Organization Newsletter

January 2017

In this issue...

  1. Executive Directors' Message
  2. UV Disinfection System
  3. Shriners Hospital Announces Installation of EOS Imaging System
  4. Appointment of UW School of Medicine Assistant Dean for Rural Programs
  5. Revolutionizing Rehabilitation!
  6. Rural Health Funding Opportunities
  7. Get Involved!!
  8. Upcoming Educational Events
  9. WA State Legislative News
  10. SAVE THE DATE!

~WELCOME~


Welcome to the
January 2017 issue of the Washington Rural Health Association e-Newsletter.
Inside this issue you will find news and information from the new Executive Director and board of directors, members, and community partners from across the state of Washington. 

If you would like to submit your own story, please click here.

The WRHA e-newsletter is a publication of Washington Rural Health Association, a not-for-profit association composed of individual and organization members who share a common interest in rural health. This e-newsletter seeks to disseminate news and information of interest to rural health professionals and stakeholders to help establish a state and national network of rural health care advocates.

WRHA Members

WRHA members include administrators, educators, students, researchers, government agencies and workers, physicians, hospitals, clinics, migrant and community clinics, public health departments, insurers, professional associations and educational institutions. If you are interested in joining or renewing your membership with WRHA click here.

 



EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

 

Submitted by: Beionka Moore
[email protected]

Happy New Year! The start of a new calendar year seems like an obvious time to talk about new beginnings. I'm sure some of you have a New Year's resolution or two! As a supporter of the Washington Rural Health Association you are part of a rural health revolution. Over the past year WRHA has been gaining momentum, and just simply wouldn’t be possible without people like you who have been by our side since 1988.  You already know why the work we do is so important, and others are catching on. So instead of talking about new things to start, let’s focus on those initiatives that have already commenced.

The work of the Washington Rural Health Association Board supporting all of you and the association along with its mission as well as providing day-to-d ay member services continues in full swing. Highlights of current and upcoming activities include:

  • Greater promotion of educational opportunities that help members: Provide relevant and timely information and best practices. Provide opportunities for rural professionals to learn more about issues facing them.
  • Each year in February or March, WRHA Co-hosts the Northwest Rural Health Conference: It is the only rural health conference in Washington created for all of those with an interest in rural health care
  • Branding/Marketing Campaign: Social media presence highlighting WRHA and promoting most important rural health news
  • Advocacy: Pleased to serve as a voice for rural health in Washington. Our goal is to make our members, policy makers, aware of health issues that face rural Washingtonians
  • Development of annual legislative agenda based on woks of relevant associations: Adopted an agenda outlining healthcare policy issues. This agenda is intended to promote legislative and regulatory issues for action by Congress, Federal regulatory agencies, the White House, states, and health care industry

These are exciting times for the association and we encourage all members to take advantage of the benefits WRHA offers. I encourage you to continue to support WRHA and you will help improve access to care in rural Washington and strengthen rural leadership. Let us know how we can best serve you!

 Please feel free to contact: Beionka Moore at [email protected] to find out more information.  

WRHA now on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In!! 
Please search for us and like, follow or connect! 

P.O. Box 882
Spokane, WA  99210

return to the top




UV Disinfection System Implemented in WA Hospital

Submitted by: Stephanie Field, Marketing Manager, Tri-State Memorial Hospital

 Meet Our Newest Team Member

We would like you to meet our newest team member at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston, WA!  You might find this team member lurking behind closed doors of patient rooms, operating rooms, storage rooms, or other areas with a strange blue glow coming from underneath and you will know it is doing the job of making sure the room is free from dangerous germs or bacteria that can hide from standard cleaning procedures.  Tru-D (Total Room Ultraviolet Disinfection) SmartUVC is a germ-eliminating UV disinfection robot on a mission to kill pathogens that stalk health care environments and we are happy to have it on our team!

Tru-D works by generating UV light energy that can break the DNA or RNA structure of an infectious cell and is the only portable UV disinfection system on the market with Sensor 360 technology.  This patented technology calculates the amount of UVC energy needed to disinfect an entire room’s surfaces and equipment while taking into account different room variables such as size, surface reflectivity, and the amount and location of room equipment to deliver a lethal dose from a single location, effectively eliminating lingering pathogens in the space.  Tru-D is used in conjunction with manual cleaning to help eliminate up to 99.9% of pathogens that can be left behind. Once an environmental services worker cleans a room with traditional methods, Tru-D is rolled in to complete the disinfection process. Operating from a single position, Tru-D is activated by an iPad outside the room. Once the disinfection cycle is complete, Tru-D alerts the operator via audio and/or text message that the room has been disinfected and can be moved to the next room.

According to the CDC, in the U.S., one in 25 patients acquire an HAI (Hospital Acquired Infection) while being treated, and 75,000 patients die during their hospitalizations each year.  While the rate of HAIs is already extremely low at Tri-State Memorial Hospital, the hospital board and administration decided this addition to the team was an extremely important one.  “Tru-D SmartUVC is one way Tri-State Memorial Hospital is raising the bar when it comes to the level of care we provide to all of our patients and visitors,” said hospital CEO, Don Wee.  “The acquisition of Tru-D, paid for in part by the community during ‘Raise the Paddle’ at the 2015 Tri-State Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees, is an added layer of protection that we use to safeguard the well-being of our patients and follows our mission of keeping your health as our first priority.” 

“Tri-State Memoria Hospital’s investment in Tru-D is an investment in the safety of its patients and staff, ensuring that the hospital environment is clean and germ-free,” said Chuck Dunn, CEO and President of Tru-D SmartUVC. “Tru-D is the only UV disinfection device validated by a randomized clinical trial that was funded by the CDC. Deployed in more hospitals than any of its lookalike offerings, Tru-D guarantees total room disinfection, killing up to 99.9% of C. diff, MRSA, MERS, Ebola and many other harmful pathogens.”

In advance of the publication of the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection (BETR-D) study, researchers have started to stress the importance of automated, no-touch disinfection technologies. At the recent 2016 AHE Exchange, researcher Dr. William Rutala stated, “Enhanced disinfection technology should be used. If you don’t already have it, you need it in your budgets.” Further, he said that while some areas of a room are considered to be high touch, “…No one has ever identified these objects as more likely to be involved in transmission of disease. We absolutely do not know what is more high risk, so we have to focus on all surfaces. Given this data, all room surfaces must be disinfected.”

Tru-D takes whatever time is necessary to disinfect an entire room, including shadowed areas. Tru-D was the only device of its kind selected for the first-ever randomized, clinical trial on UV disinfection because of its Sensor360 technology that eliminates any chance of human error in the disinfection process. Results of the landmark BETR-D study proved that enhanced terminal room disinfection strategies decreased the cumulative incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms by up to 30 percent, and the largest decreases were seen when Tru-D was added to the standard cleaning strategy.

Already working with our environmental services staff to clean rooms, equipment, and storage areas at Tri-State Memorial Hospital, Tru-D SmartUVC is an incredible investment in our community’s health!

For more information, contact:

Stephanie Field, Marketing Manager
Tri-State Memorial Hospital & Medical Campus
Phone:  509.254.2719
Email:  [email protected]


return to the top



Shriners Hospital Announces Installation of EOS Imaging System

Submitted by:  Kristen Monasmith
[email protected]

The Spokane Shriners Hospital will be the FIRST throughout the hospital's region to provide the EOS Imaging System; no other hospital in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska has this cutting edge technology! The EOS Imaging System captures high quality head-to-toe images of patients in a standing or seated position in both 2D and 3D. The EOS System offers unparalleled benefits in terms of reduced radiation dose, quicker scanning procedures and improved diagnostic content.  Lower Radiation!

This groundbreaking technology produces high quality images using significantly less radiation than a standard X-ray, up to 9 times less. The lower radiation is particularly important for children with progressive conditions such as scoliosis and other disorders who, over the course of their treatment, are typically scanned multiple times a year. Conventional imaging in pediatrics has long been a challenge because of the well-documented cancer risk related to radiation exposures, which are cumulative over a lifetime. Improved diagnostics!

3-D weight-bearing images of children in an upright, standing position gives our medical staff a more accurate view of the spine and lower limbs to better evaluate and analyze the bones, joints and ligaments from multiple angles. This type of imaging provide views of all areas of the body with one image, rather than stitching together multiple images. It gives our doctors an accurate view of the musculoskeletal system that is essential to diagnosis and treatment planning.

"EOS represents a breakthrough in orthopaedic imaging. The high quality 3D images in appropriate patients enable our physicians to make more informed diagnosis and treatment decisions. And the unparalleled benefits in terms of reduced radiation dose and quicker scanning procedure is what is best for our patients," said Glen Baird, MD, Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Spokane. "Shriners Hospitals for Children- Spokane is one of only a handful of medical centers in the United States that can offer this technology, we are excited to bring this technology to our region".



return to the top


        Appointment of UW School of Medicine Assistant Dean for Rural Programs

Submitted by: Kim Blakeley
[email protected]

John F. McCarthy, M.D. of Spokane, and Tacoma, Washington, has been named the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) Assistant Dean for Rural Programs. This position is responsible for leading and developing UWSOM's rural academic programs including the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP), WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE), and the Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST). 

In his new role Dr. McCarthy is tasked with developing and maintaining strong relationships with rural health systems, hospitals and physicians throughout the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) region, and to represent UWSOM in state and national organizations that focus on rural health and medical education.  Additionally, Dr. McCarthy will be responsible for leading the WWAMI Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program to improve the quality and distribution of all health professionals in our region. "Dr. McCarthy has a passion for rural communities and ensuring high-quality healthcare is available in those communities," said Suzanne Allen, M.D., Vice Dean for Academic, Rural and Regional Affairs, UW School of Medicine. "His experience living, working and practicing medicine in rural communities for many years, and having spent the last eight years as an Assistant Clinical Dean means that Dr. McCarthy has the breadth and depth of expertise needed to ensure that the rural programs at the UW School of Medicine continue to thrive and grow."

Dr. McCarthy has held the position of Assistant Clinical Dean for central and eastern Washington WWAMI since 2008, responsible for working with communities, hospitals, clinics and physicians to provide clinical training opportunities for WWAMI students in central and eastern Washington. He is also Medical Director for the NATIVE Project Clinic in Spokane, where he maintains a part-time family medicine practice, as well as the Public Health Officer for Okanogan County.  A 1990 graduate of the UW School of Medicine, Dr. McCarthy did his residency training at Tacoma Family Medicine. He joined UWSOM faculty as a Clinical Instructor in 1995, became a Clinical Assistant Professor in 2009, and in 2012 earned the faculty title he holds today, Clinical Professor.

Dr. McCarthy began his family medicine practice in the small eastern Washington town of Tonasket at North Valley Family Medicine Rural Health Clinic and practiced there for more than 14 years. Born in Spokane and raised in Tacoma, Washington, Dr. McCarthy also holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Gonzaga University.  Dr. McCarthy is a past president of the Washington Academy of Family Physicians, and has earned numerous honors and awards including the 2014 Spokane County Medical Society's Physician Citizen of the Year.

For his work in TRUST he received the Association of American Medical Colleges' Group on Regional Medical Campus's 2014 Shining Star Award for Community Achievement, and in 2013 was awarded the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Innovative Program Award, also for his work with TRUST. In 2012 Dr. McCarthy received the UW School of Medicine Service Excellence Award and was named Washington Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor of the Year.



return to the top

 

Revolutionizing Rehabilitation!

Submitted by:  Gregory Carter, MD
[email protected]


Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (also referred to as 'physiatry') traces its roots back to the American Civil War.  As physicians tried to save the lives of wounded soldiers, they noticed their recommendation for 'strict bedrest', post-operatively resulted in higher death rates.  Patients who refused to comply, and mobilized themselves immediately afterward, fared much better. This observation resulted in a slow revolution in the approach to patient care and recovery.  Today, physiatry remains true to its origins, emphasizing physical activity as a therapeutic intervention as important as medication and surgery.

Research continues to support early physical and cognitive intervention in acutely injured and ill patients with conditions ranging from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardio-pulmonary disease, and debility after surgery, cancer or infection. What role can physiatry and rehabilitation play in the care of your patients?  Patients requiring rehabilitation can receive therapy at home, in an outpatient setting, lower-intensity environments such as nursing homes, and in environments that offer physiatry oversight like services available at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute.

The focus of inpatient rehabilitative care is to help patients achieve the highest level of function possible, supported by an interdisciplinary team of physiatrists, rehabilitation nurses, physical, occupational, speech, respiratory and recreational therapists, pharmacists and psychologists, among others. In this new era of ever-shrinking healthcare dollars and accountability for patient success beyond the acute care stay, more and more hospitals are appreciating the value of inpatient rehabilitation.  Remarkably, patients who receive care in an inpatient rehab facility, like St. Luke's, are 20 percent less likely to return to an acute care hospital within 30 days of discharge.  Physiatry is a specialty that developed to address the needs of disabled populations with war injuries and polio paralysis. 

Today, this practice applies its art to people with disabilities from a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Acute inpatient rehab facilities, like St. Luke's, can be a vital partner for healthcare providers who are dedicated to improving patient quality of life and helping them to relearn to live again.  Specializing in comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care of children and adults with stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries, neuromuscular disorders, trauma and other orthopedic issues, among many other problems, St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute is revolutionizing rehabilitation. 

Located in Spokane, St. Luke's is the largest free-standing hospital dedicated entirely to medical rehabilitation in the northwestern United States, providing services to patients from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. St. Luke's has the expertise and latest equipment to maximize outcomes. With a dedicated research department--both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored research, the findings become the basis for development of new and better treatments for the people we serve. For more information, visit www.st-lukes.org.

 


return to the top

 


 Rural Health Funding Opportunities

 
Submitted by:  Beionka Moore
[email protected]

 

Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program 
Grants to promote the planning and development of healthcare networks in order to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential healthcare services; and strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jan 3, 2017
Sponsor: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

340B Peer-to-Peer Program 
Applicants will join a network of 340B providers that will share knowledge and collaborate with peers to improve health care design and delivery.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: American Pharmacists Association

Washington Community Advocates for Oral Health Grants 
Grants to programs in the state of Washington that increase access to dental care for underserved and high risk populations and improve oral health through prevention and early intervention.
Geographic coverage: Washington
Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2017
Sponsor: Delta Dental Washington Dental Service Foundation

Healthy Hearts Northwest: Improving Practice Together 
Provides 15 months of technical assistance to small-to-medium-sized primary care practices in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Practices will create plans to utilize health information technology and data reporting for quality improvement, and will receive assistance in implementing external practice quality improvement related to heart health.
Geographic coverage: Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: EvidenceNOW

Washington J-1 Visa Waiver Program 
Offers a J-1 Visa waiver to foreign physicians who commit to serving for 3 years in an underserved area of Washington, allowing them to remain in the United States.
Geographic coverage: Washington
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Washington State Department of Health

Community Facility Loans 
Loans to help create and improve essential community facilities in the rural West.
Geographic coverage: Available in 13 western states. See program website for details.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Rural Community Assistance Corporation (Western RCAC)

Northwest Health Foundation Event Sponsorships 
Provides sponsorship for events that promote health or contribute to the determinants of health in Oregon or southwest Washington.
Geographic coverage: Oregon and southwest Washington.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Northwest Health Foundation


 return to the top


 Get Involved, Join A Committee!

 

Submitted by: Abigail Richardson, WRHA Membership Committee Chair
[email protected]

It takes you to make a difference!

Would you like to have a greater impact on the future of rural health and the direction of the Washington Rural Health Association?  If so, I invite you to review the following list of Standing Committees and their charges, and consider joining us.

The WRHA is seeking volunteers to join the following committees:

•    Awards Committee – selects WRHA award winners and presents awards at the 2017 NW Regional Rural Health Conference in February
•    Communications Committee – coordinates WRHA publications, enhance communication and publicity to members, contribute to the website and the newsletter. Work together with the WRHA Board, to inform, engage, and educate members and other interested parties regarding issues important to the rural community
•    Membership/Development Committee – this committee is charged with advancing new initiatives. I call it the “Idea Committee.”  This group has been brainstorming ideas and concepts to broaden our financial base, as well as pursue activities to enhance active membership
•    Legislative Committee – If you have questions or hear of legislation that we should know about, please let us know. There’s always something happening here. Mainly active during the legislative session, this committee reviews the Bill Tracking Report, compiles a list of bills to be tracked, and works for legislative event planning
•    Bylaws Committee – headed by the WRHA president, this committee meets every two years to review Association bylaws
•    Finance Committee – we are entering a time of change and current sources of funding are certainly changing. Assists the treasurer in developing an annual budget, review disbursements, makes recommendations to the Board, and manages additional revenue

To request to join or for more information about WRHA Committees, please click here!

return to the top


Upcoming Educational Events

Below is a short list of upcoming Rural Health conferences that you may find beneficial.  Happy Training & Education!


February 7-9, 2017
28th Rural Health Policy Institute
Washington, DC

Feb 22 - 24, 2017
2017 Annual Western Forum for Migrant and Community Health
San Francisco, CA

February 28-March 1, 2017   
NW Regional Rural Health Conference
Seattle, WA

Apr 3 - 5, 2017
2017 National Council for Behavioral Health NATCON Conference National
Seattle, WA

Apr 10 - 12, 2017
6th Annual Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center Telemedicine Conference
Seattle, WA

May 9, 2017 (4 separate topics)
22nd Health Equity Conference
Rural Medical Education Conference
40th Annual Rural Health Conference
Rural Hospital Innovation Summit
San Diego, CA

return to the top


 Washington State Legislative News

Submitted by:  Jeff Johnson, WRHA President

CMS: More than 15.7 million enroll in Medicaid/CHIP since October 2013
More than 15.7 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2016, increasing total enrollment in the programs by 28% since the start of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a released on December 1, report  by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The preliminary estimate is based on 49 states reporting both September enrollment data and baseline data from July through September 2013. More than 73.1 million people were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in those states as of Sept. 30, with Medicaid expansion states showing a 35.7% increase and non-expansion states showing a 12.7% increase. The Health Insurance Marketplace launched its fourth open enrollment period Nov. 1, which runs through Jan. 31. For coverage starting Jan. 1, consumers must sign up by Dec. 15. Individuals can apply for Medicaid and CHIP through the Marketplace or their state’s Medicaid/CHIP agency. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment continues year-round.

CMS issues FAQs on emergency preparedness rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted answers to Frequently Asked Questions received in response to its final rule establishing new emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid-participating health care facilities. Additional questions related to the final rule, issued in September, may be sent to [email protected]. Next spring, CMS anticipates issuing interpretive guidance for the rule, which hospitals and other affected entities must implement by Nov. 15, 2017. For more on the rule visit: https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/cmsrule.

HCA Seeks Participants in Rural Health Clinic Alternative Payment Model

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking rural health clinics interested in piloting a new alternative payment model (APM).  The pilot will also include interested federally qualified health centers.  Facilities interested in piloting the new model must sign a letter of intent by December 31, and work with HCA to finalize a memorandum of understanding in the following months.

The new model adds quality measures as a component of payment and potentially may provide clinics with greater flexibility in care delivery.  A stakeholder group including WSHA, the Rural Health Clinic Association of Washington, and the Washington Association of Migrant and Community Clinics met with HCA on a regular basis for nearly a year to determine details of the payment model.  Despite the work done, a significant number of critical details remain to be determined, including the payment rate calculation, reconciliation, and implementation and calculation of quality measures.  Working with the relevant member associations, HCA plans to distribute copies of the request for letters of intent, which includes a high-level summary of the model. Interested rural health clinics may receive copies from either Washington State Hospital Association or RHCAW.  

UW Medical Center first hospital to earn 6 Magnet designations

The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle has become the first hospital in the world to earn six Magnet designations for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

UW Medical Center was also the first hospital to earn Magnet designation in 1994 and has consistently recertified its designation since then. To be recognized as a Magnet facility, hospitals must meet rigorous criteria, including adherence to practice standards and having an established system for quality improvement.

"This recognition is viewed around the world as the ultimate seal of quality and confidence, “said Grace Parker, RN, UW Medical Center's CNO. "Magnet organizations are recognized for superior nursing processes and patient care, which leads to high levels of patient satisfaction."

Less than 8 percent of U.S. hospitals currently hold Magnet designation.

Healthier WA Draft Project Toolkit Released – $1.1 billion in Medicaid Transformation Funds Available

The pre-draft toolkit for the Medicaid waiver transformation projects is available for review. Once final, the toolkit will guide the work of global waiver in the nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACH) regions over the next five years. Up to $1.1 billion in funding will be available for providers interested in participating in the identified projects, with funding released when project milestones are achieved.... Read More >>

Skilled Nursing Facilities Eligible Starting January 1
New legislation signed by the President on June 22, 2016, amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to include skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among the list of eligible health care providers (HCPs) in both the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) and Telecommunications Programs. 

SNFs can begin applying to the program on January 1, 2017, by submitting their FCC Form 460 (HCF Program) or Form 465 (Telecom Program) to determine eligibility.

Getting Started in the RHC Program
To confirm that your facility is eligible, start the RHC Program application process by filing an FCC Form 460 (for the Healthcare Connect Fund) or FCC Form 465 (for the Telecommunications Program). You can also call the RHC Help Desk at (800) 453-1546 for help getting started with the program. 

To receive RHC Program funding, in addition to being an eligible facility type such as a skilled nursing facility, the facility must be: 

  • Not-for-profit or public, and
  • In an FCC-approved rural location, if it is applying as an individual HCP. You can look up your rurality status with the Eligible Rural Areas Search.

Behavioral Health Integration Webinar

Washington State is transforming health care delivery to a system that integrates physical and behavioral health. To help with this transition, Healthier Washington and the state Department of Health are supporting providers with training, tools and hands-on technical assistance through the Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub. 

The Hub will be offering a series of educational webinars starting next year. Please join us for our first free Webinar on Behavioral Health Integration, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Tuesday, January 10, 2017.  The webinar will feature Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA, Director of the AIMS (Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions) Center at the University of Washington and one of the state’s leading experts on Behavioral Health Integration, and Jeff Hummel, MD, MPH, Medical Director at Qualis Health.

For more information on the Healthier Washington Practice Transformation Hub:
Healthier Washington | Practice Transformation Support Hub

Hub Help Desk: (206) 288-2540 or (800) 949-7536 ext. 2540 or [email protected]



return to the top 


SAVE THE DATE!

 

On Tuesday February 27-March 1, 2017, the Northwest Rural Health Conference will take place. This popular event is cohosted by Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA).  This year’s conference location has moved to Seattle and will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton-SeaTac.  More than 300 rural advocates (including WRHA leadership, policy makers, state and local leaders’ researchers, hospital and clinic administrators and healthcare professionals) participate in this meeting.
The stated purpose of the event was to bring together stakeholders from all regional sectors of the health care industry to discuss opportunities to improve access to care in rural America and to support local solutions and innovations in care delivery.  The Northwest Rural Health Conference represents the single most targeted opportunity to reach the rural health community with your organization’s message, products, services, and education outreach efforts.  To register and for additional information about the conference CLICK HERE

 Join us for the 2017 Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference! 

 

WRHA AWARDS NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW!

An Awards Event Celebrating Excellence in Rural Health
Each year Washington Rural Health Association honors outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Previous recipients have stretched the boundaries of possibility by forging innovative programs and services, making rural life healthier and more compassionate.

Consider nominating your favorite rural health individual, program, or organization so that they may be honored regionally for their contributions to rural health. Selections will be made on the basis of a 300-500 word narrative, which is part of the nomination form.

The individual who submitted the nomination for the chosen winner of each category will be notified prior to the luncheon; therefore, significant individuals (family members/ colleagues) can be invited to the presentation. The awards recipient in each category can have up to four guests free of charge. The luncheon tickets are $45 per person after the fourth guest.

The awards ceremony will take place at the 2017 NW Regional Health Conference in Seattle, on Tuesday, February 28th, from Noon to 1:00 PM.

WRHA will accept online submissions only. See the nomination form HERE.


  Thank you to our sponsors!

Please consider sponsoring the Association today.  Click Here.