NORTHFIELD - Eight nurse executives from hospitals around the state will convene for a moderated round table discussion Tuesday, June 23, from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Norwich University on issues unique to rural hospitals.

A group that rarely has an opportunity to get together, these healthcare leaders will discuss topics such as cuts in federal spending; IT upgrades as a result of the federal stimulus package; converting to federally-qualified health centers and present and future challenges facing these hospitals.

Nurse executives from these hospitals will be participating: Northeastern Vermont Regional; Grace Cottage; Alice Peck Day Memorial (Lebanon, NH); Copley; Springfield; Mount Ascutney and Gifford.

The discussion will be moderated by Michael Carrese, former host of WMHT's "Inside Albany," a political reporter for public broadcasting in Albany and former communications director for Gaye Symington's campaign for governor.

This event is sponsored by the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which is conducting its Residency Week conferences this week on campus, and will be held in the Kreitzberg Library Rotunda.