Category: NRHA

NRHA Accepting Application for the Rural Health Fellows Program

June 16, 2023

NRHA Accepting Application for the Rural Health Fellows Program

NRHA is accepting applications for our Rural Health Fellows program, a yearlong, intensive training that develops leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

Each year, NRHA selects 10 to 15 highly motivated individuals who have proven their dedication to improving the health of rural Americans through their educational or professional experience.

The goal of the Fellows program is to educate and develop a network of diverse rural leaders that will step forward to serve in key positions in the association, affiliated advocacy groups, and local and state legislative bodies with health equity as a main focus.

NRHA’s Rural Health Fellows meet in person three times throughout the year to undergo intensive leadership and advocacy training. In addition, fellows take part in monthly conference calls to supplement their training, receive updates on legislative and regulatory concerns that impact rural health, and participate in a mentorship program with current members of NRHA’s Board of Trustees. These monthly calls will help Fellows to develop their leadership skills as rural health advocates. Rural Health Fellows should be committed to advocating on behalf of rural health and should be dedicated to NRHA’s mission.

The submission period for 2024 Rural Health Fellows applications is now open through Sept. 14.

Requirements

  • Applicants to the Rural Health Fellows Program must be NRHA members for at least one year before applying to the program and must remain a member in good standing through the duration of the program.
  • Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the health of all people residing in rural America through the provision of equitable health care services. This commitment must be demonstrated in the personal statement, as well as the curriculum vitae/resume of the applicant.
  • Applicants must be willing and able to commit to monthly conference calls as part of the program and complete a project as a member of an Action Project Team.
  • Applicants must have a sponsor to support travel/lodging expenses to attend three NRHA meetings: 1) NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute, 2) NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference, 3) the fellows graduation ceremony.
  • Applicants must commit to attend all Rural Health Fellows training sessions.

Application Requirements

  • At least one year of membership in NRHA
  • Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
  • Personal statement

Program benefits

  • Developing leadership skills and mentorship under current NRHA leaders
  • Working with like-minded individuals to generate solutions to problems facing rural America
  • Driving rural health policy solutions on behalf of NRHA

2024 Rural Health Fellows class training sessions:

1.  Feb. 13-15, 2024 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
2. May 6-10, 2024 – Annual Rural Health Conference in New Orleans, La.
3. February 2025 – Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Application Review Process

  • Applications are due Thursday, September 14, 2023
  • Applications are reviewed and ranked by members of NRHA staff. A meeting is held to discuss applicants.
  • Applicants will receive an email on their acceptance or non-acceptance into the program.
    • Applicants will have two weeks to respond to their acceptance email and secure their spot in the program.

Rural Health Fellows Program Costs

There is no program fee for participation in the Rural Health Fellows Program. Applicants must have a sponsor (employer, corporate or self) responsible for all travel and lodging costs to attend the three training sessions.

View the current Rural Health Fellow rosters

For more information, contact Ally Zimmerman, azimmerman@ruralhealth.us  program services coordinator, or 202-639-0550.

Rural Health Fellows Application

 

Your Chance to be a Rural Health Fellow, Speak in New Orleans

June 16, 2023

Your Chance to be a Rural Health Fellow, Speak in New Orleans

The National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA’s) Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit are the nation’s premier events celebrating rural health. They are curated for anyone with an interest in rural health care, including rural health practitioners, hospital administrators, clinic directors and lay health workers, social workers, state and federal health employees, academics, community members, and more.

NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference is an interactive experience designed for all rural health professionals, with 7 tracks covering clinical issues, statewide public health issues, clinic management, rural communities, education, policy, and learning tools for leaders. NRHA is willing to consider any new and innovative session proposals.

NRHA’s rural Hospital Innovation Summit is one of the first meetings of its kind, dedicated to rural hospital innovation and transformation and providing premier networking and education exclusively for rural hospital leadership teams striving to innovate toward community health transformation.

NRHA is accepting session and research presentation proposals for the nation’s largest gathering of rural health pros. The Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit, will be held May 7-10, 2024 in New Orleans, La.

Anyone with an interest in rural health is invited to submit session proposals by August 17, 2023 or original research by January 11, 2024 for presentation during the 2024 conferences.

Please consider contributing a session. This is an opportunity to share effective models, policies, research and information and provide your colleagues with insights and best practices addressing many of the access, quality and geographic issues confronted by rural communities.

Submit Session Proposals

Submit Original Research

 

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, July 19 – Addressing Patient Surges and Rising Costs in Healthcare

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, July 19 – Addressing Patient Surges and Rising Costs in Healthcare

Wednesday, July 19, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Discover the transformative power of telemedicine in rural healthcare and hear firsthand experiences from AdventHealth Murray Medical Center and AdventHealth Gordon as they share how telemedicine revolutionized their operations, improving sustainability and community service despite fiscal challenges.

Join Jason Povio, President and COO of Eagle Telemedicine, and Dr. Joseph Joyave, CMO and Medical Director for AdventHealth Medical Group, as they discuss their successful strategies. Povio, with his diverse background in systems engineering and healthcare, and Dr. Joyave, a practicing pediatrician and administrative leader, bring valuable perspectives from their unique professional journeys.

During this webinar, you will learn how telemedicine can mitigate fiscal and operational challenges in rural healthcare settings, strategies to reduce patient transfer rates, and address specialty physician gaps using telemedicine. Gain insight into leveraging telemedicine for cost-effective recruitment and round-the-clock patient care.

Register Here

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, June 21 – Reducing Workplace Violence in Your Rural Hospital

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Wednesday, June 21 – Reducing Workplace Violence in Your Rural Hospital

Wednesday, June 21, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

In a time when the behavioral health crisis and socioeconomic strains continue to challenge our healthcare system, the safety of caregivers in healthcare settings is more critical than ever. This educational webinar is designed for healthcare executives seeking to bolster caregiver safety and promote a culture of safety, particularly in resource-limited rural hospitals.

Join Chief Nursing Officer Jeremy Cannon, a National Rural Health Association Fellow, as he shares his experiences with VersaBadge technology, demonstrating its transformative effects on caregiver safety and workflow efficiency through the use of discreet, wearable badges. Angie Anderson, VersaBadge’s Director of Client Success, uses her decade-long healthcare experience to provide a unique perspective on the challenges caregivers face in rural communities. Alongside her, Elizabeth Kane, another VersaBadge Director of Client Success, capitalizes on her healthcare technology and economics background to devise practical, tailored solutions that elevate healthcare facility performance.

This webinar promises a wealth of valuable insights, empowering attendees with practical strategies to mitigate workplace violence, enhance caregiver safety, and foster a secure hospital environment. Gain firsthand knowledge of early intervention and de-escalation techniques, effective implementation of staff safety programs, and ways to foster a safety-centric culture in healthcare facilities of all sizes.

Register Here

NRHA Partner Webinar – Thursday, June 15 Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

June 12, 2023

NRHA Partner Webinar – Swing Bed Culture and Attention to Wellness Vital to Rural Healthcare, A Transitional Care Model

When: Thursday, June 15, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Allevant, a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and Select Medical, helps Critical Access Hospitals by developing post-acute Transitional Care programs using available Swing Beds. Focused on assisting patients to transition to their highest level of independence, Transitional Care is a program that involves the patient and family, makes available the total resources of the Critical Access Hospital, and focuses on measured outcomes and evidence-based processes to ensure patients get the best care possible.

Allevant has supported approximately 100 Critical Access Hospitals across 22 states, including independent and part of health systems. Our clients have cared for over 12,000 patients, representing over 158,000 swing bed days.

With a strong focus on quality, outcomes, and growth, our clients saw an average increase in swing bed days of 55% by the second year. 64% of patients were categorized as complex medical or complex surgical, a growing patient population. Only 7% of Transitional Care patients were discharged directly back to acute care during a program stay of fewer than 30 days. 76% of patients were discharged from Transitional Care back to independence. The average patient rating was 4.83 out of 5 when asked if patients would “recommend the program to others.”

Register Here

NRHA Webinar – Ready or Not, Here They Come: New Graduate Nurse Practice Readiness

May 25, 2023

 

NRHA Webinar – Ready or Not, Here They Come: New Graduate Nurse Practice Readiness

Join the National Rural Health Administration (NRHA) for an engaging webinar where expert Nicole Weathers, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Program Manager for the University of Iowa College of Nursing – Online Nurse Residency Program, will provide practical recommendations on the challenges that nursing professionals face in transitioning new graduate nurses from school to the clinical environment, particularly in rural healthcare organizations. We will explore the latest research on the transition to practice experience of new graduate nurses, identify the factors that influence practice readiness, and offer insights to enhance preparation programs and support new nurses in meeting the demands of the constantly evolving healthcare landscape.

When: May 31, 2 – 3 p.m. CDT

Register Here

Rural Health Clinic Conference

May 12, 2023

Rural Health Clinic Conference

Join Clinic and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) stakeholders from across the country for NRHA’s Rural Health Clinic and Critical Access Hospital Conferences September 26 – 29.

Take advantage of the educational and networking opportunities designed for clinic and hospital professionals and board members serving rural America.

Be sure to register for both events to save $100 on your total registration cost. NRHA member save $100 more on each event, while those who have never been an NRHA member will receive a complimentary one-year NRHA membership.

By attending the Critical Access Hospital Conference offered by the National Rural Health Association participants may earn up to nine hours ACHE Qualified Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.

When: September 26 – 27

Where: Kansas City, MO –  Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center

Register Now

Forensic Center will use Telehealth to Reach Rural Patients

May 1, 2023

Forensic Center will use Telehealth to Reach Rural Patients

UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, Colo., is opening a first-of-its-kind medical unit that will provide forensic nursing care to patients who have experienced sexual or physical assault and any other type of abuse. It also houses an expanded forensic telehealth program that will support rural hospitals and clinics across the region. Across the country, health care providers are utilizing telehealth programs as one strategy to combat staffing shortages, with others including non-monetary benefits such as flexible scheduling. Your chance to discuss rural-specific strategies to enhance telehealth capacity is at NRHA’s 46th Annual Rural Health Conference May 16-19 in San Diego.

Summer Internship Opportunities Available with NRHA

May 1, 2023

Summer Internship Opportunities Available with NRHA

NRHA has developed a robust internship program that gives participants the opportunity to grow professionally and gain firsthand knowledge about rural health. To ensure each intern is provided with a rewarding experience, the association offers three unpaid internship concentrations in communications, government affairs, and program services. Internships can be tailored to meet course requirements if students are interested in receiving academic credit. While we welcome interns year-round, NRHA limits the number of interns it hosts at one time to ensure we offer the best possible experience. If you want to learn more about rural health and how to effectively advocate on behalf of rural patients and providers this summer – or you know someone who does– apply soon and share this opportunity.

Internship Application

NRHA Webinar – Keeping Care in our Communities: Telehealth as a Lifeline for Rural Healthcare

May 2, 2023

NRHA Webinar – Keeping Care in our Communities: Telehealth as a Lifeline for Rural Healthcare

Thursday, May 4, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

Join healthcare experts Steve Barnett (President and CEO, McKenzie Health System), Corey Scurlock (CEO and Founder, EQUUM Medical), and Rodney Buchanan (Hospital Administrator, Westfield Memorial Hospital) in an informative webinar on telehealth for rural healthcare facilities. With their combined experience of over 60 years in successful rural hospital operations, healthcare management, financial analysis, strategic planning, and business development, the panelists will provide tangible insights into implementing telehealth solutions that are both successful and profitable.

In this discussion-driven webinar, the panelists will share how to identify where telehealth can fit in your organization and how to get started. They will debunk myths about the cost and complexity of telehealth and provide best practices for implementation. Additionally, the benefits of ongoing program measurement and goal communication will be discussed to help you gain buy-in over time.

As a rural healthcare facility, you will learn how to evaluate telehealth as a solution for your organization by outlining its components and understanding its potential benefits.

Register