Since 2010, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, and rural health stakeholders from across the country have set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate National Rural Health Day (NRHD) and promote the “Power of Rural,” bringing much needed attention to the ongoing efforts to communicate, educate, collaborate, and innovate to improve the health of an estimated 57 million rural Americans.
In Maryland, from McHenry to Tyaskin and Rising Sun to Najemoy, the sense of community felt throughout our rural counties demonstrates the “Power of Rural.” This state’s rural towns and regions are prime examples of how partnerships and resourcefulness can be used as tools in improving the health of rural populations. Using these assets, we must continue to address the continued needs of rural communities as noted in Maryland’s Rural Health Plan.
The National Organization of State Office's of Rural Health's annual Community Star recognition program is one of the most popular features of National Rural Health Day. Each person, coalition, and organization nominated to be their state's Community Star represents the faces and grassroots initiatives that are working to address the social determinants of health and improve the lives of those who call rural their home.
Governor Hogan proclaims Thursday, November 18, 2021 as National Rural Health Day in Maryland!
ANNOUNCING THIS YEAR'S MARYLAND COMMUNITY STAR:
ST. MARY'S COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Congratulations to the 2021 Community Stars! These are extraordinary people making rural life better every single day.
Read Their Stories
Community Stars:
Maryland's 2021 Star will be announced on November 18!
Maryland celebrates its past Community Stars:
** 2021 Star: St. Mary's County Health Department **
Maryland celebrates its past Community Stars:
2020 Star: John Corbin; Garrett County Health Department: Informatics Administrator
2019 Star: Eric Weintraub, MD; UMD School of Medicine: Addictions Medicine
2018 Stars: Shelley Argabrite; Garrett County Health Department: Health Planning Charles County Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program
Maryland celebrates with presidential and gubernatorial proclamations,
Happy National Rural Health Day!
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Enjoy:
The Power of Rural Maryland 2021 Video! https://youtu.be/1J9GTH84fR4
National Rural Health Day coloring books!
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Don't Miss Events:
NOVEMBER 15
COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar for Rural Communities
Nov 15 at 1 p.m.
On Monday, November 15, CMS OMH, along with representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will host a webinar to discuss federal COVID-19 resources, health care workforce mandates, health care coverage related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and more.
· Date: Monday, November 15
· Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
· To register: Click here for the registration page
NOVEMBER 17
NRHD Twitter Chat- Digital Equity and the Health of Rural Americans
Nov 17 at 1 pm ET
NOSORH is co-hosting a digital equity Twitter Chat with the RHIhub. Search #RuralHealthChat to join the discussion
NOVEMBER 18
Federal Efforts to Achieve Health Equity in Rural Communities
Nov 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Learn about federal efforts to achieve health equity in rural America. Panelists will present on strategies the Administration is taking to prioritize health equity and eliminate disparities in health access, policy, and practice. Panelists from the White House Domestic Policy Council, CMS Office of Minority Health, and Indian Health Service (IHS) will join the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for this discussion.
NRHD Live Event - Telling the Rural Star Stories
Nov 18 at 2 pm ET
NOSORH is proud to host this live webinar featuring State Offices of Rural Health and Community Star stories on Resolve, Resiliency, Relationships and Readiness. Hear about Power of Rural stories, lessons learned and resources that make a big difference in the health of rural communities. Register today!
Addressing Health Disparities in Rural Communities: FORHP Grantee Highlights
Nov 18 at 3 p.m.
Learn about projects funded through Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) grants. Hear from FORHP grantees as they share their work and best practices to create equitable access to health care in their communities.
NOVEMBER 20
Rural Health Clinical Congress
Nov 20 at 9 am ET
NOSORH is partnering with RME Collaborative for the 3rd Annual Rural Health Clinical Congress, a FREE virtual CME/CE conference held in conjunction with NRHD! This multi-topic event will be broadcast live on Saturday, November 20, starting at 9:00 am ET. Learn more about this unique continuing education event and help us spread the word!
December
Rural Maryland Council Summit
December 1-2
The Rural Maryland Council will host its biennial summit "Redefining Resilience and Recovery" December 1 and December 2, 2021. This two-day conference will cover topics on Agriculture, Aquaculture, Forestry, Community Development, Economic Development, and Health Care. Other sessions include hearing from our State Legislators. Find out more and register today!
Resources:
· Read the Rural-Urban Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Report to learn about differences in rural-urban health care experiences and clinical care received nationally. The report shows differences in quality of care provided according to race and ethnicity.
· Review the Rural Health Strategy to learn how CMS is applying a rural lens to agency activities and informing the agency's path to achieving its rural health vision through intra-agency collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and the elevation of programs and policies that will advance the state of rural health care in America.
· Download the Rural Crosswalk: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19, which highlights COVID-19 provisions that CMS has issued by regulation or waiver. These provisions impact rural health care facilities and remain key for providers who serve rural communities.
· Read the report Trends in Racial, Ethnic, Sex, and Rural-Urban Inequities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage: November 2020.
· Download and share the Rural Health Strategy: 5 Key Objectives, which outlines five key objectives that aim to help rural health providers advance health care quality for patients.
· View the Data Highlight: Understanding Rural Hospital Bypass Among Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Beneficiaries in 2018 to learn the extent to which Medicare beneficiaries who live in rural areas bypass their nearest rural hospital, as well as what hospital services rural Medicare beneficiaries most often seek locally and at distant hospitals.
· Visit the Rural Maternal Health webpage to find resources related to improving maternal health outcomes in rural communities.
· Barriers to Aging in Place in Rural Communities: Perspectives from State Offices of Rural Health To date there is limited information available about the ability to age in place in rural communities and what barriers may prevent older adults from safely doing so. This policy brief presents findings from an online survey of State Offices of Rural Health describing barriers for older adults in successfully aging in place in rural communities, and recommendations for how to improve the ability to safely age in place in rural areas of their states.
