What does it take for a small hospital to deliver big results? In this special Wired for Change episode, host Amy Yee sits down with the senior leadership team of Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) — Frank Vassallo (CEO), Katie Hogue (VP Nursing & Clinical, and Chief Nursing Executive), and Brittany Rivard (CFO & VP Operations) — for a rare inside look at how a 40-bed community hospital is reshaping care in one of Ontario’s fastest-growing regions.
Together, they explore how KDH blends compassionate patient care with innovative partnerships, strong culture, and system-level collaboration. From powerful patient stories to the realities of rural hospital funding, the team shares how they keep care close to home while navigating rising complexity and demand.
This episode shines a light on the people, processes, and leadership practices that allow a small hospital to punch far above its weight — and offers insights for anyone working to strengthen community-based care.
In this conversation:
The realities and opportunities of rural healthcare
How culture, psychological safety, and frontline leadership drive performance
Patient stories that reveal the heart of KDH
Partnerships that expand access and capacity
The importance of “care closer to home” in a growing region
Why systems thinking is essential for healthcare transformation
A thoughtful, human-centred episode about leadership, resilience, and the future of community care.