Newsletter - June 2025

June 2025

RURAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT:

Ochiltree General Hospital

Ochiltree General Hospital received valuable support and resources from the Texas A&M Health Rural Engagement Program to focus on three important areas: promoting its new family health medical clinic; optimizing its Swing Bed Program and streamlining clinic operations for its new clinic.

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Recent Graduate Feels Called to Serve Rural Texas

"Being a rural doctor is more than just a job, but a commitment to serving a community during the good times and the bad," said Chloe Todd, MD, 2025. "I had always felt a calling to serve people, and it wasn't until these (rural) rotations that I realized that (my) calling was to serve rural Texas."

TELEHEALTH INSTITUTE

Reaching Rural Communities with Health Care Experts

Project ECHO is a model that focuses on moving knowledge rather than patients, allowing health care providers in remote areas to gain access to specialized expertise and resources.

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COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Student Receives Valuable Insight

From Rural Rotation in Clifton, TX

"During this rotation, one of the most important lessons I took away was that, given the facilities available, rural institutions can offer the same high-quality care as larger ones," said Jessica Milligan, PharmD, 2025.

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Supporting Rural Nurses to Gain Advanced Degrees

The Rural Engagement Scholarship provides $375,000 annually to support rural nurses seeking to complete advanced nursing education.

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EVENTS

Team Members Share the Stage with Rural Health Experts at National Conference

Melissa Lackey, RN; Kia Parsi, MD; Reyann Davis, MPH and Angie Wilson, BSN, RN attended the 48th Annual National Rural Health Conference (NRHA) in Atlanta, GA, May 21-23, 2025.

Melissa Lackey was invited to participate in the Breakout Session: "Communicating the Disadvantage of Medicare Advantage."

Reyann Davis was invited to participate in the Breakout Session: "Rural Hospital Sustainability through Clinically Integrated Networks."

THREE-PART SERIES ON RURAL HOSPITAL COMPLIANCE

PRESENTER: Eide Bailly LLP

OVERVIEW: Compliance program guidance from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have been in place for years with application to any size organization. The OIG has recently issued additional clarification within their guidance that further outlines expectations and best practices for small organizations.

The following will be addressed in this webinar series:

—Review the 7 Elements of an Effective Compliance Program

—Discuss the most recent OIG Compliance Program Guide

—Identify the process to conduct a Risk Assessment

—Discuss methods for mitigating risks and addressing OIG workplan items

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES

The Texas A&M Health Rural Engagement Program supports small-town health care providers in delivering high-quality care to the rural communities they serve. Through a range of technical assistance opportunities, the program supports rural hospitals and clinics in Texas with services such as:

Hospital/Clinic Financial Performance Support
Value-Based Care Transition Support
Workforce Training and Certification
Service Line Development
Marketing/Community Engagement
Quality and Safety

If you are interested in accessing these resources, simply email us (click box below) and request a Request Technical Assistance form. We will then be in touch to schedule a call and discuss how we can help enhance your organization's capabilities.

EMAIL US

HELPFUL LINKS

Texas A&M Health Rural Engagement Program

Texas A&M University College of Nursing

Texas A&M University College of Medicine

Texas A&M Health Rural and Community Health Institute

RHIhub Texas Events

The Texas A&M Health Rural Engagement Program (TX-REP)—funded during the 88th Texas Legislature—has two primary objectives: strengthening the financial and operational viability of rural health care facilities and developing a skilled rural health workforce. These objectives are realized through a variety of resource support and opportunities including: rural rotations for medical students, K-12 school district camps and learning activities, rural health care trainings and education and tailored technical assistance projects.

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