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VIRGINIA STATE OFFICE
OF RURAL HEALTH
Monthly Newsletter
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Save the Date!
 National Rural Health Day (NRHD) is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to:
- Recognize the vital work of rural providers, first responders, public health professionals, volunteers, State Offices of Rural Health, and more.
- Raise awareness about the unique healthcare challenges rural America faces.
- Celebrate the partnerships that are making lasting impacts on rural healthcare systems.
- Inspire action by spotlighting rural health initiatives and encouraging collaboration across sectors.
- Engage stakeholders in meaningful conversations about sustainable rural health solutions.
- Showcase community strengths — not just the challenges — by telling stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership.
Now is a great time to start planning! The 2025 Promotional Toolkit includes sample social media posts, logos, customizable graphics, and more. Visit the Power of Rural Shop for NRHD t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, and even gear for your four-legged friends! Need inspiration, stories, or resources leading up to the big day? Head to powerofrural.org.
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Call for Participation
National Study on Maternity Care in Rural Communities. We are sharing an important opportunity to participate in a national study titled:
“A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Midwifery Workforce Expansion and Maternal Healthcare Capacity for Rural and Underserved Communities.” Principal Investigator: Denise C. Smith; COMIRB No: 24-0443
The study aims to better understand the challenges and opportunities surrounding maternity care access in rural hospitals and clinics across the U.S. If you are a healthcare provider or healthcare leader serving rural communities, we encourage you to participate by completing the appropriate survey below:
Healthcare Provider Survey: For clinicians providing direct patient care in rural areas: Take the Provider Survey
Healthcare Leader Survey: For health system administrators, practice directors, or unit managers in rural areas: Take the Leader Survey
Your insights will help inform future improvements to rural maternal healthcare systems. Thank you for supporting this vital research!
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Healthcare Jobs
 Find Mission-Minded Health Professionals
3RNET is the Nation’s Most Trusted Resource for Health Professionals Seeking
Careers in Rural and Underserved Communities. No matter the position you’re
looking to fill, we’re here to help.
3RNET is the job board when it comes to rural and underserved opportunities for over
300 different health care professions & specialties.
Post your jobs today—it’s easier than ever! Once you do, you’ll start receiving personalized referrals of qualified professionals who match the exact roles and specialties you’re looking for.
Bath Community Hospital Names New CEO!
Bath Community Hospital is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Jane Russell, PharmD, MBA, FACHE as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 25, 2025. A nationally respected healthcare executive with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Russell brings deep expertise in leading complex rural and critical access hospitals, strategic service line development, and high reliability healthcare operations.
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Rural Health Policy
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The National Rural Health Association issued the following statement in response to the Senate passing its reconciliation legislation:
“The Senate recently passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would make sweeping changes to Medicaid and the ACA Marketplaces resulting in significant coverage losses for rural Americans. This legislation will limit access to care for all rural patients by ending health care coverage for rural residents nationwide and putting financial strain on rural facilities who care for them. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is extremely concerned by the Senate’s cuts to provider taxes and state-directed payments which directly support rural providers and facilities." - Alan Morgan, CEO
https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2025/07/nrha-statement-on-senate-s-one-big-beautiful-bill-act?
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HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced new steps to lower out-of-pocket costs for life-saving medications. In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order “Lowering Drug Prices by Putting Americans First,” HRSA has issued updated award terms requiring HRSA-funded health centers to provide insulin and injectable epinephrine to low-income patients at or below the price paid by the center through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
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Resources
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How to Use this Resource
The Rural Health Research Gateway is an easy-to-navigate website that connects users with the latest research and findings from federally funded Rural Health Research Centers.
To use the site, browse by topic, organization, or researcher to find timely reports, policy briefs, and journal articles focused on rural health issues. You can also sign up for email alerts, view upcoming webinars, and explore data-driven insights to support decision-making and improve health outcomes in rural communities. Start exploring today.
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What Resources are Available
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) is a comprehensive online resource designed to support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders working to improve rural health.
Users can explore topics by health issue, state, or population group; access toolkits, funding opportunities, and program models; and stay informed with news, events, and research updates. Simply use the search bar or browse the menu to find resources tailored to your rural health needs. Start here to build stronger, healthier communities.
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Virginia Primary Care Office (PCO)
Housed in the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity supports the primary care workforce in the state through shortage designations, recruitment and retention activities, and administration of scholarship and loan repayment programs.
Visit the Virginia HPSA dashboard for Virginia Mental Health, Virginia Dental Care and Virginia Primary Care.
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Social Vulnerability Index
The Social Vulnerability Index features an interactive map, searchable by county, to show vulnerable regions and how they are impacted.
Search for a specific county to identify potential barriers to resources and reasons for vulnerability.
Use to gain insight in your district or region!
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Rural Opportunity Dashboard
Statewide locality statistics and opportunities to enable planning decisions for Rural Virginia.
Developed by the Virginia Rural Center, the Opportunity Dashboard provides comprehensive, data-driven insights into critical sectors such as demographics, housing, education, business, and health.
The platform features interactive asset maps that highlight essential infrastructure and community resources, helping local leaders visualize opportunities and challenges in their regions.
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Teen Suicide Risk: What Parents Need to Know
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If you're worried about your child's risk for suicide, you are not alone.
In 2021, emergency departments across the U.S. noted a sharp rise in 12- to-17-year-olds needing treatment for suicidal thoughts or actions. And in a recent report, 4 in 10 high school students reported feeling "persistently sad or hopeless," while 1 in 5 said they'd thought about suicide.
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Capital Resources
- Top Giving Foundation in Virginia-
https://www.tgci.com/funding-sources/va/top
- Council on Foundations- Giving Is Here for Good-
https://cof.org/givingishereforgood
Food is Medicine
- Food is Medicine: State Health Care Structures-
https://odphp.health.gov/foodismedicine/promising-practices-and-tools/state-health-care-structures
- Food is Medicine Interventions and Models-
https://odphp.health.gov/foodismedicine/understanding-food-medicine
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Virginia Department of Health Resources
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Upcoming Events & Training Opportunities
FREE - 2025 Dental CE Course: Individualized Dental Care
The Virginia Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and Catalyst, will host three in-person continuing education (CE) courses this summer for dental professionals. These courses aim to enhance dental professionals' knowledge in delivering care to individuals with special physical, intellectual, or medical needs.
This 10-hour, two-day course is open to all dental office staff interested in updating their skills in this critical area. For more information, including specific dates and times, please click the link below. The next two CE courses will take place July 11 in Springfield, VA and July 18 in Melfa, VA.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kami Piscitelli before or after the course dates at kami.piscitelli@vdh.virginia.gov.
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State of the Healthcare Industry Webinar
Join NOSORH and Stroudwater Associates on July 11 at 1:00 PM ET for a timely update on the latest healthcare regulations, policies, and market trends from the past 90 days.
This webinar will explore how evolving industry dynamics impact rural providers and how your organization can adapt and respond strategically.
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Food is Medicine Event
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Save the Date! If you live in the Jonesville area you are invited to the Mobile Food Programs & Community Health Fair on July 22, 2025, from 10 am - 1 pm at the Friendship Baptist Church, 28970 Wilderness Road Jonesville, VA 24263
Hosted by: Feeding Southwest Virginia and Friendship Baptist Church
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Independent Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Institute – Chronic Care Management
You’re invited to join NOSORH and Stroudwater Associates for a free four-part institute on chronic care management for independent Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and SORH staff! Sessions take place every Tuesday in July from 1 to 2 pm ET, with office hours on August 5.
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Registration is open for the last two sessions of the 2025 Healthy Grants Workshop, scheduled for July 16 & August 13.
Visit the 2025 Healthy Grants Workshop Schedule webpage for information on workshop times, topics and presentations. You can also find links to previous Healthy Grants Workshop recordings on the Healthy Grants Workshops webpage.
For more information, contact the Healthy Grants Workshop team at HRSAGrantsWorkshop@hrsa.gov.
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2025 Annual Catalyst Summit- Healthy Systems, Thriving Communities: Advancing Solutions for All
Join us on October 17, 2025, at the Westin Richmond for the 2025 Annual Catalyst Summit. This year’s theme emphasizes the power of collaboration to build a healthier, more equitable Virginia.
Together with public health professionals, community leaders, advocates, and policymakers, we’ll explore innovative, actionable strategies that advance health equity through cross-sector partnerships, policy solutions, and community-driven initiatives.
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Governor Glenn Youngkin Signs Bill to Provide Transportation Flexibility for Rural School Districts
Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB 2720, patroned by Delegate Terry Austin, allowing rural school districts with fewer than 4,500 students to explore alternative student transportation methods. Virginia is now one of ten states to allow this level of flexibility in small school divisions.
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Governor Glenn Youngkin Awards 12 Grants to Local Food Production Projects
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced 12 infrastructure grant awards, totaling more than $497,000, to support local food production and agricultural facilities in the state. Administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the infrastructure grant program is part of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) fund.
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Healthy Lifestyle
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New study shows how exercise protects the brain from Alzheimer’s disease
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, past studies show that certain lifestyle changes may help decrease a person’s risk for the disease or slow down its progression.
One of these main lifestyle changes is physical activity. A study published in April 2025 reported that increasing physical activity in middle age Trusted Source may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.
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Follow Us!
"Like" us on Facebook and visit our website to receive updates on Virginia rural health issues and important messages from our community partners.
Visit the VA-SORH Facebook Page | Visit our VA-SORH Website
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