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January 2024
Update Index
2024 Minnesota Rural Health Conference
2024 Minnesota Rural Health Conference
Save the date for this year's Minnesota Rural Health Conference, the state’s premier event for rural health professionals, on June 17-18, in Duluth.
This year's theme is: Working Together, Building Our Future.
Make plans now to join hundreds of rural health leaders from across the state for two days of learning and networking, with a focus this year on leadership and workforce develop.m.ent, access to care, behavioral and mental health, and process improvement.
The two-day conference attracts a diverse mix of attendees: hospital and clinic administrators, clinicians, representatives from health plans and accountable care organizations, state health employees, educators and researchers, health professions students, elected and appointed officials, community members and others.
The conference schedule includes keynote addresses, plenary panel discussions, breakout sessions, the Minnesota Rural Health Association Policy Forum, an awards ceremony, and designated networking opportunities (breaks and a reception).
If you would like to receive current updates about the conference, subscribe to the conference email list. Please email the MNRural Health Conference email with any other questions.
Webinar: Rural Health Clinic
ORHPC is hosting a Rural Health Clinic (RHC) focused webinar and discussion session on Wednesday, January 24, at 12:00 p.m. This is the first in a webinar and discussion series for RHC clinic managers and leadership. January’s topic will be RHC resources and cost reporting, focusing on calculating accurate visits and provider productivity. For additional questions or to register, email sarah.grafstrom@state.mn.us
International Medical Graduates Survey
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) residing in Minnesota are encouraged to complete this anonymous survey to help MDH and policymakers learn more about the IMGs in our state. The information provided will inform programs and public policy related to integrating IMGs into the Minnesota health care workforce. All questions are optional. The International Medical Graduates Survey will take around 10-15 minutes to complete.
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OPEN: Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Training Grant Program
The Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Training Grant Program authorized by 2023 Session Law Chapter 70, Article 5, Section 8 [144.1509], is established to award grants for the develop.m.ent of pediatric mental health training programs that are located in outpatient primary care clinics. The training programs are designed to increase confidence, skills, and awareness of mental health resources among pediatric primary care providers caring for the mental health needs of pediatric patients. Applications are due Monday, February 12. For more information, please contact health.orhpc.workforcegrants@state.mn.us
OPEN: American Indian Special Emphasis Grant program
The American Indian Special Emphasis Grant program is funded by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature. Applications may focus on addressing health equity issues specific to Tribal Nations and urban American Indian community-based organizations; addressing the health impact of historical trauma; reducing health disparities experienced by American Indian communities; and incorporating a multisector approach to addressing identified disparities. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 31. For more information, please contact health.oaih@state.mn.us
OPEN: Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant
The Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant awards eligible rural hospitals for modernization projects to update, remodel or replace aging hospital facilities and equip.m.ent necessary to maintain the operations of a hospital. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, January 31. For more information, please contact Health.RuralHospitalGrants@state.mn.us
OPEN: Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant
The Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant program helps small hospitals (50 or fewer beds) preserve or enhance access to health services through planning or implementation projects. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, January 31. For more information please contact Health.RuralHospitalGrants@state.mn.us
OPEN: Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program provides funding to accredited schools of nursing to establish and operate a student loan fund and provide loans to students enrolled in advanced nursing degree programs who are committed to becoming nurse faculty. In exchange for completion of up to four years of post-graduation full-time nurse faculty employment in an accredited school of nursing, the program authorizes cancellation of up to 85 percent of the original student loan amount (plus interest thereon). The program also encourages Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to serve as full-time preceptors within an academic-practice partnership framework. The application is due by 11:00 pm, Monday, February 5.
OPEN: Primary Care Training and Enhancement: Physician Assistant Rural Training in Behavioral Health
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to increase the number of trained physician assistants who choose to practice in rural areas after graduation. The Primary Care Training and Enhancement: Physician Assistant Rural Training in Behavioral Health aims to address the need to train primary care physician assistants to prevent, identify, diagnose, treat, and refer services for behavioral health conditions. Applications are due Friday, March 15.
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Rural Healthy People 2030: Charting a course for rural health over the next decade
Rural Healthy People 2030 is a companion to the federal Healthy People 2030 program designed to set health promotion and disease prevention goals for the United States over the next decade. Relying on data from a national survey of rural stakeholders, Rural Healthy People 2030 works to identify the most important Healthy People priorities for rural America, as identified by rural stakeholders, for the current decade.
A 60-minute presentation reports on the findings from Rural Healthy People 2030 on Monday, January 22, at 1:00 p.m. The presentation will identify the most important health topics for rural communities over the next decade and how rural health priorities have changed over the three decades of the Rural Healthy People initiative. The presentation will additionally report on the Rural Healthy People 2030 edited volume and conclude by considering the best course for improving rural health over the next decade.
Zoom registration is free and required. Attendance of the live webinar is limited to 500 persons. If you are unable to attend, you will be able to access the recording, archived on the Gateway website.
Health centers: A guide for patients
The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Health Center Program recently introduced an English handout (PDF) and a Spanish handout (PDF) that explains to prospective patients what health centers are and what they do. It describes the services health centers offer and provides a link to the How to Find a Health Center tool. Share the handout with members of your community who could benefit from receiving care at a health center.
Intersection of age and health equity webinar
This National Center for Equitable Care for Elders (NCECE) webinar will focus on the diversity of older adults and how identity shapes the experience of ageism. Participants will review approaches to discussing age-related topics with patients and colleagues across a variety of backgrounds. The free webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 31, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration is free and required.
Safe by design: ER designs to accommodate behavior issues webinar
That National Rural Health Association will hold this free webinar on Tuesday, January 23 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Emergency rooms serve as a single-entry point for a variety of patients into a hospital. From sick children and expecting mothers to victims of violent crime and traumatic incidents, the ER has to accommodate a wide range of needs and increasingly this includes behavioral health patients. Intentional design is critical to the overall safety of hospital staff, patients and visitors. When designing Emergency Rooms for behavioral health patients, preserving security for patients and staff security should be the number one priority. Registration is free and required.
Fostering leaders that support well-being and retention webinar
The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) will hold a webinar on Thursday, February 1, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Presenters will discuss the driving factors that make great leaders and ways these leaders can build and grow a culture of well-being at a health center. Presenters will share some tools we can all use—no matter the level at which we lead—to be more successful at supporting the well-being of our colleagues. Throughout the presentation, presenters will illustrate how to put the concepts discussed into practice, and lead attendees through interactive activities to engage with this information and practice these skills. Registration is free and required.
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 Bekah Kent Ehlebracht is a new ORHPC Grant Programs Administrator. She will be managing a number of the primary care focused grants. Ehlebracht comes from Central Lakes College where she was the Dean of Brainerd Career and Technical Programs and Grants. She also has a background in public health and health policy.
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Housing shortages are making recruitment and retention even more challenging for some rural healthcare providers, The Rural Monitor, December 2023.
University of Minnesota Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Rural Rotation, Rural Health Information Hub, December 2023.
Rural healthy people 2030: New decade, new challenges, Southwest Rural Health Research Center, June 2023.
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In partnership with Wintergreen, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health's (NOSORH) second annual Hospital Performance Improvement Virtual Conference for Region C (which includes Minnesota), will be held on Wednesday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. These sessions are designed specifically for rural hospitals and clinics.
The 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Conference will be held Monday, June 17 - Tuesday, June 18, in Duluth.
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