Rural Health of Association of Tennessee celebrated National Rural Health Day on November 21st in Knoxville, Tennessee at our 30th annual conference, "30 Years Strong: Honoring our Past, Shaping our Future" The conference was a dynamic and engaging three days of learning from experts in rural health fields across the state, bringing together professionals within the healthcare field. It provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering growth and collaboration. Attendees were able to benefit from a diverse range of presentations and panel discussions delivered by leaders in Tennessee. Networking opportunities allowed attendees to establish valuable connections, share insights, and explore potential collaborations. 

The Rural Health Awards Luncheon is RHA's distinguished event designed to recognize and honor outstanding achievements, exemplary contributions, and noteworthy accomplishments across rural health in Tennessee. It brings together individuals, professionals, and organizations deserving of recognition for their exceptional work, innovation, and dedication. We are honored to host this event to showcase excellence and highlight the positive impact of individuals in the healthcare field. Congratulations to the awardees who are presented below.

(From left to right): Rural Health Association of Tennessee’s Allie Haynes and Jacy Warrell, award recipients Chrissy Hood, Alaina Hood, Representative Clay Doggett, and Rural Health Association of Tennessee’s Board of Director President Barry Cooper

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Among other things, FFCRA required state Medicaid programs keep beneficiaries enrolled through the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

In preparation of the PHE ending, RHA signed a contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration, Division of TennCare (TennCare) for “Advocacy and Outreach Services During the COVID-19 Unwinding Period.” This contract allowed RHA to expand upon and later sustain the work that began as part of the TDH contract.

Rural Health of Association of Tennessee celebrated National Rural Health Day on November 16th in Knoxville, Tennessee at our 29th annual conference, "Shining a Light on Rural Health: Advocating for a Brighter Future." The conference was a dynamic and engaging three days of learning from experts in rural health fields across the state, bringing together professionals within the healthcare field. It provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering growth and collaboration. Attendees were able to benefit from a diverse range of presentations and panel discussions delivered by leaders in Tennessee. Networking opportunities allowed attendees to establish valuable connections, share insights, and explore potential collaborations. 

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is proud to announce it has been awarded a sub-contract from Findhelp as part of TennCare's Health Starts Initiative.

Findhelp is a technology company that connects individuals needing social care services with community providers in an efficient and easy-to-navigate Closed-Loop Referral System (CLRS), while protecting privacy. They will provide the technology that allows TennCare to assess non-medical risk factors of individuals in need through a unified approach and refer them to community-based organizations that can meet their needs, while tracking outcomes.

This week we recognize our community health centers in honor of National Community Health Centers Week, August 6th-12th. Community Health Centers (CHCs) dismantle obstacles to healthcare by catering to every patient, regardless of their insurance situation or financial capacity. They furnish care that is culturally and linguistically suitable, and extend enabling services to tackle non-medical necessities.

CHCs represent consumer-oriented and patient-centric institutions that fulfill the role of a comprehensive and economically viable primary healthcare solution for the most marginalized communities. These centers enhance healthcare accessibility and deliver integrated services tailored to the distinct needs of the populations they support. 

We proudly announce that Anna Jaujan, an employee at LifeSpring Community Health, obtained her phlebotomy certification! Our Workforce Development Program funded the cost of her practice materials, study guides, and the exam fee.

The key to RHA’s success is our ability to customize the program based on the needs of the employer. By applying U.S. Department of Labor models to the healthcare setting, RHA supports employers and training partners looking to recruit, retain, and upskill healthcare workers.

Dorothy Monroe and Jennifer Strope are nurse practitioners at Sweetwater Family Medicine in Sweetwater, TN. As participants of RHA's Workforce Development Program, they attended, completed, and received certifications in Suturing and Injections.

Shortly after this training, Jennifer was able to utilize her new skills and provided stitches to a patient in need who would otherwise travelled a long distance to an emergency room for care. Expanding the skill sets of our rural healthcare professionals means lower costs, better outcomes for patients, and healthier, happier communities.

Our participants completed their courses with our Workforce Partner, Professional Allied Health, in Memphis, TN, and received the following certifications: Phlebotomy - Jerrian Romero, Kenisha Whitelow, and Bralyn Harris, and CNA - Cache Lewis. 

The key to RHA’s success is our ability to customize the program based on the needs of the employer. By applying U.S. Department of Labor models to the healthcare setting, RHA supports employers and training partners looking to recruit, retain, and upskill healthcare workers.

Congratulations to the following RHA members for their recent grant awards from TDH in the state's commitment to healthcare resiliency and transformation in the following categories: 

Practice Transformation and Extension Grant Program – Hospitals
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Unity Medical Center, Macon Community Hospital

Practice Transformation and Extension Grant Program - Other Health and Healthcare Service Providers
Access Medical Care of Monroe County, Bledsoe County School District, Bradley County Schools, Dayton County Schools, East Tennessee State University, Healing Hands Health Center, Inc. , Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Inc., Servolution Health Services, Inc., UT Health Science Center, Van Buren County Schools.

RHA is delighted to share a summary of our member events and  programs for 2022. Thank you to our members, staff, funders, and many community partners for your support the past year!

Click here to view the online report
Click here to download a PDF of the report

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) celebrated National Rural Health Day in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on November 17, 2022, to honor those who work every day to help keep Tennessee healthy. 

The celebration was part of a three-day event bringing rural health providers, school health, and others together to deepen understanding of rural health issues and celebrate rural leaders leading the way for a healthy tomorrow throughout rural Tennessee. The below individuals were recognized for their outstanding service to rural health. 

Rural Health Association of Tennessee has been awarded the Partnership and Leadership Award from the Tennessee Public Health Association 

Congratulations to Jalynn Burress, Calandra Traylor, Errion Bells, and Adrienne Williams, who became Certified Licensed Phlebotomist in the month of September. They attended the phlebotomy course at Professional Allied Health, LLC in Memphis. The participants were referred by Kimberly Burse, Staff Development Coordinator, at Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Bolivar, TN. They have been working with Maddy Rymer and Patty Lane, workforce development staff at the Rural Health Association of TN. 

Delta Regional Authority grant funding made it possible for the RHA workforce team to provide supportive services and case management support for the past six months.  Employees are encouraged to gain additional certifications and credentials along their healthcare journey.

Congratulations Ann Cranford the Director of the Recruitment and Retention Program in the State Office of Rural Health.

Ann has been a member of RHA for several years. Recently, at the 3RNet Annual Conference she received the Fred Moskol Award. This award recognizes a person who possesses outstanding leadership abilities, supports the mission of 3RNET, responds compassionately to the healthcare needs of rural and underserved populations and does so with a collaborative and compassionate spirit.