Missouri Rural Health Association
MRHAWe are vested in the success of the organizations we serve. Living and working in rural Missouri has its intricacies. Our goal is to connect our constituents with partnerships, resources, technical assistance, advocacy support, and other tools to help them address community needs. MRHA Conference returns summer of 2021! Rural Health Workforce Conference is slated for April 20-22, 2021 at the Courtyard Marriott in Columbia, MO. Registration not yet available.
Hot-Button Topics
Link. Engage. Sustain.
Medicaid Expansion Passes!
On August 4, 2020, voters decided that Medicaid expansion was the right thing for Missouri. Now the policy work begins to ensure that more than 230,000 uninsured Missourians will be covered starting July 2021. MRHA is grateful for the life-saving votes to extend Medicaid to many of the state’s essential workforce.
Census 2020
Low participation in the 2020 Census could negatively impact Missouri. The 2010 Census resulted in the loss of one congressional seat and hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. It’s estimated for every child and adult not counted, Missouri loses $1,300. This is especially critical to rural Missouri.
Health News & Policy Updates
MRHA Get Link'd Conference 2021
Details coming soon!
Farmers' Stress and Mental Health
Mounting pressures lead to more suicides. Read the report.
COVID-19 Continues to Surge
Relief Coming for Rural Hospitals
What We Do
Our Services
Advocate
Whether it’s connecting partners with resources, utilizing MRHA’s outreach channels, or providing education, we are here to serve our rural communities.
Educate
Our annual conference events convene the best and the brightest speakers and presenters. Stay connected for the latest news and information.
Connect
We connect rural health agencies and consumers with rides to doctor visits through our HealthTran program. Find out how you can partner with MRHA.
Assist
MRHA provides Rural Communities Opioid Program (RCORP) technical assistance with help from state and federal agencies. Learn more.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
MRHA’s mission is to safeguard and improve the health of rural Missourians. MRHA accomplishes its mission by engaging in partnerships and providing leadership on rural issues through advocacy, communication and education.
Get Involved
Looking to join a dynamic group of professionals committed to improving health outcomes in rural communities? The Missouri Rural Health Association is the organization for you. From our HealthTran program to technical assistance, work with opioid use disorder (OUD), and our annual conferences, we continue to expand capacity to help our members serve their rural constituents.
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Upcoming Events
MRHA Get Link'd Conference 2021
Plans are underway for summer 2021.
It's Time to Renew Your Membership!
Annual dues are now due. To get started, complete the MRHA membership renewal form. Renew, today.
Rural Health Workforce Conference
Save the Date! April 22-24, 2021. Courtyard Marriott, Columbia MO. Registration not yet open.
Governance
Meet the Board
Patricia Miller, MPA
Patty is deeply committed to the needs for rural Missourians.
She’s an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of leadership in nonprofit organization management. She is a strong business development professional with a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Missouri.
Board President
CEO – MO State Alliance of YMCA
Carla Gibson
Carla is a Senior Program Officer at the REACH Healthcare Foundation. She is responsible for developing programs and initiatives tied to the Foundation’s health equity focus.
With REACH since 2006, Carla provides grant making leadership, and creates partnerships that span cultural competency, immigrant and refugee health, trauma-informed care, mental health services and rural health improvement.
Senior Program Officer
REACH Healthcare Foundation
Jim Mikes
James Mikes, ScD, MPH, former vice president of Rural Advocacy & Regulation at MHA, has operated hospitals in Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
He holds a public health degree from St. Louis University and was awarded a Doctor of Science from Tulane University. He serves on the adjunct faculty at St. Louis University Department of Health Management & Policy.
Retired Health Administration Professor
St. Louis University
A Note from Melissa Van Dyne
Ready to Serve
How Can MRHA Help?
As MRHA’s executive director, my goal is to listen to concerns, ask questions and work with our board, partners, and members to help address community needs. I will work alongside community leaders and connect them with resources that make a positive impact. MRHA is here to help.
Let’s Work Together
There’s a renewed momentum behind MRHA that’s promoting growth. Whether its expanding service offerings, increasing integrated marketing efforts to promote the association, or equipping our members with more resources, this momentum is sure and steady.
