Rural Spotlight

NRHA Now Accepting Health Equity Conference Presentations

October 10, 2023

NRHA Now Accepting Health Equity Conference Presentations

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is now accepting presentation proposals and research posters for the expanded Health Equity Conference next spring. Join NRHA and hundreds of rural health leaders in New Orleans, May 6-7, for one of the only meetings in the nation to focus on rural health equity issues. This conference is designed for those dedicated to bringing quality health care to under-served and often under represented populations, including LGBTQIA+, veteran, and homeless rural residents as well as multiracial and multicultural m embers of rural communities. Stick around for NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference and Rural Hospital Innovation Summit featuring more than 80 innovative, practical, and cost saving sessions.

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Driving Employee Engagement through Tactical Approach of Leader Rounding

October 10, 2023

Driving Employee Engagement through Tactical Approach of Leader Rounding

Join the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for this educational webinar focused on the strategic use of Leader Rounding to transform rural healthcare. Discover how this practice can drive cultural change and improve overall care quality in rural healthcare settings.

In this informative webinar, participants will:

  • Explore Leader Rounding in Rural Healthcare
  • Understand the significance of Leader Rounding and its impact on rural healthcare.
  • Learn Effective Practices
  • Discover practical strategies to boost employee engagement and leadership development in rural healthcare organizations.
  • Cultural Transformation
  • Gain insights into using Leader Rounding as a tool for fostering cultural change within rural healthcare settings.

This webinar will provide you with real-world examples and actionable strategies to enhance the quality, operational efficiency, and financial performance of your rural healthcare institution.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an enlightening discussion that can empower your rural healthcare organization to excel in the face of unique challenges. Register today and be prepared to lead your organization toward a brighter, more sustainable future in rural healthcare.

When: Tuesday, October 24, 1:00 – 2:00 pm CST

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Strategic Succession Planning for Leadership in Today’s Rural Healthcare Landscape

October 10, 2023

Strategic Succession Planning for Leadership in Today’s Rural Healthcare Landscape

Leadership transitions in rural healthcare come with their own set of complexities. With the landscape changing rapidly due to shifts like remote care adoption, new payment models, and changing reimbursement paradigms, the importance of succession planning cannot be overstated. Erika Sundrud, Senior Vice President of Advisory Management at Ovation Healthcare, brings her 20 years of expertise to this session. Rural healthcare executives will gain a comprehensive understanding of succession strategies uniquely tailored for their challenges.

Objectives:

  • Understand the unique dynamics of leadership transitions in rural healthcare.
  • Engage with succession planning techniques specifically designed for rural contexts.
    • Outline clear, actionable steps to fortify their institution’s leadership succession plans for long-term resilience.

When: Tuesday, October 17, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

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The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

October 10, 2023

The Untapped Fiscal Potential of Chronic Wound Care

In this webinar, Sarah Hull RNP, WCC, DWC will present valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing wound care management in Critical Access hospitals.

Participants will explore innovative approaches to chronic wound care, emphasizing the advantages of localized and cost-effective treatments. Sarah Hull will shed light on the benefits of incorporating advanced wound care therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The webinar will cover essential topics, including the significance of local wound care services, the effectiveness of advanced wound care therapies, and actionable steps for transforming your wound care center into a financial success. Attendees can expect to gain practical tips and best practices from Sarah Hull to maximize the fiscal potential of their wound care services.

  • Join this informative session to enhance your wound care practices and contribute to better healthcare outcomes while optimizing financial sustainability.

When: Thursday, October 12, 1:00-2:00 pm CST

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First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey

October 10, 2023

First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey

This “First-ever Rural Physician and Advanced Practice Provider Compensation Survey” webinar, delves into groundbreaking survey results which boasted 4x the number of rural respondents compared to the largest current survey on the topic. This pivotal discussion will be led by Opal Greenway, Principal at Stroudwater Associates. As a seasoned healthcare and finance expert with a rich background in physician compensation, strategic healthcare needs, and regulatory compliance, Opal brings unparalleled insight to the table.

During this webinar, participants will:

  • Discover the findings of this inaugural rural-focused compensation survey.
  • Understand how affiliation with a health system influences compensation.
  • Gain insights into how compensation competitiveness varies across state practice environments, guided by Opal’s extensive experience in analyzing physician compensation structures and advising healthcare entities on market trends and regulations.

When:  Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:00 pm CST

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CDC’s State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special Report

October 6, 2023

CDC’s State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special Report

This report examines vaccine confidence and uptake among rural populations in the United States, between 2017 and 2023, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccination. The report also covers differences in vaccine uptake among rural, suburban, and rural populations, including discussions around concerns about vaccination and identifies strategies for successful outreach to rural areas.

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Access to Jobs, Economic Opportunities, and Education in Rural Areas

October 6, 2023

Access to Jobs, Economic Opportunities, and Education in Rural Areas

This National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) research report provides an overview of the challenges experienced in rural communities such as connectivity issues; access to goods, social services, and healthcare; and a lack of educational and economic opportunities. Includes implementation strategies for rural communities to evaluate, plan for, and improve accessibility, along with related case studies.

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Upcoming Webinar – Rural Definitions and Data: Changes after the 2020 Census

October 6, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Rural Definitions and Data: Changes after the 2020 Census

This RHIhub webinar on October 17, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. CT, highlights recent changes in rural definitions from the Census Bureau and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the impact on rural data, and how it may affect rural areas’ eligibility for federal funding.

This webinar is free. High-speed internet is required to participate. A recording will be available on the RHIhub website after the live event. Connection details will be emailed to you immediately upon registration.

If you have questions or problems with the registration process, please contact RHIhub Webinars at webinars@ruralhealthinfo.org.

When: October 17, 2023, 12; 00 p.m. CT

Register Here

New in Rural Monitor – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

October 6, 2023

New in Rural Monitor – Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations

The Rural Monitor is a publication of the Rural Health Information Hub. Its focus is on healthcare and population health in rural communities. Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations discusses how rural hospitals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attempts to penetrate information systems to create havoc, steal data, or hold information “hostage” for a monetary ransom. Two Critical Access Hospital leaders discuss attacks at their organizations and how they are working to prevent future attacks. An information technology compliance expert also highlights actions organizations can take to better protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

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Upcoming Webinar – Do Not Let Revenue Cycle Make Your Head Spin

October 5, 2023

Upcoming Webinar – Do Not Let Revenue Cycle Make Your Head Spin

When: Wednesday, October 25, 12:00 – 1:00 CT

Join Rebecca Mankin, of Mankin Consultants, and the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) as Rebecca dives into revenue cycle management and provides solutions for maximizing revenue.

By the end of this webinar participants will:

  • Understand that revenue cycle management excellence is paramount
  • Increase confidence in the SWOT Analysis and understand problem areas and prioritize solutions to the problem
  • Be able to identify common revenue cycle management problems
  • Know the top reasons for medical billing denials
  • Recognize best practices for addressing denials and rejections

Who Should Attend?

  • Critical access Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics
    • Front Office Staff
    • Schedulers
    • Office Managers
    • Providers
    • CEOs
    • CFOs
    • COOs
    • Revenue Officers

When: Wednesday, October 25, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

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This project is supported by the Health Resources Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,513,826 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. This training was made possible through the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) grant.