Welcome

The Idaho Rural Health Association provides a voice on rural health issues through advocacy, communication and education. Individual, organizational and student members receive news bulletins and action alerts of interest to rural health advocates, as well as invitations to policy events and discounts on meeting fees. 

Read more about member benefits and strategic priorities in our membership flyer.

Congratulations to the 2021 Idaho Rural Health Heroes!

Cynthia Bunde, PA-C - Pocatello Free Clinic, Pocatello ID
Chancey Buttars, FNP - Franklin County Medical Center, Preston ID
Dr. Rebecca Katzman and Clearwater Valley Health Clinic and Hospital staff - Orofino ID
Lance Hansen, MD - Bear Lake Family Medicine and OB/GYN, Montpelier ID
Ann Lima, MD - Clearwater Valley Health, Orofino ID
Russell Spearman, MEd - ISU Institute of Rural Health, Meridian ID
Sandra Woolstenhulme, DNP-FNP - Teton Valley Health Cache Clinic, Driggs ID

Read about the awardees here. 

Vaccinating Rural Communities Starts with TRUST

You know better than anyone that vaccine hesitancy among rural Americans means COVID-19 will linger in smaller communities for the foreseeable future – unless more is done to increase vaccination rates.

That’s why NRHA is proud to announce the association’s Rural Vaccine Confidence Initiative, a vital vaccine education toolkit that helps rural leaders build vaccine confidence at the local level, and HRSA’s recent $1 million award to NRHA and in partnership with the CDC for further development and support.

In partnership with Legato Healthcare Marketing, NRHA has developed a collection of rural-specific vaccine education materials designed to be customized by health care workers, community members, employers and other leaders to communicate real vaccine facts in their own words.

In rural communities, we follow our own values instead of the crowd. We look out for our neighbors because they do the same for us. We look forward to working with you to help protect all the “whys” behind the choice to get vaccinated – along with everything that makes rural America so special.

NEW!!! National Rural Health Association Vaccination Resources
This resource library includes conversation starters and public service announcements developed in partnership with the COVID Collaborative, Health Action Alliance, and the Ad Council that can help rural employers, small business owners and public sector employers share vaccine facts and improve vaccination access for employees and families. https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/programs/covid-19-pandemic/covid-19-vaccine-resources

Crush the Curve Idaho
Introduces the Vaccinate the 208 campaign. Up-to-date resources to get tested, get vaccinated and get educated, including downloadable materials.  https://crushthecurveidaho.com/vaccines

Idaho Official Resources for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Resources and information on Idaho's response to COVID-19, including information for healthcare providers and schools, public health monitoring and testing, and more. https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/

ECHO Idaho COVID-19 Program 
Offers two COVID-19 sessions per week led by a panel of experts for Idaho's healthcare workforce, including providers, clinicians, policymakers and administrators, providing information and strategies to address the challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.  https://www.uidaho.edu/academics/wwami/echo/covid-19

National Rural Health Association Covid-19 Resources
NRHA takes seriously the impact that pandemics and public health emergencies have on our members and rural communities nationwide. NRHA has compiled free COVID-19 resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and other reputable organizations. https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/programs/resources/covid-19-resources

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy FAQs for COVID-19 
A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our grantees and stakeholders, including Updated FAQ for Rural Health Clinics (RHC) Testing Program, with a link to the RHC COVID-19 Reporting Portal, where tests and spending categories must be reported monthly. https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/coronavirus/frequently-asked-questions