MINNEAPOLIS, May 13, 2008—The Minnesota Critical Access Hospital Conference and the Minnesota Rural Health Conference, “Engaging Communities and Transforming Health Care,” will be held June 23-24.

Health care professionals, state and local policymakers and students will gather for the two-day event in Duluth to discuss how to strengthen health care in Minnesota’s rural communities.

Conference highlights:

• Monday morning and early afternoon focus on the roles and responsibilities of Critical Access Hospitals within their towns and extended communities.
• Monday afternoon features the popular Rural Health Policy Forum with Minnesota legislators.
• Tuesday’s keynotes and breakout sessions take an in-depth look at the workforce, financial viability and population health of rural communities.
• Gary Boelhower, Ph.D., chair of theology and religious studies at the College of St. Scholastica, will present “Making the Best Possible Decision.”
• Chaplain (Maj.) John Morris of the Minnesota Army National Guard will discuss the health care impact of the combat veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
• John Becknell, publisher of EMS Best Practices, Inc., will examine the current state of rural emergency medical services and what he envisions as the good news ahead.
• The 2008 Minnesota Rural Health Awards luncheon will highlight nominees’ significant contributions to rural health.

Participants will also be offered a variety of sessions relevant to engaging communities in transforming rural health care, including electronic health records, emergency response training, long-term care, cultural competency, capital investment, grant writing, oral health and continuity of care.

The Minnesota Rural Health conference is a joint venture of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, the Minnesota Rural Health Association and the Rural Health Resource Center.

Registration and more information