About

Rural Physicians Group

Saving Hospitals. Saving Lives. Saving Communities.

Rural Physicians Group is an expansive physician network of rural-focused hospitalists, surgicalists and APPs that are passionate about helping rural hospitals meet the needs of the communities they serve. We offer a true, permanent solution to the crisis facing more than 1,300 rural hospitals across the United States, and we are actively growing our network of exceptional providers to help us achieve this mission.

By working with Rural Physicians Group, our hospital partners receive full-time, dedicated providers on site, filling a critical void in care coverage and allowing for better patient outcomes. Better outcomes lead to expanded inpatient services. Expanded inpatient services revitalize the hospital. And a revitalized hospital improves the entire community. This is the way rural medicine should be. An extraordinary solution to a very complex problem.

Our Promise

Our Mission

To bring healthcare excellence to rural communities, save and enhance the lives we touch, and ensure people have the hospitals and care they both need and deserve.

Our Values

Alignment, Availability, Collaboration, Excellence, Communication, Compassion, Trust

Our Vision

To be the partner of choice for hospitalist and surgicalist services for critical access, long term acute care, and rural community hospitals across the United States.

Teams

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Dr. Sukhbir Pannu

Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Rural Physicians Group

Dr. Sukhbir Pannu is the CEO and Founder of Rural Physicians Group. With over 30 years of medical experience, Dr. Pannu enjoys combining his love for medicine with his passion for starting businesses. His current role allows him to serve rural communities and hospitals by affording him the opportunity to constantly seek improvements in both the quality and quantity of what RPG can provide. Dr. Pannu is motivated by RPG because he feels it accomplishes the synergistic mission of using best business practices as a foundation to support, enhance, and grow the healthcare industry. In his free time, Dr. Pannu enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and dogs.

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Dr. Sandra Guidry

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Guidry is the Chief Medical Officer of Rural Physicians Group. With 23 years of internal medicine experience, she is passionate about bringing medical care to underserved populations and ensuring that they receive high-quality healthcare. Joining RPG after working in a private practice setting was a natural transition for Dr. Guidry; she went to medical school in order to help others and feels that RPG’s noble mission accomplishes what she has dedicated her life to do. When she’s not at work, Dr. Guidry enjoys outdoor sports such as biking, hiking, and snowboarding, spending time with her family, and martial arts.

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Ben Dunford

President of Rural Physicians Group

Ben is the President of Rural Physicians Group. Since joining RPG, Ben has focused on improving service to patients, hospitals, and partner physicians, growing the internal team and developing new programs across the country. Ben is motivated by a desire to help underserved populations who need care, and with past experience of serving as the CFO of a small independent hospital, Ben appreciates the challenges rural hospitals face. In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, exploring Colorado, skiing, and reading.

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Cindy Johnson MHA FACHE

Senior Vice President

Cindy is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Rural Physicians Group. Over the past 25+ years she has built and maintained a reputation for strong leadership within the rural healthcare environment. She was part of the founding team of RPG alongside Founder/CEO Dr. Subkhir Pannu, and has a Masters in Health Care Administration. Cindy believes that RPG helps to enhance lives and strengthen communities by ensuring those living in rural areas get the critical care they deserve. Free time for Cindy means family time with her husband, sons, and a plethora of “critters” ranging from dogs to horses to cattle in rural NV.

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Cameron Byers, PA-C

Vice President of Clinical Services

Cameron is the Vice President of Clinical Services at Rural Physicians Group. With almost two decades of patient care experience, Cameron is focused on blending the world of business with the ever-changing world of medicine, and believes our responsibilities lie first and foremost in caring for people, but doing so with an eye toward resource management. Growing up and practicing in a rural setting has shaped Cameron’s passion for revitalizing inpatient and surgical services in rural communities across the U.S. Cameron believes that by expanding both access and services, and truly aligning with rural facilities in quality, community, and financial partnership, RPG makes that difference for thousands of patients across the U.S. every day. Cameron is driven by the opportunity to help reshape the standards of quality and accountability for critical access communities and enjoys working with hospitals to grow their services. In his free time, he enjoys motorcycle riding, traveling, photography, and mountaineering.

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Sabrina Gibson

Chief Financial Officer

Sabrina Gibson is the Chief Financial Officer of Rural Physicians Group. Sabrina began her career in healthcare finance in 2008 at the largest medical and surgical hospital in Wyoming, and transitioned to Behavioral Health in 2015 where she spent time working in both acute care behavioral health as well as residential treatment centers for adolescents and youth. Completing her M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration in June of 2019 made her the perfect fit for Rural Physicians Group as she brings both financial insights as well as expertise in the business of healthcare to the table. Sabrina enjoys working for Rural Physicians Group because she grew up in a small, rural community with limited healthcare resources. It has always been her passion to work in an industry that helps others and gives back which is why she chose a career in healthcare. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids. Together, they like to go camping, boating, 4-wheeling, hiking, traveling, and explore new places.

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Jessica Austin

Director of Physician Recruitment

jaustin@ruralphysiciansgroup.com303-390-1942

Jessica is the Director of Physician Recruitment at Rural Physicians Group. With 18 years of recruiting experience, she has exceptional abilities in talent management and relationship development. After joining RPG in April 2018, Jessica has helped expand the recruiting department and worked to streamline the recruitment process. As a goal-oriented and highly motivated businesswoman, Jessica is especially driven by RPG’s challenge of providing sustainable, long-term healthcare solutions to rural populations. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family, and her horses and dogs.

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Kerianne Wright

Senior Physician Recruiter

kwright@ruralphysiciansgroup.com952-807-3792

Kerianne is a Senior Physician Recruiter at Rural Physicians Group. She has six years of direct physician recruitment experience and has enjoyed utilizing her master’s studies in management practice to connect the dots between adequate staffing structure and performance management. Furthermore, the mission of Rural Physicians Group is a reality for Kerianne – she currently resides in a small Kentucky town of only 800 people, and understands firsthand the struggles of finding adequate healthcare in such a rural community. When she’s not working, Kerianne enjoys hiking with her pet boxers, riding her horses, gardening, and fixing up her and her husband’s small farm.

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Dr. Madhuresh Kumar

Regional Medical Director

Dr. Madhuresh Kumar is a Regional Medical Director at Rural Physicians Group.

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Dr. Faraaz Osmani

Regional Medical Director

Dr. Faraaz Osmani is a Regional Medical Director (CA) at Rural Physicians Group. Dr. Osmani grew up in Chicago and went on to complete his residency at Mercy Hospital in Detroit followed by a fellowship in nephrology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Hollywood. Dr. Osmani is passionate about working for RPG because he enjoys the autonomy he has over patient care as well as cherishes the opportunity to provide medical care to an underserved community. In his free time, Dr. Osmani likes to travel, read, work out, and play soccer and volleyball.

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Dr. Matt Pappy

Regional Medical Director

Dr. Matt Pappy is a Regional Medical Director (NV, WI, MN, MI, AZ) at Rural Physicians Group.

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Dr. David Gonzales

Regional Medical Director

Dr. David Gonzales is a Regional Medical Director (WA, OR, ID) at Rural Physicians Group. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona from middle school all the way through medical school which included Arizona State University and Midwestern University. Dr. Gonzales moved to Southern California for his residency and has continued to practice in California ever since. He has worked in a wide variety of hospitals from large county hospitals to small community hospitals. Dr. Gonzales loves working in rural hospitals because of the relationships that can be built by truly becoming a part of the community. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Shannon and his two sons, Max and Major. His hobbies include going to Disneyland, playing soccer, training jiu-jitsu, running, cooking, and supporting the LA Galaxy and Denver Broncos.

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Dr. Cassandra Bresnahan

Regional Medical Director

Dr. Cassandra Bresnahan is the Regional Medical Director (CO/WY) at Rural Physicians Group. Dr. Bresnahan trained at the University of Colorado as an internal medicine physician and has been practicing for 15 years. As a hospitalist in rural facilities, Dr. Bresnahan feels that she is truly able to give back and become a part of the community that she is working in. Dr. Bresnahan enjoys being able to practice medicine to the fullest extent of her skills while maintaining a strong work/life balance. When she’s not working, Dr. Bresnahan loves spending time with her husband and children. Together, they enjoy traveling, skiing, mountain biking, scuba diving, and being around friends and family.

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Tawni Willetts

Director of Scheduling

Tawni is the Director of Scheduling at Rural Physicians Group. She has extensive experience in sales and account management, and enjoys working with people in a collaborative environment. During her past five years at RPG, Tawni has most enjoyed getting to work directly with the physicians and getting to know them, as well as forming lifelong connections. After growing up in a small town, Tawni is inspired by RPG’s mission to bring life-changing health services to rural communities. When she is not working, Tawni enjoys traveling as well as spending time with her husband and three small children.

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Martha Kintzler

Director of Credentialing

Martha is the Director of Credentialing at Rural Physicians Group. With over 30 years of experience in medical staffing services, credentialing, and management, Martha’s expertise is invaluable to the RPG team. Martha enjoys building collaborative relationships with RPG staff, physicians, and hospital partners, and is especially passionate about process improvement. In her free time, Martha enjoys taking adventures with her husband, riding their Harleys together, and cuddling with their fur babies.

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Suzanne Timms, BSN/RN

Regional Program Director

Suzanne is a Regional Program Director at Rural Physicians Group. Originally starting on the administrative side of a hospital, Suzanne decided to pursue a nursing degree after realizing the difference that healthcare providers can make in their patients’ lives. With a background in nursing, Suzanne’s first experience with RPG was when the rural hospital she worked at decided to transition to the RPG model. Suzanne is truly passionate about quality healthcare and feels that her position with RPG allows her to make a difference in many lives by encouraging and guiding others in a very rewarding way. In her free time, Suzanne enjoys snowboarding, kayaking, and camping.

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Jayme Ciampa, BSN/RN

Regional Program Director

Jayme is a Regional Program Director at Rural Physicians Group. Jayme is a registered nurse and a board certified medical-surgical nurse who started her career in the Army Nurse Corps and served close to 7 years on active duty caring for soldiers, families, and retirees. She spent several years in the clinical setting before transitioning into administrative roles, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her position at RPG. Jayme is drawn towards serving others and believes that everyone deserves to have access to exceptional medical care. Because of this, Jayme is especially inspired by the mission of RPG to bring healthcare to the rural setting as it allows her to combine her love of healthcare with her passion for service. In Jayme’s free time, she enjoys CrossFit, cycling, and hiking with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs.

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Michele Howard, MBA, BSN/RN

Regional Program Director

Michele is a Regional Program Director at Rural Physicians Group. As a registered ED nurse for over 20 years, she developed critical-thinking skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure. As Michele’s career advanced, she moved into leadership roles that enhanced her knowledge of nursing as well as the business administrative side of healthcare, and she brings these valuable skills to her role at RPG. Michele is passionate about working for RPG because the company’s mission, vision and core values speak to her and she experiences them every day as part of RPG’s team. As a previous CNO in a critical access hospital, she also understands first-hand the structure of care that is necessary in rural medicine and the importance of having a 24/7 care model. When she’s not working, Michele enjoys spending time with family and friends and cheering on her four children at competitive cheerleading, football, basketball and baseball sporting events.

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Martha Willetts

Operations Coordinator

Martha is an Operations Coordinator at Rural Physicians Group. She has over 13 years of experience in healthcare, primarily in administrative roles. Martha enjoys knowing that what she does has a positive impact, and working for RPG gives her the opportunity to help people across the whole country. Scheduling challenges her in different ways on a daily basis, and she thrives on the collaboration and creativity of her team. Martha truly values the relationships she has formed with physicians and coworkers. She was born and raised in New England, and is a passionate Red Sox fan. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at her daughter’s Irish dance competitions and her son’s hockey games, as well as posting photos of her labradoodle on Instagram.

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Corine Borbon

Licensing & Credentialing Coordinator

Corine is the Licensing & Credentialing Coordinator at Rural Physicians Group. As an experienced licensing specialist, Corine helps provide licensing services for RPG physicians across the United States and is an invaluable asset to the RPG team. Corine is passionate about working at RPG because she loves the teammates and physicians that she works with. When she’s not working, Corine enjoys hiking, softball, and family time.

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Karlita Hall

Operations Coordinator

Karlita is an Operations Coordinator at Rural Physicians Group. As a former veteran, 13 year military spouse, and former service industry leader, Karlita has learned the importance of teamwork, good communication, and maintaining a strong workflow. She is always interested in working on ways to improve processes and increase efficiency. Coming from a small town in southern Alabama where the population relied heavily on one hospital to provide all healthcare needs, Karlita experienced the disadvantages of an overworked healthcare system firsthand. With this experience she is able to bring a unique insight to her role at RPG and enjoys working with her team to make sure the hospitals and physicians that we work with are thriving. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, hiking, spending time with her family and watching college football.

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Bree Duncan

Credentialing Specialist

Bree is a Credentialing Specialist at Rural Physicians Group. As part of the credentialing team at RPG, Bree prides herself on the accuracy and detail of the research that the team does. Bree loves working with the strong, passionate, and charismatic people on her team at RPG and feels it is a blessing to be able to work with people who have similar goals. Originally from Hawaii, Bree enjoys anything outdoors including water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, adventuring with her family, and finding new places to explore.

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Deanna Warntjes

Credentialing Specialist

Deanna is a Credentialing Specialist at Rural Physicians Group. With over eight years of physician credentialing experience, Deanna has a background in processing time-sensitive applications and enjoys cultivating credentialing relationships with physicians and hospitals. Deanna is passionate about working in credentialing at RPG because she feels the credentialing team is always working to provide optimal efficiency and quality not only to physicians but also to contracted hospital locations and other internal departments. In her free time, Deanna enjoys raising livestock with her husband and son on their ranch, traveling to competitive livestock shows, exercising, being outdoors, and being in the barn with all of her various animals.

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Mary Pat Schauermann

Credentialing Specialist

Mary Pat is a Credentialing Specialist at Rural Physicians Group. She has worked in healthcare for 30 years and has over 14 years of credentialing experience. Mary Pat enjoys working directly with physicians and medical staff through the credentialing process to get quality providers into healthcare facilities. She finds it very rewarding to know that she is helping to ensure patients have access to quality healthcare services and providers in rural healthcare settings. Mary Pat feels blessed to work with a great team of individuals at Rural Physicians Group who share her passion for quality credentialing and helping communities have access to excellent healthcare providers. In her free time, Mary Pat enjoys all outdoor activities and spending quality time with her family.

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Christopher Dick

Senior Accountant

Chris is a Senior Accountant at Rural Physicians Group. Chris enjoys working for a company that brings high-quality healthcare to communities that might otherwise not receive it, and feels it is rewarding to know his work is helping to support a mission that has an impact in others’ lives across the United States. Before joining the RPG team, Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wichita State University and worked at Enterprise Holdings for nine years, five of which were spent in the accounting department. During his free time, Chris enjoys adventuring in the Rocky Mountains with his wife, hiking, camping, backpacking, slow-pitch softball, and Denver sports.

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Shelly Westerman

Revenue Cycle Specialist

Shelly is a Revenue Cycle Specialist at RPG. After completing a bachelor’s degree in business management, Shelly went on to accumulate five years of medical billing experience and brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her role at RPG. Coming from a background in corporate healthcare, Shelly is passionate about working at RPG because of its smaller team size and direct healthcare impact on rural communities. In her free time, Shelly enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and hanging out with her dog.

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Jessie Trudell

Marketing Manager

jtrudell@ruralphysiciansgroup.com

Jessie is the Marketing Manager of Rural Physicians Group. With a focus on marketing development and management, Jessie is passionate about growing and supporting the RPG brand and strategy. In her free time, Jessie enjoys cooking, exercising, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

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Evan Weber

Staff Accountant

Evan is a Staff Accountant at Rural Physicians Group. After originally studying Economics at Bradley University, he switched to an Accounting major because the concepts of accounting come naturally to him and he enjoys the structure and foundation of the field. Evan is excited to work at RPG because after growing up in a rural town, he understands firsthand what it is like to have healthcare that is lacking in capabilities and resources. By joining RPG, Evan believes he can help similar communities get the resources that his small town did not have. In his free time, Evan enjoys playing video games to unwind and stay in touch with friends, watching and playing sports, and cheering on the Chicago Bears!

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