What does it really take to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction...especially in one of the most overlooked sectors of healthcare?In this episode of the Advancing Healthcare Innovation Show, Cristina Negrón-Oliveri, MHA, joins host Michael Stamatinos for a powerful behind-the-scenes look at what operational leadership looks like in the real world of community health.Cristina serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Bucksport Regional Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Maine. Her leadership spans across primary care operations, population health, clinical systems, and patient access. But what sets her apart is how she executes—quietly, consistently, and with deep empathy for the teams and patients she serves.This episode is a must-listen for healthcare operators, innovators, FQHC executives, and leaders in rural care delivery.Topics Covered in This Episode* The operational reality of running an FQHC in rural America* How Cristina navigates complex team dynamics and cultural transformation* What real innovation looks like when resources are limited* A behind-the-scenes look at referral workflows, data-driven decision-making, and change management* The role of empathy in conflict resolution and high-stakes leadership* How Bucksport Regional is addressing patient access, care delays, and provider shortages* The truth about adopting technology in rural healthcare settings* When and how to say no to grants, vendors, or “shiny object” solutions* Building operational trust through peer-to-peer leadership and strategic delegationWhat You’ll Walk Away With* A clear understanding of how to lead change in community health settings* New ways to think about team culture, patient access, and care delivery innovation* Real-world examples of data use, process improvement, and referral management that you can apply in your organization* A renewed respect for the quiet leadership it takes to run healthcare systems from the ground up* Insights into how to balance empathy with execution, especially in rural and resource-constrained environmentsConnect with Cristina & Bucksport Regional Health CenterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crisoliveri/Organization Website: https://www.bucksportregionalhealthcenter.org📣 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBEIf this conversation moved you, challenged your thinking, or sparked an idea, share it with someone who needs to hear it.#ruralhealth #healthcare #FQHC #Bucksport Regional Health Center #operationalefficiency #patientaccess #processimprovement #Federally Qualified Health Centers #ruralhealthinnovation #healthequity Subscribe for more episodes with healthcare leaders who are not just thinking differently, they’re building differently.About the ShowThe Advancing Healthcare Innovation Show is hosted by Michael Stamatinos, a nationally recognized connector, strategist, and advocate for innovation with purpose. Each week, Michael interviews healthcare leaders who are driving meaningful change—highlighting stories of access, resilience, equity, and transformation.The AHI Show started with the idea of wanting to highlight stories of what healthcare innovation truly looks like in action. Our mission, highlight real people who are really innovating within healthcare. Guests include healthcare entrepreneurs, providers, payers, and professionals from the investment community. We showcase little wins as well as valuable lessons learned from setbacks through these interviews. The real innovators in healthcare are often the ones in the trenches doing the work with razor-sharp focus. We find these innovators and bring their stories to light. 🔗 Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelstamo🎧 Subscribe for more episodes that move beyond theory and into the heart of what’s really possible in healthcare.Join our group, Advancing Healthcare Innovation Forum on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7056196/#HealthcareInnovation #RuralHealth #ValueBasedCa