Rural Health
News

Summit to address rural program, policy needs Oct. 27

Published Date:

Rural communities require rural-specific, innovative programs and policies to reverse disparities in access to basic resources, education and educational opportunity. An upcoming event is designed to help close those disparities by sharing successful rural programs and policies that are positively impacting the collective health of rural communities.

SIU Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy, SIU School of Law and Southern Illinois Healthcare are proud to jointly provide the 2022 Innovating Illinois Rural Health Summit: Addressing Rural Needs in Programs and Policies from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 27. This event will bring together local and state experts in health, law and public policy to highlight successful programs and troubleshoot longstanding rural health challenges.

“A greater system of care emerges when equity, mental health and the social determinants of health are considered by hospitals, health care, social service providers and community leaders,” said Wiley Jenkins, PhD, interim chair of SIU Medicine’s Department of Population Science and Policy. “This conference will highlight rural innovations and address the specific needs of the state’s unique rural communities.”

The summit is an all-day event in Springfield with the opportunity to attend in person or virtually. Keynote speakers include Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson. Sessions topics include children’s mental health, the health care workforce, rural opioid use and the role of a rural hospital.

Advance registration is required. Accreditation and credit are available for select individuals. Complete program information is available here.

 

More from SIU News

2025 Illinois Rural and Small-Town Health Summit

Partnering to strengthen rural health

Public health, policy and medical leaders from across Illinois gathered at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for the 2025 Illinois Rural and Small-Town Health Summit to address workforce shortages and access challenges in underserved communities.
Fran Owens

Fran Owens honored for work at Survivor Recovery Center

SIU Medicine care provider Fran Owens has been named Illinois' Social Worker of the Year.
Michelle Lynn

Supported in health, empowered at work

Lynn’s journey toward healing and career path converges at SIU Medicine Few know Springfield’s health care landscape like Michelle Lynn. As a nurse for more than 30 years, she’s worked at both