Georgia rural health news & updates, 2020 January

Georgia Rural Health News & Updates
Seventh Edition - January, 2020

A Message From Our Executive Director...

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In This Issue
A Message From Our Executive Director
Rural Hospital Stabilization Program Phase 5 Kicks Off With Project Manager Workshop
A Sight for "SORH" Eyes: Windows of Hope is Positive RHSP Outcome
Clinch Memorial Hospital Wins Spot in SRHT Project
Primary Care Office Provides National Health Service Corp Update
Farmworker Program Commemorates 30th Year
Upcoming Events
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Georgia Rural Health News and Updates is the quarterly newsletter from the Georgia State Office of Rural Health for all matters rural. It provides an update on the progress made to improve rural health in Georgia to hospitals, primary care practices,
FQHCs, stakeholders, vendors, health care advocates, and legislators. Our goal is to help create
A Healthy Georgia. Subscribe at
rural.health@dch.ga.gov

In previous newsletters I have introduced new program directors and welcomed new employees to the State Office of Rural Health (SORH). In this and future editions, I will spotlight those who have served the SORH loyally for many years, beginning with Dorothy Bryant our HPSA Analyst.

Dorothy has been a member of the SORH team for 18 years. Her

work is essential to rural hospitals, physicians, allied health

Patsy Whaley

professionals, Federally Qualified Health Centers and others. It is

SORH Executive Director the foundation on which providers of rural health care are eligible to

participate in vital federal and state programs including student loan

repayment and enhanced provider reimbursement.

Numerous customers have expressed how much they appreciate the help Dorothy has provided them. They comment on how prompt she is in her responses, the thoroughness of the information she provides, and she always takes her time to address them in a friendly manner. They express their desire to someday meet her and express their appreciation personally.

Not only does Dorothy provide outstanding external customer

service, but she also provides excellent internal customer service. She is always willing to lend a hand to her SORH team members.

Dorothy Bryant HPSA Analyst

She is helpful, pleasant, responsive and will dedicate the time

necessary to resolve a problem, meet a deadline or to serve in any manner for which there is a

need. Dorothy is a professional who possesses the loving heart of a servant regardless of

whether it is for those with whom she works every day, the customers she serves

professionally, or members of her community. SORH is indeed fortunate to have her as a vital

team member.

Patsy

Rural Hospital Stabilization Program Phase Five Kicks Off with Project Manager Workshop
The Georgia SORH hosted the Project Mangers Technical Assistance Workshop on November 15, 2019 for all hospitals included in Phase five of the Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant Program (RHSGP). Hospitals included in Phase five are Candler County Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Dodge County Hospital, Jeff Davis Hospital, Wills Memorial Hospital, Stephens County Hospital, and Dorminy Medical Center.
Nita Ham, the SORH Project Manager of the RHSGP presented a variety of topics to the hospital project managers including the origins and history of the grant program which, in turn, offered guidance to the new recipients on how to both wisely manage grant funding and

DCH Mission Statement
The Department of Community Health will provide Georgians with access to affordable, quality health care through
effective planning, purchasing and oversight.
We are dedicated to A Healthy Georgia.
DCH Vision Statement
The Department of Community Health is committed to a lean and responsive state government that promotes the health and
prosperity of its citizens through the innovative and effective delivery of
quality health care programs.
DCH Purpose Statement
Shaping the future of A Healthy Georgia by improving access and ensuring quality to strengthen the communities we serve.
Have an event you'd like to share?

effectively choose projects. These topics had been presented during a previous New Grantee Orientation meeting in October, which was a required meeting for all CEOs of the Phase five hospitals.
Sarah Dekutowski of Draffin Tucker, LLP, an accounting firm partnering with the grant program, was also on hand at the November 15th workshop to explain how each site could effectively report core and project specific measures to ensure data was properly transposed between site and grantee. In addition to the aforementioned meetings, representatives of all Phase five hospitals also attended the annual Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee Meeting in Forsyth, GA, on November 7th, 2019. Currently, project managers are working on project descriptions and budgets for the upcoming year. Phase five of the RHSGP is effective September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020.
If you would like more information about SORH projects or have an idea to share, please contact Nita Ham
A Sight for "SORH" Eyes...
Evans Memorial Hospital's Windows of Hope: A Positive Outcome of the Rural Hospital Stabilization Project
by Patsy Whaley

Click here and we'll include it in our next
newsletter!
Quick Links State Office of Rural Health
Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)
DCH Grant Opportunities

Evans Memorial Hospital was a Phase four Rural Hospital Stabilization Program Grantee. In addition to using funds for Emergency Department (ED) renovation, ED equipment and mammogram upgrades, they focused funding on their geriatric behavioral health unit, Windows of Hope.

HRSA Funding Opportunities
Rural Health Information Hub (RHI Hub)
Rural Health Research Gateway
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Find

I recently had the

opportunity to see the

Evans Memorial Hospital Staff are pictured in front of a mural painted for Windows of Hope patients

Rural Hospital Stabilization funding at

work at the hospital which

was most impressive; however, I would like to share recent patient family reviews of Windows

of Hope and the care provided to their loved ones which far better communicates the positive

impact it has had on those experiencing the Windows of Hope program than I could ever

convey:

Congratulations to the leadership and entire staff of Evans Memorial Hospital for a job well done.

From Hospital Services... Clinch Memorial Hospital Wins Spot in
National Small Rural Hospital Transition Project

Clinch Memorial Hospital in Homerville was selected as one of nine hospitals nationally to participate in the Small Rural Hospital Transition Project (SRHT) supported by the Health Resources Services Agency (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), the National Rural Health Resource Center and Rural Health Innovations.

Twelve of Georgia's fifty-nine small rural

hospitals were eligible and given an

opportunity to apply for either a Financial

Operational Assessment project or a

Transition of Care/Quality Improvement

Project for 2019-2020. Hospitals were

selected for this opportunity based on

leadership, commitment, and

organizational preparedness for

transitioning to alternative payment and

care delivery models of the future. Clinch

was the only successful applicant from

Georgia.

Clinch Memorial Hospital Homerville, GA

The SRHT Project provides on-site

technical assistance and educational opportunities designed to assist small rural hospitals in

transitioning to Value-Based Care and Alternative Payment Models (APM) such as patient-

centered medical homes and hospital shared saving plans, as well as prepare hospitals for

population health management. In-depth onsite consultations will target financial and quality

performance improvements that bridge gaps between the current health care system and the

newly emerging system of health care delivery and payment.

Angela Ammons, Clinch Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer, said she was very excited about the opportunity for the hospital to participate in SRHT Project and has chosen Financial and Operational Assessment as the focus of their project.

For information about this or any other Hospital Services projects, contactDawn Waldrip, Director.

Robin Rau Recognized as "Community Star"
Robin Rau, CEO of the Hospital Authority of Miller County was

recently recognized by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) as a "Community Star" in conjunction with National Rural Health Day 2019. She will appear in the 2019 edition of the Power of Rural.

Robin Rau Miller County Hospital CEO

"Our entire team is thrilled that Ms. Rau is being recognized nationally for the dedicated work we see her do every day in Miller County", said Jill Brown, CFO of the Hospital Authority of Miller County. "Her leadership, vision, and belief in our staff members are critical to our ability to consistently deliver quality care."

NOSORH, the member organization for the 50 State Offices of Rural Health (SORH), leads National Rural Health Day, an annual day of recognition each November, to shine a light on those who serve the vital health needs of the estimated 57 million people living in rural America.

The Georgia SORH congratulates Ms. Rau on her recognition and applauds her exemplary efforts in providing not only quality healthcare, but for going above and beyond in making a positive impact on her community.

Primary Care Office Provides National Health Service Corp Updates
Clinics approved by the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) improve access to primary care for people in communities with limited access to health care. The loan repayment programs offered through NHSC help practices in primary care shortage areas recruit qualified providers who want to work where their skills are needed most.

How to Become an NHSC Approved Site: From approximately April through June (dates will be announced by HRSA), the NHSC will begin accepting applications from new sites. The Georgia Primary Care Office urges clinics to consider applying. By becoming a NHSC approved site, you are helping to improve care for patients in Georgia. For more information visit http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/sites/index.html.
Benefits of Becoming an NHSC Approved Site: NHSC approved sites have many benefits including:
Assistance in helping to attract and retain qualified and dedicated primary care providers. Providers working in NHSC-approved sites are eligible for federal loan repayment programs of up to $50,000 for two years of full-time service. Read more about this program at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment
Opportunities to network with other NHSC-approved sites and community organizations. Direct access to the Georgia Primary Care Office that provides assistance with increasing access to primary health care services in your community
Steps to apply:
Contact Beth Walker or Dorothy Bryant before starting your application to make sure your site qualifies and to determine your HPSA designation. The Georgia PCO will review your application once it is submitted
Confirm that your clinic meets all eligibility requirements Review the NHSC Site Reference Guide-2019

Guide-https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/NHSC/nhsc-sites/nhsc-sitereference-guide.pdf
A New guide will be published once the new cycle opens in 2020
Create an account or sign-in at NHSC to apply for certification Compile the required documentation to submit with your application
We are here to help! Contact Beth Walker, PCO Director at 229-276-2750 beth.walker@dch.ga.gov or Dorothy Bryant, HPSA Analyst, at 229-401-3095 dbryant@dch.ga.gov

Georgia Farmworker Health Program Commemorates 30th Year

The Georgia Farmworker Health Program (GFHP) was established in 1990 within the Georgia Department of Human Resources' Office of Primary Care. The program's mission was to improve the lives and health status of Georgia's migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAW) by providing quality primary health care that would be cost effective and culturally appropriate.

In January 2000, the GFHP was transferred to the Georgia Department of Community Health, State Office of Rural Health (DCH/SORH). In 2020, the GFHP will commemorate its 30th year of service to Georgia's MSAW population. Today, the GFHP maintains its mission to serve this extremely valuable population with a sense of
pride and determination. Currently, the program encompasses a twenty-one-county service area in rural Georgia made up of nine clinics and four mobile medical units.

The program provides health care services such as primary care, dental, mental health, prenatal and specialty care through a contract voucher system to those who are eligible for the program. If you would like more information about the Georgia Farmworker Health Program please contact Tiffany Hardin, Director at thardin@dch.ga.gov.

Migrant Fawmworkers Tend Rural Georgia Crops

January 8-9, 2020 Georgia Hospital Association Annual Patient Safety and Quality Summit The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee Greensboro, GA
January 10-12, 2020 Georgia Hospital Association Trustee Conference The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee Greensboro, GA
January 13, 2020 Georgia Legislative Session begins State Capitol, Atlanta
February 6, 2020 CEO/Executive Leadership Day at the Capitol

State Capitol, Atlanta February 13, 2020 SORH Advisory Board Meeting SORH Conference Room 502 S. 7th Street, Cordele, GA
You might be rural if...
Your community unites to support breast cancer initiatives!
The staff at Clinch Memorial Hospital in Homerville competed to design the most creative brassiere for Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October. Pictured above are some of the entries. The "Men Too" undershirt served to bring attention to the fact that men get breast cancer too. The hospital also sold pink flamingos for $10 each that were placed on the hospital front lawn to bring awareness to the cause and to encourage the community to "Flock" to Clinch Memorial for a mammogram. Proceeds from the sale of the flamingos were used to help patients with the cost of mammograms.