2018 Virginia Rural Collaborators Conference
Hosted by the Virginia Rural Health Association
November 14 & 15
Virginia Horse Center
Lexington, VA
Welcome to our 2018 event!
For over twenty years, the Virginia Rural Health Association has served as “The Voice for Rural Health in Virginia.” Rural Health is DIFFERENT. Rural Americans face a unique combination of factors that create disparities in health care not found in urban areas. Economic factors, cultural and social differences, educational differences, lack of recognition by legislators and the isolation of living in remote rural areas all conspire to impede rural Americans in their struggle to lead a normal, healthy life.
The Virginia Rural Collaborators conference is an occasion to recognize that health in rural areas is not the sole responsibility of doctors and nurses. Education, economic development, transportation, the built environment, and even social opportunities play a role in the health of individuals and communities. All aspects of the community are providers or barriers to health.
At this event we focus on finding solutions within our communities. We know what the problems are – how do we work together to solve them?
Bringing the people who care about rural Virginia together provides an opportunity to discuss how we can ensure the sustainability of rural Virginia through policy, access, economics, education and more.
Looking for the Rural Health Documentation & Coding Bootcamp? Click HERE!
The 2018 event will be held at the Virginia Horse Center
.
487 Maury River Road,
Lexington, Virginia 24450‐3374
Facility map
Please proceed to the Anderson Coliseum (to the right when you enter the driveway) and take the elevator to the second floor.
The Wednesday evening reception will take place in the 1887 Room of the Sheridan Livery Inn & Restaurant
35 N Main St, Lexington, VA 24450
VRHA strives to support local businesses and facilities. If you have a suggestion on where to house future events, please contact Beth O’Connor.
Agenda
Wednesday, November 14
8:00-9:00 Registration, Exhibit Set Up, Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
9:15 – 9:45 Keynote Presentation: R. Creigh Deeds, Senate of Virginia
9:45 – 10:30 Plenary Session: The Future of Rural Health
10:45 – 12:00 Breakout Sessions
12:00 – 2:00 Awards Luncheon
2:00 – 3:15 Breakout Sessions
3:30 – 4:45 Breakout Sessions
5:30 – 6:30 Poster Presentations and Reception
– Sheridan Livery Inn
Thursday, November 15
9:00 – 9:15 Continential Breakfast
9:15-9:30 Plenary Session: Celebrating National Rural Health Day
9:30 – 10:00 Plenary Session: Medicaid Expansion – Now What?
10:00 – 11:00 Plenary Session: The Power of Rural
11:00 – 11:30 Plenary Session: The Opioid Epidemic – Virginia’s Response
Click the “About Our Sessions” tab for agenda details
About Our Sessions
Plenary Sessions
Keynote Presentation: R. Creigh Deeds, Senate of Virginia
Senator Creigh Deeds represents the 25th Senate District, which includes the counties of Albemarle (part), Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Nelson, and Rockbridge, and the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, Charlottesville, and Lexington. Senator Deeds chairs the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Twenty-First Century and was a champion in the fight for Medicaid Expansion.
Plenary Session: The Future of Rural Health
Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association
Alan Morgan joined NRHA staff in 2001. Recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in healthcare by Modern Healthcare Magazine, he has more than 27 years experience in health policy development at the state and federal level.
Plenary Session: Celebrating National Rural Health Day
Ashley Clark and Clarissa Pacheco, Virginia Department of Health
Highlights from the Virginia State Office of Rural Health
Plenary Session: Medicaid Expansion – Now What?
Dr Kate Neuhausen, Chief Medical Officer of Virginia Medicaid – Department of Medical Assistance Services
Plenary Session: The Power of Rural
Rhonda Jackson, Public Health Analyst, HRSA/ Office of Regional Operations
Each year the third Thursday of November is set aside to celebrate National Rural Health Day (NRHD). NRHD is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural.”
Plenary Session: The Opioid Epidemic – Virginia’s Response
Jodi Manz, MSW – Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources
This presentation will provide an overview of Virginia’s response to the opioid and heroin overdose epidemic in Virginia. In addition to a review of Virginia-specific data, information on the legislative, budgetary, and regulatory actions taken by the Commonwealth will be presented. The session will also explore the multitude of factors that led to this crisis and the interventions that are necessary to address those factors.
Scholarship Winner: Why Rural?
Franklin Edwards, a Virginia Tech Student working towards his PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health presented his winning essay.
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions at the event are specifically designed to be interactive. Session leaders will quickly define issue, then review best practices and/or programs being implemented at the local level. Session leaders will then guide the participants in a group discussion of what has been tried, what works, what doesn’t, what barriers have been encountered and ways over those barriers.
This is your opportunity to talk with your peers and work together to find solutions!
Interdisciplinary Training
– Laura Hunt Trull, James Madison University
Community Capacity
– Tyler Lee & Bill Jacobsen, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
Opioid Crisis
– Mindy Thorpe, Virginia Rural Health Association
Health Literacy
– Erin Cruise, Radford University School of Nursing
Emergency Medical Services
– Tim Perkins, Office of Emergency Medical Services
Behavioral Health Integration: Return on Investment
– Jim Werth, Stone Mountain Health Services
Quality Measuring & Reporting
– Mike Zodun & Jennifer Tyler, Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems
Broadband Access
– Leanna Blevins & John Maxwell, New College Institute
Community Health Workers
– Denise Wise, Institute for Public Health Innovation
Registration
Registration fees for the full event is $230 for VRHA members and $280 for the general public.
For registration, click here.
VRHA Student Members are eligible for the student rate of $95 for the full event or $65 for the first day and $30 for the second.
Students – make sure you check out the scholarship tab!!!
Event registration fees include 2019 VRHA membership dues…
Sponsor & Exhibitor Information
Take this opportunity to tell our members and guests about your organization by being a part of this event.
The Virginia Rural Collaborators Conference creates unique networking opportunities and a forum to discuss how we can strengthen the healthcare safety net through collaboration, share best practices and best utilize community resources. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Target Audience
The conference is attended by about 125 people, which includes facility executives, academic faculty, clinic staff, government officials, health professions students and more.
Won’t you add your organization to the list?
Download the Sponsor packet for details.
For further information about the conference, sponsorship, or becoming an exhibitor contact:
Beth O’Connor
Executive Director
540-231-7923
boconnor@vrha.org
Lodging and Area Information
Two facilities have set aside rooms at a discounted rate for this event:
Wingate by Wyndham Lexington
1100 North Lee Highway
Lexington, Virginia 24450
540-464-8100
Event rate: $83/night
Hampton Inn Lexington-Historic District
401 E. Nelson Street
Lexington, Virginia, 24450
540-463-2223
Event rate: $139/night (must book by 10/11/18 to qualify for this rate)
What to see and do? Where to dine? Visit the Lexington & the Rockbridge Area Tourism Development site.
Scholarships – “Why Rural?”
VRHA is inviting students who are in any health or public policy program to submit essays on why they want to serve rural communities. Five essays will be selected and the authors will receive free conference registration.
The author of the winning essay will have the honor of reading the essay on National Rural Health Day during the Rural Providers Conference and will receive 2 complimentary nights at an area hotel and free conference registration.
Download the scholarship form here.
Completed forms must be e-mailed to boconnor@vrha.org on or before October 12th. Winners will be announced on October 19th.
2018 VRHA Awards
All Virginia Rural Health Association members and member organizations are invited to submit nominations for the 2018 Virginia Rural Health Association Awards. Nominees are not required to be members of the association. Commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia may be in the form of direct provision of health care services, governmental or educational advocacy, activities or research that improves the health of communities or populations.
2018 Awardees Categories:
Lawmaker of the Year – Delegate Terry Kilgore: Lawmaker of the Year is designed to give special recognition to an elected official at any level who has demonstrated support for improving health in rural Virginia. Delegate Kilgore was honored for his committment to improving access to health.
The Charles Crowder, Jr. Award – Dr. Laura Hunt Trull: This award is given annually by the Virginia Rural Health Association to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia. Dr. Trull was recognized for her innovative teaching methods.
The Best Practices in Rural Health Award – Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Program: This award is given annually by the Virginia Rural Health Association to recognize a program or institution that exemplifies commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia. Stone Mountain Health Services has been a key player in the effort to have Progressive Massive Fibrosis, or Black Lung Disease documented and brought to the attention of researchers and policy makers. The result was an increase in funding nationwide for the federal Black Lung Clinic Program.
The Ken Studer Friend of the Association Award – Summer Sage: This award is given to recognize a program, institution or individual that has advocated for or aided the Association in support of the Association’s mission. VRHA President Summer Sage originated the idea behind VRHA’s Rural Health Voice podcast.
Pictured are VRHA Executive Director Beth O’Connor, Delegate Terry Kilgore, Summer Sage, Jim Werth (representing Stone Mountain Health Services), and Dr. Laura Hunt Trull
You can also read about past honorees.
Poster Presentations – CASH PRIZE$!
2018 Winners:
1st Place – Community Perceptions of Comprehensive Harm Reduction in Dickenson County, Virginia
Logan Baker, Research Fellow, Healthy Appalachia Institute, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
2nd Place – Cervical Cancer Continuum of Care in Far Southwest Virginia
Mr. Sidney St. Clair BA, UVA School of Nursing
3rd Place – Trends in Infant Mortality Rates in Virginia from 1990-2014
Franklin Edwards, Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program
Thanks to our Sponsors!
