Representatives from several rural hospitals met to discuss various aspects of bioterrorist preparedness in terms of workforce and training, physical capacity and supplies, communication, and coordination with other entities. Three main themes emerged from the discussion: 1) Bioterrorism resources have the potential to improve the rural healthcare delivery system, 2) A "cookie-cutter" model does not work for rural hospitals, and 3) Strategies for coping with a bioterrorist event need to be practical and have dual use.