Update from the CEO: Engagement in 2012
Your Membership Benefits Expire Soon!
Give your organization the gift that keeps giving all year…a Colorado Rural Health Center 2013 Membership!
A BIG thanks to those who have renewed their membership for the upcoming year. We remain loyally committed to ensuring our members have the resources and support they need to keep their communities healthy and vibrant. Renew your membership online or return your renewal invoice by mail/fax.
Not a CRHC member?
Visit our website to learn more about becoming a member and the valuable resources and http://coruralhealth.org/membership/m-benefits.htm available to our members.
CRHC Reactivates the GROW Program.
GROW is a proposal writing service available to groups, organizations, and communities in Colorado through Colorado Rural Health Center. The program goal is to provide proposal writing resources to ensure that comprehensive, affordable, high quality healthcare services are available at the local level in the state of Colorado.
For more information, please click here.
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity please contact Kendra Brooks (kb@coruralhealth.org – 303.996.9698.
Receive Up to $1,000 for a New Project, Program or Service! – Apply Now for a Seed Grant
If you are a rural organization and your project matches the Colorado Rural Health Center mission, you may be eligible for a Seed Grant of up to $1,000. Application deadlines are April 30th and September 30th.
For further information, please review the guidelines and application form here.
If you have any questions please get in touch with Kendra Brooks at kb@coruralhealth.org, 303.996.9698.
Rural Access to Emergency Devices (RAED) Training Funds
Colorado Rural Health Center has limited funding available through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s federal Office of Rural Health Policy RAED grant, to train first responders, as well as community members in CPR/AED courses. Entities eligible for this funding must be located in rural Colorado counties (contact Ron Seedorf for questions on eligibility) and courses must have been completed between 6/01/12 and 3/1/13. For more information, please follow this link: AED Training Funds.
For all questions regarding this funding contact:
Ron Seedorf at 970-302-9021 or rs@coruralhealth.org
Marva Jean Jackson (MJJ) Grants Update – A Membership Value
The Marva Jean Jackson Scholarship Program provides small grants that help pay for the training and/or education of a local healthcare provider are available for rural facilities or community groups.
The Colorado Rural Health Center has made a couple of changes to the MJJ grant program for the coming year. First of all, applications will be accepted until November of 2013 and a CRHC committee of four will review the proposals. Secondly, the application has been updated with just a few minor changes. Please review both the flyer and application here!
If you have any questions please get in touch with Kendra Brooks at kb@coruralhealth.org, 303.996.9698
Colorado Provider Recruitment is Expanding Their Scope!
CPR will be broadening our scope of recruitment services in 2013, and we need your help! Over the years, from our members and other healthcare facilities, we have found that there are certain providers that are difficult to recruit which we do not offer a service for. To individualize our services to specific needs, we would like feedback regarding which healthcare professionals you have the most difficulty recruiting. If you are a healthcare facility please, respond to this brief seven question survey by Friday, December 21st. Your response will be integral in developing a successful expanded scope program during the next year.
If you have any questions, please contact Sara Leahy at sl@coruralhealth.org or 303.565.5848. Thank you!
Update from the CEO: Telling Your Story to Create Powerful Conversations
During CRHC’s Annual Conference all participants had the opportunity to hear the Story of Michael Skolnik, From Tears to Transparency. Patty Skolnik, Michael’s mother and Mother-Founder-Executive Director of Citizens for Patient Safety touched the hearts of all by sharing a story. With funding from The Colorado Trust and The Colorado Health Foundation, Colorado Rural Health Center, the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved and ClinicNET collaborate on a project called Colorado HealthStory. Colorado HealthStory is modeled after the award winning National Public Radio StoryCorps project and aims to help Coloradoans tell their own health stories to engender a sense of common humanity and a shared priority of equal access to health.
Colorado HealthStory offers the opportunity for Coloradans to share their health stories and for others to listen, relate, and start meaningful conversations about healthcare within their community and the state. Powerful discussions are necessary to continue to raise awareness.
In order to broadly share Coloradans’ stories and continue the conversation about health, the Colorado HealthStory team is excited to announce a newly renovated website. The website is easier to navigate and contains a number of resources to help community members and organizations incorporate our stories into their conversations and work. Whether you are searching for a story, looking for a community profile or trying to learn more about Colorado HealthStory, you can easily listen, learn and act at www.ColoradoHealthStory.org
Patty Skolnik says it best: "Can A Story Change A Life?"
Kick-off to CRHC's 2013 Membership Campaign!
We invite you to JOIN US in 2013 as a supporter of rural healthcare.
Our MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM is for hospitals, clinics, students and small organizations. The fee is based on the number of full-time employees in your organization, and benefits are focused on discounts on events and programs, access to grants and scholarships, technical assistance services, resources, and information sharing.
Click here to sign up online or complete a PDF form.
Our SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM is for vendors, for-profit organizations and corporations, and other supportive parties. The fee is $2,000 and benefits are focused on connecting your organization to facilities in need of your products and services.
Click here to sign up online or complete a PDF form.
Our PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM is for large hospital systems, foundations, major corporations, and other organizations interested in making a significant investment in rural healthcare.
Contact Trevor Hall at th@coruralhealth.org for more information on Partnership.
New CRHC Sponsor: Rx RemoteSolutions
Colorado Rural Health Center is proud to announce a new group purchasing solution to its members with sponsorship support from Rx RemoteSolutions.
Rx RemoteSolutions supports the hospital pharmacy service by maintaining continuity of care and patient safety either after department hours, during periods of peak demand or other times of need with remote order entry and verification services. They provide patient-centered, safe, efficient, and cost-effective medication order verification and processing services from a centralized office. They also meet The Joint Commission and CMS standards, HIPAA regulations and applicable state licensing requirements.
Carl Geberbauer, Divisional Vice President of Rx RemoteSolutions says, “We are honored to be a supporter of CRHC.” Each CRHC member who becomes a client of RemoteSolutions will receive access to Rx Intelnet, an internet based proprietary, proven pharmacy practice resources and hundreds of effective policies, protocols, tools and more for everyday pharmacy practice. In addition, alert memos, updates and newsletters (clinical, purchasing and regulatory) and access to pharmacy practice web pages covering the breadth of pharmacy services will be provided.
Thank you to Rx RemoteSolutions for their continued support of rural health in the state of Colorado!
2012 Rural Health Excellence Award Winner
The Rural Health Excellence Award is a prestigious award given annually by Colorado Rural Health Center to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado. To be eligible for the award, a candidate must have made a significant contribution to the health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in a rural Colorado community, area, or region. Healthcare providers, board members, administrators, volunteers and others are eligible for nomination.
The 2012 Rural Health Excellence Award recipient is Dr. Scott Rollins, MD, at Plateau Valley Medical Clinic located in Collbran, CO (Mesa County). He was nominated by Sarah E. Lauderdale, RN, MSN-FNP Candidate 2012, who completed her 280 hour clinical rotation with Dr. Rollins this past summer. Her nomination states:
"Beyond feeding my interest in rural medicine, he is deserving of the award for many other reasons. Dr. Rollins participates in CU's Colorado Rural Health Scholars program as a preceptor for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year medical students who have declared to commit to the provision of health care in Colorado's underserved areas. Every year he inspires the next generation of rural health care providers by exposing them to the joy and challenges of rural medicine.We commend Dr. Rollins' dedication to ensuring that all rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive and high quality healthcare! Thank you for all the submissions - the 2012 nominees included:In addition, he has practiced in Collbran since 1994. Through his loyalty and commitment, he has provided the town of Collbran with high-quality, patient-centered care for over 15 years. Dr. Rollins is ACLS and Advanced Trauma Life Support certified and emergent care is available to Collbran and neighboring towns 24/7--which is quite a necessity in rural practice. Dr. Rollins has taken calls every other weekend for 16 years. This amount of time and effort alone deserves recognition.
Furthermore, his patients would attest that the care that he provides is top notch. One of the recent transitions in health care is the emergence of the patient-centered model in which the plan of care and goals for health are created within a patient and provider partnership. Dr. Rollins epitomizes the ideal of this type relationship. He begins many of his dictations with the goal that the patient has stated."
- Tom Henton, Weisbrod Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
- Shirley Olson, FNP, Ouray Family Medicine, LLC
- Matt Guy, Southeast Colorado Area Health Education Center
- Konnie Martin, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center
- Gail Finley, Colorado Hospital Association
- Dr. Christopher Fanale, Swedish Medical Center
- Governor Bill Ritter, Former Colorado Governor
- Dr. Beuford Durmon and Gurdon Durmon, Moseley Health Care Complex
Happy National Rural Health Day!
Help CRHC Celebrate National Rural Health Day!
CRHC has organized a number of events to celebrate National Rural Health Day. We will be hosting a luncheon at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville, followed by a tour of the facility. Charles Reyman, Vice President of Communications at the Colorado Health Foundation, will be speaking as well.
Congratulations to our coloring contest winners Izzy, age 8, and Fiona, age 7! Their winning drawings depict how they stay healthy in their community. Both are students at Cressen Elementary School in Cripple Creek, CO. Click here to view the entire collection of drawings submitted from the second and third grade classrooms at Cressen Elementary.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our photo contest! The winners will be announce on Friday, November 16th. One winner per category (Colorado Landscape, Rural Life, Health Facilities) will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.
VA Office of Rural Health: Webinar Resources Available
Did you know about 3.4 million Veterans (about 41% of total) enrolled in the VA Health Care System live in rural or highly rural areas of the country? Men and women Veterans from geographically rural areas make up a disproportionate share of service members and comprise about 39% of the enrolled Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan; many of who are returning to their rural communities. In order to better serve rural Veterans, the VA created the Office of Rural Health in 2007.
You can now watch Rural Health on demand events in MyVeHU Campus. To access, simply sign into MyVeHU Campus and click on the purple On Demand button. Click in the search box and enter “rural health” and click “GO”. Once the titles appears, click on the right arrow, of the session you want to attend, which will allow you to view the broadcast.
Review the broadcasts as often as you like, share it with your co-workers and send the viewing information to anyone you think would be interested. All of the MyVeHU Campus resources are available anytime from anywhere. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available, after completing and passing the post test.
If you have any questions or problems regarding MyVeHU Campus, please contact the MyVeHU Campus Support Team at support@myvehucampus.com.
Click the links below to watch a short commercial for each webinar:
Annual Rural Health Conference Wrap-up
Thank you to everyone who attended the 21st Annual Rural Health Conference on October 25-26 at the Antlers Hilton in Colorado Springs! We had great presenters, record attendance and appreciate all the positive feedback we have received so far. Please click here to complete the Post-Conference Evaluation to help us continue to improve the event for all our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and presenters.
Click here to view session photos from the conference. New to this year, we set up an area with prop for attendees to dress up and take fun photos. We got some great photos as a result - thank you to everyone who took a photo for your enthusiastic participation! Check out some of the photos here.
 |
| (From left to right) 2012 CRHC Board President Robert Omer, CRHC Board Member Karen Tomky, CRHC CEO Michelle Mills, 2013 CRHC Board Secretary Sheryl Hieber, 2013 CRHC Board Treasurer Jason McCormick |
All session presentations have been posted online - access them by visiting CRHC's homepage and logging on with the username and password found in your conference program. If you need assistance, please contact ga@coruralhealth.org.
See you next year!
Save the Date: April 3-5, 2013
The Forum is a two-day conference that will bring together participants from all over Colorado and the surrounding states. It serves as an essential educational, training, and networking event for all safety net clinics, members of the clinic team, and other interested parties. This is the 13th annual Forum, and the fourth year in which Colorado Rural Health Center has partnered with ClinicNET to put on the event. This partnership allows an expanded reach which includes other states and clinic types in order to address the issues facing all safety net providers.
More information will be released as the event nears - registration will open at the end of December.
Location Information
Sheraton Denver West Hotel
360 Union Boulevard
Lakewood, CO 80228
The Colorado HealthStory Website Gets a Face-Lift!
Visit the website and check out the new stories. From Montezuma County to El Paso County to Adams County, they've been busy collecting your stories – in order to start new conversations about health and health care in Colorado. You can search for stories by location, topic, Cuentos en Español, or visit our weekly featured stories.
Share your story. It’s easy. Find out when the HealthStory team will be in a community near you, then sign up with a friend or loved one to tell your story or hear theirs. When you arrive at the recording site, the HealthStory staff will explain the process and make you feel comfortable. Click here to learn more about how you can tell your story.
Sign up for updates. Follow conversations taking place across Colorado communities by signing up for the e-newsletter.
Welcome Kendra Brooks, our new Grant Writer!
Kendra is the main contact for two CRHC grants:
- The Marva Jean Jackson (MJJ) Rural Community Health Scholarships Program can be used to help pay for the training and/or education of a local healthcare provider located at rural facilities or community groups. CRHC will match, two-to-one, the support provided, up to $1,000 a year. Read more about MJJ here.
- Seed money is available for purposes or projects whose intent matches CRHC's mission: enhancing healthcare services in Colorado by providing information, education, linkages, tools & energy toward addressing rural healthcare issues. The maximum amount of an award is $1,000. Read more about Seed Grants here.
Update from the CEO
One of the main issues facing Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) is sequestration. If implemented as planned on January 1, 2013, it will include a 2% cut to all rural hospitals, CAH reimbursement cuts, a 35% cut uncompensated care, and provider tax cuts to name a few. What do these spending cuts mean to you and your community?
While no one knows precisely what the outcome will be, we do know that if these cuts are implemented, the economic viability for the community and access to healthcare will be impacted in rural America. Some estimate that 41% of CAHs across the nation are currently operating in the red, and a 2% cut will cause these facilities to close.
How do can you fight? Get involved! Reach out and help your elected officials understand the importance of investing in rural healthcare and, by extension, the safety net as a whole. Visit the National Rural Health Association's Grassroots Action Center to find your local elected officials, get involved in CRHC's Policy and Legislative committee, whatever it takes to make your voice heard. In the coming weeks, we'll be sending out our annual Legislative and Policy Priorities Survey. As a professional in the field, your input is crucial - be sure to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your responses will be used to set CRHC's policy priorities for the upcoming calendar year.
Don’t forget to vote and I look forward to seeing many of you at our 21st Annual Rural Health Conference next week October 25 – 26 in Colorado Springs! If you haven’t signed up it isn’t too late, simply click here to register.
Gov. Hickenlooper Proclaims October Family Health Month
Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed October Family Health Month, honoring
family medicine physicians and members of the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP), the largest specialty medical society in Colorado. CAFP’s 2,000 members are at the forefront of advancing quality health care for all Coloradans and are strong proponents of Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) that will transform and enhance the delivery of primary care.
Read the full press release here.
Colorado Provider Recruitment Update
These past few months, Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) took to the road, working hard to represent rural clinics and hospitals in recruitment efforts all across the country. CPR attended CareerMD Fairs in Arizona and Florida, meeting with providers and promoting rural Colorado. We attended the National Health Service Corps Scholar Conference in Texas, helping those who have NHSC loan repayment obligations find great places to live and work in our state.
When attending the American Academy of Family Physicians Conference in Missouri, CPR was able to tell providers just how wonderful Colorado really is. We also attended the National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network Conference in Washington and the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters Conference in California in order to stay current in recruitment strategies and learn from other experts in the field.
A little closer to home, Kit Carson County Health Service District finished their Community Health Needs Assessment with the help of Colorado STRIDES and CRHC Senior Advisor Tommy Barnhart. This process, a series of meetings and analyses are designed to assess healthy living and locate areas of improvement.
Yes, it has been a busy few months for Colorado Provider Recruitment, and we are happy to report that spirits are high. As always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us at cpr@coruralhealth.org.
CREATE Now Accepting New Applications!
CREATE (Colorado Resource for Emergency and Trauma Education) assists private and public organizations in improving and expanding the emergency medical and trauma system in Colorado. Applicants must have as their purpose the provision of emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado to be eligible. This grant is intended to provide funding for education and training for emergency medical and trauma services. Read more about the grant here.
Applications are now being accepted and will be reviewed and responded to as they are received, at the next scheduled committee meeting. Most applicants will receive award/denial letters within 45 days of CRHC receiving their complete application
Upcoming Review Committee Meeting Dates
Dates are Subject to Change
- October 23 – applications must be received by October 15 to be evaluated at this meeting
- November 13 – applications must be received by November 5 to be evaluated at this meeting
- November 27 – applications must be received by November 19 to be evaluated at this meeting
- December 11 – applications must be received by December 3 to be evaluated at this meeting
- January 8 – applications must be received by December 31 to be evaluated at this meeting
21st Annual Rural Health Conference: Oct. 25-26
Only one more week until the 21st Annual Rural Health Conference in Colorado Springs, October 25-26!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Event Info:
- Date: October 25-26, 2012
- Registration: Click here to register
- Hotel and Location:
Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs
Four South Cascade
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Discounted rate starts at $132/night - use group code COHC12
Hotel Website - Agenda: Click here to view the agenda (subject to change)
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Gold Level
Silver Level
- Avreo, Inc.
- Centura
- CoBiz Insurance
- Colorado Access
- The Colorado Trust
- Community Hospital Corporation
- COPIC Companies
- Cyberscience Corporation
- Data Services for Health Care (DASH) Foundation
- Kaiser Permanente
Celebrate National Rural Health Day November 15!
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and State Offices of Rural Health have set aside November 15, 2012 as National Rural Health Day to showcase Rural America; increase awareness of the unique healthcare issues facing rural communities; and highlight the efforts of State Offices of Rural Health and others to address those issues. Click here to learn more about National Rural Health Day and access resources.
Help CRHC Celebrate National Rural Health Day!
Help CRHC Celebrate National Rural Health Day!
CRHC has organized a number of events to celebrate National Rural Health Day. We will be hosting a luncheon at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville, followed by a tour of the facility. Chuck Reyman, Vice President of Communications at the Colorado Health Foundation, will be speaking as well. Please RSVP to th@coruralhealth.org if you plan to attend this event.
We are also holding a coloring contest in elementary school classrooms across Colorado. Drawings will be posted online in a gallery and a winner will be chosen from each community.
We invite everyone to participate in our photo contest!
Rules:
- Photos must be a minimum 72 dpi, preferably 300 dpi
- Accepted file formats are .jpeg, .png, .eps, or .psd
- Categories include Colorado Landscape, Rural Life and Health Facilities
- Photos must be taken in Colorado
- Entrants may submit one photo per category
By submitting your photo you give Colorado Rural Health Center permission to use and distribute your photo in print, web and other publications and marketing materials without further compensation.
MJJ and Seed Grant Applications Due
Marva Jean Jackson Grant
The Marva Jean Jackson (MJJ) Rural Community Health Scholarships Program can be used to help pay for the training and/or education of a local healthcare provider located at rural facilities or community groups. CRHC will match, two-to-one, the support provided, up to $1,000 a year. For example: a long term care facility might pay for an LPN to acquire an RN license; a hospital would help pay for a Medical Assistant training to become a Lab Technician; or, a small community would support a local student in becoming a Physician Assistant. Awards are made for one year, but applicants may be awarded up to three times. The scholarship recipient must be either currently enrolled in classes or start training within three months of the application date.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be rural; “rural,” for this program is defined as outside one of Colorado’s 25 metropolitan areas
- Applicants must be CRHC member
Click here to learn more and find out how to apply. Deadline to apply is November 1.
Seed Grants
Seed money is available for purposes or projects whose intent matches CRHC's mission: enhancing healthcare services in Colorado by providing information, education, linkages, tools & energy toward addressing rural healthcare issues. Applicants are welcome to contact CRHC to see if an idea meets the general intent of this program before filing out the application form. The maximum amount of an award is $1,000. A member can only receive one grant per calendar year.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be rural; “rural,” for this program is defined as outside one of Colorado’s 25 metropolitan areas
- Applicants must be CRHC member
Click here to learn more and find out how to apply. Deadlines to apply are April 30 and September 30 of each year.
CRHC is Hiring!
Program Assistant, Programs Department
The Program Assistant for the Programs Department supports the effective and efficient administration of CRHC Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics and Emergency Preparedness programs and activities by providing direct assistance to the director and program staff.
Read the full description and find out how to apply here.
Support CRHC Through Workplace Giving!
Colorado Rural Health Center is a proud to partner with Community Shares of Colorado to connect donors who want to support us through payroll contributions at work.
Each year Community Shares raises more than $1.5 million for local nonprofit organizations, including us, with an average workplace giving donations of $1 a day. A paycheck contribution of $1 a day - $5 each work week – adds up to a $260 annual donation! Your pledge of $1 a day helps CRHC to improve healthcare services available in rural communities to ensure that all rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable, high quality healthcare.
Do you have an employee giving campaign at work? If yes, choose Colorado Rural Health Center as the recipient of your workplace giving pledge. Make the following designations, depending on the campaign offered in your company.
- Community Shares/Partnership for Colorado - #5181
- City of Denver employees and the DECC (Denver Employees Combined Campaign) - write in "Colorado Rural Health Center"
- United Way or other campaigns – write in "Colorado Rural Health Center"
If you don’t have a workplace giving campaign, contact Community Shares via email at giving@cshares.org to help you open a new campaign or add wider options to your current campaign. Or let your HR director know that you want to support CRHC through Community Shares!
2011 Annual Report Released!
Highlighted is a spotlight on Walsenburg and their success with a number of our programs, as well as multiple videos from our community partners and Governor John Hickenlooper.
Thank you to our members and partners for your continued support and a special thanks to our board members for their continued dedication to rural health in Colorado. Click here to view the interactive 2011 Annual Report.
Update from the CEO
As fall approaches I am reminded of the beauty of Colorado and the words on our state sign when you cross the border - Welcome to Colorful Colorado. Fall is a time for change in colors, a change in the season and renewed sense of energy as we move forward.
CRHC is welcoming and celebrating change through collaboration, education and networking at our 21st Annual Rural Health Conference in Colorado Springs on October 25–26. I would like to thank all our sponsors for their support!
GOLD SPONSORS
The Colorado Health Foundation, HealthONE, and Rx RemoteSolutions
SILVER SPONSORS
Avreo Inc., Colorado Access, COPIC Companies, The Colorado Trust, Community Hospital Corporation, Cyberscience Corporation, Data Services for Health Care (DASH) Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente
Only 41 days remaining until CRHC’s 21st Annual Rural Health Conference and only 53 days until the election. You’ll want to be sure to attend this year’s conference to hear from the Office of Rural Health Policy, the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange and the Colorado Health Institute. This is one of the toughest years for the rural health care safety net and the situation we are facing is critical. Potential cuts are looming including sequestration that will cut 2% of the Medicare payments, which is disproportionately harmful to rural communities. Come and be part of the conversation!
3 Reasons to Attend CRHC’s 21st Annual Conference
- Learn More About Rural Implications of Healthcare Reform!
US Representatives Cory Gardner and Scott Tipton and US Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall have been invited to speak. - Innovative Solutions to Access to Care!
Patient Centered Medical Home, Bio Forecasting, and Reversing Outmigration presentations are scheduled. - Network!
Last Chance for Earlybird Registration for CRHC's Annual Rural Health Conference!
Hurry, only one week left for earlybird registration!
Click here to register by September 23 and save $50!
Click here to register by September 23 and save $50!
The 21st Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference will be October 25-26, 2012. The agenda has been released - click here to view! This year’s conference will again provide participants with a wide range of educational topics including healthcare reform nationally and locally, innovative solutions to access to care, networking and resource opportunities and much more.
In order to better serve our members and reduce time spent traveling we are combining this year's annual conference with the Annual CAH Workshop.
Reserve your room by October 3 using group code
COHC12 to get the discounted group rate!
COHC12 to get the discounted group rate!
Event Info
- Date: October 25-26, 2012
- Registration: Click here to register - earlybird ends September 23!
- Hotel and Location:
Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs
Four South Cascade
Colorado Springs, CO 80903 - Discounted room rate starts at $132/night - use group code COHC12 before October 3. Reserve today online.
- Agenda: Click here to view (subject to change)
Don’t miss the opportunity to offer loan repayment to your healthcare providers!
Do you have a healthcare provider at your facility who is interested in loan repayment? Let them know that the Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) Loan Repayment Program fall 2012 application cycle opened September 1st, 2012. The application cycle is open for one month, closing on September 30th, 2012.
Up to $105,000 for a 3-year commitment is available to your primary care healthcare providers!
CHSC provides loan repayment to fully trained primary care providers in exchange for either a two or three-year full-time service obligation in an underserved community. After completing their initial years of service, loan repayors may apply for additional years of support! Eligible providers include primary care Family Physicians, Internists, OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, Dentists, Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Dental Hygienists and licensed mental health professionals.
Many types of healthcare facilities are CHSC eligible sites including Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Community Health Centers, and safety-net clinics.
To find out more about the CHSC Loan Repayment Program, please visit http://coloradohealthservicecorps.org/apply/.
Would you like to speak with someone to find out if your facility is eligible for loan repayment? Contact Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) at cpr@coruralhealth.org or 303.407.2031.
Meaningful Use 'Boot Camp' Presented by CORHIO
CORHIO is hosting a free half-day "boot camp" seminar for health care professionals who are in one of the following stages of EHR adoption:
- Considering the purchase of an electronic health record (EHR) system
- Need assistance understanding or achieving Meaningful Use objectives (have already purchased an EHR system)
At the conclusion of this boot camp you will be able to:
- Select the right certified EHR technology for your practice
- Complete your HIPAA Security Risk analysis as part of the 15 core measures of Meaningful Use
- Incorporate Meaningful Use in your practice's workflow
When:
September 27, 2012
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where:
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Denver - Thornton
83 E. 120th Avenue
Thornton, CO , 80233
Agenda:
- 1:00pm to 2:45pm - "Meaningful Use 101"
- 3:00pm - Concurrent sessions (please choose one):
- "Completing Your HIPAA Security Risk Analysis" presented by David Ginsberg, Colorado state's leading authority on HIPAA Privacy & Security Compliance
- "Selecting an EHR Vendor" presented by Tracy Rue, Health IT Transformation Consultant
- 4:30pm to 7:00pm - EHR vendor showcase & demos
Registration is required to attend this event. Click here to register. Click here for more information.
Update from the Interim CEO
One of the best ways to inform and share is to participate in the third annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20 – 24, 2012, Strengthening Colorado’s Health Care Safety Net!
Safety Net Clinic Week is a collaborative effort between CRHC and ClinicNET and is intended to raise a greater awareness through education of the public and policy makers about the vitally important role of federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Community-Funded Safety Net Clinics (CSNC). CRHC and ClinicNET have received a Governor’s proclamation for Safety Net Clinic Week 2012.
Currently, we have 53 RHCs that serve approximately 175,000 rural Coloradans in 47 counties. RHCs can be provider based or free standing and must, at a minimum, provide outpatient healthcare services, emergency care for common life-threatening conditions and a limited number of in-house lab tests. It is a common saying that “all health care is local” and in rural communities this is especially true. RHCs are defined by the histories and cultures of the communities in which they are located.
By having RHCs in our rural communities, community members have great access to primary care. RHCs not only provide access to care, but work tirelessly to improve the quality of care provided and to reduce the costs of that care. As you know, the Triple Aim (improved quality, increased access and reduced cost) is a critical component to healthcare now and will become how we are all measured in the future.
Many of Colorado’s RHCs are leaders and last year, one of our RHCs achieved Level 3 NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home recognition and many others are also working towards recognition. Of the 53 RHCs, approximately 95% are currently working with CRHC to implement electronic health records and achieve meaningful use. Despite the fact that many do not qualify for the incentive funding, they all have the commitment to ensure connectivity and are proceeding without federal grant funding. CRHC is highly committed to advocating for rural communities and all safety net providers and we hope that you will get involved by playing an active role in Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20-24, 2012.
Thank you to all of our safety net providers for everything you do!
For more information on Safety Net Clinic Week visit the CRHC website.
J-1 Visa Waiver Webinar: Tuesday Sept. 11
You are invited to join us Tuesday, September 11, 2012
J-1 Visa Waiver Webinar
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
To register please click here!
Join Colorado Rural Health Center's Colorado Provider Recruitment team along with presenters from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Primary Care Office for a free informative live presentation on the J-1 Visa Waiver Program and how it’s another option for your provider recruitment needs. The webinar covers background and program basics and will also feature testimony from a current J-1 sponsor and a J-1 provider.
Includes an interactive question and answer session.
Speakers Include:
- Brooke Wagenseller, Workforce Retention Specialist, Primary Care Office
- Amber Galloway Stephens, Workforce Programs Manager, Primary Care Office
- Jamie Groy, Recruitment Coordinator for the Colorado Rural Health Center
- Mendi Choat, Medical Practice Administrator for Prowers Medical Center and our J-1 Sponsor Spokeswomen
- J-1 Provider, TBA!
There is no charge to attend this webinar. To register please click here!
Get Connected to CRHC Through Social Media!
Are you on Twitter? Follow us @coruralhealth to get regular updates on everything rural and health related! Alicia Haywood, our Policy and Advocacy Manager, now has her own account @coruralvoice to follow for policy and advocacy related updates.
We also encourage you to "like" us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn and check out our videos on YouTube!
Don’t miss the opportunity to offer loan repayment to your healthcare providers!
Do you have a healthcare provider at your facility who is interested in loan repayment? Let them know that the Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) Loan Repayment Program fall 2012 application cycle will open September 1st, 2012. The application cycle is open for one month, closing on September 30th, 2012.
Up to $105,000 for a 3-year commitment is available to your primary care healthcare providers!
CHSC provides loan repayment to fully trained primary care providers in exchange for either a two or three-year full-time service obligation in an underserved community. After completing their initial years of service, loan repayors may apply for additional years of support! Eligible providers include primary care Family Physicians, Internists, OB/GYNs, Pediatricians, Dentists, Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Dental Hygienists and licensed mental health professionals.
Many types of healthcare facilities are CHSC eligible sites including Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Community Health Centers, and safety-net clinics.
To find out more about the CHSC Loan Repayment Program, please visit http://coloradohealthservicecorps.org/apply/.
Would you like to speak with someone to find out if your facility is eligible for loan repayment? Contact Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) at cpr@coruralhealth.org or 303.407.2031.
ICD-10 Training – Rural Health Organizations
ICD-10 Online Training for Coders, Billers, Auditors, & All Healthcare Professionals
- Too busy to go to ICD-10 training?
- Perhaps, you’ve attended ICD-10 Workshops, but would love additional training?
- Is your budget stretched thin already -- and you wish you could find an unbelievable bargain for your staff to learn ICD-10 and how to become proficient with the rules and regulations of the future?
- If you answered yes to any of the above questions, CRHC can help now!!
Take advantage of this opportunity to enroll in the following online courses that will prepare you and your organization for the successful transition to ICD 10. These courses will provide you with history, structure, functions, guidelines and the terminology needed to ensure accurate and efficient billing processes. Whether you are a new coder, an advanced coder with years of experience, or a health care provider -- you will find value in this timely information. For more information on a specific course, please click here.
If you are employed by a Colorado Critical Access Hospital (CAH) or a rural PPS hospital with less than 49 beds, you are currently participating in the FY2011 SHIP Grant Program – and -- your online classes are FREE to all hospital staff! Click here to get started now!
If you are a Rural Health Center (RHC) or other rural health care facility in Colorado, please click here for a class listing and the opportunities available to you!
CEU’s are available for all classes. Don’t wait. . .get started today!
For more information or questions, please contact Danette Swanson, HIT Program Coordinator, at ds@coruralhealth.org
Safety Net Clinic Week 2012 is August 20-24!
In an effort to raise awareness of Colorado's health care safety net providers, we encourage your clinic to participate in the second annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20-24, 2012. Sponsored by ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health Center, the week is devoted to educating the public and policy makers about these vitally important health care clinics - Community-Funded Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). We have created a “toolkit” to help clinics participate in Safety Net Clinic Week 2012.
To celebrate, many clinics across the state are inviting legislators and community members to open houses at their facilities. Below are the events already planned:
To celebrate, many clinics across the state are inviting legislators and community members to open houses at their facilities. Below are the events already planned:
- Monday August 20:
- Safety Net Clinic Week Kickoff at Prowers Medical Center, Lamar
- Chaffee People's Clinic Open House, Salida - Wednesday August 22:
- Chaffee People's Clinic Open House, Buena Vista - Thursday August 23:
- SET Medical Clinics Open House, Colorado Springs
- Mission Medical Clinic Open House, Colorado Springs
PCMH: An Overview and Colorado's Landscape
A Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is not a place but a concept. PCMH facilitates partnerships between individual patients, their personal physicians or care providers, and the patient’s family. It is a way of coordinating all health services in a quality, cost-effective and accessible manner through use of a team approach to health care that is centered on patient and family needs. Team-centered care is especially important given significant workforce constraints in most rural communities where physician-led care may not be available.
The Patient-Centered Medical Home encompasses five functions and attributes:
- Patient-centered
- Comprehensive care
- Coordinated care
- Continuous access
- A systems-based approach to quality and safety
Quality care delivered in a PCMH model is enabled by health information technology, health information exchange and the use of registries and other tools to assure that patients get culturally and linguistically appropriate care when and where they need it.
Read the full joint Colorado Rural Health Center and ClinicNet paper here
Keefe Memorial Hospital Seeks Chief Executive Officer
Keefe Memorial Hospital is a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care in Eastern Colorado. Cheyenne Wells and Cheyenne County serves a population of about 1,800. The areas primary industries are farming, ranching and oil. Keefe Memorial Hospital and Prairie View Clinic which are located in Cheyenne Wells, is a 25 bed acute care hospital and state of the art clinic that are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care to the residents of Cheyenne County and surrounding areas.
Keefe Memorial Hospital is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead our team! The CEO strikes a balance between day to day operating issues and strategic development initiatives to position the hospital for solid, long term growth. The CEO is responsible for creating an environment and culture that enables the hospital to fulfill its mission by meeting or exceeding it goals, conveying the hospital mission to all staff, holding staff accountable for their performance, motivating staff to improve performance and being responsible for the measurement, assessment and continuous improvement of the hospital’s performance.
Read the full job description here. Contact Kasandra Hoover, HR Director at 719.767.5661 or khoover@keefemh.org for more information.
Rural Healthy People 2020
Rural Healthy People 2020 will serve the unique needs of rural community leaders and providers over the next decade as an important companion document and resource to Healthy People 2020. The focus of RHP 2020 is on rural-specific priorities and community needs, with the goal of providing support, critical tools and technical support to rural leaders and researchers for assessing and responding to the needs of rural communities.
Help us identify Rural Healthy People 2020 priorities for targeting rural funding, and identify promising models for practice. RHP 2020 will monitor and measure their success in improving outcomes. By focusing our efforts we can begin to demonstrate improvements in Rural Healthy People objectives over the course of a decade.
Click here before August 31 to take a short 5-10 minute survey and help set the rural public health agenda for the next decade.
Now Hiring: Grant Writer
Colorado Rural Health Center is currently hiring for the following position:
Grant Writer, Outreach Department
The Grant Writer for the Outreach Department is responsible for all phases of the grant process for revenue development. Responsibilities include but are not limited to identifying grant opportunities, applying for the grants, successful award of the grants, tracking, and ongoing reporting for existing grants. Success may be measured in grant volume, revenue, accuracy, deadlines, tracking, and relationships. Must be results oriented.
Click here to read the full position description and find out how to apply.
ICD 10 Online Training - Rural Health Organizations
ICD-10 Online Training for Coders, Billers, Auditors, & All
Healthcare Professionals
- Too busy to go to ICD-10 training?
- Perhaps, you’ve attended ICD-10 Workshops, but would love additional training?
- Is your budget stretched thin already -- and you wish you could find an unbelievable bargain for your staff to learn ICD-10 and how to become proficient with the rules and regulations of the future?
- If you answered yes to any of the above questions, CRHC can help now!!
Free tool: Outpatient surgery and observation
This pocket card available from HCPro provides “points to remember” when it comes to outpatient surgery as well as information on the appropriate use of observation services. Click here to download the pocket card.
Update from the Interim CEO: Do You Regularly Promote Your Value?
Access to Care
Rural communities continue to face workforce challenges. If current trends continue there will be a statewide shortage of nearly 2,220 primary providers by the year 2025. There are more than 13,000 physicians in Colorado, BUT 16 counties, all rural, have three or fewer practicing physicians and two counties have no practicing physicians. Additionally, there are 14 rural counties in Colorado with NO hospital or Emergency Room. Difficulty for recruiting providers to our communities will continue. Therefore, we must show off our best assets like fresh food, fresh air, friendship and community partnerships. These all play into what you do every day!
Financial
Many rural communities face financial issues. With the hospitals being one of the largest employers, we can’t afford to have these hospitals close. Data from the Sano Capital Group shows that “due to the weak economy and lack of necessary capital investment, an ever-increasing number of rural hospitals operate at a loss. This figure escalated to over 33% in 2009 and continues to grow. These facilities operating in the red employ approximately 139,000 jobs.” Working together to preserve our community’s current access to healthcare benefits both physical and financial health. Join CRHC as we attend the National Rural Health Association, March for Rural Hospitals on July 30-31 in Washington DC.
Quality
Currently 27 of the 29 critical access hospitals (CAHs) are signed up to voluntarily submit data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) system Hospital Compare. Data from CAHs submitted to Hospital Compare and reported by iVantage shows that CAHs are holding their own compared to urban counter parts in heart failure and pneumonia. Aggregate CAH data from Q3 2010 shows the average for all heart failure measures is 70% and Q4 2011 has increased to an average of 74%. The Q3 2010 average for all pneumonia measures is 82% and has shown an increased to an average of 86% in Q4 2011. This increase shows commitment on the part of Colorado CAHs to report quality improvement data, despite the limitations of Hospital Compare in reporting this data.
According to data reported from iVantage, “Rural Hospitals saw a 37% surge in ED utilization in the three-year period between 2007-2009 compared with all US Hospitals, which have seen ED volumes increase 24% in the decade between 1998-2008.” In Colorado, we are seeing similar trends, which is why CRHC started the Improving Communication and Readmissions (iCARE) program two years ago. Of our 29 CAHs, 14 are currently participating. In its first year, iCARE participating CAHs reduced readmissions from 4.9% to 1.3%. Year three is set to kick-off in September 2012 and will focus on inclusion of clinics within the community to enhance communication between hospital and clinic staff. Clinics will track their diabetic population through disease registries and focus on system and process improvement. All communities will be offered technical assistance as well as the opportunity to receive patient advocacy training with a focus on improving provider-to-provider and patient-to-provider communications. Be on the lookout for further information.
Promote your great qualities on your terms and be an active participant. Rural Communities lead the efforts in care coordination from innovative ideas like Community Paramedics to working in true collaboration with hospitals, rural health clinics, public health, community funded safety net clinics, federally qualified health centers, mental health, oral health, businesses, schools, and most importantly the people in your community.
The economic viability of our communities is critical to our nation’s food supply and the very essence that America was built upon. I challenge you to tell your story and ask yourself, “How can I promote my community and the great work we do each day?” Although these are daunting times, remember you are not alone. CRHC staff are some of the most highly committed and dedicated people in the industry. We are here to assist you in your efforts to face these challenges, overcome the barriers, and celebrate your successes.
I leave you with a great You Tube Video by a few Kansas State University Students, “I’m Farming and I Grow It”.
Rural Relevance Under Healthcare Reform
iVantage Health Analytics released a quarterly update to their ongoing tracking study monitoring the rerformance of rural healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Summary findings from research conducted by iVantage shed new, multi-dimensional light on the rural healthcare delivery system using: the latest Medicare Shared Savings data files; the first nationwide hospital rating system to evaluate community and rural hospitals including all 1,326 Critical Access Hospitals; and the industry’s largest proprietary rural Emergency Department database.
The misunderstanding that rural hospitals are more costly, inefficient and have lower quality and satisfaction is empirically challenged. More importantly as providers and developers seek to address the New Healthcare using innovative delivery models, the rural setting must be better understood and included in any strategy for patient-centered care. Read more and download the full study here.
Colorado Legacy Foundation Announces Recipients of $222,500 in School Health and Wellness Grants
The Colorado Legacy Foundation (CLF) awarded nearly a quarter-million dollars to thirteen school districts and one charter school throughout Colorado as part of CLF’s School Health and Wellness Initiative. They are: East Grand School District (Granby), West Grand School District (Kremmling), Durango School District (Durango), Archuleta School District (Pagosa Springs), Center Consolidated Schools (Center), La Veta School District (La Veta), Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Thornton), San Juan School District (Silverton), Scholars to Leaders Academy (Colorado Springs), Boulder Valley School District (Boulder), Mountain Valley School District (Saguache), Ridgway School District (Ridgway), Ouray School District (Ouray), and Woodland Park School District (Woodland Park).
“The Colorado Legacy Foundation recognizes the direct correlation between healthy students, healthy schools, education policies, and academic achievement,” said Dr. Helayne Jones, President and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation. “We are thrilled to provide resources to districts that will help prepare students for healthy, successful lives both in and out of the classroom.”
The two-year grants, provided by an investment from the Colorado Health Foundation, will help school districts create and implement school health and wellness strategies and share the results of their work statewide. Participating districts will promote various health and wellness efforts including increased consumption of fruits and vegetables at school, providing healthy snack alternatives, implementing staff wellness programs, and increased physical activity.
“The Colorado Health Foundation believes that, together, we will make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation,” said Kelly Dunkin, vice president of philanthropy for the Colorado Health Foundation. “The Colorado Legacy Foundation, in partnership with school districts across the state, has done phenomenal work at incorporating health and wellness as a fundamental strategy to improve student achievement, and we are excited to invest in the expansion of their efforts.”
The new grantees were chosen through a competitive grant application process with selection based on their willingness and ability to implement innovative and collaborative systems as well as policy and environmental changes within their school health programs. Collectively, the districts serve more than 83,000 students.
Hiring: Director of Workforce Programs
CRHC is hiring for the following positions:
Director of Workforce Programs
The Director of Workforce Programs reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the management, oversight and success of the CRHC Workforce programs including the Colorado Provider Recruitment program and Colorado Sustainable Towns: Rural Innovation, Development, Expansion, and Success (STRIDES). This position is responsible for the workforce program’s success to achieve health needs assessment and community engagement objectives; recruitment and retention objectives; develop and implement innovative recruitment and retention programs and activities; provide strategic direction to the workforce team to expand and develop services to meet the needs in rural Colorado to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to hr@coruralhealth.org, with the position title in the subject line
Welcome CRHC's New Director of Outreach!
Trevor holds a BA in Broadcasting and a MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, both from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. His professional credentials involve work with documentary television, including History Channel, National geographic and Discovery Channel. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, skiing and fly fishing.
Contact him about opportunities to sponsor and exhibit at our upcoming Annual Rural Health Conference October 24-25!
Safety Net Clinic Week: Aug. 20-24, 2012
In an effort to raise awareness of Colorado's health care safety net providers, we encourage your clinic to participate in the second annual Safety Net Clinic Week, August 20-24, 2012. Sponsored by ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health Center, the week is devoted to educating the public and policy makers about these vitally important health care clinics - Community-Funded Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and federally certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
We have created a “toolkit” to help clinics participate in Safety Net Clinic Week 2012 - check it out online here!
For more information, contact:
Charlotte Kaye
Project Coordinator, Safety Net Clinic Week 2012
720.863.7805
charlotte.kaye@clinicnet.org
Community Transformation Grants - Small Communities Programs
Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overarching purpose of this program is to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other leading chronic disease causes of death or disability through implementation of a variety of evidence based programs, policies, and infrastructure improvements to promote healthy lifestyles in small communities that improve health and health behaviors among an intervention population. The program aims to achieve this goal by supporting governmental and nongovernmental agencies and organizations, from multiple sectors, to implement evidence based strategies that align with their mission and to partner with agencies and organizations in other sectors to improve community health.
Deadline to apply is July 31, 2012. A total amount of $70,000,000 is being made available to 50 awardees. Visit their website for the application and more information.
Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council Award Recipients Announced
Grantees include Certified Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, public health departments, public and private health clinics, oral health clinics and mental health clinics. The grants will support health information technology, construction and remodeling projects, equipment, and staff training. See the full list of recipients here. Read more about the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program here.
Rural Locum Tenens and CME Travel Scholarship
The Colorado Rural Health Center is offering Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Dentists with an opportunity to get scholarship money for locum tenens pay, and/or travel costs associated with attending local, statewide, or national conferences or additional trainings. Funding cannot be used to pay for the cost of attending the conference, or registering for the program.
Criteria & Eligibility
- Applicants must be located in a rural, or non-metropolitan county in Colorado
- The applicant organization can be a public or private entity, including FQHC’s
- All awards are paid to the organization, and not the scholarship recipient
- You can apply for Locum Tenens costs, travel, or both (up to $1,500 dollars total)
- The maximum per diem rates are established using the GSA Federal rates at www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100120
- Available to Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, & Dentists
- Applications may be submitted for consideration only after the training/expense has occurred
- Award prioritization will be given to new applications from providers who have not been funded in the previous six months
- Sites may be awarded up to two awards within a 12 month period
Application Process Download the application and coversheet. Please fill out, and save, in Microsoft Word. You may submit your application via email or fax. If submitting via email, please make the narrative and all attachments ONE inclusive document. The coversheet may be separate. Please send your application to rp@coruralhealth.org or fax to 303.832.7496.
March for Rural Hospitals: July 30-31
Join National Rural Health Association's March for Rural Hospitals on July 30-31 in Washington, D.C. and fight to protect the Medicare Dependent Hospital designation and the Low-Volume Hospital Adjuster. These vital programs will expire on Oct. 1 if congressional action is not taken.
A recent study shows that these payment formulas do not, in fact, cost the Medicare program more. Furthermore, rural hospitals have better or equal quality metrics. For a full copy of this report, click here. To see NRHA's press release about the report, click here.
NRHA encourages you to write to and visit your members of Congress in their district offices or at town hall meetings. To find information on district and state offices as well as town hall times and locations, click here.
NRHA has developed these tools to help you fight for the rural health care delivery system. To register for this free advocacy event click here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)