Stretching Cyber Resources in Rural Healthcare

Jim Roeder, VP of IT at Lakewood Health System, on Finding Help Marianne Kolbasuk McGee (HealthInfoSec) • March 11, 2026 8 Minutes

Rural hospitals and clinics struggle with a lack of cyber resources - but a five year, $50 billion federal grant program could fill some of the gaps, said Jim Roeder, vice president of IT and HIPAA security officer at Lakewood Health System in Minnesota.

Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Rural Health Transformation Program, Minnesota is expected to receive nearly $191.1 million in funding this year, some of which can be used for cybersecurity efforts.

Lakewood operates a 25-bed critical access hospital and five clinics. A slice of the Minnesota grant would boost its cybersecurity, Roeder said (see: HHS Offers $50B in Rural Health Grants, Including IT, Cyber).

"Our goal is that ...