2020 Rural Health Voice Conference
Welcome to our 2020 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. This event focuses on the opportunity for rural health stakeholder to hold in-depth conversations about how the issues in our communities can be addressed.
The Rural Health Voice 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.
In keeping with the national focus on health safety and concerns about meeting in person, our 2020 event will be virtual.
Agenda
For 2020, VRHA will have a mixed-media format. Topic experts will record presentations that you will have the opportunity to review at the convenience of your schedule. Once you have watched the presentation, you will have an opportunity to submit questions about the presentation. A follow-up podcast episode will be recorded with each speaker to give that person an opportunity to respond to your questions.
All sessions will be pre-recorded. There will be no live content. Recorded presentations will be available on November 2nd, you will have until December 4th to review and submit questions. Podcast episodes will be released in early 2021.
Presentations Scheduled:
- “The Opioid Crisis in Rural America”
- “The Future of Rural Health in Virginia
- “The View from the Hill”
- “Telehealth: COVID and Beyond”
- “Racism as a Public Health Crisis”
A La Carte registration now available
About Our Sessions
For 2020, our speakers will be:
VADM Jerome D. Adams, M.D., M.P.H. – United States Surgeon General
The 20th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Adams’ mission as the “Nation’s Doctor,” is to advance the health of the American people, and his motto is “better health through better partnerships.” He is committed to forging new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with members from the business, faith, education, and public safety and national security communities. For his presentation, Dr. Adams will be addressing the opioid crisis in rural America. More about Dr. Adams.
M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA – State Health Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health
Improving population health requires addressing the health-related social needs of all Virginians, including the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable communities. Dr. Oliver has a long record of accomplishment, studying health inequities, particularly as it affects racial and ethnic minorities, has been the focus of his research. Most recently, his research interests lie in the area of improving our understanding of the role of racial discrimination, bias, and prejudice in establishing and maintaining these health inequities and the understanding of the interplay between race and socioeconomic position in these disparities. Improving our understanding of racial and ethnic health disparities and developing effective interventions to reduce or eliminate them are major goals of the health department. For his presentation, Dr. Oliver will be addressing the future of rural health in America. More about Dr. Oliver
Alan Morgan – Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association
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. His health policy articles have been published in The American Journal of Clinical Medicine, The Journal of Rural Health, The Journal of Cardiovascular Management, The Journal of Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology Review and Laboratory Medicine. For his presentation, Mr. Morgan will address how the outcome of the recent elections will shape rural health policy in the future. More about Mr. Morgan
Donna Dittman Hale, MHA, CTC – Executive Director, Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance
Has been working in Telehealth since 2012 and implemented Telehealth Projects in Primary Care and Specialty Practices, Nursing Homes, Schools, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Systems, and home-based Remote Patient Monitoring. Her organization, BRTA received 2018 HRSA Award as Rural Health Community Champion for implementation of Evidence Based Practices. She works with Academic Medical Centers, regional and rural health systems and medical groups, community based organizations to create consortiums to create the infrastructure and evaluate the effectiveness of Telehealth systems in rural regions of Eastern Virginia. For her presentation, Ms. Dittman Hale will address Telehealth during COVID and beyond. More about Ms. Dittman Hale
Kevin A. Harris PhD, MSA – Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement – Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
Is the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University (OSVPHS), and Interim Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the VCU School of Medicine (SADDEI). In his role as Associate Vice President, Dr. Harris reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration. His responsibilities include providing strategic and operational leadership in advancing OSVPHS priorities; providing oversite of student support services and student success initiatives; and, providing leadership on health equity, diversity affairs, and community engagement initiatives. As interim SADDEI, Dr. Harris reports to the Dean of the School of Medicine and has responsibility for leading efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School of Medicine. Prior to his tenure at VCU, Dr. Harris held the position of Director in the Division of Diversity Policy and Programs at the Association of American Medical Colleges. In this capacity, he served as the national Deputy Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Summer Medical and Dental Education Program. Dr. Harris has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Christopher Newport University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. For his presentation, Dr. Harris will address racism as a public health crisis. More about Dr. Harris
More details coming soon!
Registration
As always, registration for the Rural Health Voice Conference includes VRHA membership fees for the following year. For 2020, that means we are only charging participants for their 2021 membership fees:
- Individual: $55
- Student: $10
Registration fees included unlimited access to all of the event presentations.
Register HERE.
A La Carte registration now available. Select as many presentations as you wish for $15/session.
Sponsor Information
Download the Sponsor Packet HERE.
For information about being an event sponsor, contact:
Ms. Krin Collins
Administrative Assistant
540-231-7993
kcollins@vrha.org
Thanks to our Sponsors!
