Britton Herbert
South Carolina Office of Rural Health
Program Manager, Health System Innovation
NOSORH Member since 2019

What I’m working on right now: I am actively working with our Critical Access Hospital quality teams in preparation for the upcoming Flex QI Project. We are focusing on Swing Bed quality improvement, and our folks are eager to begin this new endeavor.

What I’m currently reading: I am wrapping up the second book of the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson.

What was your first job? When I was 14, I staffed a mini-golf counter which hardly anyone visited. More accurately, I was paid to read and learn to juggle the golf balls.

What advice do you have for new NOSORH members? We love our acronyms, so keep a list of them handy. Jot them down when you hear them and look them up later to add to your collection. Eventually, they’ll be second nature.

What led you to a career in rural health? I chose a graduate assistantship which was completely out of my comfort zone. Luckily, it was at an amazing SORH filled with kind, passionate people doing work that makes a difference. Four years later, I continue to appreciate them inviting me in and keeping me around.

The SORH work that I am most proud of: Our office played a key role in instituting the Level IV Trauma Center Designation for our state. I sit on the Trauma Advisory Council for South Carolina, where I can continue to advocate for our small, rural hospitals to join the trauma system and provide this care to their communities.

People would be surprised if they knew: I grew up on the stage doing community and professional theatre. I covered the spectrum from Shakespeare to singing to kids about the dangers of substance abuse while dressed as a cat. Fur real.