Message from The President
May 2010
As President of the Maryland Rural Health Association, I offer greetings to all our current, former, and potentially new members. Over the past several years, your organization has continued to work towards improving the health of rural Marylanders through action and advocacy. We have done this through major support of two Med Bee spelling events on the Eastern Shore to promote health careers to middle school students, forging a coalition with our rural counterparts in the Mid-Atlantic states to understand and advocate for regional rural health issues at the federal level, and working with State partners such as the Maryland Office of Rural Health and the Rural Maryland Council in sponsoring workshops and roundtables to educate and develop strategies for rural health improvement. The MRHA is also taking a leading role in the planning of a Rural Health Conference to be held at the Rocky Gap Conference Center in western Maryland on October 21 and 22nd. Please save these dates for what promises to be an exciting and informative event.
During this time of severe statewide budget reductions, many programs that have proven successful in reducing rural health disparities are particularly at risk. Recruitment and retention of a well qualified health workforce in rural areas continues to present challenges. Reimbursement issues, cost of malpractice insurance, and slow acceptance of infrastructural support for tele-health initiatives continue to pose problems. On a more positive note, enactment of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may present opportunities for rural health providers and programs. How Maryland rural communities will access and use money appropriated in the bill for primary care expansion and wellness initiatives is of critical importance in the near future. The MRHA will continue to provide education and advocacy on ways rural parts of the state can effectively access this new source of funding.
In order to improve MRHA’s future viability, visibility and effectiveness, I am happy to announce that we have been successful in hiring Michelle Clark to assume the position as Executive Director of the MRHA. Michelle most recently spent two years as Director of the State Office of Rural Health and will bring the knowledge and experience she gained in that position to MRHA. Michelle is a licensed social worker; graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health; and has worked effectively at the local community legislative level. With Michelle on board, along with a dedicated group of Directors and active membership, the Maryland Rural Health Association will continue to serve the essential role of advocacy, education, and support for rural health issues.
But more than anything, the Maryland Rural health Association needs you. Eighteen counties in Maryland are designated rural by either the State or Federal government. Advocacy by the Maryland Rural Health Association not only benefits service providers and residents in those jurisdictions, but also benefits underserved populations throughout the State. Strength is often measured in numbers and we need to add your voices and energy to our efforts. Please consider the variety of membership options available by visiting MRHA Membership and join today.
Rodney B. Glotfelty, R.S., MPH.
