UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health and Kentucky Office of Rural Health Celebrate National Rural Health Day

HAZARD, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2015) – The Kentucky Office of Rural Health (KORH) and the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health (UK CERH) joined the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and other state/national rural stakeholders to celebrate National Rural Health Day.

NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues.  Plans call for National Rural Health Day to become an annual celebration on the third Thursday of each November.

Events recognizing National Rural Health Day and “Celebrating the Power of Rural” occurred today across Kentucky. 

In Hazard, UK CERH Director Fran Feltner displayed a proclamation from Governor Steve Beshear during a reception honoring the many providers, nurses, educators and employees who work to assure healthcare is available in rural communities.

“We are honored that Gov. Beshear has chosen to proclaim a special rural health day just for Kentucky that aligns with this important national initiative.  This is an opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate those who demonstrate their passion for helping neighbors, friends and fellow community members by providing essential healthcare services to our small towns and rural counties,” said Feltner. 

In Bowling Green, the KORH hosted The Rural Collaborative: Kentucky’s First Rural Health Network Showcase, Funding Workshop, and Idea Exchange.  The one-day event highlighted the work that has been accomplished across the Commonwealth as it relates to the HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) Community Based Division grants. Attendees also received assistance in preparing to submit competitive applications for upcoming opportunities.

“It is encouraging to witness the impact these investments have made across our rural communities”, said Ernie Scott, KORH Director. 

Approximately 62 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. In Kentucky, that percentage is even greater, with just over 40 percent of residents living in rural communities.  Healthcare for these communities comes in many forms.  Kentucky has 68 rural hospitals located throughout the state, including 28 Critical Access Hospitals.  There are also 187 Rural Health Clinics and 15 rural Community Health Center grantees with multiple locations throughout the state.

 “These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” notes NOSORH Director Teryl Eisinger. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”

These communities also face unique healthcare needs. “Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens,” Eisinger says. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”

State Offices of Rural Health play a key role in addressing those needs. All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission: to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens. In the past year alone, State Offices of Rural Health collectively provided technical assistance to more than 28,000 rural communities.

In Kentucky for example, the KORH supports rural citizens through a number of programs such as the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program, Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, and the State Loan Repayment Program. 

The UK CERH serves as the federally designated KORH. The mission of the UK CERH is to improve the health of rural Kentuckians. The UK CERH accomplishes this through education, research, service, and community engagement. The KORH mission is to support the health and well-being of Kentuckians by promoting access to rural health services.

For more information on KORH and UK CERH services and resources, please visit www.kyruralhealth.org. Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found on the Web at www.celebratepowerofrural.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Beth Bowling, beth.bowling@uky.edu, 606-439-3557, ext. 83545