October 9 2025

Registration Now Open: 2025 Annual Rural Health Day Celebration, November 20

Since 2011, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate the “Power of Rural” on National Rural Health Day (NRHD).

This day is an opportunity to bring attention to and honor the incredible efforts of rural healthcare providers, communities, and organizations. Please join DHSS’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) this year’s Power of Rural Celebration.

Cost: No Charge

When: Thursday, November 20, 2025,

• Check in and networking 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Main event and presentations 10:00 a.m. –   3:00 p.m.

Where:

Capital Bluffs Event Center

1616 Oil Well Road

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Registration is required as we will be serving lunch and need an accurate head count.

Please Click Here to Register

October 7, 2025

Register Now: MHA’s 103^rd Annual Convention, November 5 – 7

For hospitals, people are always at the center. From the patients and communities hospitals serve, to the staff that make care possible, the mission is always people focused.

MHA’s 2025 Annual Convention will emphasize how our priorities and performance are linked to our organizations’ passion and purpose, and how through these values we deliver on our service-oriented missions. As we frame the challenging and evolving health care environment, we’ll be reminded about why the work matters – People: The Point of Care.

This year’s convention will feature a lineup of general and breakout session speakers who will help us understand where innovation is occurring. They will help us tool our organizations to build a stronger and more resilient workforce, address the challenges of behavioral health, improve care delivery, and harness technologies that advance hospital’s people-focused missions. In addition, there will be opportunities for new ideas and inspiration, and time to network and discuss today’s biggest issues.

When: November 5-7, 2025

Where: St. Charles Convention Center

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to Register

September 24, 2025

Registration Open: 2025 Rural Health Day Celebration, November 20

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is hosting the Annual Missouri Rural Health Day celebration to honor the noble, community-spirited nature that prevails in rural Missouri.

Missouri Rural Health Day promotes the “Power of Rural” and the ongoing efforts to communicate, educate, collaborate, and innovate to improve the health of rural Missourians.

Cost: Free

• No registration fee
• No parking fee
• Lunch will be served

When: Thursday, November 20, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location:

Capital Bluffs Event Center at Turkey Creek Golf Course

1616 Oil Well Road

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Audience: The audience is anyone interested in celebrating and learning about rural health; associations, hospitals, clinics, state agencies, community groups, and legislators.

Registration is required.

Click link below to register:

https://missouriwic.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4TQZtm2X3dbveZM

Need assistance with the registration process or have questions:

Please contact Diana Winder, diana.winder@health.mo.gov, 573 526-2486

September 24, 2025

Seeking Nominations for Rural Health Champion – Deadline October 1

Do you know someone who works in Rural Health that goes above and beyond to ensure that patients living in rural areas have access to the best health care possible?

Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, radiology technicians, pharmacists, therapists, front desk staff, administrators, and volunteers work hard every day to provide the best health care possible for patients living in rural areas of our state and many of them quietly go about their work with no recognition for the fantastic work they are doing.

The Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) is seeking nominations for the 2025 Rural Health Champion. This award is designed to honor a minimum of one individual and one group whose contributions are making a difference in Missouri rural healthcare through collaboration, education, innovation, and communication.

We will be honoring Rural Health Champions in an award ceremony during our Annual Rural Health Day Celebration, scheduled for Thursday, November 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City.

Click Here to Register for the Event

Please click Here to Nominate Your Rural Health Champion

September 12, 2025

Register Now – Health Care Workforce Innovation Bi-State Summit, October 2-3

The Kansas Hospital Association and Missouri Hospital Association are partnering to present the Health Care Workforce Innovation Bi-State Summit, a groundbreaking event focused on strengthening the health care workforce across the region.

This summit will bring together leaders, educators, and innovators to explore actionable strategies in key areas such as building the K-12 pipeline, transforming nursing and allied health education, and enhancing workforce well-being. Attendees will hear from experts on how to empower workforce growth through upskilling, address challenges in care delivery, and use data to drive meaningful change.

Whether you’re a hospital leader, educator, or advocate for nursing and allied health, this summit offers the opportunity to collaborate and shape the future of health care in Kansas and Missouri.

Registration Fee: $75 per person

When: October 2 & 3

Where: Children’s Mercy Research Institute, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO

Click Here to Learn More and Register

September 5, 2025

Register Now! MHA’s 103^rd Annual Convention, November 5-7

For #MoHospitals, people are always at the center. From the patients and communities hospitals serve, to the staff that make care possible, the mission is always people-focused.

This year’s convention will emphasize how MHA priorities and performance are linked to the organizations’ passion and purpose, and how through these values we deliver on our service-oriented missions. As we frame the challenging and evolving health care environment, we’ll be reminded about why the work matters – People: The Point of Care.

A thoughtfully crafted agenda will highlight solutions shaping the future of care.

• Behavioral Health and Boarding: Investments, partnerships and pathways that deliver results.
• Workforce Culture and Safety: How engagement and violence prevention strengthen staff and outcomes.
• Technology and AI: Streamlining processes and using data to level the field with payers.
• Quality and Patient Safety: Building cultures that improve care and support the workforce.

Registration Types

Convention registration is required to attend all meetings and convention functions except for standalone Celebration of Achievement Awards Dinner tickets. Registration includes select meals and networking events. When registering, please indicate if you plan to attend these events.

Convention registration will guide you through to your correct registration category, but if you have any questions, please contact Samantha Schwartz, MHA’s event coordinator at sschwartz@mohospitals.org or 573 644-7449.

Cost:

• MHA Member – $500
• Nonmember – $600
• State Agency Employees – $250
• Guest – $250

When: November 5 – 7

Where: St. Charles Convention Center, St. Charles, MO

Click Here to Learn More and Register

September 3, 2025

Registration Open: Joint Public Health Conference, September 23-25

It starts here: Investing in Public Health.

Conference Objectives

Education, Networking, Involvement

• Provide information for public health professionals and governing body members, and partnership efforts to enhance the coordination of health and human services for Missourians.
• Provide an environment for information exchange among individuals involved in and impacted by the provision, support and use of public health services.
• Increase individuals’ involvement in associations with a commitment to improving the health of all Missourians.

Session Topics

• Using Generative AI Tools for Public Health Work
• The Basics of Public Health Advocacy
• The Effect of State Public Health Spending on Years Lost to Premature Death in the United States
• Investing in Your IT Infrastructure: Surviving a Ransomware Attack-Lessons Learned After an LPHA Sustained a Cyber Security Breach

Cost:

• MPHA member – $200
• Non Member – $300
• Full-Time Student – $70
• Retiree – $70

When: September 23-25

Where: Wyndham Executive Center, 2200 I-70 Drive SW, Columbia, MO 65203

Click Here to Register

August 28, 2025

Planning for the annual Rural Health Day Celebration is underway and the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) is seeking exhibitors to showcase their goods and services.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Capital Bluffs Event Center, in Jefferson City on Thursday, November 20.

Exhibitor Information:

Cost to Exhibit: No Charge

When: Thursday, November 20 (set up ay begin at 7:30 a.m. the event activities will occur between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Capital Bluffs Event Center, 1616 Oilwell Rd, Jefferson City, MO

Interested groups/organizations should send an email to Diana Winder, Flex/SHIP/SORH Grant Coordinator, diana.winder@health.mo.gov, or call 573 526-2486 to reserve a space.

August 28, 2025

Call for Sponsors – Annual Rural Health Day Celebration

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) seeks sponsors for the 2025 Annual Rural Health Day Celebration.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, at the Capital Bluffs Event Center, in Jefferson City. Lunch for the event must be catered through the event center and we are seeking sponsors to share in the cost of the meal that will be provided.

Sponsors are requested to join all other sponsors in paying an equal share for the lunch that will be provided. Sponsors will be provided an exhibit table and their organization’s logo will be used to advertise the sponsorship.

Organization/Groups interested in participating as a sponsor please contact:

• Diana Winder, Flex/SORH/SHIP Grant Coordinator, winder@health.mo.gov, 573 526-2486 OR
• Jack Wenkel, Rural Health Manager, wenkel@health.mo.gov, 573 751-1018

By October 1, 2025.

August 25, 2025

Wanted: Rural Health Champions

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care is seeking nominations for 2025 Missouri Rural Health Champions. This award is designed to honor a minimum of one individual and one group whose contributions are making a difference in Missouri rural healthcare through collaboration, education, innovation, and communication.

Who Might be a Rural Health Champion:

• Providers
• Clinic managers and/or staff
• Rural Hospitals
• Pharmacists
• Therapists
• Nurses
• Front desk staff
• Administrators
• Anyone who works in rural healthcare

Nomination deadline is October 1, 2025.

Click Here to Nominate Your Rural Health Champion