Chief Communications Officer Rachel Lott and CEO and President Jeremiah J. Hodshire. Courtesy | Kyrsten Newlon

Hillsdale Hospital’s Rachel Lott was named a 2024 Rising Star by a national healthcare group.

“It’s pretty exciting and a big deal,” Lott said. “I think it is one of those bucket list moments for a career.” 

The Society for Health Care Strategy and Market Development gives its Rising Star award to “health care strategy professionals who have demonstrated outstanding promise in their respective fields,” according to its website.

The SHSMD is a national membership organization that provides assistance and resources for professionals in healthcare marketing, communications, and strategy. 

Lott is one of five recipients of the award. She has worked at Hillsdale Hospital since 2019, and currently serves as its chief communications officer. 

“When the pandemic hit, Rachel had been here for less than a year, but she poured countless hours into keeping our public updated every day and making sure both the community and our healthcare team had the information they needed to succeed,” Hillsdale Hospital CEO and president Jeremiah J. Hodshire said in a press release recognizing Lott’s achievement. 

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lott began programs to inform and connect with the Hillsdale community, including weekly livestreams and a podcast.

“One of the things we did kind of happened by accident,” Lott said. “The livestreams we are still doing started because we saw so many questions in the public, and it was a great way to talk directly with them regularly.” 

Lott said the hospital values fostering a relationship with the Hillsdale community and strives to educate as many people as possible on rural healthcare and its importance to our country. 

The podcast Lott and Hodshire co-host, “Rural Health Rising,” promotes conversations with national healthcare officials and state leaders about common and unique rural healthcare challenges. It released its 200th episode in September. 

“We’re seeing this massive number of closures for rural hospitals in the U.S.,” Lott said. “‘Rural Health Rising’ seeks to raise awareness of rural America’s healthcare challenges, successes, and opportunities.” 

Lott will receive the Shining Star award and speak on a panel at the SHSMD Connections 2024 conference in October. She said she believes her job impacts the community, making the hospital an enjoyable workplace. 

“What I love about this job is that I get an emotional paycheck,” Lott said. “I know the work that I’m doing ultimately impacts patients and their families, and that work has been very rewarding.”

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