The Rural Health Voice: Recent Episodes
Beth O'Connor
The Rural Health Voice is the podcast of the Virginia Rural Health Association. Leaders at the local, state, and national level are interviewed on their perspective of current rural health issues.The Rural Health Voice is sponsored by the Virginia State Office of Rural Health and underwritten by the National Rural Health Association.
Most of us have heard of Medical Debt – but what is Undue Medical Debt? Dr. Eva Stahl of the Undue Medical Debt organization joined RHV to discuss what they are doing to help both patients and healthcare providers deal with medical debt.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the recently released book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia. Half of the net proceeds will support VRHA.
Why would you need an occupational therapist? Savanah Howe and Tara Riddle joined the RHV podcast to discuss the need for occupational therapy in rural communities and the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association.
If you want to be part of the conversation on rural health, follow the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook and LinkedIn:
@varuralhealth
https://www.linkedin.com/company/varuralhealth/
What issues do Trans patients face in rural communities? Former VRHA Board member Dove Standley and her husband Tatum joined RHV to discuss the extra precautions they have to take when seeking care.
If you want to learn more about concerns for rural Trans patients, check out Dove & Tatum’s chapter in the book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia.
VRHA’s Pride of Rural Virginia initiative has resources for LGBTQ+ patients and healthcare providers.
How can disparities in birth outcomes be addressed? Femeika Elliot & Alexis Alsup joined RHV to discuss their work and the recommendations they have to improve maternal health.
If you want to learn more from Femeika & Alexis, check out their chapter in the upcoming book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia – https://utpress.org/9798895270486/medical-mistrust-in-appalachia/
How did the push to standardize medicine impact public health? Pharmacist and Herbalist Marybeth Babos joined us to discuss some of the history of medical mistrust.
If you want to learn more about Medical Mistrust, pre-order the new book Medical Mistrust in Appalachia: Helping Patients and Providers Communicate with Cultural Humility, edited by Wendy Welch and VRHA Executive Director Beth O’Connor: https://utpress.org/9798895270486/medical-mistrust-in-appalachia/
What are the gaps in Virginia’s primary care workforce? Hannah Shadowen and Alex Krist of VCU joined me to discuss their recent research on neighborhood differences in primary care.
If you are a health professions or public policy student with an interest in rural health, apply to be a representative to the VRHA board of directors. Applications for student board members are being accepted now: https://vrha.org/students/
Why would a medical student make a poster? Brittany Blitstein and Ranjit Virk, Medical students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine joined us to discuss their involvement in the Community Nourishment Project and what they learned.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA and other rural health leaders from around the country at the National Rural Health Association’s annual conference: https://www.ruralhealth.us/events/schedule/annual-rural-health-conference
What are the alternatives to traditional employer-based insurance? Justin Ayars of EqualityMD joined us to discuss concerns and solutions for affordable health care.
If you want to be part of the conversation on rural health, check us out on Facebook and LinkedIn –
https://www.facebook.com/VaRuralHealth/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/virginia-rural-health-association
What can you do to support economic development in Appalachia? Emma Kelly of Appalachian Voices joined RHV to discuss the information they have available and how you can get involved.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the VRHA staff in San Diego May 19-22 for the National Rural Health Association annual conference.
What can be done to be sure our Vintage Virginians can live healthy lives for as long as possible? Pete Fronte of Altura Health joined RHV to discuss what patients and providers can do to maximize the quality of life in their golden years.
More resources for aging in place: http://www.upright.altura.health/
What happens if we lose tax credits for insurance? Lauren Aronson from Keep Americans Covered joined RHV to discuss concerns about the loss of tax credits and how you can get involved.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA in Washington, DC February 10-12 for the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Policy Institute. Be part of our delegation from Virginia in meeting with members of Congress and their staff.
What resources are available for individuals with disabilities and their families? Rayna Sage from the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities and Debe Fults of the disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc. joined RHV to discuss the connection between research in Montana and services in the Rappahannock Area.
Resources:
- DARS – https://www.dars.virginia.gov/
- NCIL https://ncil.org
- APRIL https://www.april-rural.org
- Virginia worker map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2a016b6993864cea81d912d20e9c7c3a
- State policy fact sheet: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/ruralinst_employment/50/
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join me and rural health advocates from around the country at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute February 10-12 in Washington, DC.
Do rural young adults need to leave rural communities to find meaningful work? Crystal Hunnicutt, Director of Southwest Operations for the Department of Nurse Anesthesia at the VCU College of Health Professions joined RHV to discuss rural leadership development.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA and other rural health advocates from around the country at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute February 10-12
What are the best practices for oral health in rural communities? Piper Martin of the National Rural Health Association joined me to discuss their Rural Oral Health Initiative.
Additional links:
- VRHA’s Rural Health Voice Conference
- NRHA’s Rural Health Policy Institute
Who gets to make decisions on healthcare policy? Mike Pruitt – Candidate for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, joined RHV to discuss how he wants to represent the area.
Related links:
- If you are running for a Virginia Congressional seat and want to be considered for a podcast interview, email staff@vrha.org with a request
- Rural Health Voice conference, November 19 & 20 at the Wintergreen Resort
- National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Policy Institute
What can you do to educate elected officials and other policy makers about oral health issues? Ben Barber of the Virginia Health Catalyst joined RHV to discuss the Healthy Virginia Blueprint
Coming up:
October 17: Catalyst Annual Summit – Richmond
November 19-20: Rural Health Voice Conference – Wintergreen Resort
What do Virginia college students need to know about voting in the upcoming elections? Eireann Maybach, VRHA intern joined RHV to discuss her perspective as a political science major.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join us September 17th in Danville for the National Rural Assembly and November 19 & 20 at the Wintergreen Resort for the Rural Health Voice conference.
Virginia Voters Website: https://cardinalnews.org/virginia-voter-guide/
Who should participate in a Clinical Trial and why? Dr. Linda Duska and Claudette Grant from the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center joined RHV to discuss the myths and facts of clinical trials.
Links:
- UVA Community Outreach & Engagement
- Clinical Trials Toolkit
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- RHV podcast episode on HPV
What’s the newest way to find information to empower your rural community? Kristie Proctor and Chandler Vaughn joined RHV to discuss the Rural Opportunity Dashboard.
Important links:
- Dashboard
- Virginia Rural Leadership Institute
- Rural Summit
- Rural Health Voice Conference
What would you do if there was a way to reduce your risk of cancer by 40%? Andrea Radford of the American Cancer Society joined RHV to discuss their new cancer risk screening tool.
- CancerRisk360 flyer to post in public areas
- Rural Health Voice Conference webpage
How can you tell if a child has been exposed to lead? Janine Kerr from the Virginia Department of Health joined RHV to discuss resources to address lead poisoning.
Resources:
- VDH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
- Department of Housing and Community Development Lead Hazard Reduction Program
- EPA Lead-Based Paint Program
- EPA Lead-based Paint Professional Locator
Who is responsible for paying hospital bills? Travis Gentry, CEO of Hyve Health joined me to discuss who the payers are and the concerns with holding payers accountable.
What happens when a free clinic decides to offer more than just clinical services? Andrea Ahonen, CEO of GoochlandCares joined RHV to discuss how and why they handle logistics for a multitude of services.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, take our survey: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fomniinstitute.co1.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_1MS77GHAwRZYoMS%3Flink%3Dsm%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExdWlwcjFqSUFDRzFLR2RHVQEeFmMOHc5mWFnYJcDEUQsIHFvn5sxJDGOxvwH_sMGyqdfv9qVv9G6B_jxM__E_aem_2mMwwhQGFneaHo06Penoqw&h=AT3ArZOljfhkUqB6N4JiGUvtMF7rWonGXL1tCXT72ZMD8G6Ucl5Snoobi7ZNcbsKv3TbkCeNeRmLcPdF1o751pt5PMGDtOZT0bx2stvF7ZD3-5IfAlHVx7z39bljgDd63B3QZ0fnDJwJMA&__tn__=-UK*F&c[0]=AT2ZCG_ksVUvdvk1u7q0p6k7-1EIdconD7Vj1ckf6rgMphaZHqM0DeZTbgxcalRVU2EuJHCZEfVZEek2oOlHHNEhHq4_RpoBFVr_qqg9-9-1qEC8MkocSSCoffEeA9YdWQjUzvm6vyAj8-HW-mW-RMCUUz0hOOPAA4ohYeLv2MESZgEusxd1pn8JJeDMXVrQOYY4n0Mxt94mTMFdGcJug6R35Qw
What are some of the benefits and concerns for telehealth? Kathy Wibberly, PhD of the MidAtlantic Telehealth Resource Center joined RHV to discuss telehealth use and policy.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural telehealth, join MATRC and VRHA this summer at the Bridging Rural Communities event.
How can rural hospitals address the need for screening despite a lack of specialists? Vicki Parks, CEO of the Wythe County Community Hospital joined RHV to discuss some of their solutions.
VRHA is now accepting submissions to lead breakout session discussions for our 2025 event.
With the shortage of specialists, how do rural primary care providers handle mental health for their pediatric patients? Ally Singer Wright and Angie Prater from VMAP joined RHV to discuss the free services they have available.
VRHA is now accepting submissions to lead breakout sessions for our 2025 event. Deadline is May 2nd
What happens when a rural physician is determined to do everything they can to treat a patient locally instead of making them travel outside of the community? Sterling Ransone, MD joined me to discuss barriers to care in rural communities and what could be done to improve access.
VRHA is now accepting submissions to lead breakout session discussions for our 2025 Rural Health Voice conference.
Another company has purchased the old Patrick Hospital, will it open for real this time? Kyle Kopec, Chief Medical Compliance Officer/Co-Founder of BradenHealth joined me to discuss his passion for rural communities.
How can students understand how to apply data into real-world situations? Dr. Elizabeth Ackley, Director of the Center for Community Health Innovation at Roanoke College joined RHV to discuss the development of their Healthy Living Index.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute this February in Washington, DC. The Policy Institute is a chance to hear firsthand from federal policymakers and meet with your members of Congress.
What is the Virginia Health Care Foundation doing to boost the need for better access to mental health services? Denise Daly Konrad and Trinette Randolf joined RHV to discuss the Foundation’s initiatives.
Who is most at risk for the flu, COVID, and RSV? Kelly Langford of the US Department of Health and Human Services joined me to discuss their Risk Less. Do More campaign.
How has the opioid crisis complicated pain management? Dr. Robert Twillman of St. Luke’s Health System joined me to discuss alternatives for rural communities with limited access to services.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute this February in Washington, DC. The Policy Institute is a chance to hear firsthand from federal policymakers and meet with your members of Congress.
Why do people who are retired need an occupational therapist? Shunaka White of For Safety’s Sake joined RHV to discuss the needs for our Vintage Virginians.
Reminder that National Rural Health Day is November 21st. Join VRHA in celebrating on social media.
This episode sponsored by:
How can community representation be used to make legislative policy? Kathryn Haines, Health Equity Manager from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy joined RHV to discuss how they bring people together to address health equity.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Kathryn and others to talk about maternal health, substance use disorders, and workforce in rural communities, this November in Abingdon at the Rural Health Voice conference.
What are Primary Immune Disorders and how can rural clinicians get the information they need to help patients? Dr. Nick Rider from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine joined RHV to discuss PEPI ECHO.
Find PEPI Content on the web:
- PEPI ECHO Site
- PEPI YouTube
Join the conversation at the Rural Health Voice conference November 19 & 20 in Abingdon!
What’s the one stop shop you can use to find jobs in all of Virginia’s hospitals? Sharon Alexander, Director of Workforce Initiatives at the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association joined me to discuss On Board Virginia.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health workforce, join the Virginia Rural Health Association at the Rural Health Voice conference in November. Workforce will be one of our three focus areas.
Does Virginia need a Secretary of Rural Affairs? Andrew Block, University of Virginia School of Law joined RHV to discuss why that is a topic of discussion in Virginia right now.
Join us at the Rural Health Voice conference
Rural Health Voice Executive Director Beth O’Connor was the guest on the Rural Health Rising podcast.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Beth and other rural health advocates in Abingdon November 19 & 20 for the Rural Health Voice conference.
What should college faculty and staff know about the mental health needs of the students? Hans Carlo Rivera joined me to discuss their work at Virginia Tech.
For more information, contact Hokie Wellness: 540-231-8878
Want to ask about Mental Health First Aid? Contact us: staff@vrha.org
Is rural water as pure and pristine as bottled water advertisements would have us believe? Erin Ling, Water Quality Extension Specialist, joined RHV to discuss the Virginia Household Water Quality Program.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Voice conference in Abingdon November 19 & 20.
How do churches address the social determinants of health? Pastor Morris Fleischer of the Newport-Mt Olivet United Methodist Church joined RHV to discuss what churches do beyond the pulpit.
Whose voice is heard from rural Virginia? Rachel Levy, Executive Director of New Rural Virginia joined RHV to discuss her hopes for better representation.
VRHA membership information
What are the barriers to providing obstetric care in rural communities? Arthur Ollendorff, MD from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine joined me to discuss his concerns about maternal health.
Follow VRHA on social media:
- X
Is it worth your time to meet with your elected officials? Narissa Rassman, Executive Director of Equality Virginia joined RHV to discuss their most recent wins at the Virginia General Assembly.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, watch our website and social media accounts for information about the upcoming Equality Virginia Community Town Halls.
What is a midwife and how do they bridge the gap for maternal healthcare in rural communities? Leslie Payne of Trillium House Birthing Center joined RHV to discuss Certified Professional Midwives.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, follow VRHA on Facebook and X.
Who is responsible for health literacy? Systems Design Coach Steven Ragsdale joined RHV to discuss how health disparities need to be addressed at every level.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the National Rural Health Association’s Health Equity conference this May in New Orleans.
Are there any surprises when it comes to the need for improved oral health? Ben Barber, Policy Director at Virginia Health Catalyst joined RHV to discuss their Oral Health Workforce Gap Assessment.
Link to the Virginia Health Catalyst email list request.
Why is it important to be involved in rural health advocacy? Dr. Kevin Bennett, Director of Center for Rural & Primary Healthcare at the University of South Carolina joined RHV to discuss his path to the NRHA Presidency. Join us at the NRHA Annual Conference in New Orleans this May.
What are the benefits and complications of mobile health? Dr. Carolyn Rutledge, Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University joined RHV to discuss rural outreach and their mobile health clinic.
Why do independent pharmacies have a hard time staying open? Cindy Warriner, of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network joined RHV to discuss the needs of rural pharmacies.
What is a Syndemic? Lee Storrow, Senior Director of External Affairs at the Community Education Group joined RHV to discuss the confluence of HIV, HCV, and the opioid crisis and what is being done to address it.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Lee, myself, and others at the Appalachian Syndemic Summit in May.
This episode was sponsored by the Virginia State Office of Rural Health.
What is a Dental Assistant and why is it a great healthcare career? Dr. Emily Bowen from the Mountain Empire Community College Dental Assistant Program joined me to discuss oral health.
Want to talk directly to members of Congress about rural health issues? Join VRHA in Washington, DC this February for the Rural Health Policy Institute. Event links are in the show notes.
What is different about food insecurity in rural communities? Donna Dagner of the Community Resource Services joined RHV to discuss the work of the food pantry and plans to grow.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Policy Institute in DC next February.
What are doulas and how can they improve maternal health? Roshay Richardson, Lead Chair, Danville Maternal Health Task Force joined RHV to discuss how communities can better support pregnancies.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Policy Institute in DC next February.
Who is the Cancer Coalition of Virginia and why do they have a plan? Jessica Deering and Victoria Zwicker joined RHV to discuss the 2023 Virginia Cancer Plan.Resources: https://cancercoalitionofvirginia.org/virginia-cancer-plan/ https://cancercoalitionofvirginia.org/
What do regional organizers do? Clio Schurtz of Virginia Organizing joined RHV to discuss how she engages people in the New River Valley to address housing needs.If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join us at the Virginia Rural Health Voice Conference, November 15-16 in Blacksburg.
Who in Washington DC is working to support healthcare in rural communities? Tom Morris from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy joined RHV to discuss how his staff provide support through information, data, and of course, grant opportunities.Additional resources: TAGGS - Government grant tracking website HRSA data warehouse Rural Health Information Hub VRHA membership
What do you need to know about hazardous waste in your home or healthcare facility? Jim O’Leary and Chris Archambeault joined RHV to discuss what the Virginia department of Environmental Quality can do to help make sure your waste is properly stored and disposed.
More information:
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-10/10_step_blueprint_guide_final_9-22.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/documents/10008_managingyourhazwaste_508pdf_october_16_2019.pdf
We are flipping the script for episode 101. Instead of our host Beth O'Connor interviewing someone, she was the interviewee as a guest on the Commonhealth podcast.
Registration for the Rural Health Voice conference is now open! Join us in Blacksburg November 15 & 16.
Because this is our 100th episode, RHV is celebrating by doing something a little different. Many of the regulations our rural hospitals and clinics follow were created by Congress, and it takes a literal act of Congress to change those regulations. Instead of interviewing someone who is an expert of some aspect of rural health, the guest is Jennifer Briney, host of the Congressional Dish podcast to talk about how Congress operates and how you can make a difference in how those regulations are updated.
Related links:
Congressional Dish podcast We're Not Wrong podcast Current bills in Congress related to rural health (scroll to "Current Advocacy Campaigns" section) Congressional contacts for Virginia
How have rural hospitals changed over the years and what will they look like in the future? John Supplitt, Senior Director of Field Engagement at the American Hospital Association joined RHV to discuss concerns and possibilities for our rural facilities.
What’s the difference between and MD and a DO? Dr. Hope Toby of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine joined RHV to discuss what college students need to consider when making the decision to attend medical school.
How can students get involved in VRHA and why should they do so? Joshua McCray, UVA Clinical Research Coordinator joined RHV to discuss his experiences as a VRHA Student Board member.
Josh and fellow student board member Sean Thursen will be staying on the VRHA Board for a second term.
They will be joined by other students from UVA, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Virginia Tech MPH program, the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Roanoke College as the student board representatives for the upcoming academic year. Visit the VRHA Board web page and scroll to the bottom to see a list of our current student board representatives.
What is the UC Berkeley School of Public Health doing to support rural public health? Kimberly MacPherson Faculty Director, Health Policy & Management, joined RHV to discuss the new Rural Health Innovation Program.
What is the UC Berkeley School of Public Health doing to support rural public health? Kimberly MacPherson Faculty Director, Health Policy & Management, joined RHV to discuss the new Rural Health Innovation Program.
More information here.
Why does rural Virginia need advanced degrees in nursing? Dr. Laurie Anne Ferguson, of Emory & Henry joined RHV to discuss their new Master’s in Nursing program.
Who is Foresight Health and why are they coming to rural Virginia? Dr. Sameer Suhail joined RHV to discuss his commitment to the people of Patrick County.
Media on Foresight in Patrick County:
- https://www.newsweek.com/rural-americans-dont-have-access-health-care-so-im-building-hospital-appalachia-opinion-1743402
- https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/stuart-hospital-to-reopen-in-2023-two-mobile-health-units-coming-to-patrick-co-soon/article_f7eb6554-23e1-11ed-831f-dfbbdae04a0b.html
- https://theenterprise.net/hospitals-new-owner-to-create-local-advisory-board-emergency-department-to-open-by-years-end/
- https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/patrick-county-hospital-struggles-to-reopen/article_1324b22a-9c15-11ed-8c40-7b03e5aab85a.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
- https://cardinalnews.org/2023/02/15/confusion-swirls-about-when-patrick-countys-hospital-scheduled-to-open-early-2023-will-really-launch/
Mark Cruise of STRONG ACC joined RHV to discuss their commitment to the next generation.
Plan ahead to attend the Rural Health Voice conference. The 2023 event will be held November 15 & 16 in Blacksburg
Why do nurses decide to go into other fields? Tiffany Turner from Appalshop joined RHV to discuss her transition from nursing to community engagement.
When does drug diversion mean taking care of your family? China Scherz & Joshua Burraway of the University of Virginia joined me to discuss the moral economics of suboxone trade in Southwest Virginia.
Article link: Keeping it in the family.
Did you know? Updated COVID vaccines are here for people 6 months and older to help protect against Omicron. Text your ZIP code to 438829 or visit vaccines.gov to find updated vaccines near you.
What unique challenges do farmers have in staying healthy? Dr. Amy Johnson, Family Nurse Practitioner with the Centra Medical Group joined me to discuss her perspective as both a farmer and a nurse.
More information on AgriSafe:
- Main web page
- AgriStress Helpline
What is a CRNA? Johanna Newman DNAP, CRNA of Mary Baldwin University joined RHV to discuss their new Nurse Anesthesiology Program.
Information for prospective students here.
Mary Baldwin University website:
- Main page
- Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
- CRNA program
- Information for prospective students
What is Virginia doing with the millions of dollars it will receive from the opioid lawsuits? Tony McDowell, Executive Director of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority joined RHV to discuss how those funds will be used.
What are the benefits from Virginia’s increase in dental Medicaid? Dr. Scott Miller, Virginia Dental Association Foundation joined me to discuss how the increased benefits improved access for many rural Virginians.
What type of person should consider a career in health sciences? Dr. Sallie Beth Johnson, Chair of the Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership at Radford University Carilion joined me to discuss career options beyond doctor and nurse.
Internship contact: phhl@radford.edu
Explore student opportunities at the Rural Health Voice conference.
Why have some people been left out of medical research? Dr. Karriem Watson, Chief Engagement Officer of the All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health joined RHV to discuss why a broad spectrum of people are needed to support medical discoveries.
If you want to hear more from Dr. Watson, come join us at the Rural Health Voice conference.
What type of person should be a healthcare provider? Melissa Zook, MD joined me to discuss her passion for serving the community.
If you want to hear more from Dr. Zook, she will be speaking at the Head for the Hills Continuing Medical Education conference in Abingdon this November.
How does Virginia’s Juvenile Justice system impact health? Valerie Slater, Executive Director of RISE for Youth joined RHV to discuss the need to reform Virginia’s juvenile prisons.
Join the Rural Health Voice conference this November in Williamsburg.
Why don’t people make better choices when buying and preparing their food? Dr. Tori Makal, from University of Virginia's College at Wise and Dr. Wendy Welch from the SWVA Graduate Medical Education Consortium joined me to discuss food insecurity.
You might also want to check out two of Dr. Welch’s latest publications:
COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Masks, Misinformation, and Making Do
Rural America has a proud history of volunteering for military service. How can we return the favor and take of our Veterans? Paul Crews, Executive Director of Veteran’s Administration Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network joined RHV to discuss the resources it can offer.
What health disparities are related to cancer in our rural communities? Dr. Robert Winn, Director of the VCU Massey Cancer Center and Dr. Maria Thompson, Director of Community Engagement in Research at the Massey Cancer Center joined RHV to discuss how those disparities can be addressed.
Pride Month is celebrated in June, but VRHA addresses LGBTQ health inequities all year long. Join us in Shenandoah County August 6th for our next Pride of Rural Virginia Community Conversation.
What staffing challenges are rural hospitals experiencing? Portia Brown, Vice President at Valley Health Page Memorial Hospital joined RHV to discuss how hospitals are dealing with workforce shortages.
If you want to learn more about rural health, check out the Rural Health Information Hub.
What is a syndemic? Toni Young of the Community Education Group and the Rural Health Service Provider Network joined me to discuss how rural health issues must be approached on a system-wide level.
What is Vicarious Racism and what Effect does it have on Mental Health for African Americans? Kevin Dedner, Founder & CEO of Hurdle joined RHV to discuss mental health disparities and advocate for celebrating the strengths of rural America.
Check out the Second Annual Black Mental Health Roundtable, May 11, 2022
What are the barriers for addressing dementia in our rural communities? Katie McDonough of the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Virginia joined me to discuss the needs of our aging population.
Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 2022 Alzheimer's Association Facts & Figures
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the National Rural Health Association’s upcoming conference. Can’t justify going all the way to Albuquerque in May? Join us virtually instead.
What are some of the barriers to healthcare faced by people living in Appalachia? Dr. Teresa Tyson and Dr. Paula Hill-Collins from The Health Wagon joined the Rural Health Voice to talk about how they are literally going around in circles to bridge the gaps.
More information on The Health Wagon:
Rural Health Information Hub - Project Summary CBS News - 2017 and 2021
Join the Virginia Rural Health Association at the National Rural Health Association's Annual Conference, live or virtually.
What can we do to emphasize the positive aspects of rural living? Laura Hunt Trull, current President of the Virginia Rural Health Association joined me to discuss health leadership in our rural communities.
For more discussion on rural health issues, save the date for the upcoming Virginia Public Health Association conference. It will be held March 26th and topics will include substance use, COVID in rural communities, food insecurity, telehealth, and more.
How do organizations such as the Virginia Rural Health Association assure they are serving all of rural Virginia? Bryan Price, Past President of the VRHA joined RHV to discuss rural health leadership. Virginia Public Health Association Conference - March 26
What do the results of the 2020 Census mean for rural communities? Hamilton Lombard, Estimates Program Manger from the Weldon Cooper Center at UVA joined me to discuss how population loss is harmful for our rural communities.
For more discussion on rural disparities and how they can be addressed, save the date for the upcoming Virginia Public Health Association conference. It will be held March 26th - details on the full agenda and registration will be available soon.
How are barrier crimes an obstacle to healthcare access? Dr. Kevin Doyle, of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies joined RHV to discuss how barrier crimes are a good idea with poor implementation.
Additional information:
Dr. Doyle's editorial on barrier crimes Virginia Mercury article on barrier crimes List of Virginia barrier crimes
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the VRHA leadership at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute. This is your chance to meet with rural health leaders from across the nation and talk directly with members of Congress and their staff.
Who should be vaccinated against HPV and why? Riguey King from the American Cancer Society joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss the benefits of HPV prevention.
Resources:
National HPV Roundtable Call: 1-800-227-2345
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the VRHA leadership at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute. This is your chance to meet with rural health leaders from across the nation and talk directly with members of Congress and their staff.
Why should rural people get involved in national advocacy? National Rural Health Association President John Gale joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss his views on the future of rural health.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, make sure you check out our social media accounts. Visit our website at VRHA.org and click the Facebook and Twitter logos on the top right of the page.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a Travel Nurse? Destiny Davidson joined RHV to discuss the path of her nursing career and advocate for incentives to encourage providers to consider rural communities. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, make sure you check out our social media accounts. Visit our website at VRHA.org and our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
What’s the role of churches in rural communities when it comes to caring for health? Pastor Allen Jessee of Highlands Fellowship Church joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss faith and health.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the Rural Health Voice conference. It started November 2nd, but all of the plenary sessions are being recorded and saved on the website for review.
Our guest lives and works in rural Virginia, and is a nurse. However, we are withholding her name due to her concern of retaliation from her employer for sharing her job experience.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, make sure you register for the Rural Health Voice annual conference. There will be a wide variety of both plenary sessions and interactive discussion at our virtual event.
Why is it important for rural healthcare providers to consider the specific needs of their LGBTQ patients? AnhThu Nguyen joined me to discuss the important work of Staunton Pride, the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center and the needs for inclusivity.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the Virginia Rural Health Association for our annual Rural Health Voice conference. Our 2021 event will be virtual, with plenary speakers, interactive discussions, and student presentations throughout November, leading up to National Rural Health Day on November 18th. Visit vrha.org and click the events tab to find details and registration for the Rural Health Voice conference.
What’s a great way to make sure people in your community get access to all the services they need? Laura Thompson, Community Engagement Manager from Unite Virginia joined me to discuss their new service and how you can get involved.
Unite Virginia is a coordinated care network of health and social service providers. Partners in the network are connected through a shared technology platform, which enables them to send and receive electronic referrals, address people’s social needs and improve health across communities. Visit the Partner Registration form or contact the Unite Virginia staff at:
laura.thompson@uniteus.com kathleen.banfield@uniteus.com
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, make sure you register for the Rural Health Voice annual conference. There will be a wide variety of both plenary sessions and interactive discussion at our virtual event.
How can we address mental health on a community level? Sabrina Burress, Executive Director of the ARROW Project joined me to discuss how they are identifying and addressing the needs in Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out our upcoming Pride of Rural Virginia community conversations.
How can rural healthcare providers serve everyone in their communities? Ivy Hill with the Campaign for Southern Equality and Gender Benders joined me to discuss why your zip code shouldn’t restrict your access.
Upcoming Pride of Rural Virginia events:
Farmville/Prince Edward County: August 21st, 1-3 pm EST Pulaski County: August 28th, 1-3 pm EST Shenandoah County: September 18th, 1-3 pm EST
What does it take to be a leader when you are a medical student? Caroline Morgan, 3rd Year Medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School joined me to discuss her experience.
If you are a health professions student in Virginia and are interested in developing your leadership skills and making connections with rural health professionals, visit the VRHA Board page, and fill out the application form at the bottom.
Why would someone running for Lt. Governor bother to visit far Southwest Virginia? Delegate Sam Rasoul joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss the importance of serving all Virginians.
The Rural Health Voice and the Virginia Rural Health Association are nonpartisan. If there is a state-level candidate you think we should hear from, have the campaign contact us at staff@vrha.org
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out our upcoming Pride of Rural Virginia community conversations.
How are substance use disorders related to stimulants different or similar from opioids? Dr. Richard Rawson, Research Professor at Vermont Center for Behavior and Health joined me to discuss stimulants and how we can do a better job with treatment.
You can review Dr. Rawson's slides from his presentation at the recent ACOR Summit.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA for the virtual kickoff of our Pride of Rural Virginia event, June 12th. Links to details and registration are in the show notes.
What can healthcare providers do to assure that LGBTQIA+ people have a safe and welcoming environment? Artist KT Taylor joined RHV to discuss their research on rural communities.
Additional resources: VRHA's Pride of Rural Virginia
Not Alone, Never Was Rural Queer History Not Alone Daily Yonder interview of KT Taylor Farm Boys - Lives of Gay Men from the Rural Midwest
With all the talk about the COVID vaccine, have we forgotten about other vaccines? Dr. Ferdaus Hassan, Medical Science Liaison with Sanofi Pasteur joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss meningitis and the need to get vaccinated. World Meningitis Day is April 24th.
VRHA is one of the co-sponsors of the upcoming Appalachian Communities Opioid Response Summit. Join us online May 19th!
What is the connection between workforce and health? Marty Holiday, Executive Director of the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss their new initiative to get people back on a career path.
If you want to be part of the conversation about substance use disorders, join the Appalachian Communities Opioid Response summit. It will be hosted virtually May 19th and include participants from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, as well as here in Virginia.
Why is it important to talk to your family members about their health history? Mindy Conklin joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss the efforts of her nonprofit “Hitting Cancer Below the Belt” and the risk factors you should consider for colorectal cancer.
What does the Black Death in the 1300s have to do with how we react to COVID today? Historian Don Leech joined me to discuss The History of Conspiracies.
Don is a contributing author for the book Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories.
How can technology improve healthcare access? Donna Dittman Hale, Executive Director of the Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss plugging into telehealth.
Ms. Hale was one of the speakers at the recent Rural Health Voice conference. To view the video presentation that led to this interview, visit the Rural Health Voice conference and register for the event. You can choose to just watch just one, or all five of our excellent speakers.
How does racism contribute to poor health outcomes? Dr. Kevin Harris from Virginia Commonwealth University joined me to discuss health inequities.
Dr. Harris was one of the speakers at our recent Rural Health Voice conference. To view the video presentation that led to this interview, visit VRHA.org, select Rural Health Voice conference under the events tab, and register for the event. You can choose to just watch Dr. Harris, or all five of our excellent speakers.
How will the recent changes in Congress and the Presidency impact rural healthcare? Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss his view of Capitol Hill. NRHA is the host of the upcoming Rural Health Policy Institute. the Rural Health Voice encourages you to join that event.
Mr. Morgan was one of the speakers at our recent Rural Health Voice conference. To view the video presentation that led to this interview register for the event to receive the presentation links and passwords.
You can choose to watch A View from the Hill, or all five of our excellent presentations.
What’s going on at the Virginia Department of Health to make improvements in our rural communities? Dr. Norm Oliver, State Health Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health joined me to discuss the Virginia State Rural Health Plan.
To view the video presentation that led to this interview, register for the Rural Health Voice conference. You can choose to just watch Dr. Oliver, or all five of our excellent speakers.
How does the way hospitals get paid reinforce healthcare disparities? Dr. Amol Navathe joined RHV to discuss the need for payment reform and how the current system enables problems.
Dr. Navathe's editorial: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/06/opinion/medical-racism-payment-models.html
Why do some people have big concerns about vaccinations? Anna Muldon joined RHV to discuss the anti-vaxx movement and its implications for addressing COVID. Anna is a contributing author to the book Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories, due out soon.
Why don’t we grow more of our own food? Amyrose Foll, Founder of the Virginia Free Farm joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss how they are assuring that Virginian’s have access to healthy food.
More information:
RVA Agriculture Richmond Food Justice
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, make sure you check out the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
What the heck is an AHEC? Aileen Edwards Harris, Executive Director of the Capital Area Health Education Center gives us the answer.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the Rural Health Voice Conference.
Other resources from this episode:
National AHEC Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority National Association of Minority Educators (NAMME)
Are conspiracies about COVID fact or fiction? Ashley Reynolds Marshall, Executive Director, YWCA of Central Virginia joined me to discuss how mistrust of public health initiatives is sometimes well-earned. Ashley is a contributing author to the book Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories, due out soon.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the Rural Health Voice annual conference.
Correction: in the podcast, Mrs. Marshall inadvertently states that the participants of the Tuskegee experiments were given syphilis. Individuals who were already infected with syphilis were recruited to be participants.
How does racial bias impact pregnancy and childbirth for African American women? Kenda Sutton-El, Co-Executive Director at Birth In Color RVA joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss health inequities in maternal health
If you want to hear more about this issue in our rural communities, join the Rural Health Voice Conference. Speaker Kevin Harris will be providing a presentation on Racism as a Public Health Crisis.
Until then – make sure you get your flu shot!
What can you do if dealing with COVID has got you down? Craig Camidge, Director of the Office of Emergency Management at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services joined me to discuss the crisis counseling that is available free from Virginia COPES.
Virginia C.O.P.E.S. has Crisis Counselors available during the following times to take calls. Monday-Friday 9am-9pm and on Saturday-Sunday from 5pm-9pm. VA C.O.P.E.S can be reached by phone or text at 877-349-6428. Spanish speaking counselors are available. VA C.O.P.E.S is available to all Virginia residents who may be struggling to cope with the effects and circumstances such as isolation, fear, grief and anxiety around COVID 19. VA C.O.P.E.S. counselors are prepared to refer and provide additional information for callers as well but shouldn't be utilized as an emergency or suicide hotline. More information can be found at: vacopes.com and on our Facebook page (VA COPES).
The Rural Health Voice is proud to announce that US Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams will be our special guest at the Rural Health Voice conference. Dr. Adams will be discussing the opioid crisis in rural America. Visit our website to reserve your virtual seat today! Go to vrha.org, click the events tab, and then select ‘annual conference’ for details.
What has been the impact of COVID for persons with substance use disorders? Mike Wade, Coordinator of Community Wellness and Outreach at New River Valley Community Services joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss the spike in overdoses and what can be done going forward.
If you need information on how to receive Narcan in the New River Valley, contact NRVCS. For other areas of Virginia, contact the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition.
In recent years, the Virginia Rural Health Association has become increasingly concerned of the health inequities that are the reality for minority populations in rural Virginia. African American women in Virginia are three times more likely to die after giving birth than white women.
To address these disparities, we are proud to support the “Mothers and Newborns Success Act” proposed by Senator Tim Kaine. This episode of the Rural Health Voice podcast is the recording of a virtual press conference VRHA conducted, asking Senator Tim Kaine about the Mothers and Newborns Success Act.
For questions and more information on the Mothers and Newborns Success Act, please contact Katie Wright (Katie_Wright@kaine.senate.gov).
What are some of the needs for dental health in rural areas? Sarah Raskin,PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, VCU and member of the iCubed Initiative, Oral Health Core joined the Rural Health Voice to discuss dental sealants and other oral health needs. You can also review Dr. Raskin's study "Parents' Experiences with a School-based Dental Sealant Project in Central Appalachia"
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA to make sure you receive our newsletter with resources, funding announcements, and policy updates.
What considerations do urban providers have to make when rural patients travel to see them? Veronica Bernacchi, BSN, RN, PCCN
joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss what she has learned about providing healthcare as a PhD student in nursing at the University of Virginia. Ms. Vernacci was the winner of VRHA's 2019 scholarship conference. Read her winning essay here.
If you are a student that is interested in rural health issues, note that membership in the Virginia Rural Health Association is only $10. For details, visit the VRHA membership page.
How do medical supplies get to remote rural communities during a pandemic? They fly! Jess Ames, Outreach and Events Director, for Angel Flight East joined me to discuss a unique delivery method.
Angel Flight East (AFE) Transporting PPE to Areas in Need
Angel Flight East has recently partnered with several groups to provide face shields and hand sanitizer to health facilities (please see details below). Last week, AFE pilots flew 3,600 pounds of sanitizer and 3,500 face shields to 8 different rural healthcare facilities. If this is something your organization could benefit from, AFE is happy to provide transportation for these supplies.
What data can be used to address the opioid crisis? Michael Meit, Senior Fellow, co-director for N-O-R-C Wash Center for Rural Health Analysis joined me to discuss the Appalachian Overdose Mapping Tool and its follow up, the National Opioid Misuse Community Assessment Tool
That’s Michael Meit advocating for community based solutions to Substance Use Disorders. When we recorded this episode, Michael was scheduled to be a speaker at our event in May, which has now been postponed. For now, you can check the Rural Health Information Hub for tools and resources. Visit the Rural Health Information Hub at ruralhealthinfo.org and type opioids into the search bar.
What happens to group therapy sessions in a time of social distancing? Patricia Helton, Substance Abuse Counselor from Mount Rogers Community Services joined RHV to discuss how people are addressing behavioral health issues in this environment.
Resources:
Virginia Health Care Foundation's Behavioral Health Hub Directory of Virginia's Community Services Boards National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental Health America Alcoholics Anonymous National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Narcotics Anonymous Online Meetings
With everyone concerned about spreading COVID, when should you wear a mask? Wendy Welch, Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium discusses PPE – Personal Protective Equipment.
Mask making instructions: 100 Million Mask Challenge
How to extend the life of a N95: Directions
If you have items to donate, contact: kcollins@vrha.org
More COVID-19 resources can be found at VRHA.org.
EPISODE SUMMARY: CLICK HERE
How do you separate COVID facts from COVID fiction? Andrew Luskin, Epidemiologist for the Virginia Rural Health Association joined the Rural Health Voice to share information that will help you make good decisions.
VRHA has a wide variety of resources for COVID-19 on our website. Just go to vrha.org and click the buttons on the main page.
You may also be interested in a review of what has been discussed in Congress related to COVID-19. That can be found in Episode 211 of the Congressional Dish podcast. Please note that VRHA does not endorse Congressional Dish nor is affiliated with that podcast in any manner. Comments on that podcast belong to host Jen Briney and are not to be attributed to VRHA.
CLICK HERE FOR INTERVIEW SUMMARY (.PDF)
CLICK HERE FOR INTERVIEW SUMMARY (.DOC)
What’s 29 feet long and brings autism services to rural Virginia? Angela Scarpa, Director of the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, and Jennifer Bertollo, a doctoral student clinician joined me to discuss the Mobile Autism Clinic.
RHV No 32 - Autism Services, To Go! Aired 3-20-2020 (PDF)
What does a football reporter know about drug overdoses? Giles County, Virginia native Lauren Sisler from ESPN joined me to talk about her journey from denial to acceptance to advocacy.
Ms. Sisler will be the keynote speaker at the Appalachian Communities Opioid Response Summit, May 12 in Huntington, WV.
Who receives higher quality healthcare information – rural or urban? Megan Leimkuhler , UVA pre-medicine student and winner of the 2019 Rural Health Voice poster contest, joined RHV host Beth O'Connor to discuss how people access information about their health.
View Ms. Leimkuhler's winning entry.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, follow the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
What is happening in Richmond to make sure Virginia’s rural communities have access to broadband? Evan Feinman, the Governor’s Chief Broadband Advisor joined me to talk about what is being done and how you can help.
If you want to promote broadband expansion in Virginia’s rural communities, here are actions you can take:
Join the Commonwealth Connect Coalition Contact your local county Board of Supervisors and ask what is being done to provide access in your community. Contact your General Assembly member and request that the Governor's Broadband Initiative be fully funded. Contact your member of Congress and encourage them to place broadband as a top priority Contact the SCC and support the Grayson County broadband project (scroll to Case Number PUR-2019-00145)
What are the ups and downs of being a physician in a rural community? Dr. Sandra Balmoria of the Eastern Shore Rural Health System joined me to discuss why she returned to the Eastern Shore after living and working in Northern Virginia. She was the winner of the Virginia Rural Health Association Charles Crowder, Jr. Award – This award is given annually by the Virginia Rural Health Association to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia.
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join us! Visit vrha.org, and click the membership tab.
What are rural ambulance services doing to reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency room? Tim Perkins, CHaTR Division Manager, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services reviews how Community Paramedicine/Mobile Integrated Healthcare can improve access.
The Rural Health Voice will be taking a break to host our annual conference and enjoy the holidays; we will be back in January. Until 2020, you can still find the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our website, VRHA.org
How can Community Health Workers be used to improve Chronic Care Management? Kenya Elliott, Community Care Coordinator, at Piedmont Access to Health Services and Amanda Young, Program Manager from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research discuss how their program is helping people in their community maximize their health outcomes
If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Kenya, Amanda, and all of our session leaders at the Rural Health Voice conference in November.
Can improved high school graduation rates lead to better health in a community? Shani Gaylord and Jasmine Smith from the Virginia Department of Health’s Youth Health Equity Leadership Institute joined the Rural Health Voice to talk about how YHELI is improving health through helping students. Shani and Jasmine will be session leaders at the Rural Health Voice conference in November.
Can community organizations have a role in addressing health issues for a community? Ashley Reynolds Marshall joined me to discuss how the YWCA of Central Virginia is doing exactly that.
If you want to be part of the conversation, join Ashley and the other session leaders at the Rural Health Voice conference in November.
What comes to your mind when some one says “rural?” What does “rural” mean to you? Dr. Laura Hunt Trull, Social Worker and Assistant Professor at James Madison University shared her thoughts on the way we talk about rural and how we can change the narrative.
You can hear more from Dr. Trull at the upcoming Rural Health Voice Conference – AND – if you are a student in any health professions or public policy major, you can receive a scholarship to attend through the “Why Rural” essay contest.
What do communities need to attract employers? And what does that have to do with health? Travis Staton, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Southwest Virginia discusses their method of improving health in the region through a Cradle to Career approach.
If you want to hear more from Travis and be part of the conversation about rural health, join the Rural Health Voice Conference in Martinsville this November.
What help is available for someone who wants to be a healthcare provider in rural Virginia? Olivette Burroughs, Health workforce specialist with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity joined me to provide information on the variety of programs available.
Olivette will be leading one of the nine interactive discussions on rural health issues at the Rural Health Voice Conference in Martinsville, VA, November 20 & 21. If you want to join her for an in-depth conversation, join us!
Do lawmakers in DC want to hear from people at the local level? Brock Slabach, Vice President of Member Services at the National Rural Health Association joined me to talk about effective ways to communicate with your member of Congress, get involved, break down silos, and work together to improve rural health.
Brock will be the keynote speaker at the Rural Health Voice conference November 20 & 21. If you want to hear more from Brock and be part of the conversation about rural health, join us for the event.
What happens after someone finishes medical school? Dr. Maurice Nida, Designated Institutional Officer at Lonesome Pine Hospital Family Practice joined me to discuss how training in rural communities means learning to do more for your patients.
If your hospital or clinic wants to recruit a physician that has been trained in Southwest Virginia, join Dr. Nida and his residents October 18 at Breaks Interstate Park for the Head for the Hills physician education event. Click here for information on the recruiting dinner that evening.
What can you do to make sure tax dollars and other resources are allocated to your community? Join my conversation with Dr. Carah Ong Whaley, Associate Director at the James Madison University Center for Civic Engagement. Undercounted is underfunded, under represented, and under resourced. The 2020 Census is your opportunity to make sure everyone counts!
Virginia Complete Count Commission US Census Bureau Outreach materials and community toolkits
What’s the opposite of addiction? Jason Prichard, Community and Coalition Engagement Specialist for Ballad Health discussed how people recovering from addiction can be successful. Read his full recovery testimony. Certification to be a Peer Recovery Specialist is available through the Virginia Certification Board.
If you are a healthcare provider who wants to earn CMEs related to the opioid crisis, check out the upcoming Prescription Drug and Heroin Misuse Forums.
May is Mental Health Month. Does your community have a plan to support people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders? Kevin Martone, Executive Director, of the Technical Assistance Collaborative joined RHV to discuss how behavioral health can be addressed at the community level. Mr. Martone mentioned the need for telehealth to support behavioral health services. Don’t forget to download the TestIT app to help map out broadband connectivity in our rural communities. For details, go back and listen to episode 15.
Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
WICHE Center for Rural Mental Health Research National Association for Rural Mental Health Rural Health Information Hub Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Health Resources and Services Administration National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental Health America
How fast is your broadband? Arthur Scott, Associate Legislative Director and Political Outreach Manager for the National Association of Counties and native of Scott County, Virginia talked to me about the TestIT app NACo has to map broadband speed in rural America. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, and you are a student in a health professions or policy program, consider joining the VRHA Board of Directors. VRHA will accept applications for student representatives to the board between now and May 5th. Download the application form.
Virginia has 725,000 Veterans across the state, many of which live in our rural communities. Who speaks for them? RHV talked with Carlos Hopkins, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. Contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services if you want to help a Veteran in your community. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, and you are a student in a health professions or policy program, consider joining the VRHA Board of Directors. VRHA will accept applications for student representatives to the board between now and May 5th. Download the application form here.
If someone swallows something that you think might be dangerous, do you call 911 or Poison Control? Kristin Wenger, Education Coordinator from the Blue Ridge Poison Center joined the Rural Health Voice to help you determine which is best. No matter where in the US you are, 1-800-222-1222 is the number to call. National Poison Prevention Week is March 18-24. Celebrate by visiting the Poison Center materials page for stickers and other resources. Additional information:
www.poison.org
HRSA National Poison Prevention Week web page
Do you understand all of the information your doctor gives you? Are you sure? Dr. Erin Cruise, Associate Professor at the Radford University School of Nursing joined me to discuss this unique barrier to healthcare access. Health Literacy video.
What’s the difference between equality and equity? Dr. Lauren Powell, Director of the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity joined me to talk about how giving everyone the same thing is not as good as giving everyone what they need. If you want to learn more about resources available to your community, check out the Virginia State Office of Rural Health Partnership Meeting March 11-13 in Roanoke.
Health Equity graphic
Henrietta Lacks Commission
Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition
Do churches have a responsibility for the physical health of their members? Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III a community organizer, social entrepreneur and Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church joined The Rural Health Voice to discuss how churches and other members of the faith based community can address health on a very local level. Links: Black Church Food Security Network Coalition for Healthier Eating Farming While Black
Nathan Baugh – Director of Government Affairs at the National Association of Rural Health Clinics joined the Rural Health Voice to talk about these Clinics and their benefits and challenges. Mr. Baugh is advocating for a payment structure that allow Rural Health Clinics to remain vital parts of their communities. VRHA will be hosting a Rural Health Clinic Summit on April 17 & 18. Send an email to podcast@vrha.org for details.
Are you interested in telehealth, but aren’t sure how to start? Dr. Kathy Wibberly, Director of the Mid Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center answered my questions about the benefits and complexities of telehealth, and how MATRC can help. If you want telehealth to be a part of your toolbox, check out the Telehealth Summit, March 31 – April 2 in Williamsburg. For details, visit vrha.org, click the calendar tab, and scroll down to that event.
How are Emergency Medical Services in rural communities transitioning to a new way of business that involves more interaction with patients and fewer lights and sirens? Tim Perkins from the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services discusses the future of EMS. Check out more from the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook and Twitter.
Senator Deeds provides his insight on how citizens and lawmakers can work together to make a difference. He encourages listeners to get informed, make noise, and be the squeaky wheel for the community. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, you can join VRHA at the Rural Health Policy Institute, Feb 5-7, in Washington, D.C.
Senator R. Creigh Deeds represents Virginia''s 25th Senate District, which includes the counties of Albemarle (part), Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Nelson, and Rockbridge, and the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, Charlottesville, and Lexington.
How do the concerns of people on the ground turn into federal law? Join the conversation with Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association to discuss how policy decisions filter up from local communities. Includes an invitation to hear Mr. Morgan at the 2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators Conference.
What can make a difference for healthcare in rural communities where access to providers is limited? Dr. Laura Hunt Trull, Assistant Professor of Social Work at James Madison University discusses how students can be better trained to work with each other once they are professionals. Students are required to volunteer at a RAM Clinic. Join the conversation at the 2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators conference.
How do you make patients feel more comfortable and make better use of the physician’s time all while providing top-quality mental health services in rural communities? Psychologist Dr. James Werth of Stone Mountain Health Services discusses the benefits of a special kind of one-stop shopping. Join Dr. Werth in discussing how Behavioral Health Integration can happen in rural communities at the 2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators conference.
Tyler Lee of Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital discussing how the Emergency Department decreased visits by 31% and found patients better options for care through community-wide coordination.
To join Tyler in the discussion, participate in the 2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators Conference.
Wendy Welch, PhD, author of "Fall or Fly" discusses the opioid crisis and how it has affected the foster care system in Appalachia.
Dr. Welch is the Director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortiumand owner of the Tales of the Lonesome Pine bookstore.
Also referenced in this episode is "Counting Down", a memoir about both the rewards and the daunting challenges of being a foster family.
VRHA President Summer Sage and Executive Director Beth O'Connor discuss the development of The Rural Health Voice and the need for people from all sectors to be involved in health issues at the local level.