Sharing Solutions and Strategies....
December 10-11, 2009
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, Virginia
Registration Information - Registration Deadline is November 30, 2009.
Virginia Rural EMS and Health Partners
The Virginia Office of EMS is sponsoring The Rural EMS Summit to develop strategic initiatives and objectives for a state plan to address the needs of rural EMS agencies in Virginia. The summit is scheduled for December 10 and 11, 2009 in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Despite the improvement in EMS service to the rural areas of Virginia there are some looming problems. In March 2009, participants at a Rural EMS Roundtable function identified a number of deficiencies and prioritized the top three challenges facing EMS agencies in rural areas as 1) EMS Agency Leadership and Management, 2) Local government involvement/accountability, and 3) Recruitment and Retention of EMS personnel.
Kevin McGinnis, MPS, EMT-P will be the key note speaker and meeting facilitator. Kevin is the Program Advisor to the National Association of State EMS Officials, a former state EMS director and the author of the Rural and Frontier Emergency Medical Services Agenda for the Future.
This meeting is a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy Division of Primary Care and Rural Health. Funding for this event is provided through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Flex Grant.
Who should attend?
Local Government Officials
EMS Leaders and Providers
Community Healthcare Providers
Why Should You Attend?
This is your chance to be involved in a brain storming event with the major players in Virginia EMS, rural health, community health leaders and local government. Your participation will lead to the development of a greater community partnership to provide quality and timely health care services. Your input for solving these important issues is valued greatly! Please review the enclosed registration materials and join us in planning Virginia's future.
There will be three (3) working groups - please select the group you would like to work in on the Registration Page.
Rural EMS Summit Planning Committee
Kathy Wibberly, PhD, Director: Primary Care and Rural Health, Virginia Department of Health
Scott Winston, Assistant Director: Office of EMS, Virginia Department of Health
Ken Cook, Director of Technical Assistance, Virginia Rural Health Resource Center
Carol Morrow, Technical Assistance Coordinator, Office of EMS, Virginia Department of Health
Questions: Contact Carol Morrow (804) 864-7646 or carol.morrow@vdh.virginia,gov.