Now in its 14th year, the MATRC Telehealth Summit moves beyond laying the foundation to elevating what comes next—bringing together healthcare leaders, community organizations, policymakers, and industry collaborators to actively shape the future of care delivery. This isn’t just about sharing ideas – it’s where they’re tested, refined, and put into action.
This year’s Summit includes a dedicated Rural Health Track designed to elevate practical solutions, community-driven innovation, and the realities of delivering care in rural communities.
The Syndemic Summit returns in 2026, uniting leaders and frontline experts to confront the intersecting health crises facing rural America.
The Syndemic Summit will bring together experts, advocates, community leaders, and policymakers across the Appalachian region to address and provide solutions to pressing health crises—particularly those surrounding HIV, hepatitis, and overdose prevention. We are excited to bring our rural partners together to strategize and collaborate this year, especially given the need for organizations and communities to mobilize.
Hosted by the Community Education Group
Virginia Community Healthcare Association invites you to join us at our 2026 Annual Membership Meeting and Conference this September in Williamsburg, Virginia – a city where history, innovation, and community converge. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, Williamsburg’s rich heritage offers a unique backdrop to celebrate our accomplishments and envision the future of healthcare in our communities.
Our conference theme, “From Colonial Clinics to Community Health Centers: Pioneering the Next Era of Healthcare in Virginia,” reflects the remarkable journey of healthcare in our state. From the earliest colonial clinics serving local populations to modern community health centers addressing complex and evolving needs, Virginia has long been at the forefront of innovation, access and community-driven care.
Your participation demonstrates support for Virginia’s Community Health Centers and other essential safety-net providers, while championing the critical expansion of healthcare access for every Virginian. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!
- Call for Speakers!
- VCHA Membership Awards Nomination Form (Coming Soon!)
- Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities
- Book Your Hotel
- Registration (Coming Soon!)
The 2026 ATRN Annual Health Summit is scheduled to take place in Columbus, Ohio, from Monday, October 12th – Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The Summit is hosted by The Ohio State University and will take place at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (2201 Fred Taylor Drive Columbus, OH 43210)
Theme: Listening, Learning, and Leading: Translating Research to Strengthen Health for Appalachia
Join us as we delve into crucial discussions surrounding the dynamic and evolving health landscape in the Appalachian region. With a focus on innovative strategies and collaborative approaches, this summit aims to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities for enhancing healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Registration will be open soon!
Key Topics Include:
- Behavioral Science and Health Behaviors (Substance Use, Nutrition, Exercise, Smoking, etc.)
- Clinical and Translational Research
- Clinical Conditions/Diseases (Cancer, Mental Health, Diabetes, etc.)
- Data Access for Community Decision Making
- Disease Prevention and Treatment (Drug Development, Mental Health, Pain Management, etc.)
- Dissemination and Implementation Science
- Environmental Health
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Access to Quality Care for All
- Health Literacy, Health Misinformation, Health Communication, Trust in Science
- Health Related Policy Implementation and Enforcement
- Impact of Bidirectional Learning Between Communities and Their Academic Partners
- Impact of Consolidated/Closed Health Organizations in Appalachia
- Program Development and Evaluation
- Training, Education, and Workforce Development
- Translational Health, Informatics, Telemedicine, and Data-Driven Technologies
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
Mental Health Challenges
Black Maternal Health
Pain Management
Pediatric Sessions
Provided by the Virginia Mental Health Access Program
Autism
Perinatal Substance Use
Secondary Substance Exposure
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.