation offers a candid look at leadership from someone who has spent nearly two decades building and growing a rural healthcare organization while navigating many of the challenges facing Community Health Centers today.

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In this episode, hosts Chase Marable sits down with Tammy Leeper, CEO/CFO, from Fairfax Medical Facilities to discuss the critical role Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play in strengthening communities, expanding access to care, and remaining resilient during times of economic and healthcare uncertainty.

The conversation explores how FQHCs serve as essential community anchors, providing comprehensive healthcare services while addressing social determinants of health and responding to evolving community needs.

Key Topics Covered:

The Importance of FQHCs in America's Healthcare System
How FQHCs provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive care to underserved populations while serving as a vital safety net for communities across the country.

Community Impact Beyond Healthcare
The broader role health centers play in improving workforce health, supporting local economies, reducing healthcare disparities, and creating healthier, more resilient communities.

Growth During Times of Uncertainty
Strategies that enable health centers to continue expanding services, investing in infrastructure, and meeting increasing patient demand despite economic pressures, workforce challenges, and industry disruption.

Building Sustainable Healthcare Access
How strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and mission-focused planning help FQHCs navigate changing healthcare landscapes while maintaining high-quality patient care.

The Future of Community Health Centers
A discussion on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges facing FQHCs as they continue to evolve and serve as the front line of healthcare delivery for millions of Americans.

This episode provides valuable insights for healthcare executives, board members, community leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the lasting impact of FQHCs on the communities they serve.

Learn more about Fairfax Medical Facilities:
Website: https://www.fairfaxclinic.com

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In this episode, hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo sit down with Jon-Michial Carter, CEO of ChartSpan, for a strategic conversation on the evolving role of Chronic Care Management (CCM) in Community Health Centers and what it takes to build sustainable, scalable care models for complex patient populations.

The discussion explores how CCM supports both patient outcomes and operational sustainability for FQHCs navigating workforce pressure, rising chronic disease prevalence, and tightening margins.

Key Topics Covered:

CCM as a Strategic Service Line
How CHCs can use CCM to enhance continuity of care, improve patient engagement, and create stable, compliant revenue streams.

Leadership Lessons from a Health Tech CEO
Jon-Michial shares insights from scaling ChartSpan nationally and partnering with health systems and CHCs across diverse markets.

Operationalizing CCM at Scale
Best practices for workflows, staffing models, compliance, and technology integration that allow clinical teams to thrive without added burden.

The Future of CCM & Value-Based Care
Where CCM fits in the next 3–5 years as CHCs continue moving toward value-based care, risk-based models, and whole-person care.

This episode delivers actionable insights for CHC executives, clinical leaders, and operations teams evaluating or optimizing CCM programs.

Learn more about ChartSpan and CCM solutions:
Website: https://chartspan.com

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In this episode, hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo sit down with Dr. Michael McDuffie, CEO of Agape Health Services, for an incredibly insightful conversation on what it takes to lead, grow, and transform a Community Health Center today.

We dive into major themes every FQHC leader should be thinking about:

Clinic & Service Line Growth
How Agape expanded strategically and sustainably while staying community-centered.

Leadership Lessons from a CEO
What it really takes to guide an FQHC through change, growth, and increasing patient demand.

Operational Excellence in a Modern CHC
Processes, systems, and structures that allow clinical teams to thrive.

Future Vision for CHCs
Where Dr. McDuffie sees the biggest opportunities — and risks — in the next 3–5 years.

This episode is full of actionable insights for executives, operational leaders, and anyone committed to strengthening the FQHC mission.

Find more information about Agape and Dr. McDuffie here:
Website: https://www.agapechc.org/news/dr-mcduffie-ceo-of-agape-health-services-receives-the-2024-dr-evelyn-d-schmidt-service-award

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In this episode of The CHC Podcast hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo interviewed Jeff Allen, CPA, National Community Health Center Practice Leader with FORVIS.

We went go over critical trends impacting FQHCs including:

- Financial Sustainability

- Provider Productivity

- Impact of Culture for CHCs

Find more information about Jeff & FORVIS here:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-allen-a38553207/

Website: https://www.forvismazars.us/

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In this episode of The CHC Podcast hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo interviewed Karen A. Daley, CEO of Optimus Health Care.

We went go over critical trends impacting FQHCs including:

- Legislative Updates on Medicaid

- Revenue Cycle Involvement

- Addressing Critical Workforce Shortage

Find more information about Karen & Optimus Health Care here:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karendaley7/

Website: https://optimushealthcare.org/about/leadership/

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In this episode of The CHC Podcast hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo interviewed Rebecca Mankin with Mankin Consulting, LLC.

We went go over critical trends impacting FQHCs including:

- Workforce Crisis in Healthcare: Recruitment, Retention, and Burnout

- Value-Based Care

- Legislation & Advocacy for FQHC Leaders

Find more information about Mankin Consulting, LLC here:

Website: https://www.mankinconsultingservices.com/

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In this episode of The CHC Podcast hosts Chase Marable and Dawson Nimmo interviewed Chad Smith, Owner of CI Solutions

We went go over critical trends impacting FQHCs including:

- Empowering Change with Health Center Teams

- Leadership Lessons for Strategic Planning

Find more information about CI Solutions here:

Website: https://www.cisolutionsllp.com/

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