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NCHN eNews
April 17, 2012
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NCHN NEWS

MEMBER BLURBS

PARTNER BLURBS

UPCOMING EVENTS

NATIONAL NEWS

FUNDING

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2012 Award Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the 2012 NCHN Award Winners:

  • New and Emerging Network Leader of the Year: Toniann Richard
  • Outstanding Network Leader of the Year: Jack King
  • Outstanding Network of the Year: The Hospital Cooperative
  • Friend of the Association: National Rural Health Association

Toniann RichardLeft: Toniann Richard, Executive Director, Health Care Coalition of Rural Missouri, receives the 2012 Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader of the Year Award. The Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader Award recognizes extraordinary leadership activities demonstrated by a new network leader/director in the field of health networks (network leader less than five years).

Jack KingRight: Jack King, Executive Director of Northern Montana Health Alliance accepts the 2012 Outstanding Network Leader of the Year award. The Outstanding Network Leader of the Year Award recognizes a network leader/director for leadership in managing a successful health network organization.

Jon SmithLeft: Jon Smith, Executive Director, accepts the 2012 Outstanding Health Network of the Year on behalf of The Hospital Cooperative (ID). The Outstanding Health Network of the Year Award recognizes any network or entire network organization that has improved access to health services in its service area and coordination of resources for network members through innovative, comprehensive approaches.

Alan MorganRight: Alan Morgan, CEO, accepts the 2012 Friend of NCHN award on behalf of National Rural Health Association (NRHA)
The Friend of NCHN Award is given to recognize a program, institution, agency, or individual that has advocated for or provided extraordinary support to the Association. Associate members are eligible to recieve the Frend of NCHN award.

Visit NCHN's Facebook for more Conference and Award photos.

For more information about categories and past award winners, visit the Awards page.

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      from trickyriddles.com

So you are walking through the snowing cold outside. You have no where to live but you come to this little cabin. You have a stove a fireplace and a candle. You only have one match, which one do you light first?

» VIEW THE ANSWER

Crista, Keynote Speaker18th NCHN Annual Conference Underway

Left: Crista Benevidez, Keynote Speaker, discusses collaboration strategies at the opening of the 2012 Conference.

The 18th NCHN Annual Conference has opened in Denver with over 120 attendees, sponsors, and speakers participating.

During the Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, the NCHN membership elected four new Board Members and 2012-2013 Board Officers. New directors include the following: Brendan Ashby, Executive Director of Northeast Minnesota AHEC's mnHEALTHnet; Dave Johnson, Director of Member Relations and Business Development with Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative; Darcy Czarnik Laurin, Executive Director of Thumb Rural Health Network; and Toniann Richard, Executive Director of Health Care Collaborative of Rural Missouri.

2012 - 2013 NCHN Board of Directors

Officers
Heather Fuller (KS), President
Chris Hopkins (MT), Vice President
Jon Smith (ID), Treasurer
Tara Cramer (GA), Secretary
Carolyn Witherspoon (TX), Immediate Past President

Brendan Ashby (MN)
Dave Johnson (WI)
Jack King (MT)
Darcy Czarnik Laurin (MI)
Toniann Richard (MO)
Steve Stoddard (ID)

 

1st Year Transformer Leadership Learning Community
Pictured (left to right): Participants who completed the 1st year of the NCHN Transformer Leadership Learning Community - Carolyn Witherspoon, Rebecca Davis, Heather Fuller, Tara Cramer, Mary Adam, Sally Trnka, Chris Hopkins, Toniann Richard, Dave Johnson, Deena Dodd, and Mary Kay Chess

The 1st year of the NCHN Transformer Leadership Learning Community came to a close Monday morning with a final session presented by Dr. Mary Kay Chess. Nine participants completed the program, which included 8 leadership-oriented modules and corresponding monthly conference calls. Congratulations to the following who completed the 1st year of the NCHN Transformer Leadership Learning Community:

  • Mary Adam
  • Tara Cramer
  • Deena Dodd
  • Chris Hopkins
  • Dave Johnson
  • Toniann Richard
  • Sally Trnka
  • Carolyn Witherspoon

Upcoming NCHN Calls & Events

Online Evaluation for 2012 Conference
opens April 19
closed May 4

2012 Annual Conference Planning Committee Close-out Call
Tuesday, May 8 @ 2:00 PM ET

» VIEW THE NCHN CALENDAR

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MEMBER BLURBS  

Giles Free Clinic receives Rural Health Outreach Grant

April 10, 2012 - The Giles Free Clinic (Giles County Health Network, VA) has received an Outreach Grant to fund a non-emergency medical transportation system for the uninsured in Giles County.  The Giles Health Network was instrumental in the application and will be highly involved in the implementation of the program.

Congratulations to Giles Free Clinic and Michelle Brauns, Executive Director.

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PARTNER BLURBS  

RWHC Leadership Insights Newsletter: Blind Spots
by Jo Anne Preston, RWHC Workforce & Organizational Development Manager

April 2012 (Issue 25 | LEADERSHIP insights) - It’s time for my performance review, and I wonder if I see myself at all accurately. One good thing about data (such as customer ratings, revenue generated or number of programs delivered compared to goal) is that it provides an objective, impersonal metric – and a good case for setting SMART goals so you can know if you reached them. But when asked to self assess on more subjective qualities (like commitment to excellence, interpersonal influence, positive impact on culture), it makes me wonder if many of us might have blind spots. Maybe we get a little too puffed up about our strengths, or the opposite, are too hard on ourselves to see the value that we bring.

Many arrive in the manager role as a result of a series of successes. It has been said that those who have experienced much success can often struggle the most when they do fail or fall short. Unaccustomed to missing the mark, it isn’t always handled well when we do. It is easy to either get defensive or take feedback personally and feel hurt. And sometimes we are the last to know that these reactions get in our way of being perceived as an effective leader. But it’s in our best interest to have our blind spots revealed so that we can continue to learn. Consider the following suggestions to see yourself more clearly:

» CONTINUE READING (pdf)

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UPCOMING EVENTS  

NRHA Annual Rural Health Conference
National Rural Health Association

April 17 - 20, 2012
Denver, CO

NRHA's Annual Rural Health Conference is the nation's largest rural health conference, created for all of those with an interest in rural health care, including rural health practitioners, hospital administrators, clinic directors and lay health workers, social workers, state and federal health employees, academics, community members and more.

» MORE INFORMATION

Building Medical Home Neighborhoods through Community-Based Teams: Lessons and Updates from Three States with Emerging Programs
National Academy for State Health Policy

Webinar: April 18, 2012 @ 2:30 PM ET

Community-based teams can help medical home providers offer primary care that is coordinated, whole-person oriented, and integrated with local community resources.  Nine states are now making payments to community-based practice support teams, and others are exploring possibilities for launching teams in the near future.  Webcast attendees will hear from program leaders in Alabama, Michigan, and Minnesota about why they are enhancing their medical home programs with community-based teams.  The speakers will also discuss program financing and how teams can help link medical homes to medical neighborhoods, especially to care for complex Medicaid enrollees. 

» MORE INFORMATION

Engaging Hired Farmworkers in Agricultural Health Research
AgriSafe Network

Webinar: April 18, 2012 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM CT

Presenter: Maria Stoecklin-Marios, PhD, MPH, MICASA Study Project Manager, Center for Health & the Environment, University of California, Davis

» MORE INFORMATION

Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Technical Assistance Teleconference on RHC Accreditation
NARHC

Conference Call: April 20, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET

On Friday, April 20th, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) will hold a technical assistance call on the new rural health clinic accreditation program that has been recognized by CMS.

» MORE INFORMATION

HRSA Health IT and Quality Webinars

Continuity and Resiliency for Health IT Systems: Preparing for Unforeseen Events
April 27, 2012 @ 2:00 PM ET

Using Health IT for Care Coordination Across Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
May 18, 2012 @ 2:00 PM

» MORE INFORMATION

Rural Health Open Door Forum
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Conference Call: April 24, 2012 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Dial: 800.837.1935
Conference ID: 52258250

» MORE INFORMATION

Webinar: EMS Changes, Challenges and Opportunities under Healthcare Reform
Tritech Software Systems

April 24, 2012 @ 2:00 PM ET

Join Jay Fitch, PhD, of Fitch & Associates and TriTech Product Manager, Dan Voss as they provide both a consultant's and software developer's perspectives of the EMS Changes, Challenges and Opportunities under Healthcare Reform.

» MORE INFORMATION

Webinar: EMS Changes, Challenges and Opportunities under Healthcare Reform
Tritech Software Systems

April 24, 2012 @ 2:00 PM ET

Join Jay Fitch, PhD, of Fitch & Associates and TriTech Product Manager, Dan Voss as they provide both a consultant's and software developer's perspectives of the EMS Changes, Challenges and Opportunities under Healthcare Reform.

» MORE INFORMATION

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NATIONAL NEWS  

ORHP Announcement: FY 2012 Network Planning New Awards

April 11, 2012 (NIH.gov e-mail) - ORHP is pleased to announce 12 new Network Planning awards. The purpose of this program is to expand access to, coordinate and improve the quality of essential health care services and enhance the delivery of health care in rural areas.  This program brings together key parts of a rural health care delivery system so they can work together to establish or improve local capacity and coordination of care, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past. If you have further questions about this program, please contact Eileen Holloran, eholloran@hrsa.gov or Sheila Warren, swarren@hrsa.gov

Maui Memorial Medical Center: Wailuku, HI
BMH, Inc: Blackfoot, ID
Cumberland Family Medical Center: Burkesville, KY
Montgomery County Kentucky Health Department: Mount Sterling, KY
Chippewa Medical Control Authority: Sault Sainte Marie, MI
Randolph County Caring Community Partnership: Moberly, MO
Region 3 Behavioral Health Services: Kearney, NE
Providence Medical Center: Wayne, NE
Hidalgo Medical Services: Lordsburg, NM
Allendale County Hospital: Fairfax, SC
Delta Dental Plan of South Dakota: Pierre, SD
Southern Utah University: Cedar City, UT

More Spectrum, Better Health
by Alan Morgan

April 13, 2012 (Daily Yonder) - For people who live in rural areas, traveling considerable distances may be a necessity for work, shopping, school and health care. 

The distance may be an inconvenience at times, but it is an acceptable tradeoff for the benefits of rural life. But when it comes to health care, distance can be a matter of life and death.

Technology is helping to bridge that gap. High-speed wireless access is the most groundbreaking development in decades for rural health.  It allows patients and their doctors to connect remotely, exchange vital health information and conduct real-time video consultations. 

» CONTINUE READING

CMS announces 27 Accountable Care Organizations

April 11, 2012 (Nurse.com) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the selection of 27 new Accountable Care Organizations, groups of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers that work together to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries.

The providers in an ACO take responsibility for the quality of care furnished to people with Medicare in return for the opportunity to share in savings realized through improved care. Participation in an ACO is voluntary for providers and beneficiaries, and beneficiaries retain their ability to seek treatment from any provider they choose.

» CONTINUE READING

More on ACOs
Book Excerpt: Are You Ready for an ACO Environment? (HealthLeaders Media, April 12, 2012)

Recruitment of Sites for Assignment of Corps Personnel Obligated Under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

April 13, 2012 (The Federal Register) - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that the listing of entities, and their Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores, that will receive priority for the assignment of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship recipients (Corps Personnel, Corps members) during the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, is posted on the NHSC Web site.

» CONTINUE READING

More from The Federal Register
Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs for Contract Year 2013 and Other Changes (April 12, 2012)

Getting Older, County by County
by Bo Beaulieu, Monica Rosas, and Roberto Gallardo

April 11, 2012 (Daily Yonder) - The median age of most every U.S. county is growing older. But rural counties have the oldest median age — and the gap between rural and urban counties is growing.

Not only is the world population growing, it's graying. The United Nations reported last fall that the world’s population reached 7 billion people. But at the same time, fertility rates are dropping globally while the baby-boomer generation is growing older each year. According to some economists, this aging of the population poses real economic threats. In fact, some argue that Europe’s current crisis is not only financial but also demographic, since economic growth is harder to achieve due to a decline in the number of young adults entering the labor force.

» CONTINUE READING

Primary care and public health encouraged to work together
by Christine S. Moyer

April 11, 2012 (amednews.com) - The nation’s health probably would improve if primary care and public health were better integrated, says an Institute of Medicine report.

Such integration should include health professionals sharing and collaboratively using data, asking the community to help define its medical needs and pursuing a shared goal of improving the population’s health, said the report, issued on March 28...

» CONTINUE READING

Rural doctors could get a booster
by Amritha Alladi

April 10, 2012 (The News Star) - Since 2009, Dr. Georgianna Burns has been providing care to premature babies of residents in the Sterlington area.

Burns chose to shift to a rural area because the job opportunity presented itself, and she felt it her duty as a physician to address rural health needs.

As the only pediatrician at her clinic, Ouachita Family Medicine, Burns said she has filled a gap in care. Her pediatric services also are specialized in ADHD and dyslexia screening, which wasn't previously available to residents in that area.

» CONTINUE READING

Next generation of doctors sees gloomy future

April 11, 2012 (The Chicago Tribune) - A majority of young doctors feel pessimistic about the future of the U.S. healthcare system, with the new healthcare law cited as the main reason, according to a survey released to Reuters on Wednesday.

Nearly half of the 500 doctors surveyed think the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature domestic policy achievement, will have a negative effect on their practices, compared with 23 percent who think it will be positive.

» CONTINUE READING

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FUNDING  

US Department of Labor's OSHA Seeks Applications for $1.2 Million in Susan Harwood Safety and Health Training Grants

April 9, 2012 (RAConline.org) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to fund training for workers and employers in recognizing workplace hazards and control measures, and understanding their rights and responsibilities. A total of $1.2 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities.

"The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that workers and employers are fully aware of health and safety hazards, and how they can be prevented," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The programs funded by these grants will supply hard-to-reach workers, small businesses and those in high-hazard industries with the knowledge and tools they need to support safe and healthful workplaces."

Two types of safety and health training grants will be awarded through this announcement: targeted topic training grants, and training and educational materials development grants.

Applications are due by May 17, 2012.

» MORE INFORMATION

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