Crystal Barter is the Director of Programs & Services at the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), Michigan’s State Office of Rural Health (SORH). In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio of initiatives dedicated to improving the health of rural Michiganders. She leads key programs, including the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program and the Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), enhancing operational, financial, and clinical quality in Michigan’s Critical Access Hospitals, Rural PPS Hospitals, and Certified Rural Health Clinics. Additionally, she manages multiple state and federal contracts focused on workforce development, substance use disorder, social determinants of health, and veterans' care. With extensive experience in value-based care transformation, Ms. Barter has helped rural healthcare facilities in Michigan succeed in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO and state-based performance programs. She has also played a pivotal role in advancing primary care services, improving healthcare quality in underserved communities, and establishing Michigan’s first certified Rural Health Clinic Quality Network. Additionally, she specializes in building strategic partnerships to expand the reach and impact of the SORH. Ms. Barter holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions with a minor in Biology from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. She contributes to rural health at the state and national level, serving on the boards of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), the National Rural Health Resource Center, and the Michigan Health Council. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Michigan’s natural beauty, hiking, and spending time on the lakeshore with her husband and son.