Winter Fishtrap: Healthcare in the Rural West

Winter Fishtrap has a long tradition of bringing people together to think deeply about the issues that matter in the West. Past programs have tackled everything from fire and water to dams, agriculture, and the changing landscapes of our region. Each one has sparked new questions, unexpected connections, and conversations that continue long after the event ends.

Now we’re turning our attention to something even closer to home.

Winter Fishtrap 2027: Healthcare in the Rural West. A weekend of ideas, stories, questions, and conversations about keeping rural communities healthy—and helping them thrive.

Come listen to people who know the landscape. Bring your questions. Meet your neighbors. Discover what’s happening beyond your own community—and find out how you might be part of the conversation.

How do we build healthy communities when healthcare is miles away, providers are in short supply, and the systems we rely on are changing?

Join us for a lively, thought-provoking exploration of Healthcare in the Rural West, bringing together healthcare providers, community leaders, advocates, and citizens to ask big questions, share ideas, and imagine what’s possible.

What does rural healthcare look like today? What’s working—and what isn’t? How are rural communities finding creative solutions to longstanding challenges? And what can we do, as neighbors and citizens, to help shape the future of healthcare where we live?

Through engaging talks, panel discussions, films, and plenty of opportunities for conversation, Winter Fishtrap 2027 will explore the unique challenges, opportunities, and possibilities facing rural healthcare.

Come curious. Leave better informed.

You don’t have to work in healthcare to be part of this conversation. You just have to care about the future of your community.