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VIRGINIA STATE OFFICE
OF RURAL HEALTH
Monthly Newsletter
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 We’re thrilled to announce the Virginia State Office of Rural Health Photography Contest has officially launched! A celebration of the beauty, resilience, and unique charm of rural Virginia through your photography. (Limit 3 per person) Enter Here
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Save the Date!
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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. For more information, Healthcare Jobs in Rural and Underserved Areas | 3RNET
Behavioral Health Career Pathways
Right Help. Right Now. is a transformative plan developed to strengthen behavioral health services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The plan aims to ensure same-day access to care throughout the state, expanding the capacity to serve individuals in mental health crisis. Additional goals include reducing the criminalization of mental health and strengthening our behavioral health workforce. As part of this initiative, we launched our Be The Change recruitment campaign to address the current shortage of behavioral and mental health professionals. Discover how you can join Virginia’s behavioral health workforce and Be the Change for someone in need.
Find Your Pathway and Start your Journey Towards a Career Today! Be the Change
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Rural Health Policy
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Rural Health Policy Documents
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Resources
What Resources are Available?
As an information clearinghouse on rural health issues, RHIhub provides access to a wide range of resources on relevant topics. Inclusion on RHIhub does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the contents by RHIhub or the Health Resources and Services Administration. Learn More
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RHIhub Rural Data Visualizations
Are you looking for data, maps, and other ways to provide information on key rural health issues for your state? Take a look at our Chart Gallery by State that shares over 60 different interactive charts, graphs, and maps for all 50 states, plus a snapshot at the national level. Covers healthcare access issues, factors related to health status, social determinants of health, and more.
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, researcher to find timely reports, policy briefs, and journal articles focused on rural health issues. Start exploring today!
Learn more: Rural Health Research Gateway
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HRSA Data Warehouse
The HRSA Data website offers maps, data, reports, and dashboards that inform the public about HRSA’s health care programs. The data integrates external data sources to provide comprehensive insights into HRSA’s public health services.
Learn More: HRSA Data Warehouse
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Virginia Primary Care Office
The Virginia Primary Care Office (PCO) is 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.
Learn More: Primary Care Office – Health Equity
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Sustaining Rural Labor & Delivery Programs- Strategies for Financial Analyses and Considerations for Maintaining Services
The Flex Monitoring Team, in partnership with Stroudwater Associates, is excited to release a new resource for rural hospitals: Sustaining Rural Labor & Delivery Programs - Strategies for Financial Analyses and Considerations for Maintaining Services. Drawing on case studies from previous Stroudwater Associates engagements, this resource details three strategies that may bring a Labor & Delivery program closer to sustainability and prevent unnecessary closures in rural areas.
These strategies ensure that Critical Access Hospitals and rural hospitals understand how to properly:
- Allocate costs and statistics in the Medicare Cost Report to maximize the value created by the Labor & Delivery program.
- Evaluate the contribution margin of the program.
- Leverage other opportunities, such as partnerships and family practice obstetricians, to enhance the efficiency of the program.
This resource is for use by Critical Access Hospital CEOs and CFOs, and State Flex Programs can share this with their hospitals to support informed decision-making and optimize resource allocation to improve financial sustainability and ensure continued access to Labor & Delivery services in rural communities.
Stroudwater updates Rural Health Dashboard with new data
Stroudwater Associates recently announced updates to its State & Congressional District Profiles Dashboard. The dashboard serves as a tool to help state agencies, rural healthcare leaders, and policymakers navigating legislative inquiries, designing grant applications, and building a shared understanding of healthcare infrastructure and outcomes across states and districts. Updates include new features such as updated information on workforce shortage area designations, CDC-identified opioid overprescribing counties, and updated Medicaid coverage data
Additional Resources
2023-2024 Blueprint for Health Improvement & Health-Enabled Prosperity - Healthy Appalachia Institute - The Healthy Appalachia Institute is pleased to announce the approval of 2023-2024 SWVA Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity.
Rural Health Strategic Plan- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC's Rural Public Health Strategic Plan represents the agency's inaugural blueprint outlining key priorities, objectives, and outcomes for working internally and with external and federal partners to improve the health of people living in rural America.
The Healthy Virginia Blueprint - Virginia Health Catalyst -The Healthy Virginia Blueprint is a comprehensive report synthesizing current data and on-the-ground insights to highlight the urgent need for policy action on oral health access and health equity across the Commonwealth.
Virginia Rural Opportunity Dashboard- Virginia Rural Center - HRSA Resources: During emergencies, Primary Care Associations (PCAs) gather critical health center information and report the status of service delivery sites to HRSA. If your health center is impacted by a disaster, we ask that you report the site-level status to your PCA as soon as you are able. If you have questions about program requirements or scope of project, use the BPHC Contact Form.
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Resources for Health Centers webpage - A comprehensive set of resources, including CMS’ emergency preparedness rule and a full list of Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) resources.
Emergency Information Kit – Key Resources for Health Centers - Commonly asked questions that arise during a declared dynamic event.
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Virginia Department of Health Resources |
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The Little Things Campaign Toolkit- Brings small but powerful health habits to life.
Don't Let the Tick Get You Sick- Protection and Prevention
Immunization- Immunization records and details about vaccination options.
Maternal Mortality Dashboard- Provides annual trends in Maternal Mortality.
Quit Now Virginia – Tobacco Free Living
Virginia Resources
211 Virginia- Community Resources -free, confidential service 24/7, 365 days connecting people with information.
988 Call or text (988), or chat (988VA.org), 24/7/365 for immediate mental health, substance use, or emotional support for you or someone else.
It Only Takes One- Addressing the fentanyl crisis through awareness campaigns, youth education, and community engagement.
Reclaiming Childhood- Protecting children's mental health by addressing social media harms, limiting cell phone use, and encouraging healthy play.
VeteransCrisisLine.net- Veterans Crisis Line- Veterans can access free, 24/7 support by calling 988, then pressing 1, texting 838255, or chatting, no VA benefits required.
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Events & Trainings
3RNET Recruiting for Retention Academy
Every other Tuesday, starting October 7 through December 16, 2025
The 2025 Academy will focus on the recruiting process--the foundation for the 3RNET Recruiting for Retention Hierarchy. We will cover effective recruitment plans, practical tools, and best practices to help streamline HR processes.
Your 3RNET member organization, the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity, is sponsoring your registration fee. Your Academy participation is available at no cost to you.
Register Now to Attend! Enter coupon code: VIRGINIASORH!
3RNET Recruiting for Retention Academy
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Welcome to Rural Health University!
Powered by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), this growing library of training courses and institutes is designed for flexibility and built for impact. From grant writing to rural primary care, empower your work with expert-led, self-paced learning — anytime, anywhere. Learn More: NOSORH Health University
The NOSORH Rural Health Grant Writing Institute is back and designed with rural grant writers in mind! Over the course of nine virtual sessions, you’ll build the skills and confidence to craft winning grant proposals. This Institute covers every step of the grant writing process, from documenting community needs to developing budgets, work plans, and evaluation strategies.
When: October 14 – November 13, 2025
Learn more and register by October 13!
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The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (TRC)
It is a federally funded regional telehealth training and technical assistance center. Unbiased, nonpartisan and expert telehealth technical assistance.
Serving Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
Learn More: Home - MATRC
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Healthy Systems, Thriving Communities
October 17, 2025
Westin Richmond
- Early Bird Registration (until September 13)
- Students: $89, Professionals: $199
Explore how bold solutions, innovative policies, and collaborative partnerships can build stronger health systems and create thriving communities across Virginia.
Register Now: Catalyst Annual Summit - Virginia Health Catalyst
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The Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity
October 29, 2025
Hanover Tavern and Hanover County Administration,
7516 County Complex Rd, Hanover, VA 23069
Keynote Speaker, Governor Glenn Youngkin
Registration also includes a welcome reception the evening prior on Tuesday, October 28, at Meadow Event Park in Caroline County from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.
Register Now: 2025 RURAL SUMMIT
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2025 Rural Health Voice Conference
November 19 - 20, 2025
Wintergreen Resort
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.
Register Now: Rural Health Voice Conference
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Fall 2025 Rural Health Clinical Congress
Saturday, November 15th, Virtual Conference.
Do you serve patients from rural communities? Join this Free CME/CE Virtual Conference in conjunction with NRHD and the Rural Medical Education (RME) Collaborative, if you have questions, please contact RME Collaborative at 800-913-9370 or cme@cmeruralhealth.com.
Amercian College of Lifestyle Medicine
Available online: April 12, 2025 – April 11, 2027
"Food as Medicine for Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum" explores the critical role of nutrition during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum—connecting dietary choices to maternal outcomes, fetal development, and long-term health. Learn to apply evidence-based strategies to reduce risk for complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia and gain practical tools to guide patients through every stage of the reproductive journey.
Series Available online:
Lifestyle Medicine Now is ACLM’s premier collection of enduring, accredited educational content, designed for individuals seeking timely insights from the leading edge of the field. With over 20+ hours of recorded presentations from ACLM’s most recent annual conferences, LM Now brings the latest lifestyle medicine straight to you—on demand.
Designed for busy clinicians, educators, and healthcare leaders, LM Now delivers short, practical, and inspiring content you can apply immediately—register for individual sessions or enroll in the full series.
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Governor Glenn Youngkin Celebrates Service Improvements by Virginia Office of Vital Records
Once under federal review, the Office of Vital Records now ranks among the top five nationally, delivering faster, more secure service for Virginians
September 16, 2025- Governor Glenn Youngkin today joined Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Secretary Janet Kelly, State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D., Virginia Department of Health (VDH) State Registrar and Director of the Office of Vital Records Seth Austin, and other leaders for a tour to celebrate the success of the newly-relocated VDH Office of Vital Records’ (OVR) in modernizing its services and delivering faster, more efficient, and more compassionate customer care for Virginians. Read More
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Virginia's Rural Health Care Transformation
About the Initiative
The Rural Health Care Transformation initiative is a statewide effort to strengthen health care in Virginia’s rural communities. Launched under Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Directive Twelve, the initiative will guide Virginia’s application for up to $1 billion in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program created by H.R.1. Learn More
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Healthy Living
Your Healthiest Self: Wellness Toolkits
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Please Follow Us & Share!
"Like" us on Facebook, visit our website and YouTube Channel to stay updated on Virginia rural health issues, rural healthcare jobs, and news from our community partners.
Visit us: VA-SORH Facebook | VA-SORH Website | VA-SORH YouTube
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