We are saddened to share the passing of Hal Leftwich, a long-time member of Rural Health Association of Tennessee and an active member of our Legislative Committee.
Hal had more than 40 years of experience in healthcare leadership, serving the last seven years as CEO of Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida. He worked in hospitals large and small but had a special love for rural hospitals.
Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is working hard to ensure that the federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars made available by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted into law on July 4, 2025, are directed to rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as intended.
These funds are an attempt to offset losses that rural health providers will experience associated with other health provisions in the legislation, particularly the Medicaid program. Rural Health Association of Tennessee is advocating that 90% of funds go directly to the Rural Facility types named in the CMS Request for Proposals (100% minus 10% administration).
Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is accepting proposals for the following:
Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) invites proposals from qualified individuals and/or organizations to update and rebuild our Tennessee Rural Health Dashboard. The purpose of the dashboard is to answer the common question “What is rural” and serve as a comprehensive data source of rural facilities in Tennessee. We often see this dashboard referenced in presentations on rural health, grant applications, and policy papers.
The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is excited to launch a 6-part webinar series focused on strengthening aging services across rural communities in Tennessee. Beginning Oct. 2, these webinars will be held on Thursdays weekly at 12:00 PM CST and are open to healthcare providers, community leaders, advocates and anyone interested in improving the lives of older adults.
Why This Series Matters
Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) has been awarded a grant from Tennessee Department of Health (Z-25-314278) intended to help grantees deliver integrated, high-quality, comprehensive prevention and healthcare services, and innovative care delivery models that are evidence-informed throughout rural areas in the state. These investments may include innovative projects that improve access to health and healthcare services for rural populations, and funding to support transition to alternative care models to address community need.
As part of this historic opportunity, RHA is in process of closing on a building located at 159 Court Square, Huntingdon, TN. The following Request for Proposals is to seek a contractor/s for the following.
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:
Help improve disaster planning.Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are conducting a study to understand how advance practice nurses, community pharmacists, and primary care physicians response to disasters. The online survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and will help to understand perceptions about disasters. To participate, you should be at least 18 years old and an advance practice nurse, community pharmacist, or primary care physician who practices in EastTennessee.
The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is excited to host the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Network Annual Summit on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Murfreesboro, TN. This highly anticipated event is dedicated to supporting federally designated Rural Health Clinics by providing training, resources, and networking opportunities to enhance clinic operations and patient care.
The agenda features a lineup of expert speakers covering key topics essential for RHC 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.
The Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development is thrilled to announce their inaugural TCWD Middle TN Discovery Summit, hosted by Belmont University and sponsored by TN HOSA, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen healthcare pathways by offering professional insights and showcasing vital programs and resources for anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
TCWD invites high school and early college students across Middle Tennessee to join them for a unique event designed to ignite interest in the diverse and rewarding field of healthcare. This is an incredible opportunity for students to explore the many career paths available, hear directly from industry professionals, and gain insights into what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field.
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.
to become a Rural Health - Coding & Billing Specialist (RH-CBS), we urge clinical personnel (MD, DO, NP, PA, RN) to attend as well since clinical documentation is key to everything, as is building a shared foundation of knowledge.
Who needs training on RHC documentation, coding, billing, and quality reporting? Do your providers, managers, and coding/billing/quality staff have a shared foundation of knowledge?
The Tennessee List of Reportable Diseases and Conditions, effective January 1, 2025, have been updated. The full details are available in the attached documents and also available at Tennessee Reportable Diseases.
Here are some highlights of the updates for 2025:
Advocate for Change: Join Rural Health Day on the HillMark 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.
Get ready for 2025's amazing lineup of Rural Health Clinic specific Lunch and Learn webinars! These webinars are specifically tailored for RHCs to get the most knowledge they can about the topic.
January 15, 2025 : RHC Network Lunch and Learn: Unlocking the Potential of CCM: How Care Coordination Transforms Patient Care and Clinic Revenue
Celebrating 30 Years of Advancing Rural Health: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Conference Attendees
The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is proud to celebrate a monumental milestone—30 years of commitment to improving the health and well-being of rural Tennesseans. Our Annual Conference, held November 20-22, 2024, in Downtown Knoxville, brought together 400 attendees whose shared passion for rural health made this event truly unforgettable.
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.
Starting November 1, it’s time to secure your health insurance coverage for 2025! Whether you're applying for the first time or renewing your existing plan, Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your options, explore financial assistance, and make sure your coverage begins smoothly on January 1, 2025.
Here at the Rural Health Association of Tennessee, we're dedicated to making this process as simple and stress-free as possible. As a nonprofit organization, we’re thrilled to offer you FREE assistance from our licensed health insurance agent, Andrew, who’s here to help you find the plan that best meets both your health and financial needs.
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.
