THE OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY NEWSLETTER
June 2018
Fraud Alert: Rural Hospitals Beware
Rural hospitals have become the target of fraudulent billing practices to the tune of half of billion dollars. Within this decade, nearly 100 rural hospitals have closed its doors across the country, the highest rates in decades.

When Nicole Galloway, a Missouri auditor started looking into the finances of several rural hospitals in her state, she saw tens of millions of dollars coming in. One of those hospitals caught up in this type of sham was Putnam Memorial Hospital.

Hospital Partners approached Putnam to accept billing for blood testing and drug screening labs from across the country. Because the hospital was able to bill at a higher rate than the testing and screening labs, it increased revenues for all the companies involved.

The year prior, the struggling hospital earned $7.5 million in comparison to its most recent $92 million dollars in revenue that had been funneled through by Hospital Partners. However, the extra funds that had come in were being sent back to Hospital Partners and the labs. Putnam only benefited from 15 percent of this kickback from Partners.

Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to pursue a $60 million dollar lawsuit against Hospital Partners, alleging its arrangement with Putnam was fraudulent.

For the source and full story, view it here: CBS News
Office of Health Equity Professional Development Day Tests Emotional Intelligence
Have you tapped into your emotional intelligence? That's exactly what the health equity group did last Friday. The emotional intelligence lecture was facilitated by Lyndon Friesen of Ignitor Leadership Infusion.

Friesen tested the groups knowledge of various components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

There were many breakthroughs among the staff. In one exercise, the team had the opportunity to recognize a person who exemplified traits associated with the emotional intelligence components.

Cassandra Braxton, OHE extern said this professional development day helped build her confidence. Earlier in the day, Ashley Clark, program manager for State Office of Rural Health shared some really excellent points about Cassandra.

It was a very empowering and impactful day as described by many of the staff when they reflected on the day's activities.

Dr. Powell thanked the team for their willingness to be available and fully engage with their participation.
New Health Provider Shortage Areas Designated
Middlesex and Mathews Counties , Dental Health Designee
Score: 12

MI-Petersburg and Hopewell City/Prince George County , Primary Care Designee
Score: 18

LI-Rockingham County/Harrisonburg City , Mental Health Designee
Score: 16
Health Equity Participates in Tazewell Community Conversation
Health Equity's Dr. Carole Pratt and Veronica Cosby spoke and attended Tazewell's Community Conversation on May 7, 2018.
Danville YHELI Ends Year Two!
Danville Youth Health Equity Leadership Institute (YHELI) students celebrated the end of their second year in the institute with a student led year-end dinner event. The guest speakers included: the George Washington High School principal, the director of middle and high school Instruction and the Danville YHELI program manager.

Currently, the Danville YHELI program has 50 students in the program at George Washington High. The program was developed by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity to support the Health People 2020 goal of increasing on-time graduation rates.

Entering into the third year, the students will continue with a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for the future.

For more information on the Danville YHELI program, contact: Shani Gaylord at shani.gaylord@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 489-6459.
Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program
Application Cycle ENDS June 30th!
Virginia offers several scholarship opportunities to help pay for nursing education in exchange for service in Virginia upon graduation. Scholarships are available for individuals seeking degrees as Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Educators.

Acceptance for applications began on   May 1, 2018, and must be postmarked by  June 30, 2018 . If you have any questions related to the Virginia Nursing Scholarship Programs, please contact us by calling (804) 864-7435 or by emailing  olivette.burroughs@vdh.virginia.gov . 

To send inquiries/information by fax, please send to: (804) 864-7440.
2018 NURSE Corps Scholarship Program
Accepting Applications through
Thursday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.
The NURSE Corps Scholarship Programs awards funds to students enrolled in a diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree nursing program in exchange for their commitment to serve in high-need, underserved communities. Scholarship support includes payment of tuition, required fees, other reasonable educational costs, and a monthly living stipend.

After completion of graduation/training, recipients can fulfill their service commitment at a number of approved health care facilities currently experiencing a critical shortage of nurses. Each scholar serves for a minimum of two years and receives one year of financial support (up to four years) for each additional year of service.

All awards are subject to federal taxes. Learn more on how the NURSE Corps SP award is taxed by visiting the FAQs  or watching the NURSE Corps SP tax withholding  webinar .
Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program
Applications Due July 2nd
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program. Please forward this notice to any dental training program(s) you feel may be interested in loan repayment for their dental faculty. Applications will be due July 2, 2018.


The purpose of this program is to increase the number of dental and dental hygiene faculty in the workforce by assisting dental and dental hygiene training programs to attract and retain dental and dental hygiene faculty through loan repayment. 


Award recipients must create and manage a loan repayment program for dental and dental hygiene faculty individuals who agree to serve as full-time faculty members within the disciplines of general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, dental public health, or dental hygiene.  

Eligible entities  include public or private nonprofit dental or dental hygiene schools, or approved residency or advanced education programs in the practice of general, pediatric, or public health dentistry. Individuals are not eligible to apply directly.
OHE EXTERN SPOTLIGHT: Cassandra Braxton
Background:
Cassandra Braxton is pursuing her bachelor's degree in business management. She is also the mother of two daughters who took a brave and courageous step to move her family to Richmond from Newark, NJ. It was her teacher at ECPI who encouraged her to pursue the health equity externship; a chance to see how business and healthcare intermingle.

Since working for health equity, she's helped to explore feasibility of a new program, Virginia Yellow Dot, the SORH first annual grantee meeting, and other tasks. She says she's gained a lot of confidence in her abilities, during her short time as an extern. For the last nine years, Cassandra worked professionally as a certified nursing assistant. 

Education:  
ECPI University, expected graduation: May 2019

Goals:
After graduation, Cassandra plans to open a beauty bar because she gets excited about seeing women happy; especially after their hair has been styled.

Favorite Song Lyric:  
“Create in me a clean heart so that I may worship you, I need you to change me.” – Change Me by Tamela Mann
Upcoming Events to Watch
Health Equity Webinar: Learn about the NIH All of Us Research Program

Hosted by The National Institute of Health (NIH)
Moderated by: Donney John, Executive Director, NOVA ScriptsCentral

Speaker: Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, Chief Engagement Officer, All of Us Research Program, NIH
Thursday, June 21, 2018
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET
Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Webinar

Date:  June 7, 2018
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET
Dial-in: 855-719-5008
Passcode: 556306

Playback: 888-203-1112 
Playback Passcode: 7186317
This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human (HHS) under grant number H95RHoo138