Bill Gassen, president and chief executive officer of Sanford Health, will deliver the second annual Hospital and Health Systems Leadership Lecture on Sept. 16, 2026. The event is free and open to the public.

The title of Gassen’s talk is “Shaping the Future of Rural Health Care: Advancing Access, Innovation, and Sustainability.” He will join a moderator from the University of Iowa College of Public Health for a fireside chat exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping hospitals and health systems today, with a particular focus on rural health care. Drawing on Sanford Health’s experience as the nation’s largest rural health system, Gassen will discuss the evolving needs of rural communities; the importance of access, quality, and affordability; and the role of innovation and digital transformation in strengthening care delivery and building resiliency.