Providence, University of Montana Launch RESOLVE Initiative to Redesign Rural Healthcare Models

The program, called RESOLVE, focuses on developing evidence-backed, community-led care strategies designed specifically around rural provider and patient needs.

Providence Montana and the University of Montana have partnered to launch a new initiative aimed at building rural-first healthcare models that move beyond adapting urban frameworks.

The program, called RESOLVE, focuses on developing evidence-backed, community-led care strategies designed specifically around rural provider and patient needs.

Announced jointly this week, RESOLVE invites rural caregivers, researchers and philanthropic supporters to help shape a standardized operating approach for underserved regions. The initiative is positioned as a blueprint for transforming rural healthcare by elevating local perspectives in both research and care delivery.

At the core of the collaboration is a “ground-up” innovation strategy that blends Providence’s clinical infrastructure with the university’s research capabilities. Governance and decision-making for RESOLVE will be guided directly by community voices, ensuring that solutions reflect local realities and cultural contexts.

“We’re embedding community-engaged research into the fabric of rural care,” said Matt Fete, dean of the College of Health at the University of Montana. He noted that the partnership enables emerging ideas to scale across the region through Providence’s clinical network.

Providence Montana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Daniel Spoon said shared data and joint research efforts can drive meaningful improvements in outcomes. Early co-led projects include studies on cardiovascular health and air quality, cancer rehabilitation gaps, and emergency response strategies for extreme weather events.

The partners are currently seeking additional philanthropic backing to build the initiative’s foundation, with plans for RESOLVE to become self-sustaining through industry and government funding by 2026.

The collaboration comes as national policy efforts intensify around rural health reform. Rural communities continue to face barriers ranging from limited care access to slower recovery pathways for chronic and complex conditions. Prior studies, including those led by major oncology groups, have demonstrated telehealth's potential to close gaps, but have also highlighted the persistence of structural inequities.

Federal support for technology-enabled rural care is also expanding. Under the 10-year Rural Health Transformation Program, states are set to receive up to $50 billion to rebuild rural care capacity through innovations such as telehealth and remote monitoring. CMS has asked states to outline technology-driven plans across 11 healthcare categories in exchange for the funding.

“No large academic medical center is going to come save rural healthcare – it’s up to us,” Spoon said, underscoring the need for locally anchored solutions.

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