The People Behind the Work.

Founder Spotlight

Mellie Boagni

Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer

Collaboration over competition — bringing traditionally separate healthcare sectors to the same table around the needs of rural communities.

With more than 23 years of experience in rural health, community development, grant strategy, and program development, Mellie founded ARHP and has grown it from five rural hospitals into a statewide partnership of 42 healthcare organizations. Her leadership is rooted in listening first, building trust, and turning the challenges facing rural providers into collective action.

A nationally recognized rural health leader, Mellie was named one of Fierce Healthcare’s 2025 Women of Influence, recognized as a Rural Health Champion, and selected as a National Rural Health Association Rural Health Fellow. She was the inaugural recipient of the Heartland Whole Health Institute Bridge Award and serves as Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Arkansas.