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The Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to join us in Sevierville, Tennessee, Nov. 19–21, for our 31st Annual Conference. We’re excited to share the draft agenda, giving you an early look at the sessions and opportunities planned for this year.

This conference serves a diverse array of rural health stakeholders, offering educational content and insights relevant to healthcare providers, advocates and professionals across the field. This year’s program features five specialized tracks designed to meet the unique needs of rural health professionals:

Save the Date: 2025 Tennessee Grand Regions Tour

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to join us in 2025 Grand Regions Tour. These spring regional events will give members an opportunity to learn from prominent speakers in rural communities and esteemed universities as we explore critical topics in behavioral health. These events are perfect for healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and anyone passionate about rural health.

Join us for a valuable Community Resource Event hosted by Purpose Point Community Health, Mount Canaan, and the Rural Health Association of Tennessee!

Come and learn about various community resources and get expert information/assistance with: TennCare Redetermination; Medicare Counseling; Marketplace Health Insurance Counseling; Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and more.

Advocate for Change: Join Rural Health Day on the Hill

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 4, 2025, and join us for Rural Health Day on the Hill, hosted by the Rural Health Association (RHA). This exclusive, members-only event provides a unique opportunity to directly engage with Tennessee state representatives and senators to discuss vital topics such as healthcare legislation, funding, and policy. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., scheduled meetings will allow members to share their insights and concerns, amplifying the voices of rural communities across the state. By uniting with rural health stakeholders, participants can champion meaningful changes to ensure healthier futures for all Tennesseans.

At RHA, we recognize the power of collective advocacy. Our platform bridges the gap between our members and policymakers, making it easier than ever to communicate effectively with state and federal lawmakers. Tailored messaging tools allow you to maintain your unique voice while advocating for or against critical legislation that impacts rural health. Don’t miss this chance to influence decisions that shape the well-being of our communities. Together, we can build momentum for a healthier, more equitable tomorrow.

Rural Health of Association of Tennessee celebrated National Rural Health Day on November 21st in Knoxville, Tennessee at our 30th annual conference, "30 Years Strong: Honoring our Past, Shaping our Future" The conference was a dynamic and engaging three days of learning from experts in rural health fields across the state, bringing together professionals within the healthcare field. It provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering growth and collaboration. Attendees were able to benefit from a diverse range of presentations and panel discussions delivered by leaders in Tennessee. Networking opportunities allowed attendees to establish valuable connections, share insights, and explore potential collaborations. 

The Rural Health Awards Luncheon is RHA's distinguished event designed to recognize and honor outstanding achievements, exemplary contributions, and noteworthy accomplishments across rural health in Tennessee. It brings together individuals, professionals, and organizations deserving of recognition for their exceptional work, innovation, and dedication. We are honored to host this event to showcase excellence and highlight the positive impact of individuals in the healthcare field. Congratulations to the awardees who are presented below.

The 30th Annual Conference of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee is set to bring a dynamic range of educational opportunities to its members. This year, the Association introduces new tracks designed to address the evolving needs of rural healthcare. Attendees from rural hospitals, rural health clinics, school health programs, substance use disorder treatment, maternal health, and public health sectors will find dedicated sessions tailored to their fields. These sessions, taking place on the first morning of the conference from 8 AM to 11 AM, will provide an engaging platform for professionals to learn, collaborate, and advance strategies to improve healthcare in rural communities.

Join RHA Regional Liaisons for our May findhelp 101 and 102 trainings. The two part training will teach nonprofits, government, healthcare, and education sectors how findhelp is working to connect people seeking help with services across Tennessee.

• How to search for and connect people to resources
• How to send and track your referrals
• How to claim your program and join the findhelp network
• How to become findhelp.org certified

Tuesday, April 23rd, we had the opportunity to host our last regional event of the season at Fall Creek Falls State Park and see our middle region members. Members had the opportunity to hear from professionals on topics including MAT in Emergency Department Settings, current drug trends, social drivers of health, and more!

The presentation topics and speakers can be found below:

• Addressing Social Drivers of Health findhelp This presentation discusses why addressing social drivers of health and why understanding social determinants are essential for creating equitable health systems and fostering healthier communities overall. Access full presentation here.
• Naloxone Training Suzanne Angel, ROPS Join us to learn from the Middle Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist about administering naloxone and further prevention efforts. Access full presentation here.
• MAT in Emergency Department Settings Kayla Mehr, TDMHSAS Join us as we talk with Kayla Mehr about MAT in the Emergency Department Settings. Access to full presentation can be found here.
  
• Suicide Prevention Melissa Alardo, TDH Join us as we talk about suicide prevention and its correlation to SUD. Access full presentation here. 
• TDH & RHA Programs and Updates Join us as we go over current program updates with not only the Rural Health Association but the Tennessee Department of Health. Access full presentation here.

Prescription Drug Takeback Day plays a crucial role in addressing the public health crisis of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Unused or expired prescription medications pose significant risks when left in homes, as they can be accessed by unauthorized individuals, including children, teenagers, and individuals with substance use disorders. Prescription Drug Takeback Day provides a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of these medications properly, reducing the likelihood of diversion, accidental ingestion, and environmental contamination.

Furthermore, Prescription Drug Takeback Day helps prevent prescription drug abuse by removing unused medications from circulation. Research has shown that a significant portion of prescription drug abuse begins with medications obtained from family members or friends, often without their knowledge. By encouraging individuals to safely dispose of unused medications, Takeback Day reduces the availability of prescription drugs for misuse and helps prevent the initiation of substance use disorders, particularly among young people who may experiment with prescription medications.

May 22, 2024 RHC Lunch and Learn: Moving the Needle of Change - Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder in Tennessee 

Speaker: Kayla Williams Mehr, PMHNP | MOUD Clinical Specialist with Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)

Rural Health Association of Tennessee is excited to host the Tennessee Rural Health Clinic (TN-RHC) Network Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The meeting will cover RHC specific topics such as TennCare Updates, Emergency Preparedness, Compliance (Survey Tips and Strategies), Social Determinants of Health (data collection, coding and reporting), Quality Improvement projects, and more!

Location: The View at the Fountains, Murfreesboro, TN
Time: 8:30am - 4:15pm CST
Cost: Free for RHC Network Members/$50 for Non-Members.

Regional events are an opportunity to learn more about our RCORP program. Register for your region to hear more about substance use disorder, mental health, and Rural Health Association program updates. Lunch will be provided to in-person attendees. 

Cost: Free for members | $25 for non-members; a networking lunch will be included.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee's Call for Proposals for our 2024 Annual Conference is now open!

Join RHA as we celebrate 30 years of advocating for rural health in Tennessee. Submit proposals on your research, experience, collaborations, and projects related to the following: 

The 2023 Membership Voting is open 

Members may login to RHA's Website for details, including:

• 2024 Board Officers
• 2024 Board Members (Each candidate's application is available to view on the Member Landing page)
• Bylaw Changes (summary of proposed changes is on the Member Landing page)
• 2024 Proposed Advocacy Priorities 
  
  

Voting will remain open through November 16th (Rural Health Day) and results will be shared at our Annual Member Meeting on Friday November 17th (end of Annual Conference).

The voting link will also be available in RHA's Conference App.

Why attend?

HRSA Virtual Job Fairs are free online recruitment events that connect career-seeking health care professionals with representatives from health care facilities across the country.

Learn more about job opportunities, hear details about benefit packages, and find out how you can help underserved communities.

September 23, 2023
We are a proud sponsor of the 4th Annual Maury County Recovery Fest!

TennCare redetermination started in April. Our Health Enrollment team will be available to assist with TennCare redetermination, enrollment, and finding low-cost and affordable healthcare options at the Maury County Recovery Fest! Translation services are also available at no cost! Can’t attend the event? Call 866-675-7092 or click here to schedule an appointment with a trained assister.

In partnership with Ovation Healthcare we've curated a series of virtual webinars specifically aimed toward Hospitals. Webinar Series - Click Each One for Details and Registration:

Time to Remember. Time to Act. Overdose touches people and communities in many ways. On August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, let's support the people in our communities who go unrecognized by raising awareness of the hidden impacts of overdose, promoting education of overdose response, and reaching out to politicians to make lasting, lifesaving policy changes.

The 2023 theme, “Recognizing those people who go unseen,” is about acknowledging people in our communities who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis. 

Conference Overview

Join us this fall as we welcome a variety of professionals in their field from across Tennessee to present on topics effecting rural Tennessee. Find the agenda for this event here. 

Registration

Registration for RHA of TN's 29th Annual Conference is now open! 

Please join TN-RCORP members, Power of Putnam and Tennessee Tech’s Counseling Honor Society Tau Tau, for a collaborative symposium to discuss new developments and best practices in substance use prevention and recovery. In person and virtual options are available.