With over 21 years of experience working with small, rural, and non-profit healthcare organizations, Kate Pierce has deep insight into the persistent challenge of improving security with increasingly limited resources. During her tenure as the CIO and CISO at a Critical Access Hospital and Health Center, Kate leveraged the USAC Telecom and Health Connect Funds to offset expenses related to internet, telephone, equipment, and network management services. She also spearheaded the creation of the organization's security program, encompassing governance, strategic planning, and the selection and rollout of security controls. To further the cause of cybersecurity in healthcare, Kate actively collaborates with the HSCC CWG and the 405(d) program, and consistently advocates at the federal and state levels to fortify cybersecurity within small, rural, and non-profit healthcare organizations.