HJAR Jan/Feb 2025

health technology. Partnering with the Uni- versity of Arkansas at Monticello and Phil- lips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Connect to Tech offers full schol- arships and comprehensive student sup- port services. This initiative not only covers tuition and fees, but also provides partici- pants with laptops, ensuring they have the tools necessary to succeed. Our dedicated ARHP student success coordinators work closely with each student, offering guidance and encouragement to help them complete their certificate or degree programs. To date, we’ve proudly supported 81 students with approximately $478,932 in financial assis- tance, all of whom have committed to serv- ing in Arkansas Delta health systems upon graduation. This commitment helps address critical workforce shortages by ensuring that trained professionals remain within their communities, ready to make a mean- ingful impact. Both ARHA and Connect to Tech have proven to be incredibly successful in addressing the pressing workforce short- ages in rural Arkansas. Programs that blend practical, immediate skills with hands-on apprenticeships or local clinical rotations have been particularly effective, providing students with direct paths to employment in their own hometowns. Looking ahead, we’re excited to explore additional tech- driven solutions that can further enhance our training programs and support our healthcare workforce. Whether it’s inte- grating more advanced telehealth tech- nologies or developing new modules that respond to emerging healthcare needs, our goal remains steadfast: to empower rural residents with the education and resources they need to thrive in vital healthcare roles. Ultimately, the Arkansas Rural Health Academy and programs like Connect to Tech are about more than just training — they’re about building a sustainable, resil- ient healthcare system that honors and sup- ports the communities it serves. By bringing education closer to home and fostering strong partnerships with local institutions, we’re not only filling workforce gaps but also ensuring that our rural areas have the skilled professionals they need to provide quality care for years to come. Editor ARHP’s advocacy efforts include supporting hospital boards and CEOs. Can you share examples of how these efforts have directly influenced policy changes or prevented closures? Boagni At the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, proactive solutions are at the heart of what we do, though, as a nonprofit, there are limits to how deeply we can engage in lobbying. That’s where our collaboration with the Arkansas Hospital Association becomes invaluable; we rely on their advocacy strengths to champion issues that directly impact our member hospitals. By regularly gathering data from those hospitals, we can give policymakers key insights, like the need for short-term reimbursement boosts that can keep a rural facility afloat. ARHP is no stranger to pilot programs. We often jump in early, especially if certain models are successful, and work with stake- holders to make them permanent. We’ve seen how crucial these efforts can be for preventing downsizing or closures. When hospital boards know they have access to expertise, they’re far more likely to seek help before a financial or operational crisis forces them to act. Editor Community health workers (CHWs) have become an essential part of rural healthcare delivery. How important are they in Arkansas’ rural healthcare landscape? Boagni CHWs are absolutely vital to Arkansas’s rural healthcare landscape. By coming directly from the communities they serve, CHWs can reach isolated residents in ways traditional healthcare providers often can’t. They offer language support, explain resources and assistance programs in plain terms, and become trusted allies who help patients navigate everything from insurance forms to chronic disease management. Several rural organizations, includingARHP and its member hospitals, have already seen the transformative impact of deploying CHWs. Legislation is now on the table that would formally recognize and potentially reimburse CHWs for their work — a big step toward making this model sustainable in the long term. Right now, many CHWs are supported by grants or their employing organizations, but the hope is that official recognition will open the door for wider adoption and funding. Editor How has rural Arkansas embraced telehealth? Is it a bandage or a solution for medically underserved areas? Boagni If the pandemic had any positive impacts, one would be the rapidly growing acceptance of telehealth services in rural areas. Telehealth serves an essential role in the delivery of rural healthcare. We can do more than what is currently done with coordination and collaboration. It is also important to recognize that reimbursement needs to be adequate on both sides if rural providers are expected to adopt these services. Editor Substance misuse is a pressing concern in rural communities. How effectively are we addressing these challenges? Do you see a viable solution? Boagni Substance misuse remains a critical issue in rural communities, and while we’ve made real headway, like increasing access to treatment options and training more peer recovery specialists, the need is still overwhelming. Rural emergency responders need greater support; inpatient services must be expanded, especially for youth; and families navigating a loved one’s substance use disorder often feel overlooked. We also can’t forget the behavioral health workforce: Without more trained counselors, therapists, and peer recovery mentors, even the best programs fall short. Telehealth has opened doors, particularly HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JAN / FEB 2025 13