ABOUT US
Who we are
The Kansas Rural Health Association (KsRHA) is the result of years of combined effort from the widely varied individuals and organizations in our state that have a rural health interest. There are many organizations in the state that represent various significant aspects of the rural health spectrum. Many organizations have participated in the formation of the KsRHA or have representation in the association.
Kansas Office of Primary Care & Rural Health, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Collaborating Organizations
Kansas Hospital Association (KHA)
A voluntary, non-profit organization existing to provide leadership and services to member hospitals, with the goal of optimal health for Kansans.
Office of Rural Medical Education, The University of Kansas Medical Center
Fostering educational experiences in rural settings.
Rural Health Education and Services, The University of Kansas Medical Center
Partners with health care providers, rural and underserved employers, and state stakeholders to advance Kansas' health care workforce through recruitment, retention, education, and research to ensure that every Kansan has access to quality health care.
Kansas Center for Rural Health, The University of Kansas School of Medicine Aims to identify and reduce rural health disparities and improve the rural healthcare workforce and care delivery through research, education and service.
Kansas Office of Primary Care & Rural Health, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Aid Kansas rural and medically underserved communities in building sustainable access to quality, patient-centered primary health care services.
Photo ©Amanda Franklin.
There are numerous individuals that have worked very hard to bring the KsRHA to life. Medical students at University of Kansas School of Medicine that are members of the Rural Medicine Interest Group (RMIG) served in a vital role organizing the first meetings of the KsRHA. Photo ©Amanda Franklin.
HISTORY
The National Rural Health Association granted the office of Rural Medical Education at The University of Kansas Medical Center along with medical students in the Rural Medical Interest Group (RMIG) funding to form a Kansas Chapter of the National Rural Health Association. The rural needs of Kansas have been historically well served by a wide variety of individuals and groups around the state.
Saturday, March 26, 2011 was the first meeting of the Kansas Rural Health Association (KsRHA). It was held at the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure Conference Center in Salina, Kansas. At the meeting, attendees expressed a uniform desire to have an organization that provided two core things: (1) a primary focus on “rural health” and (2) related networking opportunities.
It was the desire of this initial KsRHA group to put state and federal issues into the context of rural. The group worked on a vision statement and mission for the KsRHA. The following core values and focus areas were established: Rural way of life, thriving rural communities, innovation of healthcare, interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting healthy rural communities, affecting local, state and federal legislatures, stakeholders, advocacy, education, quality, excellence, leadership, optimal health for all Kansans with a focus on rural Kansans, and inclusivity.
At a meeting held on April 6, 2012, by-laws were approved by the membership present, and an interim President and interim Board of Directors were appointed. Later in 2013, KsRHA was given exempt status under I.R.C. 501(c)(6).
On November 17th, 2017, KsRHA held it’s first conference immediately following a Rural Health Symposium held by the Kansas Hospital Association in Salina, KS, and bylaws were reaffirmed.
An inaugural nine board members were elected on April 2, 2018.