RHAU Debuts Inaugural Tech Summit

April 15, 2026 | St. George, Utah — The Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU) welcomed approximately 130 participants from across Utah and the nation for its first-ever Rural Health Tech Summit, held April 9–10, 2026, at Vasion Headquarters on Tech Ridge in St. George. Centered on the theme “Convening Rural Health and Technology to Shape a Shared Vision,” the summit brought together healthcare leaders, innovators, and technology experts to explore the future of rural health.

The event opened with remarks from RHAU Executive Director Kasey Shakespear and Tracy Gruber, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, on behalf of the Governor’s Office. The summit’s keynote address was delivered by Scott Gee, Deputy National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk at the American Hospital Association, setting the stage for discussions on critical topics including digital identity, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, HIPAA compliance, interoperability, automation, and cloud migration.

Attendees also received updates on Utah’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) from Jackie Patel and Kyle Lunt, followed by an interactive town hall that encouraged open dialogue and audience participation. The summit concluded with small group discussions, allowing participants to dive deeper into key technology topics and collaborate on solutions.

Beyond the sessions, one of the most impactful elements of the summit was the level of connection and collaboration. “There were conversations happening everywhere,” said Shakespear. “People were constantly sharing new ideas and making meaningful connections with our speakers, 18 sponsors and fellow attendees. The energy was incredible, there’s a real passion for improving rural healthcare.”

Shakespear also emphasized the vital role of Vasion in making the event possible, highlighting the leadership of Ryan Wedig and his team. “Many people asked why Vasion chose to partner on this summit,” Shakespear said. “The answer is simple—they care deeply about those who call rural Utah communities home.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkeE-71f7F4

Following the success of its inaugural year, RHAU announced that the Rural Health Tech Summit will return in 2027, with plans to establish it as an annual event. For updates on the summit and other RHAU initiatives, visit www.rhau.org.