40th Annual Rural Health Conference

40th Annual Rural Health Conference

August 20-21, 2013

Prescott, Arizona

Conference Summary

Click here to view the archived information on the conference.

The 40th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference, the Evolution of Rural Health, was held August 20-21, 2013 in Prescott, Arizona and provided an environment to dialogue, network and attend educational events.

The conference was attended by 160 individuals who came to learn more about the:

  • expansion and implementation of the ACA,
  • roles of the patient navigators,
  • State HIE Programs including funding opportunities,
  • the innovative telehealth applications happening statewide, and
  • network and build partnerships with others throughout the state.

Our excellent presenters focused on the three tracks below and delivered current and relevant presentations:  

  • HIT Meaning Use & Telemedicine
  • Affordable Care Act Implications & Community Health Trends
  • Clinical & Administrative Rural Health Issues

Keynote Speaker

We were honored to have Dr. Mary Wakefield, administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration deliver the Andrew W. Nichols Rural and Border Health Policy Lecture.  Dr. Wakefield discussed the implementation of the Federal Facilitated Health Insurance Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, one of which will be in Arizona.  To read Dr. Wakefield’s presentation click here.  http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/speeches/2013/08211340thazrural.html

Mr. Tom Betlach, the AHCCCS Director, provided an update on AHCCCS and state Medicaid expansion and identified transitions and challenges.

Presentations

Below is a list of topics and presenters.  Scroll down and click on the presentation you wish to view.

Concurrent Sessions

  • DEVELOPMENTS IN ARIZONA RURAL HEALTH – HIT
    William G. Johnson, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Health Information & Research, Arizona State University; and Lorie Mayer, State of Arizona HIT Coordinator for Arizona Strategic Enterprise Technology (ASET) and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
  • RURAL IMPACT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION AND THE ACA
    Daniel Derksen, MD, Director, Center for Rural Health and Chair, Public Health Policy & Management Section , The University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
  • CHALLENGES AND REWARDS IN REACHING OUT TO RURAL VETERANS
    Susan Johnson Molina, Local Program Coordinator, Northern Arizona VA Care System Women’s Health; and Robert Fields, Community Outreach Director, Call to Duty Foundation & Veterans Leadership Project
  • AHEC INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SERVICES & APPLICATIONS 
    Sean Clendaniel, Center Director, NAHEC; Gail Emrick, Executive Director, SEAHEC; Ines Pampara, Director, WAHEC; and Patti Taylor, Director, GVAHEC
  • BRUCE GULLEDGE MEMORIAL LECTURE
    Alan Stephens, Arizona State Director, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Click here to for a listing of the Bruce Gulledge Memorial Lectures
 

Concurrent Sessions

  • INNOVATIONS IN TELEHEALTH 
    Ronald Weinstein, MD, Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program; and Greg Hales, Telehealth Manager, North Country HealthCare
  • ACA DEFINITION OF MARKETPLACE NAVIGATORS
    Allen Gjersvig, Director, Healthcare Innovation, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers; Maria Chavoya, Community Connections Specialist, Cenpatico of AZ; and Floribella Redondo, Co-founder, Campesinos Sin Fronteras
  • PROMISING PRACTICES
    Amanda Aguirre, CEO, Regional Center for Border Health; Hamish MacDonald, CEO, Lifetime Health Diary Ltd.; Roselyn Riggs, Manager & Patricia Bartholomew, Community Health Director; Mobile Health Program, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation
  • INTEGRATING PRIMARY CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH UNDER THE ACA 
    Francisco Garcia, MD, Director, Pima County Health Department
  • LUNCH & CLOSING PRESENTATION 
    Jack A. Gilbert, EdD, FACHE, Director, Trans-disciplinary Consortium for Innovation Leadership in Healthcare, Director, Master of Healthcare Innovation, ASU

Pre-Conference Sessions

  • 3RNET:  RECRUITING FOR RURAL ARIZONA 
    Joyce Hospodar, MBA, MPA, Manager, Health Systems Development, Center for Rural Health, The University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; Ana Lyn Roscetti, MPH, Workforce Section Manager, Bureau of Health Systems Development Arizona Department of Health Services; AND Lourdes Paez, Workforce Development Programs, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
  • THE ARIZONA STATE HEALTH ASSESSMENT:  ON THE PATH TO PUBLIC HEALTH ACCREDITATON
    Sheila Sjolander, Assistant Director for Public Health Services, Arizona Department of Health Services; AND Pragathi Tummala, Acting Assistant Director, Arizona Department of Health Services

Sponsors

 We wish to acknowledge the conference sponsors below for their generous contributions which help make the conference possible.

Platinum Level

  • AzAHEC Program Office | Tucson, Arizona
  • Care 1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc. | Phoenix, Arizona

Silver Level

  • Arizona Rural Health Association | Apache Junction, Arizona
  • Banner Health Transfer Services | Phoenix, Arizona
  • Cenpatico of AZ & Bridgeway Health Solutions | Tempe, Arizona

Copper Level

  • Copper Queen Community Hospital | Bisbee, Arizona
  • McGough Companies Southwest, Inc. | Phoenix, Arizona

Exhibitors

We had 24 exhibitors from Arizona, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, and Kentucky at the conference who were eager to meet and provide information to our attendees.  This is a great way to learn more about products, programs and/or services in a stress-free environment and take back information to your community/organization. For a complete list of Exhibitors and contact information, click here.

 

About the 40th Annual Conference [ARCHIVE]

This year will mark the conference 40th anniversary and we hope you can join us to celebrate this huge milestone.  Our national and local speakers will address current and pressing healthcare issues impacting rural Arizona with a focus on the following conference tracks:

  • HIT Meaningful Use & Telemedicine
  • Affordable Care Act Implications & Community Health Trends
  • Clinical & Administrative Rural Health Issues

The conference provides an environment for building and strengthening partnerships and networking and exchanging information with a statewide audience of health care providers, academic, county and community health professionals, administrators, policy makers, state and local leaders, and others.

Our presenters for the two memorial lecturers are as follows:

Dr. Mary Wakefield, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will attend and deliver the Andrew W. Nichols Rural and Border Health Policy Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, August 21 at 8:00 AM.

Mr. Alan Stephens, Arizona Rural Development director at USDA, will deliver the Bruce Gulledge Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, August 21 at 9:00.

The celebration will take place on Day 1 with a reception to include hors d'oeuvres, music and door prizes.  During that time, we will also acknowledge people and programs that have served rural and tribal communities the last 40+ years.

Please continue to check the website for updates.

Registration (Is CLOSED)

As a conference attendee you will get reacquainted with past conference attendees and meet new ones; attend general, workshop and poster presentations, and visit with exhibitors and learn about their products and/or services.

Click here to view the registration fees.

 

 

Pre-Conference Sessions  |  August 20

3RNet:  Recruiting for Rural Arizona  |   8:00 - 10:00.  For a description click here.  THIS PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION IS NOW FULL (8.14.13).  WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE REGISTRATIONS.

The Arizona State Health Assessment:  On the Path to Public Health Accreditation  |  8:30 – 9:30.  Click here for description.  Presenters:  Sheila Sjolander, Assistant Director for Public Health Services, Arizona Department of Health Services and Pragathi Tummala, Acting Assistant Director, Arizona Department of Health Services

 

 

Conference Location and Accommodations

The conference will be held at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona (http://www.prescottresort.com/).

All of their 160 newly remodeled guest rooms feature either two new pillow-top queen beds or one pillow-top king size bed, refrigerator, full size iron and ironing board, Plasma TV with remote, complimentary coffee maker in room with gourmet coffee and tea, and in-room safe.

To make reservations call 800-967-4637 and ask for group booking code #G3148 to get the group rate of $91.00 (plus 10.98 tax) for single or double occupancy. To guarantee availability and rate, reservations need to be made by July 26, 2013.

Guest will receive complimentary wi-fi in their guest room and complimentary parking.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Become a Sponsor and increase your organization's visibility.  Sponsors at all levels are greatly appreciated.  To learn more about the sponsorship levels and corresponding benefits to your organization as a sponsor click here . You can view the list of the 39th Annual Arizona Rural Health Conference sponsors at http://crh.arizona.edu/events/annual-conference/2012

Exhibit Opportunities -

Exhibiting at the conference  is a great way to increase your organization's visibility, promote your products and/or services, and network and exchange information with a statewide audience.

Space is limited to 25 exhibitors and will be available on a first come basis.

Download the Exhibitor Letter and Form to reserve exhibit space.

NOTE:   To pay for your exhibit with a credit card please click on > Register Online.

Rural Health Service Awards

Act now to nominate a volunteer, program or professional of the year to be honored at the Conference on August 20.

The deadline has been extended to Monday, July 22, 2013.  Nominators must be current members of the Arizona Rural Health Association.

Click here to view the nomination/criteria form.