The Rural Health Voice

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 2 nd

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 Washingto...

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...

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 21 st .  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 workf...

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.  Workf...

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: Facebook X Instagram  

Is it worth your time to meet with your elected officials?  Narissa Rahaman 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 and the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery . 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.