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Calling all Montana rural health care stakeholders who want to shape the future of care delivery in rural Montana: Are you a patient, clinician, tribal representative, or facility leader? Montana’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is actively seeking members to serve on its 20-member Center of Excellence (CoE) Advisory Council.
The purpose of the RHTP CoE Advisory Council is to develop recommendations in coordination with the CoE Strategy and Analytics vendor to align care delivery services with rural health needs at the county, tribal, and facility level, in accordance with Montana’s federally approved RHTP plan. These recommendations will help facilities improve financial sustainability and ensure continued access to critical health services in rural Montana.
The RHTP CoE Advisory Council is created solely for the purpose of acting in an advisory capacity to the Department as described in Mont. Code Ann. § 2-15-102(1) and will not administer a program or function or set policy.
The Advisory Council will support and guide the CoE Strategy and Analytics vendor’s work by providing critical provider and community perspectives, feedback, and recommendations informed by their experience and expertise in the realities of rural health care delivery in Montana.
The Department aims to balance rural health experience with subject-matter expertise to ensure diverse, qualified, and representative engagement from a broad range of stakeholders.
Who Will Participate
The 20-member voting council will be supported by five additional non-voting representatives.
The Department is launching a competitive application process to fill 15 of the positions on the Council across seven distinct categories. Several of these categories will be filled by more than one appointee.
Applications are being accepted for the following slots:
- Rural Health Care Consumer
- Rural Primary Care Clinician
- Tribal Health Representative
- Prospective Payment System (PPS) Hospitals
- Independent Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) / Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH)
- Affiliated CAH or REH Facilities (owned by or affiliated with a PPS hospital)
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
To complete the Council, Director Brereton will appoint the remaining 10 members, five of whom will be non-voting.
The Director will appoint these five voting members:
- Two Department representatives
- Three legislators
Five additional non-voting members will also be appointed at the Director’s discretion:
- Statewide hospital organization representative
- Statewide primary care organization representative
- Health care facility owned organization/professional network representative
- Two health insurance carrier representatives
Individuals interested in shaping Montana’s rural health care landscape are encouraged to apply at the following link, . Detailed application instructions and further information regarding the RHTP can be found on the DPHHS website https://dphhs.mt.gov/RuralHealthTransformationProgram/CoE. The application window closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2026.
The RHTP is backed by a historic $233 million federal investment in its first year, with potential funding reaching up to $1.2 billion over five years. The Advisory Council offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to help advise the future of rural health care delivery across the state.
How to Apply
To be considered for the Advisory Council, complete an application at . Select the Advisory Council position you are applying for, complete the application form, and submit a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in serving. The application window opens April 30 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2026. The Department plans to make selections by June 15.
Please ensure that your resume and cover letter documents include your first and last names in the following format: LastFirstresume and LastFirstcoverletter. Your documents must follow this naming format, or your application may not be considered.
Example: SmithJoeresume and SmithJoecoverletter
Include why you want to serve on the Advisory Council and how your background and qualifications apply.
If you have any other questions about the RHTP, please visit ruralhealth.mt.gov or email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov.
Letter from DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton to Governor Greg Gianforte requesting approval of the Council.
Letter from Governor Greg Gianforte approving creation of the Council.
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