Tuesday, September 11, 2012 
1:00pm-2:30PM ET

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  
To set the stage on the key health IT challenges facing rural and underserved communities,  NeHC will welcome Earle Rugg, CEO of Rural Health IT Corporation, and Dr. Chantal Worzala, Director of Policy for the American Hospital Association.  Mr. Rugg will describe the demographics and characteristics of rural and underserved communities and describe the key health IT challenges they are facing.  Dr. Worzala will discuss the status and trends of EHR adoption in small hospitals, nonteaching hospitals, and rural hospitals to demonstrate that adoption of health IT lags in rural communities.  Ms. Worzala will also describe the importance of rural hospitals to the communities they serve and how their role indeed differs from their counterparts in urban areas.  Mr. Rugg and Dr. Worzala will also highlight examples of programs and resources that are available to assist healthcare providers in rural and underserved communities and projects.

FACULTY:

• Chantal Worzala, PhD, Director of Policy, American Hospital Association
• Earle Rugg, CEO of Rural Health IT Corporation
   

COURSE MATERIALS:

• Presentation Slides
• Recorded Webinar