2026 Rural Health Symposium
The New York State Association for Rural Health’s Annual Symposium is recognized as one of the state’s premier gatherings for healthcare, public health, health and human service agencies, mental health, workforce development, mobility, governmental representatives, community-based organizations, rural health networks, and all key stakeholders interested in emerging innovations in rural health.
Join us on Thursday September 17, 2026, through Friday, September 18, 2026, in beautiful Clayton, New York, at the Thousand Island Hotel for the 2026 New York State Rural Health Symposium. With the inclusion of the 2026 NYSARH Annual Meeting, renowned speakers, and ample networking time, we anticipate another symposium with great energy and excitement.
Want to get more involved?
- Symposium Conference Sponsor – $10,000 (1 Available)
- Opening Keynote Sponsor – $5,000 (2 Available)
- Policy Panel (Workforce Development) – $4,000 (1 Available)
- Networking & Poster Reception – $3,000 (1 Available)
- Lunch Sponsor – $2,000 (1 Available)
- Exhibitor & Coffee Break Sponsor – $2,000 (1 Available)
- Breakout Session Sponsor – $1,000 (7 Available)
- Full-page program advertisement – $500
- One (1) complimentary Symposium registration
- Advertisement displayed in the Symposium slide deck
- Half-page program advertisement – $250
- Quarter-page program advertisement – $150
Please email janiya@nysarh.org for ad specifications
Travel Information
Please call the hotel at 315-686-1100 to book your hotel room and request room block for the New York State Association for Rural Health. Pricing starts at $110
If you would like to stay Wednesday night the link below contains nearby hotels that can accommodate a Wednesday night stay.
Parking is free at the Thousand Island Hotel.
Preliminary Agenda
11:00 – 1:00 Registration – Pre-Function Room
12:00-12:45 Networking Luncheon – Ballroom
12:45 – 1:00 Welcome – Ballroom
- Jennifer Muthig, Executive Director
- John Muraffa – Kinney Drugs
1:00 – 1:45 Keynote Speaker – Ballroom
- Karen Madden, Rural Transformation Program, Year One
1:45-2:00 Break
2:00 – 3:15 Health Workforce Panel – Ballroom
- Carrie Roseamelia, NYS Department of Health
- Tosha Grimmer, Caring Gene
- Richard Merchant, Area Health Education Centers
- Carol Tegas, Finger Lakes PPS
- Melissa Wendland, Moderator
3:15-3:45 Exhibitor Break – Pre-Function Room
- Exhibitors Tables
- Photo Booth available for Headshots – Alcove
3:45-5:00 Breakout Session #1
- #1: Prevention Agenda: Aging – Round Room
- #2: Workforce – Grindstone Room
- #3: Rural Health Transformation – Calumet Room
- #4: Behavioral Health: Outreach – Picton Room
5:00 – 6:30 Exhibitors – Pre- Function Room
5:00 – 6:30 Networking Reception – Pre- Function Room
5:00 – 6:00 Poster Presentations – Murray Room
5:00 – 6:30 Photo Booth available for Fun Photos – Alcove
6:00 – 6:30 Raffle Prizes & Dinner on your own – Murray Room
7:00-8:15 Registration – Pre-Function Room
7:00 – 8:00 Breakfast (including a few Table Talks) – Round/Grindstone
8:00 – 8:15 Break
8:15 – 9:30 Breakout Session #2
- #5: Prevention Agenda: Chronic Disease – Murray Room
- #6: Behavioral Health: Aging – Calumet Room
- #7: Artificial Intelligence/I.T. – Round/Grindstone
- #8: TBD – Picton Room
9:30 – 10:00 Wellness Break /Exhibitor Break – Pre-Function Room
10:00 – 10:15 Announcements – Ballroom
- Ann Abdella, Board President
- Pam Brunet, Community Bank
10:15 – 11:00 Keynote Address – Ballroom
- Diane Hall, CDC Rural Public Health Strategic Plan
11:00 -11:15 Break
11:15 -12:30 NYSARH Annual Meeting – Ballroom
12:30 – 12:45 Symposium Wrap Up – Ballroom
12:45 – 1:00 Board of Directors Group Photo – Patio
1:00 – 1:30 Board Member Lunch – Picton Room
1:30 – 3:00 Board of Director’s Meeting – Picton Room