November 19-20
SWVA Higher Education Center
Abingdon, VA
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 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 Posters/Scholarships
- 2024 VRHA Awards
- Sponsor/Exhibitor Information
2024 Speakers
A View from the Hill
Zil Joyce Dixon Romero
Zil Joyce Dixon Romero is the State Government Affairs Manager at the National Rural Health Association. In this role, he analyzes state-level rural health trends, identifies model legislation, and implements strategic approaches to interact with state government officials and stakeholders. He previously participated in the Obama Foundation’s 2023 LeadersUSA program and has interned on Capitol Hill for several Members of Congress. He is particularly passionate about rural oral health, health equity, and finding pragmatic solutions through evidence based best practices.
Workforce: Beyond Doctors
Jenny Bolte
Jenny Bolte has been in Workforce Development for over 25 years and is currently serving as the Deputy Director of the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board where she focuses on executing the board’s mission by developing innovative programming to help people with barriers to employment secure employment with family sustaining wages as well as helping businesses get skilled workers. Jenny works closely with partners to implement projects to foster collective impact. To that end, Jenny has been instrumental in securing a number of federal and state grants that support training and system-building activities.
Substance Use Disorders and Maternal Health
Ariel Johnson, MSW, QMHP-A
Ariel Johnson has spent the last decade serving people from marginalized and underserved communities, including those with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and substance use disorder and people impacted by sexual and domestic violence and homelessness. As Director of Patient Navigation within Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition (VHRC), Ariel provides case management and advocacy for people impacted by SUD as well as overseeing VHRC’s patient navigation services. Ariel serves on the board of Peer Recovery Connection, as director of the Martinsville and Henry County Warming Center, Mid Atlantic Regional Consultant with NASTAD, as outreach, services, and programs coordinator of the West Piedmont Better Housing Coalition and CoC executive committee, and on several other boards to advocate for marginalized people throughout rural Southwest Virginia.
Breakout Sessions:
The Syndemic of SUD/HIV/HCV
Lee Storrow
Community Education Group
Addressing Overdose in Real Time
Pamela Chitwood
Virginia Department of Health
Pamela Chitwood serves as Health Equity Specialist for the West Piedmont District and mediator for the Henry/Martinsville Equity Collaborative. She is an employee of the Virginia Department of Health where she also serves as the Population Health Community Coordinator. Pamela received recognition from the Virginia Rural Health Association in 2023 by receiving the Charlie Chowder Jr. Individual Excellence for Rural Health in Virginia. Her work has also received recognition at NACCHO and APHA for model practices. Pamela is a Virginia-certified Community Health Worker, holds credentials for motivational interviewing, and is a master trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty. She works with partners and obtains grants, all to maximize the efforts of prevention, treatment, and adoption of harm reduction strategies for all ages in the district she serves
Residential Treatment for Women
Linda Austin
Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition
Peer Recovery Specialists
Meagan Helmick, PhD, MPH, CHES®
Virginia Department of Health
Dr. Helmick currently serves as the health director for the Mount Rogers Health District. Dr. Helmick has worked in public health for the last 13 years. Previously she served as the deputy regional epidemiologist for the southwest region within VDH, as well as an assistant professor of Public Health at Radford University Carilion and as an adjunct professor for the public health program at Old Dominion University.
Workforce: Beyond Doctors
Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences
Workforce: Beyond Doctors
Appalachian College of Pharmacy
Agenda
Coming Soon
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Abingdon
130 Cook Street
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
The discounted rate of $129.00 is only available until October 21, 2024.
*NOTE: Platinum/Diamond Sponsors:*
Rooms are complimentary – Please contact Meghan meghan@vrha.org to secure your room instead.
Registration
Event registration fees include 2025 VRHA membership dues.
(Individual memberships only, does not apply for organizational memberships)
Early Bird Pricing (Ends October 21st, 2024)
- VRHA Members – $225
- Non-Member Rate – $280
- Students – $95 Both Days
- 11/19 Only: $75.00
- 11/20 Only: $30.00
Reduced rate for one-day attendance is only available to students.
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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 Essay Contest – “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. 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!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 18, 2024
Student Essay Contest Application
Student Poster Presentations
VRHA is now accepting applications for Poster Presentations from health and public policy students at the conference. A maximum of 15 applications will be approved for presentation.
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 information and general instructions:
- Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed by the planning committee.
- SUBMISSION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 18, 2024
- Presenters may not use posters to market products or services; exhibit space is available for that purpose.
- No honoraria or travel expense reimbursement will be provided.
- The presenter is responsible for having the poster printed and bringing a display easel to the event.
Categories & Judging:
Presentations will be reviewed and judged by the following criteria –
- Rural relevance (30 points)
- Presenter – enthusiastic, professional, well-prepared (20 points)
- Interpretation of data (10 points)
- Abstract or summary of findings (10 points)
- Proper reference/citations (10 points)
- Background & Rationale (10 points)
- General overview/layout of the poster (10 points)
2024 VRHA Awards
All Virginia Rural Health Association members and member organizations are invited to submit nominations for the 2024 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 4, 2024
2024 VRHA Awards Nomination Form
Read about our past honorees here.
Sponsor/Exhibitor Information
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 100-125 people, which includes facility executives, academic faculty, clinic staff, government officials, health professions students and more.
2024 Rural Health Voice Conference Sponsors:
PLATINUM
DIAMOND
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
BAG SPONSOR
EXHIBITORS
For more information about the conference or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Meghan Stump
Executive Assistant
meghan@vrha.org