Episodes

What are the barriers to providing obstetric care in rural communities? Arthur Ollendorff, MD from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine joined me to discuss his concerns about maternal health. Follow VRHA on social media: Facebook X Instagram

Is it worth your time to meet with your elected officials? Narissa Rahaman Executive Director of Equality Virginia joined RHV to discuss their most recent wins at the Virginia General Assembly. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, watch our website and social media accounts for information about the upcoming Equality Virginia Community Town Halls.

What is a midwife and how do they bridge the gap for maternal healthcare in rural communities? Leslie Payne of Trillium House Birthing Center joined RHV to discuss Certified Professional Midwives and the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, follow VRHA on Facebook and X.

Who is responsible for health literacy? Systems Design Coach Steven Ragsdale joined RHV to discuss how health disparities need to be addressed at every level. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the National Rural Health Association’s Health Equity conference this May in New Orleans.

Are there any surprises when it comes to the need for improved oral health? Ben Barber, Policy Director at Virginia Health Catalyst joined RHV to discuss their Oral Health Workforce Gap Assessment. Link to the Virginia Health Catalyst email list request.

Why is it important to be involved in rural health advocacy? Dr. Kevin Bennett, Director of Center for Rural & Primary Healthcare at the University of South Carolina joined RHV to discuss his path to the NRHA Presidency. Join us at the NRHA Annual Conference in New Orleans this May.

What are the benefits and complications of mobile health? Dr. Carolyn Rutledge, Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University joined RHV to discuss rural outreach and their mobile health clinic.

Why do independent pharmacies have a hard time staying open? Cindy Warriner, of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network joined RHV to discuss the needs of rural pharmacies.

What is a Syndemic? Lee Storrow, Senior Director of External Affairs at the Community Education Group joined RHV to discuss the confluence of HIV, HCV, and the opioid crisis and what is being done to address it. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join Lee, myself, and others at the Appalachian Syndemic Summit in May. This episode was sponsored by the Virginia State Office of Rural Health.

What is a Dental Assistant and why is it a great healthcare career? Dr. Emily Bowen from the Mountain Empire Community College Dental Assistant Program joined me to discuss oral health. Want to talk directly to members of Congress about rural health issues? Join VRHA in Washington, DC this February for the Rural Health Policy Institute. Event links are in the show notes.

What is different about food insecurity in rural communities? Donna Dagner of the Community Resource Services joined RHV to discuss the work of the food pantry and plans to grow. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Policy Institute in DC next February.

What are doulas and how can they improve maternal health? Roshay Richardson, Lead Chair, Danville Maternal Health Task Force joined RHV to discuss how communities can better support pregnancies. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Policy Institute in DC next February.

Who is the Cancer Coalition of Virginia and why do they have a plan? Jessica Deering and Victoria Zwicker joined RHV to discuss the 2023 Virginia Cancer Plan. Resources: https://cancercoalitionofvirginia.org/virginia-cancer-plan/ https://cancercoalitionofvirginia.org/

What do regional organizers do? Clio Schurtz of Virginia Organizing joined RHV to discuss how she engages people in the New River Valley to address housing needs. If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join us at the Virginia Rural Health Voice Conference, November 15-16 in Blacksburg.

Who in Washington DC is working to support healthcare in rural communities? Tom Morris from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy joined RHV to discuss how his staff provide support through information, data, and of course, grant opportunities. Additional resources: TAGGS – Government grant tracking website HRSA data warehouse Rural Health Information Hub VRHA membership

What do you need to know about hazardous waste in your home or healthcare facility? Jim O’Leary and Chris Archambeault joined RHV to discuss what the Virginia department of Environmental Quality can do to help make sure your waste is properly stored and disposed. More information: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-10/10_step_blueprint_guide_final_9-22.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/documents/10008_managingyourhazwaste_508pdf_october_16_2019.pdf

We are flipping the script for episode 101. Instead of our host Beth O’Connor interviewing someone, she was the interviewee as a guest on the Commonhealth podcast. Registration for the Rural Health Voice conference is now open! Join us in Blacksburg November 15 & 16.

Because this is our 100th episode, RHV is celebrating by doing something a little different. Many of the regulations our rural hospitals and clinics follow were created by Congress, and it takes a literal act of Congress to change those regulations. Instead of interviewing someone who is an expert of some aspect of rural health, the guest is Jennifer Briney, host of the Congressional Dish podcast to talk about how Congress operates and how you can make a difference in how those regulations are u...

How have rural hospitals changed over the years and what will they look like in the future? John Supplitt, Senior Director of Field Engagement at the American Hospital Association joined RHV to discuss concerns and possibilities for our rural facilities.

What’s the difference between and MD and a DO? Dr. Hope Tobey of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine joined RHV to discuss what college students need to consider when making the decision to attend medical school.

How can students get involved in VRHA and why should they do so? Joshua McCray, UVA Clinical Research Coordinator joined RHV to discuss his experiences as a VRHA Student Board member. Josh and fellow student board member Sean Thursen will be staying on the VRHA Board for a second term. They will be joined by other students from UVA, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Virginia Tech MPH program, the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Roanoke College as the student board repres...

What is the UC Berkeley School of Public Health doing to support rural public health? Kimberly MacPherson Faculty Director, Health Policy & Management, joined RHV to discuss the new Rural Health Innovation Program.

What does the Farm Bill have to do with rural health? Carrie Cochran-McClain, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association joined RHV to discuss why the Farm Bill matters and what you can do to support it. NRHA Advocacy campaigns can be found here.

Why does rural Virginia need advanced degrees in nursing? Dr. Laurie Anne Ferguson, of Emory & Henry joined RHV to discuss their new Master’s in Nursing program.