AscendRural, a program of Sourcewell, announces registration is now open for the AscendRural 2026 National Summit, taking place November 30-December 2 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan, Minn. The three-day national gathering will bring together rural thought leaders, community problem-solvers, healthcare and technology innovators, entrepreneurs, funders, and policymakers to explore what’s working, what’s next, and the partnerships needed to transform federal investments in rural America into lasting impact.

To register, https://www.ascendrural.org/summit2026.

With states beginning implementation of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and rural communities navigating a broader wave of public and private investment, this year’s Summit will give participants opportunities to hear directly from federal and state leaders, explore emerging models and innovations, and build relationships with organizations working to translate investment into action.

AscendRural, which focuses on bridging gaps and building partnerships between rural communities and emerging technology solutions, has chosen “Bridging Innovation and Rural Communities to Improve Well-being” as this year’s Summit theme. The three days are designed as a progression: understanding the rural transformation moment and moving federal investment toward implementation; exploring the models, partnerships and capacity needed to sustain that transformation; and translating research, lessons and ideas into action tailored to different rural communities.

Among the featured speakers and sessions:

Dr. Caprice Knapp, Principal Deputy Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will moderate the Day 1 closing plenary, “From Interest to Action,” examining what federal investment is intended to catalyze, what states are learning as implementation moves forward and what broader systems must change to make rural transformation sustainable. CMS staff will also hold dedicated office hours with participating states during the Summit to discuss implementation questions.

On Day 2, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek will deliver the opening keynote, “From Federal Investment to Rural Transformation: Building Capacity that Lasts,” widening the lens from RHTP implementation to the workforce, partnerships, infrastructure and local capacity needed to sustain rural transformation over the long term.

The Summit’s final day will turn from learning to action, with Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and leader of its Reimagining Rural Policy initiative, leading “What’s Next for Rural Health? From Research Findings to Rural Action.” The interactive session will build on rural health research and insights from the Summit to explore practical pathways for addressing healthcare access, workforce, financing, innovation and infrastructure based on the needs and capacity of different rural communities.

The Summit will be emceed by Tim Marema, Editor Emeritus of The Daily Yonder. Additional Summit speakers include Chad Coauette, CEO of Sourcewell; Sandra Wilkniss of the National Academy for State Health Policy; Dr. Hollie Mackey, CEO of NSF AgTech Engine (FARMS); Matt Dunne, Founder of the Center on Rural Innovation; and Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. Other speakers represent rural communities, healthcare, philanthropy, technology, economic development and entrepreneurship, including leaders from Veterans Affairs, the LOR Foundation, Land O’Lakes Foundation, Initiative Foundation, Region Five Development Commission, LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation and other organizations working across rural America. The speaker lineup continues to grow, with additional high-profile leaders and innovators to be announced soon.

“We’re at a pivotal moment when it comes to the health of rural communities, with significant new federal investment creating opportunities to strengthen rural health and well-being for the long-term,” said Melissa Kjolsing, Managing Director of AscendRural. “However, funding alone won’t drive sustainable transformation, especially in healthcare which is not designed to move quickly. It takes strong local leadership, the right partnerships, and solutions grounded in the needs and strengths of rural communities. This Summit brings those perspectives together so participants can learn from what’s working, build new partnerships, and identify practical pathways to turn today’s investment into lasting impact where they live.”

The Summit will convene leaders across healthcare, government, economic development, philanthropy, technology and rural innovation to build the relationships and infrastructure needed for lasting rural transformation. As part of that effort, AscendRural is accepting applications through Nov. 5 for a limited number of Technology Showcase opportunities at the Summit, giving selected participants a platform to demonstrate solutions supporting rural health and well-being and connect with rural leaders, policymakers, partners and funders. Apply here: https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/a4475b97-16a4-4cce-a418-ea2305c5eca4.

Registration is now open for the AscendRural National Summit. For the full agenda, speaker information and registration, visit https://www.ascendrural.org/summit2026.

AscendRural is a technology-driven innovation hub dedicated to boosting well-being in rural America. Initiated by Sourcewell, it embodies their commitment to helping communities thrive. We bring together local leaders and the innovation community to fund and facilitate technology pilots in rural communities. Our goal is to address accessibility, availability, and affordability issues while accounting for what makes rural communities unique. For more, visit www.ascendrural.org.

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