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July 2019
Monthly update
Community Star nominations now open!
On National Rural Health Day, we honor individuals and community-based organizations making a positive difference in the lives of their rural communities. The 2019 Call for Nominations are now open, and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and all 50 State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) are calling on you to nominate a rural star from your community that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Cultivates a vital, innovative rural health landscape and infrastructure
- Develops leadership capacity to grow rural population health and health equity
- Builds capacity for rural data-driven program planning and decision making
- Contributes to rural health innovation, education, collaboration and communication
The role of the census in the geographic distribution of federal funds
The Counting for Dollars 2020 Project fact sheet explains how the federal government relies on census data to guide the distribution of federal funding to states, localities, and households across the nation. It also describes how the accuracy of the 2020 Census will determine the fair, equitable distribution of these funds.
Federal Funding for Rural America: The Role of the Decennial Census
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International Medical Graduates (IMG) Career Guidance and Support Grant
The International Medical Graduate (IMG) Career Guidance and Support Grant Program is one aspect of a comprehensive program authorized by the Minnesota Legislature to address barriers to practice and to facilitate pathways to assist immigrant international medical graduates (IIMGs) and other foreign trained health care professionals integrate into the Minnesota health care delivery system. The goal is to increase access to primary care in rural and underserved areas of the state. Applications are due August 9. For more information please contact: MN_health.IMG@state.mn.us
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Attend the next HRSA virtual job fair
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)'s virtual job fair connects healthcare sites with job-seeking primary care trainees and practicing clinicians. Participants include medical, nursing, dental, and mental/behavioral health clinicians and trainees. The next free virtual job fair is Wednesday, August 7, 6:45-10:45 PM ET. If you are seeking employment, register to participate as an employee. If you are looking for people to hire, Register to participate as a recruiter.
Rural community-based palliative care ECHO
Stratis Health is launching an ECHO pilot program to train, network, and support 15-20 rural palliative care interdisciplinary teams. This opportunity is for new and established palliative care teams. The ECHO model (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) links expert specialist teams at a “hub” with clinicians in local communities - the “spokes” of the model. Together, they participate in regular ECHO sessions, which are like virtual grand rounds, combined with education, mentoring and patient case presentations. The ECHO sessions are supported by basic, widely available, Zoom teleconferencing technology. The sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month 12:-- 1:00 p.m. CT, September 2019 through May 2020. To apply, complete one application representing your interdisciplinary team, by clicking this link: The application deadline is August 30. For more information contact Kathie Nichols, 952-853-8590.
Rural health clinic education series
The Rural Health Clinic Committee of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health has reintroduced the two modules in the Rural Health Clinic education series:
Module #1 – An introduction to the rural health clinic program
Module #2 – Learning about the technical assistance needs of certified rural health clinics!
Please contact Tammy Norville with questions, for discussion or for assistance.
Health information exchange (HIE) input
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is actively seeking comments and ideas to help inform the next steps for health information exchange (HIE) in Minnesota including planning for a connected networks approach. MDH would like your feedback on the Request for Public Input on a Connected Networks Approach for Health Information Exchange in Minnesota. Please consider responding on behalf of your organization and sharing with colleagues at other organizations to encourage their response. Responses are due to MN.eHealth@state.mn.us by August 28.
Coping with farm and rural stress
The MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) has set up a website for farmers coping with farm and rural stress: Coping with farm and rural stress.
In addition, MDA has joined forces with Red River Farm Network to create TransFARMation–radio shows and podcasts about farm stress stories and strategies. The series is designed to increase awareness and reduce inhibitions about acknowledging farm stress, as well as highlight the resources available. Local farmers, ranchers and agricultural stakeholders are featured, sharing personal stories and offering a message of hope.
E-learning program: Improving cultural competency for behavioral health professionals
This 5-hour on demand e-learning program from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to help behavioral health professionals increase their cultural and linguistic competency. The courses are designed for behavioral health professionals that are interested in cultural and linguistic competency and improving the quality of care provided to clients from diverse backgrounds.
The program is accredited for: 5 contact hours for licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists; and 4 contact hours for social workers. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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UCare wins top workplace honors all 10 years of the program
UCare, an independent, nonprofit health plan, has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at www.StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2019. UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to members throughout Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. The health plan addresses health care disparities and care access issues through a broad array of community initiatives.
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Sonya Borgeson-Bethke joined ORHPC as the new Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Scholarship grant manager. Sonya brings a wealth of accounting knowledge and years of experience with grants.
Angela Lofgren has joined ORHPC as the new Loan Forgiveness Administrator. Angela has a lot of experience working with individuals on their student loans at Metro State. Any loan forgiveness questions can be directed to Brenda Flattum and Angela Lofgren.
Paia Vang (formerly a Loan Forgiveness Administrator) has accepted the position of Workforce Grant Administrator and is now the authorized signee for the J-1 waiver. She kept her jar of chocolates and moved it across the aisle.
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Health equity
Older Americans Act: HHS could help rural service providers by centralizing information on promising practices (United States Government Accountability Office)
Life expectancy gap illustrates disparities (Health Resources and Services Administration)
Rural health
Life in rural America: Part 1 (NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health)
Life in rural America: Part II (NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health)
Rep. Sewell named co-chair of rural health care task force (Alabama Political Reporter)
Workforce
Hahnemann’s closure will leave medical residents scrambling (BBC WHYY)
New program trains high school students to become EMTs (WKOW, Madison, WI)
Miscellaneous
Caring for the future (The Alpena News)
Urgent needs from head to toe: This clinic had two days to fix a lifetime of needs (The Washington Post)
New partnership hopes to expand pediatric health services to underserved areas (The Champion)
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