NYSARH Newsletter

Summer 2024

Working to preserve and improve health and human services in rural New York State.

 

We are excited to announce a fresh, new visual identity for the New York State Association for Rural Health! This change comes at a transformative time for our organization, reflecting our ongoing commitment to growth, energy, and the new dynamic leadership guiding us forward. Our new logo symbolizes our mission to enhance rural health with a design that combines human connectivity and natural vitality.

 

The design features the words “Rural Health” prominently, underscoring our dedicated focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within rural healthcare environments. At the heart of our logo is a versatile symbol that may be perceived as a human figure with arms outstretched in an embracing gesture or as an organic arrangement of leaves, representing life and growth. This innovative approach moves away from the clichéd rural images and state outlines commonly used by other organizations, setting a distinct and memorable visual standard for our association.

New Executive Director Liz Urbanski-Farrell

The New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) proudly announces the appointment of Liz Urbanski-Farrell, MBA, MS, as its first employed Executive Director. This landmark hiring marks a pivotal transition from a volunteer-driven organization to one poised for even greater impact under experienced leadership.

Liz Urbanski-Farrell brings a wealth of expertise in health care management, policy, and leadership, having earned dual master’s degrees in healthcare leadership and healthcare research and policy from Cornell University. Her diverse experience spans various roles where she has significantly contributed to health care initiatives and strategies, particularly within rural settings. 

Embracing her role with enthusiasm and a forward-thinking mindset, Liz Urbanski-Farrell is launching a comprehensive statewide listening tour to engage directly with communities, healthcare providers, and stakeholders across the state.

She has already made significant strides in raising awareness and dialoguing on important rural health issues through media appearances. She was recently featured on “Capital Tonight” with Susan Arbetter and “Capitol Pressroom” with Dave Lombardo, discussing the organization’s vision and the critical health needs facing our rural populations. For those who missed the live broadcasts, we encourage you to watch and listen to these insightful sessions. These appearances highlight her commitment to transparency and community involvement as we strive to enhance health outcomes throughout rural New York. Invitations for regional meet-and-greet sessions will be sent soon. We look forward to bringing everyone together to listen and learn! 

Rural Health Symposium Registration Now Open

REGISTER NOW! Rural Health Symposium Registration Now Open 

Dr. Alana Knudsen, Director, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis at the University of Chicago, is Keynote Speaker

Dr. Alana Knudsen (Director, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis) , Keynote Speaker

The NYSARH Annual Symposium taking place Sept. 19-20th in Binghamton, NY is a premier gathering for healthcare, public health, and key stakeholders interested in rural health innovations, attracting attention from all sectors. Register now to reserve your spot at this important event for rural health in New York State.

Symposium Host Organization:

The O’Connor Office of Rural Health Studies at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences was established in 1997 by an endowment from  the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation to support rural healthcare and research in Delaware

Dr. Brian Justice, Plenary Speaker

(New York) and surrounding counties.  The Office of Rural Health assists with activities to facilitate the identification of healthcare needs in rural areas, designs nursing strategies to meet those needs and acts as a resource for information and knowledge about healthcare problems in rural areas.

One mechanism the Office of Rural Health uses is continuing education, which is how they came to partner with the NYS Association for Rural Health to plan the 2024 Rural Health Symposium.  NYSARH is pleased to include Binghamton faculty and students in the Symposium this year.

For more information about the office, contact: Yvonne Johnston, DrPH, MS, FNP

Associate Professor/Founding Director, MPH Program

Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences

johnston@binghamton.edu

AmeriCorps Vista

We are on the lookout for a dynamic and innovative AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Specialist. If you are passionate about crafting impactful messages, eager for continuous professional growth, and skilled at nurturing relationships with a variety of stakeholders, then you could be the perfect fit for our team. This role not only offers the chance to significantly communicate rural health policies, programs, and practices but also provides a vibrant

 opportunity to enrich your career portfolio in a highly visible and impactful position. Join us in shaping the future of rural health in New York by amplifying the voices that matter most in our communities. This is a hybrid full-time AmeriCorps VISTA position. Location can be anywhere in Upstate New York. Total compensation is $30,277. 

 

NYS LCSAT and the LCS Environmental Scan

The NYS Lung Cancer Screening Environmental Scan Locator website, a publicly available and searchable website that anyone can use to find nearby LCS facilities anywhere within New York State, https://www.nylungcancerscreening.com/, is the latest effort developed by the NYS Lung Cancer Screening Action Team through its statewide Environmental Scan project. The New York State Lung Cancer Screening Action Team (LCSAT) is one of many active volunteer-based teams through the NYS Cancer Consortium (https://www.nyscancerconsortium.org/). 

Led by Dr. Mary Reid, Chief of Screening and Survivorship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, this 80-person multi-disciplinary team of individuals seeks to combat the devastating effects of lung cancer on NYS by increasing lung cancer screening (LCS). This effort uses guideline-driven, evidence-based strategies and mobilizes multi-level resources to decrease lung cancer mortality, saving lives through early detection. One of the major efforts of the LCSAT has been to conduct a statewide LCS Environmental Scan. This Environmental Scan, funded by Genentech, is an effort to better understand the current state of LCS in NY. The primary aims of the Environmental Scan include creating a comprehensive list of LCS facilities in NY and to survey LCS sites to assess screening capacity, barriers, and facilitators for lung cancer screening to inform state-wide efforts. 

For more information about the NYS Cancer Consortium’s Lung Cancer Screening Action Team, the NYS LCS Environmental Scan, or the LCS Locator Website, contact Dr. Whitney Mendel, Coordinator  of the NYS LCSAT – whitney.mendel@RoswellPark.org

NYS Legislature Passes Three EMS Bills at End of Legislative Session

The New York State Legislature has passed two significant EMS bills, now awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature: 

  • Treatment in Place (TIP) and Transportation to an Alternate Provider (TAP): This bill allows EMS agencies to be compensated for treating Medicaid patients at the scene or transporting them to non-hospital facilities. Currently, EMS agencies bear employee time and supply costs themselves if care is provided onsite; reimbursement for transportation to a non-hospital site is important particularly in our rural areas. This bill supports financial sustainability; and improves ambulance turnaround times and hospital bed/emergency service for patients.(https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S8486/amendment/B)
  • Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions: This bill permits EMS providers to administer blood transfusions in pre-hospital settings, giving patients lifesaving access to transfusions sooner (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S6226/amendment/A).

Among future EMS system reform efforts is a bill to enhance the ability to attract and retain EMS personnel, particularly important in our rural areas. This bill, Expansion of Personal Income Tax Exemption Eligibility for Volunteer Firefighters and EMS (S7286/ A7524), stalled in the Assembly; it  may be introduced next session. The bill would:

 

2023 Annual Report

Oral Health Disparities in New York by Bridget Walsh

NYSARH/NERHA Rural Health Webinar: Oral Educational Opportunities for Rural Oral Health Equity

by Bridget Walsh

Most people don’t know a great deal about oral health. For example, did you know that tooth decay is a communicable disease? Or that it is the most common chronic childhood disease? These facts are largely unknown by the public and policymakers because, despite the terrible human cost and the significant health costs associated with dental disease, oral health rarely garners the same attention as other health issues. 

Oral health—the health of the teeth, the gums and the rest of the mouth—is not usually included in what we traditionally consider health care. Think about it for a moment. Most people receive their dental care outside the usual medical setting and pay for care with dental, not medical, insurance. Payment systems are largely separate, services are not integrated and there is not always an association between medical and dental providers. And yet, the mouth is connected to the rest of the body in significant ways. It allows us to eat and speak. It communicates our feelings. It protects us from germs. In fact, more and more research indicates that the health of the mouth impacts conditions such as lung and heart disorders, diabetes, pregnancy and obesity.

Good oral health is not just the absence of disease, but the full ability to use the mouth for everyday functions such as eating, smiling, speaking. While oral health focuses specifically on issues presenting in the mouth—including the teeth, tongue, gums, and the entire oral cavity—oral health is inseparable from physical and mental health.

Recently, the Schuyler Center was awarded a grant from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health to support work focused on developing workforce recommendations to address the tremendous unmet need for preventive and routine oral health care among much of New York’s population, especially low-income New Yorkers. During 2024, the project is incorporating the experience of consumers, particularly historically marginalized New Yorkers and others impacted by provider shortages into a final report of recommendations to reduce unmet need by expanding and strengthening the oral health workforce. The project has also allowed for the development of data from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany Center for Health Workforce Studies.  

Rural Mental Health Toolkit

The toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support organizations implementing mental health programs in rural communities across the United States. 

Adirondack Rural Health Network - Networking Fair

The June 12th Adirondack Rural Health Network(ARHN) Networking Event at the Courtyard Marriott in Lake George was a huge success.  Over 75 professionals attended from a variety of organizations coming together to learn about available resources in the North Country.  Partners from across all aspects of healthcare were represented, providing valuable information to our communities

NEW NYSARH Job Board

The NYSARH Job Board is a new feature that allows members to easily post job openings. Members can log in to upload a job they are hiring for, or email janiya@nysarh.org for assistance with the posting. 

Upcoming Webinars

Funding Opportunities

Adirondack Foundation Special and Urgent Needs Fund

Grants for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and schools in Adirondack communities. Grants have been made in the areas of food access, child care, low wage workers, elderly individuals, and disparities, among others.

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

American Connection Corps

A 1-year fellowship program that trains and mobilizes leaders to work in rural and emerging communities to coordinate broadband development and digital inclusion.

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Small Grants Program

Funding for nonprofit organizations in the Weinberg Foundation service area that are working in the areas of health, housing, jobs, and education.

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

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