November 18-19
Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
150 Slayton Avenue, Danville, VA 24540
For over thirty 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 stakeholders 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.
Quick Links:
- Agenda
- Hotel Information
- Registration Details
- Student Opportunities
- 2026 VRHA Awards
- Sponsor/Exhibitor Information
Plenary Speakers
Virginia Rural Health Transformation
Heidi Hertz
Director
Virginia Office of Rural Health Transformation
Finding Solutions Close to Home: Rural Virginia’s Opioid Settlement-Funded Innovations
Charlie Lintecum
Executive Director
Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
Charlie currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA). In this role he oversees all aspects of OAA ‘s grant and award programs as well as outreach and technical assistance to Virginia’s cities and counties. Charlie brings over twenty-three years of experience in Virginia government to the OAA, including serving as a Budget Operations Manager with Virginia’s Medicaid agency, as the Business Administrator for two public health districts, and various roles with Virginia’s alcohol control agency, including development of external audit programs and teams. Charlie has significant experience in the areas of strategic planning, process design, program development and evaluation, grant cycle management, process automation, providing a variety of support to executives, and building partnerships. Charlie is a Certified Fraud Examiner, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech. Charlie is a regularly featured presenter and expert highlighting the work and achievements of the OAA and Virginia’s communities at numerous national conferences and webinars.
A View from the Hill
Alan Morgan
CEO
National Rural Health Association
Recognized as among the top 100 most influential people in healthcare by Modern Healthcare Magazine, Alan Morgan serves as Chief Executive Officer for the National Rural Health Association. He has more than 36 years experience in health policy at both the state and federal levels, and he is one of the nation’s leading experts on rural health policy.
Mr. Morgan served as a contributing author for the publications “The Handbook of Rural Aging,” “Rural Populations and Health,” and for the publication “Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care.” In addition, his health policy articles have been published in: The American Journal of Clinical Medicine, The Journal of Rural Health, The Journal of Cardiovascular Management and in Laboratory Medicine.
Mr. Morgan served as staff for former US Congressman Dick Nichols and former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden. Additionally, his past experience includes tenures as a health care lobbyist for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the Heart Rhythm Society, and for VHA Inc.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
Breakout Sessions
R.E.A.L. Leadership: Resilience and Excellence in Every Rural Role
Yanick Hicks, PharmD
Executive Director
John Maxwell Team
Cardiovascular Health in Rural Communities
Dr. Aariyana Britton
Adjunct Professor
Southside Virginia Community College
Community Health Worker
Virginia Department of Health
Strategic Storytelling
Holly Hayes, MSPH
President & Founder
ISI Consulting
Alpha-gal Syndrome Impacts on Virginia’s Rural Communities
Dr. Eleanor Labgold
State Public Health Entomologist
Virginia Department of Health
Julia Murphy
State Public Health Veterinarian
Virginia Department of Health
Stuck in Survival Mode
Josee Madison
www.joseemadison.com
Finance/Revenue Cycle
Amy Graham, MBA, CRHCP
Principal
Stroudwater Associates
Our Health, Our Voices: Insights from the Virginia LGBTQIA+ Community OUT Survey
Bryan Price
Program Manager
Virginia Rural Health Association
Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Member
Meghan Stump
Communications Director
Virginia Rural Health Association
Strategic Planning & Implementation
Paris Mebane, MPA, PMP
Founder & CEO
Global Grassroots Solutions, LLC
Supporting Rural Birth Workers
Kathryn Haines, MUPP
Health Equity Manager
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
Agenda
Wednesday, November 18
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Welcome
9:15 Virginia Rural Health Transformation (Heidi Hertz)
10:15 Break
10:30 Breakout Sessions
11:45 Lunch/Awards Ceremony
2:00 Breakout Sessions
3:15 Break
3:30 Breakout Sessions
4:45 Break
5:00 Reception & Student Poster Judging
6:00 Student Poster Awards
Thursday, November 19
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Student Essay Winner
9:30 Finding Solutions Close to Home: Rural Virginia’s Opioid Settlement-Funded Innovations (Charlie Lintecum)
11:00 A View From the Hill (Alan Morgan)
12:00 Conference Ends
Lodging
To reserve a hotel room, please call the front desk at either of the hotels listed below and mention the Virginia Rural Health Association room block.
Check In Date: 11/17/26 (Tuesday)
Check Out Date: 11/19/26 (Thursday)
The Bee Hotel
420 Patton St
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 234-9440
NOTE: Some rooms at The Bee are only accessible via stairs. Please notify the hotel if you have difficulty climbing a flight of stairs.
The Holbrook Hotel
990 Main St
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 234-5040
Registration
Early Bird Rates Available Through October 19, 2026:
- VRHA Members – $235
- Discount Code will be emailed weekly in our member newsletter beginning July 7, 2026.
- Discount Code will be emailed weekly in our member newsletter beginning July 7, 2026.
- Non-Member Rate – $285
- Students – $95 Both Days
- 11/18 Only: $75.00
- 11/19 Only: $30.00
Reduced rate for one-day attendance is only available to students.
Registration includes 2027 VRHA Membership for one individual (does not apply to organization memberships)
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CANCELLATIONS/REFUND POLICY:
- For cancellations received by The Virginia Rural Health Association at least 30 days prior to a conference or seminar, a full refund, less a 30% processing fee, will be provided to the registrant.
- For cancellations received less than 30 days prior to a conference or seminar, a credit towards attendance at a future conference or seminar will be provided.
- No refunds or credits will be provided for no-shows and cancellation notifications received after the conference or seminar is held.
Student Opportunities
ESSAY CONTEST
VRHA is inviting students who are in any health or public policy program to submit essays on why they want to serve rural communities. Three essays will be selected to receive free conference registration.
The author of the winning essay will have the honor of reading the essay at the conference, plus 2 complimentary nights at the hotel and a $500 cash prize!
RESEARCH POSTERS
Prizes:
First Place – $500
Second Place – $250
Third Place – $100
The Poster Presentations provide participants with the ideal opportunity to disseminate information to other rural health stakeholders. Poster Presentations may include research projects, case studies, clinical evaluations, case presentations, observations, unusual or uncommon situations and other topics as they relate to rural health. All types of health professions and public policy students are encouraged to submit applications for consideration. Posters co-authored by professionals are acceptable as long as the student is the lead author and presenter
All posters must have a Virginia perspective: either submitted by a student from Virginia, or by a student attending a Virginia school, or a poster topic on a Virginia issue. Entries with no relation to Virginia will not be considered.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 16, 2026
VRHA Awards
All Virginia Rural Health Association members and member organizations are invited to submit nominations for the 2026 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.
Awardees Categories:
Lawmaker of the Year – 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.
The Charles Crowder, Jr. Award – 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.
The Best Practices in Rural Health Award – 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.
The Ken Studer Friend of the Association Award – 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.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: October 16, 2026
Read About our Past Honorees Here.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
The Rural Health Voice 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 approximately 125-150 people, which includes facility executives, academic faculty, clinic staff, government officials, health professions students and more.
2026 Sponsor Information Packet
2026 Conference Sponsors:
GOLD
EXHIBITORS
For more information about the conference or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Meghan Stump
Communications Director
meghan@vrha.org