Rural Health Workshop Day 1: Tuesday, June 20

• Lacey Cavanaugh, MD, Regional Medical Director, LDH/Office of Public Health/Southwest Regional Office
• Denaé Hebert, MBA, Executive Director, Louisiana Rural Health Association
• Nicole Coarsey, MPA, Louisiana State Rural Health Officer, Well-Ahead Louisiana

Opening comments and welcome from Well-Ahead Louisiana and Louisiana Rural Health Association.

• Alexa McKiney, JD, Regulatory Affairs Manager, National Rural Health Association (NRHA)

This presentation will focus on recent federal policy updates and what they mean for rural health care. Updates from Congress, updates from the Administration, and recent work by the National Rural Health Association’s government affairs team will be shared. In addition, opportunities for attendees to participate in advocacy with NRHA will be covered.

• Taunya Williams, MHA, Healthcare Innovation Manager, Well-Ahead Louisiana

Well-Ahead Louisiana has partnered with the ECHO Institute® in New Mexico to develop multiple ECHO programs using the Project ECHO® model. Project ECHO creates a space where providers can share knowledge and build support to better manage patients with complex care needs in their own communities. This program provides a consultative link between specialists and community clinicians throughout the state via videoconferencing technology.

• Maria Alexander, Program Director and MHFA Instructor, Metropolitan Human Services District
• Karlee Seider, Louisiana Public Health Institute
• Gladys Campbell, Education Director, NAMI New Orleans

In Louisiana, it is estimated that 650,000 adults and 245,000 children have diagnosable mental illness (Rapids Parish Health Profile). Only 38.2% of adults with mental illness in Louisiana receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers. The remaining 61.8% receive no mental health treatment (SAMHSA). This presentation will highlight current effort in Louisiana train individuals in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to coordinate equitable community outreach, collaborate across sectors, and improve general knowledge regarding mental health risk factors and resources in Louisiana.

• Anjanette Hebert, CHPA, CHEP, VP of Healthcare, PalAmerican Security
• Glenn Eiserloh, CHSP, Risk Consultant, LHA Trust Funds/HSLI/The Physicians Trust
• Crystal Mitchel, MSN, eMBA, BS, RN, CENP, Chief Clinical Officer/VP of Growth & Development, Southern EVALS

Workplace violence occurs in a variety of circumstances and situations, from Rural Health Clinics to Large Tertiary Care Centers, it remains a topic that institutions should be prepared for and understand in order to maintain a safe environment. Effective communication, awareness, and strategy all aid in the ability to create and implement a successful Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. By the conclusion of the presentation, you will be able to identify the next steps to ensure the safety of your team at your organization.

• Derrick Ramsey, B.B.A M.Ed., Senior Director, Innovative Healthcare Transformations (InHT), TexLa Telehealth Resource Center

Telehealth is revolutionizing the way healthcare is being provided worldwide. This comprehensive presentation on Telehealth 101 will provide attendees with an insightful introduction to the rapidly evolving world of telemedicine, its key concepts, and best practices for implementation. Designed for healthcare professionals, administrators, and technology enthusiasts, this presentation will offer attendees a solid foundation in understanding the opportunities, challenges, and practical applications of telehealth within modern healthcare systems.

• Tracie Ingram, BA, Community Health Ways Tri-Regional Supervisor, LDH/OPH Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations
• Jantz Malbrue, MSPH, Population Health Manager, LDH/OPH Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations

This session will discuss what Community Health Workers (CHWs) are and how using them will help your patients.  It includes where the current state CHWs are located and how to access their services.  Lastly, it will discuss being able to hire a CHW for your facility and how to bill for their services. 

• Jamie Lamb, AIC, INS, SCLA, Director of Claims Operations, LHA Trust Fund

This presentation highlights the 21st Century Cures Act and the requirements under the Information Blocking Rule. We will address what electronic health data is to be made available based on the rule to encourage compliance. We will also discuss the use and best practices for physician charting, patient portal use, and the current litigation climate with case examples.

• Jody West, LCSW-BACS, Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Health – Bureau of Family Health
• Laina Raggette, LCSW-BACS, PPCL Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Health – Bureau of Family Health

Information will be provided about why the Provider to Provider Consultation Line is needed, how it can impact your practice with pediatric patients, and how you can access multiple services available to you and your staff. 

• Ariel P. Santos, MD, MPH, FRCSC, FCCM, Director, Texas Tech Telemedicine Program

Compendium on the application of telemedicine and digital health in surgical specialties.

• Theresa Hudson, MPH, Health Disparities Manager, Louisiana Department of Health – Bureau of Community Partnerships and Health Equity
• Karen Wyble, DNP, MSN, MHA, MBA, RN, Vice President of Regional Community Affairs, Ochsner Lafayette General

This presentation will explain the purpose of the Louisiana Health Equity Consortium housed under the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). It will also explain the connection the Consortium has with the Health Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force. Karen Wyble will speak on specific work the Task Force has done to mitigate health disparities and future steps they plan to take.

Chair of the taskforce for the resolution, HCR #44, with an intentional focus in mitigating disparities in healthcare in rural Louisiana.

• Kristen Dillon, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)
• Ambresha Johnson George, MHA, Community Program Specialist II, National Rural Health Resource Center
• Mary Ellen Pratt, MHA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, St. James Parish Hospital
• Rachel Becnel, RN BSN, Community Champion/Chief Clinic Operating Officer, St. James Parish Hospital

With support from the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) Program, discover how health care organizations in the Mississippi Delta utilized data, assessments, and community feedback to drive change and improve sustainability by developing a local system of care, filling gaps in service, and building local capacity to sustain performance gains. Learn about the application, eligibility, and selection process for the DRCHSD Program.

• Caroline Stegeman, RN, BSN, MJ, ONC, CPHRM, CPSO, Director of Patient Safety, LHA Trust Funds

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed telehealth into a go-to method for physician office practices and clinics to provide healthcare for their patients. But now that we are adjusting to a “new normal” way of living post-pandemic, what does this mean for telehealth?  The presentation discusses risks associated with conducting telehealth visits and best practices when caring for patients virtually. 

• Katie Corkern, Executive Director, Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance

This presentation will cover an overview of the mental health rehabilitation program – what it is, who qualifies, and more. In addition, this presentation will share information on how rural providers (RHCs, FQHCs, and rural hospitals) can assist in connecting their patients to these resources in their area.

• Billy U. Philips, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H., Executive Vice President and Director, The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health

Discuss the newest CMS Designation for Rural Hospitals 50 beds or less, discuss rationale for this Designation, some pros and cons to conversation, the role of telehealth, and provide links to helpful information resources.

• Sarah Hohman, National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)

• E. Benjamin Money, Jr., MPH, Senior Vice President of Population Health, National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)

This session will overview the current and projected impacts of climate change and compounding environmental threats to human health. The impact of air, water, and vector borne diseases will be reviewed. A discussion of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies for rural health providers will provide resources to participants. 

• Denaé Hebert, MBA, Executive Director, Louisiana Rural Health Association
• Nicole Coarsey, MPA, Rural Health State Officer, Well-Ahead Louisiana

Closing comments from Well-Ahead Louisiana and Louisiana Rural Health Association