Radon and Lung Cancer in Tennessee 
If you missed our webinar on "Radon and Lung Cancer in Tennessee" with Lexi Brown and Bruce Snead, don't worry! A recording of the webinar is available, along with resources shared.
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and The University of Kentucky Healthcare CE Central are hosting a conference titled "Healthcare in Appalachia: Practical Approaches to Addressing the Unique Needs of our Region" in Pigeon Forge on April 28-30, 2022.
Approximately 25.7 million people live in the Appalachian region of the United States (U.S.) Forty-two percent of the region’s population lives in rural areas, compared with only 20% of the nation. This region has historically been plagued with unique healthcare needs and poor health outcomes.
The National Rural Health Association's 33rd Annual Policy Institute has moved to a virtual platform! 
Join us on February 8-10 for the NRHA's Policy Institute to learn more about policy and have a chance to advocate for the issues you care about. Prices have dropped as the event has moved to a virtual platform. This is a great opportunity if you haven't been able to make it to D.C. in the past. Join other staff and members of Rural Health Association of Tennessee to advocate for the policies that effect you! A tentative schedule can be found here.
CDC releases "Rural Considerations for Vaccine Confidence and Uptake Strategies"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released another COVID-related rural resource that
may be of interest. A “Rural Considerations” addendum was recently added to its field guide for conducting a Rapid Community Assessment (RCA). An RCA is a process for quickly collecting community insights about a public health issue in order to inform program design. The assessment involves reviewing existing data and conducting community-based interviews, listening sessions, observations, social listening, and surveys. In addition to the rural considerations addendum, the
Rural Medical Centers has clinics located in mountains where there is no internet or cell service, and in the middle of a tomato field. As you might imagine, they have a few challenges providing healthcare services. You can listen to a very interesting conversation with Jessica Zimmerman and Alexis Andino who are both with Rural Medical Services in East Tennessee.
Expanded Eligibility Allows More Rural Clinicians to Qualify for Loan Repayment (click on link). Join us on this Thursday January 13, 2022 at 1:00P.M. Central for an RHIhub Webinar on loan repayment programs that eligible clinicians can apply for. Don't forget to register!
The following is from the National Association of Rural Health Clinics
Significantly Increased NHSC Funding Offers Major Provider Recruiting Opportunity for RHCs in Current HPSAs
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has received significantly increased funding this cycle which creates increased opportunity for rural health clinics (RHCs) to qualify for NHSC programs. The expectation for the current cycle of NHSC funding is that sites even in very low HPSAs may be able to qualify for NHSC programs. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit and retain providers in your community that you do not want to miss.
From the CDC: January 3, 2022 Monday Feature: Testing Supply Inquiries
CDC, ASPR, and the HHS Testing and Diagnostics Workgroup (TDWG) offer the following information and programs to partners interested in federal government support for testing.
The following information was an update made by the CDC on January 6, 2022: The CDC has updated guidance for K-12 schools to align with the updated quarantine and isolation guidance.
Quarantine is a strategy used to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by keeping people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 apart from others. Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.
Today the CDC Director issued two COVID-19 related recommendations following actions by the FDA:
The media statement released this morning is below. The FDA action authorizing booster shots for children ages 12-15 will be discussed at an ACIP meeting scheduled for Jan 5. When available, we will communicate CDC’s decision. Providers are reminded to wait for the CDC recommendation before administering booster shots to this age group.
The following are updates in effect January 2022 from the Tennessee Department of Health, including the reportable disease list, updated Electronic Case Reporting (eCR), and Syndromic Surveillance declaration of readiness.
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and TennCare convened the 
Tennessee Public Behavioral Health Workforce Workgroup in June 2021. Serving as convenors and facilitators of this workgroup, the agencies gathered a diverse group of stakeholders and professionals, each of whom was uniquely positioned to provide insight to this critical issue. This report represents the work of the Public Behavioral Health Workforce Workgroup and proposes short-term and long-term strategies that directly address recruitment and retention opportunities that can be implemented by local behavioral health providers, colleges and universities, and various Tennessee State Government Departments.
Pages 17 and 18 name replication of RHA's Apprenticeship program as a key strategy for promoting public behavioral health careers.
Rural Health Association of Tennessee and it's partners at The Tennessee Justice Center hosts a webinar with the Tennessee Department of Health on COVID-19 Surveillance and Variants; Exploring how to prevent COVID-19, January 13, 2022 at 10:00am-11:00am CST.
NOW OPEN - 2022 NHSC Loan Repayment ProgramsApplication closes on
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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation considers radon to be a very serious problem in our state. No matter where you live in Tennessee, there is the potential for radon to enter your home. Radon gas has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking.
If you would like to learn more about Radon and receive resources to have or share. Please register to attend our webinar by clicking here.
Please see the following links provided by the Department of Health Office of Minority Health for the COVID-19 vaccine invoice reimbursement guidelines for the community-based vaccine activities. Also, attached please find the invoice template, invoice example and personnel expense template that organizations will need to complete and submit for reimbursement.
The organization that is submitting for reimbursement will need to be setup as a vendor with the State of Tennessee first. A blank W-9 form is attached and a hand signature is required.
and returned home. That “homegrown kid” is now the Chief Nursing Officer of Bolivar General Hospital in Bolivar, TN.
Medical/Behavioral Telehealth Options:
Removing the barriers of access, stigma of care, and cost of treatment are of paramount importance. Whether you are charged with delivering healthcare to the uninsured public or providing a low-cost benefit to help recruit and retain employees (especially those who are part-time, unbenefited, or cannot afford group health plans), you need answers. It sounds impossible that you could help solve that problem for as little as $10/mo/family, but it is possible - with TELADOC and Health Advocate.
Appalachian region. Robyn Seamon has earned advanced degrees, studied, and conducted research to help prepare her to serve Appalachian residents. 
Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) celebrated National Rural Health Day in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, November 18th, 2021 to honor those who work every day to help keep Tennessee healthy. This year's conference was dedicated to local and state health department officials, providers, and advocates who have served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Missed the event? Copies of presentations are in our Rural Resource Center (login required).
