November 20, 2025
HCC NETWORK CEO TONIANN RICHARD NAMED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA)’s mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications,
education and research.
Lexington, Mo, November 20, 2025 – HCC Network proudly announces that Toniann Richard, Chief Executive Officer of HCC Network and long-time advocate for rural health care was named President-Elect of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Richard will lead the national organization in its mission to improve the health and well-being of rural communities across the United States.
Richard has served HCC Network for nearly two decades, guiding the organization’s expansion of medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services throughout west-central rural Missouri. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to advancing access, equity, and innovation for rural populations. Learn more about Richard’s background here: hccnetwork.org/board/toniann-richard/
NRHA is a national nonprofit membership organization with more than 21,000 members dedicated to improving the health of rural Americans and providing leadership on rural health issues. Richard will help shape national rural health policy, elevate rural community needs, and guide strategic priorities for the association. “Toniann is a nationally recognized and highly respected expert in rural health policy. We are delighted to see her selected as our 2026 President Elect,” Alan Morgan, MPA and Chief Executive Officer for NRHA said. “At this pivotal moment for health care, she will be a powerful voice for rural America.”
“I am deeply honored to serve in a leadership role for the National Rural Health Association,” said Richard. “This comes with an opportunity to champion the resilience and strength of rural health providers and communities nationwide. Together, we will continue raising a unified and powerful voice for the policies, programs, and people who ensure rural America thrives.”
Richard will assume her leadership duties of President Elect January 1, 2026 and will begin her responsibilities as President January 1, 2027. She will work alongside NRHA’s Board of Trustees, staff, and members to advance national rural health initiatives throughout her term.
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About HCC Network
HCC Network is a community health center and designated Federally Qualified Health Center based in Lexington, Missouri. We provide medical, dental and behavioral health services to patients in our rural service area. We are dedicated to addressing social risk factors of health and removing barriers to accessing health through a variety of our programs including peer support, chronic condition management, transportation, local resource and state/federal aid application assistance.
Rural communities free of barriers to live well.
