The Rural Health Voice

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 Tobey 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 does the Farm Bill have to do with rural health? Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association joined RHV to discuss why the Farm Bill matters and what you can do to support it. NRHA Advocacy campaigns can be found 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. To learn more about the work of the Authority, make sure you check out one of their upcoming listening sessions.

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.