Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium
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“I’ve never even heard of that place. Why do you want to go there?” That’s the question I got asked often when I chose a rural medical school and then again when I chose a rural town for my rotations. I don’t care to answer, so I laugh and say, “I don’t like sitting in… Continue reading Why Rural? – Rural Health Voice Conference Essay Winner
I’ve been navigating complex healthcare needs on behalf of my son for more than ten years; speech therapists, occupational therapist, physical therapists, developmental pediatrician, family doctor...trying to be the center hub so all communication can flow. I’ve been our own mini medical home and integrated care team. I’ve been through the hurdles of battling insurance,… Continue reading Speed Dating & Healthcare: Why is Trust so Elusive?
How did the pandemic create behavior change and what changes are likely to persist? At the individual level, are we eating outdoors more? Shaking hands less? Shopping online more? Paying with cash less? Telecommuting more? Using mass transit less? At a systemic level, how has the pandemic created behavior change in the delivery of health… Continue reading Now That the Pandemic Is “Over”…
In the seemingly beehive-like flow of the airport, an individual was asking an employee for words to be repeated. They seemed unfamiliar with what was routine to the employee and others in the airport. There was a line beginning to form as the situation continued. As an observer, I took stock of the situation before… Continue reading The World We Create
One of the best things about working in rural central Appalachia is the cooperation. This is a place of small networks with big hearts and smart minds focusing eyes that see long-distance into the future. Yesterday GMEC board member Tori Makal and I traveled to the DeBusk College of Medicine and met with Cassi Jones,… Continue reading Networking
article reposted from News5 WCYB — There is a regional plan to connect some of the most beautiful places in southwest Virginia together to allow visitors the chance to visit mountains, lakes, and hiking trails a bit easier. The southwest Virginia leaders working to connect the popular tourism sites in the region are now seeing… Continue reading Recreation Spotlight: ‘Big Stone Gap obtains initial funding for campsites, development at Big Cherry reservoir’
I started my position as an Admin Assistant with the Virginia Rural Health Association only 15 months ago. Up until that point my background was mostly comprised of environmental education and nonprofit museums, so at the very least I was no stranger to social justice causes. Plus, after spending 20 out of 34 years of… Continue reading Check your Footing before you Stand for Others
We are a set of individuals that is rarely seen, only heard. We are the lifeline of our community’s public safety system. We are versatile, quickly moving from different tasks and processes sometimes within seconds. We are the calm and compassionate voice on the other side of the phone or radio. But sometimes when the… Continue reading “911, What’s the address of the emergency?”
You may have heard the statistic that Black women in the US are three to four times more likely to die during childbirth or after due to complications than white women. Maybe that statement resonates with you as just a number, or maybe that information raises a red flag – or several – for you… Continue reading Structural Racism in Healthcare
In a time when a small town is shattered by violence toward its most precious asset, and babies nationwide are under threat of formula shortages, it is impossible to underestimate the power of community. The tragedy in Texas belongs to other voices to tell. We salute them and send solidarity as their stories unfold and… Continue reading Community is our Backbone
Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium 