The Rural Health Association of Tennessee is excited to announce that Early Bird Registration is now open for our 32nd Annual Conference, taking place this November. Each year, the conference brings together rural health leaders, healthcare providers, advocates, policymakers and community partners from across Tennessee to share ideas, discuss challenges and explore innovative solutions that strengthen rural healthcare.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts, participate in educational sessions, network with colleagues from across the state and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments impacting rural communities. Whether you are a longtime attendee or joining us for the first time, the conference offers meaningful opportunities to learn, collaborate and build connections that support the future of rural health.

Rural hospitals face ongoing financial and operational pressures that have contributed to the closure of many Labor & Delivery programs nationwide. This webinar, hosted by the Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) and presented by Stroudwater, will highlight practical strategies to help rural hospitals assess and strengthen the financial sustainability of these services.

Highlighting key insights from the Sustaining Rural Labor & Delivery Programs brief, this session will cover approaches to improving how costs are tracked and reported, understanding the financial performance of Labor and Delivery services, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and partnerships. Attendees will gain actionable insights to support informed decision-making and help maintain access to essential maternity care in rural communities. 

Register Here

Join us for a Virtual Rural Health Vendor Fair on April 13, a dynamic online event designed to connect rural health leaders with innovative solutions and potential opportunities/partnerships for Rural Health Transformation.

Throughout the day, attendees will hear directly from a group of vendors offering expertise in key areas such as data analytics, value-based care, cybersecurity, patient engagement, remote patient monitoring and rural health consulting.

Though this class is designed to help facility managers and revenue cycle staff to pass the optional certification exam to become a Rural Health - Coding & Billing Specialist (RH-CBS) We urge clinical personnel (MD, DO, NP, PA, RN) to attend as well since clinical documentation is key to everything. BUILD A SHARED FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE.

Who Needs Training on RHC documentation, coding, billing, and quality reporting?

• Do you providers, managers, and coding/billing/quality staff have a shared foundation of knowledge?
• Do your clinical providers know the documentation rules related to capturing the valuable services they provide?
• How confident is senior-management that the RHC is not under-valuing their "true costs" on the annual cost report?
• How long has it been since they received updates that are relevant to the unique needs of a Rural Health Clinic?
• Does your RHC have a full record of each service provided (CPT/HCPCS-II codes) and why they were done (ICD-10-CM codes)?
• Are you generating all of the revenue that you are entitled to when billing non-Medicare/Medicaid payers?
• Are you reporting quality measures related to Shared Savings, Risk Adjustment, HCCs, or other Quality Improvement programs?

Who is the class for?

This class is specifically designed for clinical personnel (MD, DO, NP, PA, RN), coders, billers, EHR professionals, facility and financial managers that work in RHCs, and look-alikes to encourage building a shared foundation of knowledge. We will provide action Items and how to “get results” by working together through hands-on practice.

We’re excited to announce that the call for speaker proposals is now open for our 32nd Annual Conference.

Each year, our conference brings together leaders, professionals and partners from across the rural health community to share ideas, explore challenges and highlight innovative solutions. As we begin planning for this year’s event, we are looking for engaging speakers who can contribute meaningful insights and practical knowledge that attendees can take back to their organizations.

RHA is Coming to Middle TN!

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee will host its final one of three regional events on April 16, 2026, in Sewanee, TN. We are grateful to the University of the South for hosting this meeting, which will bring together health care professionals, community leaders, public health advocates and rural health champions.

This Middle Tennessee regional event will focus on health, safety, and aging in rural Middle Tennessee.

RHC Summit in Murfreesboro

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 4th Annual TN-RHC Network Summit. Join us on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Murfreesboro for a full day of learning, connection and practical insights designed specifically for federally designated Rural Health Clinics.

This year’s summit will feature compliance updates from leading experts, billing and reimbursement strategies, TennCare updates, grant preparation and management guidance and real-world innovations from fellow RHCs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with peers, hear directly from state and federal partners and walk away with tools they can immediately apply in their clinics.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee is delighted to announce that our 2026 Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus is now available.

Each year, our Annual Conference brings together 350+ rural health leaders, providers, policymakers, educators and advocates from across Tennessee to collaborate on solutions that strengthen rural communities. This event creates a space for meaningful conversations, innovative ideas and partnerships that help move rural health forward.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee will host the first of three regional events on March 17, 2026 in Humboldt, TN. We are grateful to Humboldt Medical Center for hosting this meeting which will bring together health care professionals, community leaders, public health advocates and rural health champions.

This event will focus on maternal health and food security. You can learn more about the sessions and speakers by reviewing the agenda below.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee will host its second of three regional events on March 26, 2026, in Sevierville, TN. We are grateful to Walters State Community College for hosting this meeting, which will bring together health care professionals, community leaders, public health advocates and rural health champions.

This East Tennessee regional event will focus on building the rural health care ecosystem, with an emphasis on workforce development, partnerships, and access to care across the region.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is excited to launch a 6-part webinar series focused on strengthening aging services across rural communities in Tennessee. Beginning Oct. 2, these webinars will be held on Thursdays weekly at 12:00 PM CST and are open to healthcare providers, community leaders, advocates and anyone interested in improving the lives of older adults.

Why This Series Matters

Start planning your conference experience.

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to join us in Sevierville, Tennessee, Nov. 19–21, for our 31st Annual Conference. We’re excited to share the draft agenda, giving you an early look at the sessions and opportunities planned for this year.

This conference serves a diverse array of rural health stakeholders, offering educational content and insights relevant to healthcare providers, advocates and professionals across the field. This year’s program features five specialized tracks designed to meet the unique needs of rural health professionals:

Save the Date: 2025 Tennessee Grand Regions Tour

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to join us in 2025 Grand Regions Tour. These spring regional events will give members an opportunity to learn from prominent speakers in rural communities and esteemed universities as we explore critical topics in behavioral health. These events are perfect for healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and anyone passionate about rural health.

Join us for a valuable Community Resource Event hosted by Purpose Point Community Health, Mount Canaan, and the Rural Health Association of Tennessee!

Come and learn about various community resources and get expert information/assistance with: TennCare Redetermination; Medicare Counseling; Marketplace Health Insurance Counseling; Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and more.

to become a Rural Health - Coding & Billing Specialist (RH-CBS), we urge clinical personnel (MD, DO, NP, PA, RN) to attend as well since clinical documentation is key to everything, as is building a shared foundation of knowledge.

Who needs training on RHC documentation, coding, billing, and quality reporting? Do your providers, managers, and coding/billing/quality staff have a shared foundation of knowledge?

Get ready for 2025's amazing lineup of Rural Health Clinic specific Lunch and Learn webinars! These webinars are specifically tailored for RHCs to get the most knowledge they can about the topic. 

January 15, 2025 : RHC Network Lunch and Learn: Unlocking the Potential of CCM: How Care Coordination Transforms Patient Care and Clinic Revenue

Rural Health of Association of Tennessee celebrated National Rural Health Day on November 21st in Knoxville, Tennessee at our 30th annual conference, "30 Years Strong: Honoring our Past, Shaping our Future" The conference was a dynamic and engaging three days of learning from experts in rural health fields across the state, bringing together professionals within the healthcare field. It provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering growth and collaboration. Attendees were able to benefit from a diverse range of presentations and panel discussions delivered by leaders in Tennessee. Networking opportunities allowed attendees to establish valuable connections, share insights, and explore potential collaborations. 

The Rural Health Awards Luncheon is RHA's distinguished event designed to recognize and honor outstanding achievements, exemplary contributions, and noteworthy accomplishments across rural health in Tennessee. It brings together individuals, professionals, and organizations deserving of recognition for their exceptional work, innovation, and dedication. We are honored to host this event to showcase excellence and highlight the positive impact of individuals in the healthcare field. Congratulations to the awardees who are presented below.

Join RHA Regional Liaisons for our May findhelp 101 and 102 trainings. The two part training will teach nonprofits, government, healthcare, and education sectors how findhelp is working to connect people seeking help with services across Tennessee.

• How to search for and connect people to resources
• How to send and track your referrals
• How to claim your program and join the findhelp network
• How to become findhelp.org certified

Tuesday, April 23rd, we had the opportunity to host our last regional event of the season at Fall Creek Falls State Park and see our middle region members. Members had the opportunity to hear from professionals on topics including MAT in Emergency Department Settings, current drug trends, social drivers of health, and more!

The presentation topics and speakers can be found below:

• Addressing Social Drivers of Health findhelp This presentation discusses why addressing social drivers of health and why understanding social determinants are essential for creating equitable health systems and fostering healthier communities overall. Access full presentation here.
• Naloxone Training Suzanne Angel, ROPS Join us to learn from the Middle Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist about administering naloxone and further prevention efforts. Access full presentation here.
• MAT in Emergency Department Settings Kayla Mehr, TDMHSAS Join us as we talk with Kayla Mehr about MAT in the Emergency Department Settings. Access to full presentation can be found here.
  
• Suicide Prevention Melissa Alardo, TDH Join us as we talk about suicide prevention and its correlation to SUD. Access full presentation here. 
• TDH & RHA Programs and Updates Join us as we go over current program updates with not only the Rural Health Association but the Tennessee Department of Health. Access full presentation here.

May 22, 2024 RHC Lunch and Learn: Moving the Needle of Change - Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder in Tennessee 

Speaker: Kayla Williams Mehr, PMHNP | MOUD Clinical Specialist with Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)