Q&A with Deb Murph, 2009 RHAT President
The mission of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHAT) is to improve the health of rural Tennesseans by providing leadership on rural issues through advocacy, communication, education, and leglation. President Deb Murph recently shared RHAT’s 2009 priorities with us:
1. What are your plans for RHAT’s agenda this year?
“We have specific plans to strengthen our partnerships and support for membership by providing regional events throughout the year. Along with our grant writing symposium in the summer, regional collaboration efforts will be based on the specific needs of each grand region decided upon by local RHAT Vice Presidents and local members. We strive to support rural communities at a more focused level in addition to our annual conference. We look forward to meeting new members and increasing our awareness of individualized community well-being. Recognizing the current economic and budgetary challenges, RHAT will maintain a focus on advocacy and legislative education regarding programs and issues impacting our rural communities. On behalf of our membership, identified areas of focus include, but are not limited to, support of programs that positively impact our communities such as Coordinated School Health, Safety Net Programs, Critical Access Hospitals, Cancer Control, Tobacco Prevention and Control, and programs supporting recruitment of providers to rural areas.”
2. How can RHAT and TRP work together and support one another?
“The Association and TRP share a common mission of insuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all rural communities. RHAT membership offers experienced supportive rural healthcare leaders and clinicians to support TRP’s tremendous efforts to link clinicians with rural communities. TRP’s collaboration with RHAT increases the opportunity to maintain insight into grassroots experiences working in underserved communities; the insight is extended with TRP’s interactions with our future rural health providers. Collaborative efforts exist between RHAT and TRP to provide exposure to enjoyable experiences of serving rural and underserved communities.”
3. What advice do you have for communities recruiting clinicians and to clinicians seeking jobs?
“My advice to both is to carefully evaluate your professional mission and values. Whether its a community recruiting a clinician or a clinician looking for professional work experience, be persistent in exploring the fit of shared values. Professionals collaborating with shared mission and values strengthen the healthcare system in our rural areas.”
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