$50 Billion in Federal Funding to Transform Rural Healthcare
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This funding aims to strengthen rural communities across America and improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem.
If your state plans to apply for this opportunity, an optional letter of intent to apply is due September 30, 2025, to determine the amount of funding available to each recipient and gauge interest in the program. The application is due November 5, 2025. Please see the CMS RHT Program Application Guide for the full program description, which includes eligibility and funding details.
CMS is hosting two webinars for RHT Program applicants. Details are below.
When: September 19, 2025, 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this webinar.
When: September 25, 2025, 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
NRTRC is working with the states in its region to support their RHT proposals with technical assistance for telehealth. Contact NRTRC to learn how we can support your rural health initiatives.
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Thank You to Our Departing Board Members—and a Warm Welcome to Our New Ones
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The NRTRC extends its deepest gratitude to three outstanding leaders whose service on the NRTRC Advisory Board has made a lasting impact.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Members
Doris Barta, a true telehealth pioneer, has worked for over thirty years to launch and sustain Telehealth Resource Centers across the United States. She is a certified grants management specialist and has helped secure over $100 million in federal funding during her career. She has been a dedicated board member since the NRTRC’s inception in 2006.
Tammy Ardnt of Northwest Telehealth Solutions in Spokane, Washington, has also shared her expertise and leadership since 2006. She was instrumental in establishing the NRTRC regional conferences and contributed a wealth of knowledge throughout the years to strengthen the NRTRCs tech support capacity.
Bobby Curio, Chief Executive Officer at The Hospital Cooperative in Pocatello, Idaho, has served the board for 11 years. He brought wisdom and a steady commitment to advancing telehealth across the region.
We are truly grateful for their many years of service and invaluable contributions.
Welcome to Our New Board Members
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome three new members to the NRTRC Advisory Board!
Heidi Brown, MBA
Director of Business Development at Providence Inland Northwest, Washington. With nearly three decades of experience in healthcare leadership, Heidi brings deep expertise in building innovative, technology-driven programs that expand access to care for rural communities. We are excited about the perspective and energy she will bring to the board.
Stasi Kasianchuk, MS, RDN, CSSD, CSCS, EP-C.
Senior Director of Dietitians and Lifestyle Care for Gennev and Virtual Clinic, a Unified Women's Healthcare company. Stasi provides care to patients and oversees a team of dietitians who collaborate with OB-GYN providers and offer virtual nutrition and lifestyle care to women across the reproductive spectrum.
Amanda DeDiego, PhD, LPC, ART, NCC, BC-TMH, ACS.
Interim Dean of the University of Wyoming branch campus, Casper, and Associate Professor of Counseling, University of Wyoming. As a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 15 years of practice experience, her clinical expertise is in trauma treatment using alternative healing methods. She has training in EMDR, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, and is a licensed Auricular Acupuncturist.
Are you a resident of Idaho or Montana?NRTRC is currently accepting nominations for new Advisory Board members from Idaho and Montana. We encourage you to consider submitting a nomination to help shape the future of telehealth across our region.
Use our form to nominate: https://nrtrc.org/contact-us.php
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Shout Out to Telehealth During Telehealth Awareness Week, September 14–20!
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Join the American Telehealth Association (ATA) in spotlighting the critical role of virtual care in expanding access, improving outcomes, and supporting providers and patients nationwide during Telehealth Awareness Week.
The week features can’t-miss events covering timely topics like hybrid care models, the current policy landscape, virtual food care initiatives, acute care telemedicine, digital therapeutics, remote monitoring, AI and healthcare, and more. It’s a chance to spotlight innovations, elevate patient and provider voices, and underscore a powerful truth: telehealth is health.
If you missed any of the webinars, you can find recordings of them here.
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HRSA Awards Funds to Advance Telehealth
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Rural Medical Education Collaborative Will Host Clinical Congress
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Mark your calendars to join the nationwide celebration of the #PowerOfRural on National Rural Health Day (NRHD)! This year, NRHD falls on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
In conjunction with NRHD, the Rural Medical Education (RME) Collaborative is hosting the Fall 2025 Rural Health Clinical Congress on Saturday, November 15. This free, interactive, multi-topic virtual conference is designed specifically for clinicians who serve patients in rural communities (CME/CE available). Register here.
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September
AAIP’s 53rd Annual Meeting and Health Conference
Sep 18–Sep 21
Seattle, WA
Organizer: Association of American Indian Physicians
The Association of American Indian Physicians will hold the 53rd Annual Meeting and Health Conference in Seattle, Washington, at the Hyatt Regency Seattle, September 18–21, 2025. This year’s conference will gather American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) physicians, healthcare professionals, students, and community leaders from across the country. Join us as we come together to share knowledge, celebrate our cultures, and advance health equity for AIAN communities. This event offers meaningful dialogue, cultural connection, and professional growth.
TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Low Barrier Treatment at Scale—The Development and Growth of a Telebupe Hotline
Sep 19 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.
Organizer: University of Washington Behavioral Health Institute
Washington State is experiencing a worsening opioid and illicit fentanyl crisis, with overdose deaths sharply increasing, particularly in rural and underserved counties. To address this, the UW Telebuprenorphine (Telebupe) program was launched in King County to provide free, low-barrier, on-demand telehealth access to buprenorphine, helping patients initiate treatment during moments of acute need and bridging them to ongoing care. This patient-centered approach is now being scaled statewide to reduce opioid-related deaths and improve equitable access to evidence-based treatment. Chris Buresh, Olivia Hood, and Laura Whiteside will present.
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The Next Generation of Telehealth
Oct 1 @ 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Organizer: American Heart Association, Center for Telehealth
Join the AHA’s Center for Health Technology and Innovation for a webinar on the next generation of telehealth—and the critical gaps and opportunities shaping its future. Our panel of clinicians, technologists, and health system leaders will explore how innovations like AI-driven remote monitoring, virtual-first care models, and integrated platforms are advancing access and outcomes. We'll also examine persistent challenges—including disparities in digital access, reimbursement hurdles, and clinical integration—and discuss how innovators are working to close these gaps. Hear from experts driving the evolution of telehealth—and what it means for building a more connected, equitable, and effective healthcare system.
42nd Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference
Oct 1–Oct 3
Bend, OR
Organizer: Oregon Office of Rural Health
The 42nd Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference will be held Oct. 1–3, 2025 in Bend, Oregon. This conference is the largest gathering in Oregon dedicated to sharing information and showcasing innovative approaches to health and healthcare delivery in rural and remote communities in Oregon.
The conference brings together over 400 healthcare leaders from across the spectrum, including providers, administrators, and policymakers, as well as public health, hospital, and clinic leaders. Sessions will cover issues affecting Oregonians living in rural communities and share strategies and solutions.
TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Virtual Pathways to Recovery—Telehealth for Behavioral Health in Correctional Settings
Oct 17 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.
Organizer: University of Washington Behavioral Health Institute
This webinar will explore how telehealth is transforming behavioral healthcare delivery within correctional settings, offering timely support to justice-involved individuals during incarceration. Attendees will gain insight into innovative service models, technology considerations, and the unique needs of incarcerated populations. Real-world examples and lessons learned will highlight how telebehavioral health can bridge gaps in care and support recovery pathways from within. Presented by Mary Ochsner Krampen, MS, LPC, CRC, BC-TMH, Executive Director of Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance.
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APHA 2025
Nov 2–Nov 5
Washington, DC
Organizer: American Public Health Association
Each year, APHA’s Annual Meeting and Expo convenes about 12,000 public health professionals and partners from around the world to engage, collaborate, and grow. The annual meeting brings together a broad spectrum of professionals across various disciplines. Learn from peers, hear from today’s leaders, network with exhibitors, and make long-lasting connections.
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