Food for Thought series continues Feb. 12 at MCMH with rural healthcare outlook from CEO Ron Kloewer

Red Oak’s “Food for Thought” lunchtime series is continuing its mission of looking ahead 15–20 years for Southwest Iowa, according to organizer Larry Brandstetter.

Brandstetter says the focus is not just Red Oak or Montgomery County, but the broader rural region of Southwest Iowa, encouraging residents and community leaders to think beyond year-to-year budgets and short-term goals. The series brings in speakers with deep expertise and a future-looking mindset to share what their fields may look like in the years ahead.

The next session is Thursday, February 12, 2026, featuring Montgomery County Memorial Hospital and Clinics CEO Ron Kloewer. Brandstetter says Kloewer will address the future of rural healthcare, including why the conversation matters, realities and constraints facing rural hospitals, how healthcare delivery is changing, the role of technology, and the financial realities ahead. He’ll also discuss what may not change, why rural healthcare matters to area counties, and what keeps him optimistic.

“Food for Thought” is held the second Thursday of every month, running 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Most sessions are in the Carter Room (the former Red Oak Pharmacy space), but Brandstetter says the Feb. 12 event is expected to draw a larger crowd and will be held in the lower-level conference room at the hospital.

There is no registration and no fee. Attendees can bring their own lunch or purchase food from the hospital cafeteria. The format includes about 30–35 minutes of presentation, followed by Q&A and audience discussion, with a firm end time at 1:00 p.m.