The Rural Surgeon’s Voice: Episode 1 with guest Kevin Burkhard

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Rural Surgeons Voice", where host Dr. Jerel Brandt explores the intersection of rural medicine and leadership. In this episode, Dr. Brandt sits down with his friend, Kevin Burkhard, an insurance adviser and dedicated father of six. Kevin and his wife, Paula, have a unique family story, raising four children with Down syndrome—one biological daughter and three children adopted internationally from Ukraine, Siberia, and Lithuania. Kevin shares the deeply personal details of their adoption journey and the life-altering lessons in unconditional love and forgiveness they have learned from their children. The conversation also delves into a critical 32-day medical crisis involving their daughter Grace, providing a firsthand look at the immense value of rural healthcare. About the Host: Dr. Jerel Brandt is a general surgeon with over a decade of experience practicing in level two and critical access hospitals in the rural Midwest. Join the Conversation: Subscribe for more episodes exploring healthcare delivery and the leadership that shapes lives in resource-limited environments.