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FY 2012 GRHA Board of Directors
President
Sallie Barker
Immediate Past President
Nannette Turner
President Elect
Denise Kornegay
Vice President
Ann Addison
Treasurer
Sheila Freeman
Secretary
Deidre Howell
Board Members
Carla Belcher
Laura Bland Gillman
Sue Nieman
Charles Owens
Chris Parker
Rhett Partin
Caroline Holley Womack
Paula Guy
Monty M. Veazey
Matt Caseman
Meet our Board of Directors
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GRHA Welcomes New Members
Individual
Carole Jakeway |
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Georgia Public Health Training Center
Childhood Obesity: From Biology to Policy
Wednesday, November 16th at 2:00 pm.
Course Description
Drs. Cliff Baile and Jennifer Gay from The University of Georgia will present a live webinar on the topic of Childhood Obesity. Dr. Baile will present an overview of the biology and genetics, including epigenetics, associated with obesity followed by Dr. Gay who will present environmental factors and policies that impact childhood obesity. While there are a number of other determinants, this talk will focus on healthy food consumption, physical activity, and screen time. We look forward to your participation and use of this webinar as a dialogue among public health professionals regarding this important issue.
To register and learn more click here.
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Important EHR Incentive Program Deadline Approaching
November 30, 2011 - Last day for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2011.
To Go to the Official Web Site for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs
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For those of you who want to stay up to date through social networks, please like the Georgia Rural Health Association Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!
  By joining our social media sites, you have the ability to stay updated on the latest rural health information in Georgia. Please help us spread the word! Thank you for your support and feel free to contact us with any questions.
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MAG/GMGMA WORKSHOPS
The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) in partnership with the Georgia Medical Group Management Association (GMGMA) will condut innovative CME-accredited workshops across the state in 2011.
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GRHA circulates state and national news as an information service only. Inclusion of information is not intended as an endorsement.
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GRHA would like to thank all of those who have served our country and protected our freedom.
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Rural Medicare Advantage 2011: Enrollment Trends and Plan Characteristics
This paper report findings from analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data to examine the trends and geographic variations in Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollment, premiums and market concentration by firm. MA enrollment in rural areas remains strong and continues to grow in 2011, despite the recent shift in enrollment from private fee-for-service plans to preferred provider organization plans. The data presented in this policy brief provide an overview of the Medicare Advantage program in rural America and highlight key rural/urban differences within the program.
Please click here to download a copy of this brief:
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Rural Health Networks Prove There Is Strength in Numbers
by Candi Helseth
Rural health networks have captured the attention of health care providers and policymakers as an important strategy for improving access to health care services for rural populations-and for their potential to improve health care quality.
Quality has dramatically improved in Michigan's 36 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), which have voluntarily united under the umbrella of the Michigan Critical Access Hospital Quality Network (MICAH), formed in 2001. In Montana, it's the same story. All 48 CAHs have voluntarily joined the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network (PIN), initially formed in 2002 with 14 CAHs. Saying they're improving quality in small, rural hospitals is more than lip service; MICAH and PIN are among rural health networks in 49 states demonstrating measurable quality improvement (QI) results.
"Rural health networks are definitely documenting improved quality performance," said Kristin Martinsen, Hospital State Division Director at the federal Office of Rural Health Policy. "Within the area of quality, networks can be a great tool for hospitals to improve outcomes. When these hospitals pool resources to network, those with fewer resources get access to resources they otherwise wouldn't have. We're not mandating networks in and of themselves, but networks can help achieve Flex program goals."
To read the entire article click here.
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For those interested in Accountable Care Organizations and Medicare Shared Savings, the CMS Atlanta Regional Office is hosting a meeting on November 21. CMS Deputy Administrator and the Director of the Center for Medicare, Jon Blum, will speak at the session.
Click here to learn more.
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 Don't forget about National Rural Health Day November 17th and visit the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health website to "Celebrate the Power of Rural" year-round!
Click here to learn more. |
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Mark Your Calendar
National Rural Health Day
November 17, 2011
Society of Trauma Nurses
STN 15th Annual Conference
April 11-14, 2012
Going Coastal: Reset your Trauma Compass
Hyatt Regency Savannah
Savannah, GA
17th Annual Rural Multiracial and Multicultural Health Conference
Dec. 7 and 8
Daytona Beach, Fla.
NRHA 2012 Policy Institute
Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2012
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