The Branch
A monthly update for NOSORH members and partners
September 2023
See You at the NOSORH Annual Meeting!
On September 19-21, NOSORH will host the 2023 NOSORH Annual Meeting in Traverse City, Michigan! This much-anticipated gathering brings together all 50 State Offices of Rural Health, rural partners, and expert speakers for several days of rural health education, collaboration, and networking. Attendees have the option of attending in person or virtually! 

A BIG thank you to the following investing partners and exhibitors for their support of NOSORH’s mission! 

Celebrating the Power of Rural on November 16th!
National Rural Health Day (NRHD) is an opportunity to celebrate the #PowerOfRural and bring much-needed attention to the incredible efforts of rural communities, providers, and stakeholders! PowerOfRural.org is home to everything you need to make this year’s celebration a success. 

  • The Promotional Toolkit is full of free downloads! Grab the new logo, social media graphics/cover images, activity sheets, a press release template, a PowerPoint template, posters, and more!
  • Snag some deals on discounted “vintage” NRHD swag in the NRHD Shop! How fun would it be to have your team wear matching NRHD shirts on Nov 16? Don’t worry, your furry friends aren’t left out - there are still some NRHD pet bandanas available, too! 
  • The Ways to Celebrate page has tons of ideas to help if you’re in a planning rut. 
  • The NRHD Key Messages & Data Points document is made available each year to educate various stakeholders on the realities of rural through stories and data.  
  • Follow @NOSORH on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for NRHD news to share. Use #PowerofRural or #NationalRuralHealthDay (and tag @NOSORH) in your social posts! 
  • Stay in the know - sign up for the NRHD newsletter for monthly #PowerOfRural campaign updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
New NRHD Key Messages & Data Points Resource Available for Download!
The Key Messages & Data Points resource is made available each year to educate various stakeholders on the realities of rural through stories and data. Though the statistics and facts presented in this resource do not tell the whole story, they are essential to understand when developing policies and programs that affect the health of rural communities.

The featured rural-relevant data aligns with the three key messages of National Rural Health Day:
  • Rural America offers a beautiful and challenging landscape, requiring unique approaches.
  • Rural America is a great place for mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care.
  • Rural America is fueling an innovative rural health infrastructure.

NOSORH extends appreciation to the contributors who have played a pivotal role in shaping the rural health data presented in the document. Check it out and share it widely!
Rural Health Policy Update
Update provided by Andrew Coats, NOSORH Legislative Liaison

Both the House and Senate have been out of session throughout the month of August on their traditional August recess. The Senate returns to session on September 5 and the House gavels in on September 12. The top priority for Congress this fall will be passing the annual spending bill. Congressional leadership has indicated they will seek to pass a 1-2 month continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded beyond September 30 at FY 2023 levels. Congress will most likely pass the FY 2024 bill into law sometime in December. Another Congressional priority for the fall will be passing the Farm bill before the end of the year. Read More
Bringing SORH Together for Progress: Highlights from 2023 Regional Meetings
From May-July, regional meetings united State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) representatives from across the nation. These gatherings offered a space for SORH members to connect, exchange insights, and bolster their dedication to improving rural health.

Held in various locations, from Charleston, WV to Laramie, WY, each meeting was tailored to address region-specific concerns. This personalized approach allowed SORH representatives to delve into the unique challenges faced by their communities. Expert presentations showcased the latest in rural health policies and practices. Dynamic discussions formed the core of these meetings. SORH representatives engaged openly, sharing obstacles, innovative approaches, and successes. These conversations not only fostered idea-sharing but also ignited inspiration for tackling the evolving rural health landscape. Structured over one full day and two half-days, with an optional pre-meeting, the agenda explored a variety of crucial topics.

The success of these meetings was a result of collaborative efforts by the SORH offices of West Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, Arizona, and Wyoming, while Regional planning committees - attuned to the unique needs of each area - played a key role in crafting pertinent agendas. Though exclusively attended by SORH, the impact of these meetings resonates with stakeholders, investing partners, and anyone committed to advancing rural health. The shared knowledge and strategies will contribute to a brighter future for rural healthcare across the nation.
Free Rural Telementoring "UnConference" Scheduled for Oct 18th
The Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) invites you to their 2nd Rural Telementoring UnConference on October 18th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CT. An UnConference is a participant-driven event that nurtures collaboration, participant interactivity, and idea incubation. You drive the agenda. You shape the conversation. This free virtual event will feature an array of brief presentations on topics relevant to technology as a driving force for innovation in rural health care and practice. Learn more and register today!
November
16
National Rural Health Day
#PowerOfRural