BLOG

RHA of TN Congratulates Ann Cranford!

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. 

Read More

RHA to receive grant to address Substance Use Disorder

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) has been awarded a $1million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to combat Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in rural Tennessee over the next three years.

The announcement comes during National Recovery Month – an observance to bring public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery. Tennessee, via the Behavioral Health Safety Network, prevention coalitions, and other change agents, have achieved many successes toward reducing Substance Use Disorder in the state. Most notably, opioid prescriptions have decreased statewide, resulting in fewer deaths involving opioids obtained through a prescription. Targeted prevention, treatment, and recovery programs do work.

Read More

School Health Leadership Academy

School Health Leadership Academy: Dare to Lead
About the Leadership Academy:
Dare to Lead™ centers on four skill sets — objectives that are teachable, learnable, observable and — importantly — measurable.
1. Rumbling with Vulnerability: We’ll learn how leaders must resist the urge to "armor up" with behaviors that get in the way of daring leadership. We’ll build a robust toolkit of practical, usable skills to "replace the armor".
2. Living Into Our Values: We’ll identify the two values that both best define us and serve to guide our decisions in life and leadership. We will learn how to operationalize these values, learning to lead fully aligned with values.
3. BRAVING Trust: We’ll employ the BRAVING system to build trust not by going through the motions with rote team building activities, but with actions that address the areas within our organizations where trust needs a boost.
4. The Rising Strong Process: The most daring leaders know how to get back up — because inevitably, all leaders stumble. The Rising Strong Process identifies an actionable 3-step process for leaders to use to help pick themselves back up when they have dared and fallen.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Allie Haynes Appointed to Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities

Allie Haynes will represent Rural Health Association of Tennessee on Tennessee Council on Developmental  Disabilities.  The Council, established by the federal Developmental Disabilities Act (Spanish language version of the Developmental Disabilities Act.) and by Tennessee Executive Order 50 exists to:

  • Build bridges between the experiences of real people with disabilities and the policies and service systems that affect their lives.
  • See the big picture across government programs to help connect dots and fill gaps to meet real needs.. 
  • Use these connections to make change toward greater inclusion, independence, and self-determination for people with disabilities in Tennessee.

To learn more about the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, visit their website.

Read More

The State of Maternal Health in Tennessee: A Call to Action

Would you like to learn more about maternal health in Tennessee? Family planning, pre- and postnatal care, maternal health disparities, roles of maternal healthcare professionals, maternal and fetal mortality rates are just a few of the topics that will be discussed in this webinar. 

 Learning Objectives:
  • Attendees will understand the overall landscape of Maternal Health Care in Tennessee
  • Attendees will understand barriers that lead to disparities in rural versus non-rural populations
  • Attendees will understand the role of Maternal Health Professionals, Labor Support & Birth Workers
  • Attendees will be able to describe “Group Prenatal Care” as a model of care for rural communities

Click Here to Register

RHA Announced as Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor

In November 2021, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced the Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative to bring   together industry, labor, education, equity and workforce leaders to partner with the department’s Office of Apprenticeship to promote Registered Apprenticeships as a valuable workforce strategy in high-demand industries to develop and expand opportunities for people historically underserved.

The goal of RHA’s apprenticeship program is to support the recruitment and retention of entry level healthcare workers such as Certified Nursing Assistants and Community Health Workers. Serving as an “Apprenticeship Sponsor,” RHA assists healthcare employers who need a partner in establishing a program and when possible, finding resources to support apprentices.

Read More

Infant Formula Update

There’s nothing as important to families as the health and safety of their babies, and the formula shortage has left many people feeling anxious about how they’ll feed them. Some young children, teens, and adults with medical needs also rely on formula for their nutrition. We know it’s not easy to change a diet reliant on formula.

If you can’t find formula in stock, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the following resources:
Press Release: FDA Provides Educational Resources for Parents and Caregivers to Support Confidence for Imported Infant Formula Products
Resources page: Resources for Parents and Caregivers on Imported Infant Formula
Consumer Update: Infant Formula Supply

2022 CTE Conference

Join us in congratulating Beth Keylon, and April Judkins of our Workforce Team. They were invited to attend and present at the 2022 CTE Innovation at Work Conference on July 21st in Chattanooga. During their presentation, they shared workforce development information and services offered by RHA of TN to attendees across the state. What an wonderful opportunity! Way to go, Ladies!

If you are interested in Workforce Readiness resources, click here to visit our website or email [email protected].

Call for Board Nominations (2023)

From RHA of TN's Past President of RHA of TN's Board of Directors

I am excited to issue a call for nominations from our members that would like to serve on the Board of Directors. The board provides governance, direction, and oversight of the Association and its many programs, projects, and activities. There are 3 seat openings (1 per Grand Region) for the 2023 - 2025.

Board positions are for a three-year term, with an option to renew for another three years after the conclusion of the first term. The commitment involves 4 meetings annually, attendance at the annual conference, and serving on at least 1 committee of the board. To be eligible, an individual must be a member in good standing and live in Tennessee.

Read More

Free COVID-19 Therapeutics Now Available!

Free COVID-19 Therapeutics Now Available!

All CMS-certified RHCs may now enroll in the HRSA RHC COVID-19 Therapeutics Program to receive a direct supply of free COVID-19 Antivirals! For more information click here.

Read More

Health Care Access in a Post-Pandemic World

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government increased funding to hospitals and clinics and incentivized states to pause terminating enrollees from the Medicaid program to help increase access to health care and ease the financial burden caused by the global public health emergency. With the end of the pandemic in sight, we all need to prepare for the unwinding of the public health emergency (PHE). TennCare (our state’s Medicaid agency) has estimated that 300,000 people will lose their Medicaid health insurance after the PHE ends.

Hospitals and clinics are bracing for a significant reduction in funding, particularly in rural areas where providers were struggling even before the pandemic to provide health care to many uninsured people. Join the Rural Health Association of Tennessee and the Tennessee Justice Center to learn how the PHE unwinding will impact access to health care in your community. Click here to register today!

Federal Government to Expand Access to Emergency Care Services in Rural Communities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes new rule that creates a pathway for rural hospitals and critical access hospitals to increase access to emergency and outpatient care.

Click here to read CMS' statement on Expanding Access to Emergency Care Services in Rural Communities
Click here to read the Fact Sheet on Conditions of Participation for Rural Emergency Hospitals and Critical Access Hospital COP Updates (CMS-3419-P)

Tennessee Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Program

See the source imageThe TN AHEC Scholars Program seeks to develop, prepare, and sustain a culturally competent healthcare workforce that is prepared to deliver high quality care in a transforming heath care delivery system, with emphasis on training rural and urban underrepresented minority, and educationally disadvantaged students for practice in rural and/or underserved areas.

TN AHEC

TN AHEC is currently accepting applications for the 2022-2024 cohort. Click here for informational letter. Click here to view the program brochure.

Younger Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The following statement is from STLT Policy & Public Health Partnerships in regards to under 5 year old vaccinations:

On Saturday, June 18th, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation to expand COVID-19 vaccination to children younger than 5 years of age. This decision now universally recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, paving the way for about 20 million children in this age group to get vaccinated and allowing providers to begin vaccinating with either the Moderna or the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as soon as possible.

Read More

Time Out for Men's Health

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee hosts a webinar titled, "Time Out for Men's Health" on June 02, 2022 from 10am-11am CST. Our guest speaker is Mike Leventhal, Executive Director with the Men's Health Network- Tennessee.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Who is Men's Health Network and why is men's health important?
  2. "The Silent Crisis" that is men's health.
  3. Ways and means for public health professionals to get involved and become part of the men's health movement.

We'd like for you to join us for this virtual event! Register Here

East Tennessee Regional Event: "Rural Resilience: Strengthening Restoration through Partnerships and Collaboration."

Registration for this event is closed. 

Join us on May 17th from 9:00am-2:00pm ET at Bishop Hall at East Tennessee State University as we partner with ETSU Rural and Community Programs and Coordinated School Health to bring you RHA of TN's East Tennessee Regional Event: "Rural Resilience: Strengthening Restoration through Partnerships and Collaboration."

Read More

In-person 2-Day Documentation, Coding, & Billing Bootcamp for RHCs and FQHCs

Overview and Purpose

  • This 2-day bootcamp will be held at The Residence Inn, in Franklin, TN on June 23rd and 24th. This training focuses on clinical documentation, coding, & billing for Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Community Health Centers (aka FQHCs) and allows attendees to optionally earn the nation’s only RHC/FQHC-specific coding and billing credentials.
  • This Bootcamp course is designed to help revenue cycle staff pass an optional certification exam to become a Rural or Community Health Coding & Billing Specialist (RH-CBS or CH-CBS). Full attendance includes the live/virtual training sessions, a 90-day ArchProCoding membership (one year if you pass the optional exam), access to a 20-question practice exam, and access to the full certification exam. 
  • Hotel Booking Information: Call The Residence Inn (615) 778-0002 to book your room(s) and for special group rate register with The Rural Health Association of TN group for the nights of June 22nd and 23rd for $144 USD per night.  *Last Day to Book is Thursday, June 2, 2022
  • Training will be held at The Residence Inn Franklin Cool Springs 2009 Meridian Blvd. Franklin TN 37067
  • Click here to view the 2-day agenda

  

 

REGISTER HERE

General Preventive Medicine & Public Health Residency Program

General Preventive Medicine & Public Health Residency Program

The Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency Program (GPM) at Meharry Medical College (MMC) is for individuals who want to pursue a career in Preventive Medicine with a special interest in Maternal and Child Health, with emphasis on the health of underserved and rural communities. Board certification in a Primary care specialty will be enhanced by additional education and experiences in public health and prevention.

Read More

GetCoveredTenn- Family & Children's Services

GetCovered Tennessee, a healthcare access program of Family and Children’s Service, is a great resource here in Tennessee! They are the state grantee for connecting uninsured Tennesseans with health insurance through TNCARE/CoverKids/Affordable Care Act. FCS is a non-profit offering free healthcare access service in all 95 Tennessee counties, and their services are free of charge. In addition to enrollment, they also provide educational training on TNCARE/Coverkids/Affordable Care Act or Health Assist Safety net programs, such as how to use your insurance coverage and what the insurance terms mean. 

GetCoveredTenn is a non-profit program providing free health insurance enrollment and healthcare advice to all Tennesseans. GetCoveredTenn has a team of 20 experts to help Tennesseans find quality healthcare through affordable insurance, access to community-based healthcare services, or both. Their services are free and unbiased.

Read More

West TN Community Resource Expo

WEST TN COMMUNITY RESOURCE EXPO
JUNE 9 at 2:00PM-5:00PM
Haywood County Justice Complex
100 S. Dupree Ave. Brownsville, TN 38012

Everyone is welcome! Stop by to learn about health and wellness, employment opportunities, apprenticeships, volunteer programs, home ownership, education, and other resources.

For a table or more information please contact: Mandy Garman with TN Housing Development Agency at [email protected]

Read More