Photo credit: Ryan Dennis

Rural Health Connect

Improving the health of rural communities

Photo: Josie Moosman

Wayne County rural health champion honored with both national and local awards for commitment to care

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce that Josie Moosman, the nursing director at Wayne Community Health Center, has received 2 awards for her commitment to rural healthcare.

Screening for syphilis during pregnancy

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is urging rural healthcare providers to conduct syphilis screenings for pregnant women. There has been a significant rise in the number of infants born exposed to syphilis in Utah. As a rural health provider, you play a crucial role in:

• testing, 
• treating, and 
• preventing the spread of syphilis.

Providers can help prevent congenital syphilis by adhering to the DHHS screening guidelines during pregnancy. 

2026 Rural Health Association of Utah Tech Summit

April 9-10, 2026

Vasion headquarters, St. George, Utah

The Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU) will host the first-ever RHAU Tech Summit. RHAU is teaming up with Vasion, a world leader in digital tools and AI, to put on this special event, bringing together local leaders and tech experts to share new ideas and build stronger community ties.

Utah Primary Care Grant Program (UPCGP) application cycle

The Utah Primary Care Grant Program (UPCGP), administered by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Primary Care and Rural Health (PCRH) office, awards grants to private entities—including for profit and not for profit entities—to fund primary healthcare to medically underserved populations in Utah.

The UPCGP application cycle will open Spring 2026. Please watch for more information in your emails, this newsletter, and our website.

USDA announces new rural designation data

As of January 1, 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated its map of rural areas for summer meal programs. This change uses the latest federal data to decide which locations qualify as rural.

HRSA announces new cervical cancer screening guidelines

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) shared new rules for cervical cancer tests. These updates give women a new choice to collect their own samples for the screening.

Utah is aging fast

By the year 2040, the number of people in Utah over age 60 is expected to grow by 78%.

Contact your local senior center or area agency on aging to ask about programs near you.

Reduce your nursing school debt!

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Applications accepted through March 12, 2026, 7:30 pm ET

If you’re a nurse working in a facility that really needs staff, or if you teach at a nursing school, this program can help you pay off your student loans.

Contact us

Photo credit: Mary Turner

Disclaimer: The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) may occasionally link to outside sources of information. Utah DHHS and state of Utah do not necessarily endorse the provider of the content and are not responsible for any content published on the external site.