Rural Summit is riding into Lexington! Join us October 14–15 at the Virginia Horse Center for the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity — one of Virginia’s most influential annual gatherings of rural leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders ready to shape what’s next for rural Virginia. Registration also includes a welcome reception on Wednesday evening. Stay tuned for more details!
Who Should Attend?
- Administration Officials
- Members of the Virginia General Assembly
- Policy Makers
- Local Government Officials
- Business Leaders
- Other Rural Stakeholders
Free event for primary care/hospitalist physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical residents working in Southwest Virginia’s 13 counties.
2026 SESSIONS:
Loneliness Epidemic
Obesity/Weight Loss
Vaccine Hesitancy
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Tick Borne Diseases
Provider/Caregiver Communication
Maternal Health
Pain Management
Pediatric Sessions
Provided by the Virginia Mental Health Access Program
Autism
Perinatal Substance Use
Secondary Substance Exposure
This symposium will explore how access to health care and resources, particularly in rural communities, is related to improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities. Featuring Alan Morgan, MPA, CEO of the National Rural Health Association speaking about the “Rural Health Landscape.”
At the conclusion of the symposium, attendees should have gained increased awareness of:
- Strategies to improve access to healthcare in rural communities,
- Health-focused best practices for individuals living in rural communities, and
- Programs, policies, and innovations that are being implemented to address health care access in rural communities
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.
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.
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.