Rural Spotlight

Webinar: Connecting Patients in the AI Era: Search Strategies that Deliver Results, March 18

March 4, 2025

Webinar: Connecting Patients in the AI Era: Search Strategies that Deliver Results, March 18

By 2028, brands’ organic search traffic is projected to plummet by 50% or more. As generative AI reshapes how patients search for and choose healthcare providers, this shift could mean significant declines in patient acquisition and lost revenue.

Join this webinar to hear healthcare experts explore the challenges AI presents to health systems’ digital visibility and how they can adapt the digital front door to align with patient behaviors – from search engines to social medic and AI assistants.

Key Insights Include:

  • How generative AI is changing consumer behavior and why traditional SEO strategies are no longer enough;
  • How to optimize provider bios with accurate data to improve relevance in AI-driven search environments; and
  • How systems can adapt digital and content strategies to meet evolving patient needs.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, March 18, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Article: The Other Physician Pipeline Problem

March 4, 2025

Article: The Other Physician Pipeline Problem

The Association of American Medical Colleges reported in 2021 that physicians aged 65 and older accounted for 20% of the active patient care workforce, and those between 55 and 64 years old made up 22%. In 2023, physicians 65 and older were 23.4% of the active clinical workforce.

These data show that more than a third of currently active physicians will reach retirement age within the next decade – if they have not already.

This spells a problem not only for patients but also hospitals, many of which are already operating within tight margins. Failing to replace a vacant physician role can heavily cost an organization.

Click Here to Read Full Article

MARHC Webinar: Pneumococcal Vaccine Updates, March 21

March 4, 2025

MARHC Webinar: Pneumococcal Vaccine Updates, March 21

Join the Missouri Association for Rural Health Clinics (MARHC) for a free webinar on the pneumococcal vaccine, presented by Pfizer.

This informative session will discuss new expanded recommendations, released October 2024 from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines among adults 50 years and older.

Cost: Free

When: Friday, March 21, 2025

Click Here to Register

Opening Soon: Applications for the 2025 NHSC Corps Loan Repayment Programs

February 26, 2025

Opening Soon: Applications for the 2025 NHSC Corps Loan Repayment Programs

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Programs help repay part of school loan debt. In exchange, clinicians serve in eligible health care sites in communities in need.

The 2025 Application and Program Guidance documents (in PDF) for these programs are now available:

These documents provide essential details on eligibility requirements, award amounts, and service commitments for each program.

Click Here to Compare Loan Repayment Programs

Diabetes and Other Telehealth Resources from The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth

February 25, 2025

Diabetes and Other Telehealth Resources from The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in every ten people in America have diabetes and an additional 96 million people are living with pre-diabetes.

Telehealth and telemedicine can be effective tools to manage diabetes. Telehealth and technologies for diabetes management include:

  • Live video (synchronous telemedicine),
  • Smartphones and mobile applications, and
  • Remote monitoring using asynchronous technology to share information with health care providers.

Click Here to read how to use telehealth in this Best Practice Guide

Patient Resource: How to Use Telehealth for Diabetes Care

Telehealth helps patients with diabetes track and manage their health. Share this page with patients so they can learn more about how they can use telehealth for diabetes care.

Click Here to Learn More

Tip Sheet: Telehealth Privacy Tips for Providers

Providers can take steps to ensure the privacy and security of patient health information. This is essential for patients to feel comfortable using telehealth.

Click Here to Learn More

Telehealth Resources

Telehealth.HHS.gov has a variety of telehealth resources for health care providers, including doctors, practitioners, and hospital staff. These include tips on how to get started planning workflows, telehealth policy and billing, and licensure.

Click Here to Find Telehealth Resources

Capital Link Webinar: Introduction to Mobile Health, February 26

February 25, 2025

Capital Link Webinar: Introduction to Mobile Health, February 26

Mobile healthcare is an alternative, flexible, and cost-effective approach to bringing a wide range of healthcare services-such as medical, dental, behavioral, vision, and even mammography – directly to hard-to-reach patients.

This training will:

  • Describe the mobile health landscape, with an emphasis on health center presence,
  • Share key mobile health resources, and
  • Provide practical advice for mobile programs.

Additionally, Capital Link will introduce the first offering of their new four-session Mobile Health Learning Collaborative, beginning in March.

Capital Link offers webinars designed to offer useful information for health centers on a wide range of topics, at no charge.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, February 26, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Click Here to Register

DEA & HHS Delay Implementation of Final Rules

February 25, 2025

DEA & HHS Delay Implementation of Final Rules

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced a delay in the effective date for the recently issue final rules regarding the telemedicine prescribing of buprenorphine and telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients. Originally scheduled to become effective February 18, the rules will now take effect on March 21, 2025.

This decision aligns with the White House memorandum issued on January 20, which called for “A Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” to allow agencies further review of any fact, law, and policy considerations prior to proposing, issuing, or finalizing any regulatory activities. In particular, the DEA/HHS announcement cites the third paragraph of the Freeze Memo, which ordered agencies to consider postponing the effective dates for any recently published rules that have yet to take effect.

The DEA and HHS have also confirmed that the waiver provisions established in the third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, ensuring that in-person visit requirements continue to be waived for the remainder of 2025.

Click Here to Read More

Click Here to Read Buprenorphine Rule

Click Here to Read Veterans Affair Rule

Click Here to Read Telemedicine Special Registration Rule

Save the Date – Faith and Health: Purple Sundays Offer Education and Support for Memory Loss, February 26

February 25, 2025

Save the Date – Faith and Health: Purple Sundays Offer Education and Support for Memory Loss, February 26

Raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease through Purple Sunday events. Participants will learn how to access free care and support services, engage in research, and educate members of the faith community about Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, February 26, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Click Here to Register

MRHA Webinar: Colorectal Cancer in Younger Patient Populations and the Impact of Non-Invasive Testing

February 25, 2025

MRHA Webinar: Colorectal Cancer in Younger Patient Populations and the Impact of Non-Invasive Testing

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is not only rising in prevalence but affecting younger patient populations at an alarming rate. Traditional approaches, focused solely on colonoscopies, may not reach enough at-risk individuals, especially in rural communities. Exact Sciences’ non-invasive test, Cologuard, offers a groundbreaking way to improve screening accessibility and help prevent CRC.

Target Audience

  • Primary Care Providers,
  • Population Health Professionals,
  • CMOs,
  • Healthcare leaders dedicated to improving patient outcomes and accessibility in rural communities.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, February 27, 12:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

Registration is Now Open: NRHA’s 48th Annual Conference

February 21, 2025

Registration is Now Open: NRHA’s 48th Annual Conference

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and hundreds of rural health leaders from across the country to help raise the standard for rural health with more than 80 innovative, practical, and cost-saving sessions and much more.

Don’t miss NRHA’s expanded Rural Health Equity Conference May 19 – 20 and Rural Medical Education Conference occurring immediately beforehand on May 20.

When: May 20 – 23, 2025

Where: Atlanta, GA

Click Here to See Agenda and Full Details of Conference