Since 1984, the Texas Rural Health Association has been a cornerstone for rural Texans, serving as the state association advocating for quality health care in rural Texas. The foundation of the Association was built by community members collaborating with a shared vision. The Association is powered and driven by our comprehensive board and diverse membership network of organizations – community-based organizations, educational institutions, provider groups, businesses, health professionals, health profession students and government leaders – all committed to working together to strengthen and sustain the rural health care system in Texas. We aim to be a unifying voice for rural communities by bringing together the existing initiatives and by providing a collaborative forum to exchange ideas to maximize opportunities for improvement.
The TRHA represents the interests of all rural, medically underserved and socially vulnerable communities in Texas and is intended to serve as the leading advocate for better health and healthcare access to these populations. The US Office of Management and Budget states that 191 of the 254 counties in Texas are designated rural and HRSA designates 177 counties as being Medically Underserved and 139 counties as being within a Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). TRHA understands that access to healthcare providers and resources has a direct impact on health outcomes and health disparities in rural communities. TRHA looks to identify and understand these factors and variables that these numbers reflect to explore tangible solutions and improve access to healthcare and resources throughout Texas.
We acknowledge that rural communities in Texas have distinctive challenges that limit their resilience and are detrimental to their ability to access necessary health care and resources as well as their ability to address ongoing systemic problems at local and state levels. TRHA believes that building community connectedness and providing education and advocacy is the key to evolving and sustaining rural health.
TRHA is aligned with several major colleges and universities throughout Texas as well as local, state, and federal level organizations, programs, and funders that intend to identify tangible solutions to further bridge the gaps between urban and rural healthcare inequities. We aim to leverage these relationships to amplify your voice to transform healthcare in rural communities across Texas.
Current Initiatives & Services Include:
Courtney West, President
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
Ann Smith, Secretary
UNT Health Sciences Center
Fort Worth, Texas
Candy Powell, Treasurer
Collingsworth General Hospital
Wellington, Texas
Mike Easley
Austin, Texas
Gayla Quillin
Parmer Medical Center
Friona, Texas
Paula Winkler
South Central AHEC
San Antonio, Texas
Bel Flores
South Coastal AHEC
Corpus Christi, Texas
Katherine McDonald, MBA, PA-C
Radiology Partners
Conroe, Texas
David M. DeShan, M.D.
Midland Women’s Clinic
Midland, Texas
Tomiko Fisher, MBA
Director,
Texas AHEC East
Kelly Cheek
Terra Moreno
Haley Stuteville