Episodes

Who is Foresight Health and why are they coming to rural Virginia? Dr. Sameer Suhail joined RHV to discuss his commitment to the people of Patrick County. Media on Foresight in Patrick County: https://www.newsweek.com/rural-americans-dont-have-access-health-care-so-im-building-hospital-appalachia-opinion-1743402 https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/stuart-hospital-to-reopen-in-2023-two-mobile-health-units-coming-to-patrick-co-soon/article_f7eb6554-23e1-11ed-831f-dfbbdae04a0b.html https:...

Mark Cruise of STRONG ACC joined RHV to discuss their commitment to the next generation. Plan ahead to attend the Rural Health Voice conference. The 2023 event will be held November 15 & 16 in Blacksburg

Why do nurses decide to go into other fields? Tiffany Turner from Appalshop joined RHV to discuss her transition from nursing to community engagement.

When does drug diversion mean taking care of your family? China Scherz & Joshua Burraway of the University of Virginia joined me to discuss the moral economics of suboxone trade in Southwest Virginia. Article link: Keeping it in the family. Did you know? Updated COVID vaccines are here for people 6 months and older to help protect against Omicron. Text your ZIP code to 438829 or visit vaccines.gov to find updated vaccines near you.

What unique challenges do farmers have in staying healthy? Dr. Amy Johnson, Family Nurse Practitioner with the Centra Medical Group joined me to discuss her perspective as both a farmer and a nurse. More information on AgriSafe: Main web page AgriStress Helpline

What is a CRNA? Johanna Newman DNAP, CRNA of Mary Baldwin University joined RHV to discuss their new Nurse Anesthesiology Program. Information for prospective students here. Mary Baldwin University website: Main page Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences CRNA program Information for prospective students

What is Virginia doing with the millions of dollars it will receive from the opioid lawsuits? Tony McDowell, Executive Director of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority joined RHV to discuss how those funds will be used. To learn more about the work of the Authority, make sure you check out one of their upcoming listening sessions.

What are the benefits from Virginia’s increase in dental Medicaid? Dr. Scott Miller, Virginia Dental Association Foundation joined me to discuss how the increased benefits improved access for many rural Virginians.

What type of person should consider a career in health sciences? Dr. Sallie Beth Johnson, Chair of the Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership at Radford University Carilion joined me to discuss career options beyond doctor and nurse. Internship contact: phhl@radford.edu Explore student opportunities at the Rural Health Voice conference.

Why have some people been left out of medical research? Dr. Karriem Watson, Chief Engagement Officer of the All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health joined RHV to discuss why a broad spectrum of people are needed to support medical discoveries. If you want to hear more from Dr. Watson, come join us at the Rural Health Voice conference.

What type of person should be a healthcare provider? Melissa Zook, MD joined me to discuss her passion for serving the community. If you want to hear more from Dr. Zook, she will be speaking at the Head for the Hills Continuing Medical Education conference in Abingdon this November.

How does Virginia’s Juvenile Justice system impact health? Valerie Slater, Executive Director of RISE for Youth joined RHV to discuss the need to reform Virginia’s juvenile prisons. Join the Rural Health Voice conference this November in Williamsburg.

Why don’t people make better choices when buying and preparing their food? Dr. Tori Makal, from University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Dr. Wendy Welch from the SWVA Graduate Medical Education Consortium joined me to discuss food insecurity. You might also want to check out two of Dr. Welch’s latest publications: COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Masks, Misinformation, and Making Do

We just celebrated Independence Day and Rural America has a proud history of volunteering for military service. How can we return the favor and take of our Veterans? Paul Crews, Executive Director of Veteran’s Administration Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network joined RHV to discuss the resources it can offer.

What health disparities are related to cancer in our rural communities? Dr. Robert Winn, Director of the VCU Massey Cancer Center and Dr. Maria Thompson, Director of Community Engagement in Research at the Massey Cancer Center joined RHV to discuss how those disparities can be addressed. Pride Month is celebrated in June, but VRHA addresses LGBTQ health inequities all year long. Join us in Shenandoah County August 6th for our next Pride of Rural Virginia Community Conversation.

What staffing challenges are rural hospitals experiencing? Portia Brown, Vice President at Valley Health Page Memorial Hospital joined RHV to discuss how hospitals are dealing with workforce shortages. If you want to learn more about rural health, check out the Rural Health Information Hub.

What is a syndemic? Toni Young of the Community Education Group and the Rural Health Service Provider Network joined me to discuss how rural health issues must be approached on a system-wide level.

What is Vicarious Racism and what Effect does it have on Mental Health for African Americans? Kevin Dedner, Founder & CEO of Hurdle joined RHV to discuss mental health disparities and advocate for celebrating the strengths of rural America. Check out the Second Annual Black Mental Health Roundtable, May 11, 2022

What are the barriers for addressing dementia in our rural communities? Katie McDonough of the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Virginia joined me to discuss the needs of our aging population. Alzheimer’s 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 2022 Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the National Rural Health Association’s upcoming conference. Can’t justify going all the way to Albuquerque in May? Join us virtually...

What are some of the barriers to healthcare faced by people living in Appalachia? Dr. Teresa Tyson and Dr. Paula Hill-Collins from The Health Wagon joined the Rural Health Voice to talk about how they are literally going around in circles to bridge the gaps. More information on The Health Wagon: Rural Health Information Hub – Project Summary CBS News – 2017 and 2021 Join the Virginia Rural Health Association at the National Rural Health Association’s Annual Conference, live or virtually.

What can we do to emphasize the positive aspects of rural living? Laura Hunt Trull, current President of the Virginia Rural Health Association joined me to discuss health leadership in our rural communities. For more discussion on rural health issues, save the date for the upcoming Virginia Public Health Association conference. It will be held March 26th and topics will include substance use, COVID in rural communities, food insecurity, telehealth, and more.

How do organizations such as the Virginia Rural Health Association assure they are serving all of rural Virginia? Bryan Price, Past President of the VRHA joined RHV to discuss rural health leadership. Virginia Public Health Association Conference – March 26

What do the results of the 2020 Census mean for rural communities? Hamilton Lombard, Estimates Program Manger from the Weldon Cooper Center at UVA joined me to discuss how population loss is harmful for our rural communities. For more discussion on rural disparities and how they can be addressed, save the date for the upcoming Virginia Public Health Association conference. It will be held March 26th – details on the full agenda and registration will be available soon.

How are barrier crimes an obstacle to healthcare access? Dr. Kevin Doyle, of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies joined RHV to discuss how barrier crimes are a good idea with poor implementation. Additional information: Dr. Doyle’s editorial on barrier crimes Virginia Mercury article on barrier crimes List of Virginia barrier crimes If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join the VRHA leadership at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy...