Inaugural RHAU Tech Summit Connects Rural Healthcare with Technology Providers
The first‑ever Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU) Tech Summit served as a unique forum that brought Healthcare and IT leaders from across the state together to exchange essential insights on cybersecurity readiness, the rapidly evolving role of AI in healthcare, Utah's Rural Health Transformation initiatives, and more.
RHAU welcomed approximately 130 participants from across Utah and the nation to the summit, which was 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,”
“This summit didn’t just showcase innovation; it sparked the kind of collaboration that will help shape the next decade of connected care in rural Utah,” said Sarah Bauman, UTN Director of Telehealth Services.
UTN remains deeply invested in developing partnerships between technology companies and rural healthcare providers. Our work involves connecting rural providers to our statewide high-speed internet network, but we know providers need multiple layers of technology to deliver the transformative telehealth services we facilitate.
UTN was well represented at the conference! Left to right: David Maughan of University of Utah Health, Sarah Bauman, Joleen Hale, Brian Crowther, Marz Cesarini, Peter Bonsavage, and Nicki Perisho of NRTRC.
Featured speakers included 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. Scott Gee, Deputy National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk at the American Hospital Association, delivered the summit’s keynote address, touching on topics of digital identity, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, HIPAA compliance, interoperability, automation, and cloud migration.
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.”
The automation company Vasion sponsored and hosted the conference at its St. George headquarters. As Shakespear said, “They care deeply about those who call rural Utah communities home.”
RHAU announced that the Rural Health Tech Summit will return in 2027, with plans to establish it as an annual event.