Cara Veale, DHS, FACHE

Cara Veale, DHS, FACHE, has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) since July 2020. In this role, she leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen rural communities and improve access to healthcare across Indiana through leadership, education, advocacy, collaboration, and resource development.

Since joining IRHA, Cara has focused on expanding the organization’s statewide impact and strengthening partnerships across Indiana’s rural healthcare community. Her work includes advancing rural health policy and advocacy, supporting healthcare workforce development, expanding educational and technical assistance initiatives, and fostering collaboration among rural hospitals, healthcare providers, state agencies, academic institutions, and other partners.

Cara began her healthcare career as an Occupational Therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana, before joining Daviess Community Hospital in Washington, Indiana. During her tenure at Daviess Community Hospital, she progressed through a series of clinical and executive leadership roles, including Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapies, the hospital’s first Chief Patient Experience Officer, and Vice President of Provider Services, where she provided administrative oversight for the hospital’s medical practice division.

Her career spanning clinical care, hospital operations, patient experience, provider services, and statewide healthcare leadership gives Cara a broad perspective on the challenges facing rural healthcare organizations and the communities they serve. She is particularly passionate about bringing healthcare leaders and partners together to develop practical, collaborative solutions that strengthen rural health throughout Indiana.

In addition to her leadership at IRHA, Cara teaches at Purdue University, bringing her professional experience in healthcare leadership and rural health into the classroom. Cara earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and a Doctor of Health Sciences from the University of Indianapolis. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).