PCH Celebrates National Rural Health Day

Pana Community Hospital will join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and other state/national rural stakeholders in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 16, 2017.

NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues. Plans call for National Rural Health Day to become an annual celebration on the third Thursday of each November.

Approximately 62 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. “These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” said NOSORH Director Teryl Eisinger. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”

These communities also face unique healthcare needs. “Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens,” Eisinger said. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”

State Offices of Rural Health play a key role in addressing those needs. All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission: to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens. In the past year alone, State Offices of Rural Health collectively provided technical assistance to more than 28,000 rural communitie.

In Pana for example, Pana Community Hospital supports rural citizens through programs such as 24/7 emergency services, primary care clinics, surgical services, outpatient diagnostic services, rehab/wellness center, and home health and hospice care.  Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found at nosorh.org/nrhd. To learn more about NOSORH, visit www.nosorh.org; to learn more about Pana Community Hospital visit www.panahospital.com

Photo Caption:

Administrative staff and physicians gather in the medical mall to recognize National Rural Health Day which promotes the importance of healthcare in rural communities.  Pictured are: Dr. Dennis Yap of Pana Medical Group, Dianne Bailey-Chief Information Officer, Vickie Coen-Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Nurse Executive, Dr. Shabaz Mohammad of Community Medical Clinic, James Moon-Chief Financial Officer and Luann Funk-Administrative Asst/Human Resources Manager.