March 2006 Central California Rural Roundtable Described
by Participants as Best Meeting to Date

Porterville, California, the self proclaimed “heart of the most diversified agricultural area in the world” was home to a very exciting Central California Rural Roundtable (CCRR) on March 16, 2006. Nearly 40 rural health leaders from throughout the Central Valley joined the meeting, which was hosted by the Sequoia Family Medical Center, to network and learn from each other about current and emerging rural health issues and programs. The CCRR was sponsored by Blue Cross of Tulare County.

“The meeting was outstanding,” says Janet Giles of Sequoia Family Medical Center. “It was exceptionally informative, and there was a great turn out. I saw a lot of new faces.”

Participants enjoyed several informative presentations, including a special key note presentation from, Hilda Heady, Immediate Past President of the National Rural Health Association. Her inspirational speech stressed the importance of California acting as an advocate for rural health at the national level. ”California is a very important and influential state when it comes to advocating for rural health at the federal level,” said Heady. “With a growing rural population, now is the time to make your voice heard.” For more information about NRHA go to www.nrharural.org.

Barb Johnston, Executive Director of the California Telemedicine and eHealth Center (CTEC), also joined to present a new CTEC report titled, Deploying Ubiquitous Broadband in Rural California to Enhance Economic Development, Education and Healthcare: A Strategy to Develop a Statewide eHealth Network. Participants were enthusiastic about the prospect of having broadband deployed statewide, and to learn how they can utilize this infrastructure to expand their health information technology programs in the Central Valley. For more information about CTEC, go to www.cttconline.org.

Participants also learned from several state and regional public officials, as well as local healthcare providers on current programs impacting Central California’s rural areas. Speakers included representatives from the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB), County Medical Services Program (CMSP), Tulare County Health and Human Services, Sierra Kings District Hospital and Kern Valley Healthcare District.

Kathy Yarbrough, Executive Director of the Rural Health Design Network followed Hilda Heady to deliver a motivational speech about the importance of volunteerism and supporting rural health through membership participation in CSRHA and NRHA. She talked about the responsibility of each individual who is on the forefront of service in rural areas to be active in the promotion of a viable rural health system in our state. “It is extremely important that we advocate together to effectively promote our cause. CSRHA is a vehicle that enables us to do that,” says Yarbrough. “We need more individuals to get involved and make a contribution. And if you already are a member, ask your friends and partner organizations to become members as well.”

CSRHA would like to extend a warm welcome and heartfelt thank you to the following individuals who joined the organization during the Central California Rural Roundtable:

• Annette Steele – Health Net of California
• Brook Frost – First 5 Tulare County
• Deborah Riordan – Central Valley Health Policy Institute
• Lisa Mizumoto – Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District
• Maria Gonzalez – Cal Family Health
• Maria N. Bañuelos – Family Healthcare Network
• Ruby Bago – Health Net of California
• Theresa Rosenberg – Denti-Cal Outreach

To learn how you can become a member of CSRHA please visit www.csrha.org.

The next Central California Rural Roundtable will be held on June 22 and 23rd in Tulare County. Go to the CSRHA calendar of events at www.csrha.org for details.

Article Posted 05/08/06