Forum on Rural Population Health
The 2025 Forum was held May 19-21, 2025, at the Seaside Civic & Convention Center in Seaside, Oregon.
Join us next year for the Forum on Rural Population Health, an annual event dedicated to enhancing community health in rural Oregon. This gathering brings together health care professionals, community leaders and experts from across the health continuum to share best practices, innovative models and proven strategies for improving health and reducing disparities.
The Forum's mission is to support rural communities by providing space to learn about tools, resources, emerging research and innovative models to address pressing health challenges, improve outcomes and promote community well-being. Whether you're a health care provider, community-based organization or public health leader, this event is designed to foster collaboration and inspire actionable solutions for creating lasting change in rural Oregon.
If you're committed to transforming the health landscape in rural Oregon and want to learn from leaders who are driving meaningful progress, join the Forum and be part of this vital conversation for a healthier, more inclusive future in rural Oregon.
Forum themes and focus areas:
- Advancing social factors that influence health in rural communities;
- Collaborative efforts across health care systems and community organizations;
- Overcoming systemic barriers to access and care in rural areas;
- Innovative programs and models with proven impact; and
- Research with direct applicability to rural populations and actionable next steps.
The Forum welcomes attendees from across the health care continuum, including health care workers and administrators, Coordinated Care Organizations, community-based organizations, local and state officials, local leaders, policymakers, public health officials and anyone invested in strengthening rural community health.
The Forum is an evolution of the Forum on Aging in Rural Oregon, and will allow ORH to focus more expansively and inclusively on key population health issues affecting rural communities. ORH maintains a strong commitment to rural older adults and will emphasize presentations that address this topic through a specialized aging track.
Receive updates on the Forum by subscribing to the ORH newsletter.
The 2026 Forum will be held virtually May 15-16, 2026.
ORH will begin accepting presentation proposals in November, 2025.
2025 Forum on Rural Population Health
2025 Forum Presentations
Building Health Equity Together: What Role Do You Play? | Presentation slides
Presenter: Angel Harris, MSN, RN | Angel Harris Consulting, Bushnell University
Equitable Community Partnership - A Reflection Tool | Presentation slides
Presenter: Lisa Parks | Willamette Health Council
Shared Outlook on Aging - Building Age-Positive Organizations & Communities | Presentation slides
Presenters: Julia Brown, Olivia Robinson | AGE+
Rooted in Community: Advancing Health Equity Through Trust, Collaboration and Action | Presentation slides
Presenter: Jayden Ruff | South Coast Health Equity Coalition
Improving Care and Outcomes for Perinatal SUD Patients: A Statewide Quality Initiative | Presentation slides
Presenters: Ami Hanna, MPH | Comagine Health, Gina Meyers | ReConnections Counseling
Building a Statewide Social Needs Screening and Referral System in Oregon | Presentation slides
Presenters: Claire Londagin, MPH CPH, Mari Tashe, MPH CPH | ORPRN | OHSU
Increasing Access to Reproductive Healthcare in Rural Communities by Reducing Stigma | Presentation slides
Presenters: Ann Krier, MPH, Helen Urbano Neilson | Planned Parenthood
Launching a Health-focused Spanish Radio Station in Rural Oregon | Presentation slides
Presenter: Jennifer Little, MPH | Klamath County Public Health
Building Community Partnerships for Health Equity: Integrated Clinical Experiences in Rural Settings | Presentation slides
Presenters: Anne Davenport, PT, DPT | OIT, OHSU Doctor of Physical Therapy, Klamath Basin Senior Citizen's Center, Ellen Radcliffe, MPH, CHES(R) | OSU Extension Service
Revolutionizing Maternal Care in Rural Oregon: The Power of Traditional Health Worker Doulas | Presentation slides
Presenter: Hanna Briggs, MPH, THW Doula | EOCCO
Increasing Access to Grant Funding for Rural Communities Through Collaboration | Presentation slides
Presenters: Paul Lindberg | Hat Creek Counseling, Madeline Brandt, MPH | The Camassia Group
Driving Change: Community-Led Solutions to Rural Transportation Barriers | Presentation slides
Presenters: Dr. Christine Gleason, Ed.D. | AmeriCorps VISTA, Kim Handloser, MPH, Christine Winters, MPH | Rogue Community Health
Expanding Access to Affordable Health Coverage Through Community Partnerships | Presentation slides
Presenters: Carolyn Bane, Amy Coven | Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
Creating a Collaborative Approach to Emergency Preparedness: Roles, Responsibilities and Actions for Serving Rural Communities | Presentation slides
Presenters: Bandana Shrestha | AARP Oregon, Philip Warnock | Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities, Kayla Thompson | Oregon Department of Emergency Management
From Incarceration to Integration: Bridging Healthcare Gaps for Justice-Involved Individuals in Rural Oregon | Presentation slides
Presenters: Julia Yoshimoto, Angela Kim, Kyle Hedquist | Oregon Justice Resource Center
Nurturing Generations Together: A Collaborative Vision for Maternal and Child Health in Douglas County | Presentation slides
Presenters: Jessica Hand, MPH| Thrive Umpqua, Nicky Ulrich, MA MNM | Moore Institute at OHSU, Alyson Pinkelman, THW YPSS | Aviva Health
Promoting Social Connection Through Innovative Programming & Community Collaboration | Presentation slides
Presenters: Lacey Plasker | Yamhill County, Jerry Conklin | South Morrow Senior Matters, Misty Palmer| Grant County Senior Programs
Health Equity Community of Practice: Finding Solidarity in Rural Spaces | Presentation slides
Presenters: Kennedi Fields | Klamath County Public Health, Caitlin Nemeth | Yamhill County Public Health
A Collective Approach to Death and Dying: An Equitable and Population Health Approach to Advancing End of Life Literacy in Rural Communities | Presentation slides
Presenters: Margo Lalich, MPH BA RN | North Coast EOL Collective, Beverly Stein | Cape Meares Community Association
Synergy Between Rural Residential Energy Improvements and Occupant Health | Presentation slides
Presenter: Karen Chase, MBA MSPH | Energy Trust of Oregon
Self-Compassion for Healthcare Workers | Presentation slides
Presenters: Erika Wolfe, Jasmin Huila Flores | Adventist Health Columbia Gorge
Advancing Health Equity in Rural Communities Through The Community-Integrated Network of Oregon (CINO) | Presentation slides
Presenters: Lavinia Goto | Oregon Wellness Network, Hailey Hernandez, Comagine Health
Advancing Health Equity for LGBTQ+ Veterans: Discharge Upgrades and Access to Care in Rural Communities | Presentation slides
Presenter: Ian Michael| Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs
Rural Clinician Perspectives on Barriers to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine in Oregon: A Survey Study | Presentation slides
Presenters: McGwire Smith, OMSII, Daisy Ward, OMSII | Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
Leveraging Community Partnerships to Support SDOH Needs for Patients Within the Healthcare Setting | Presentation slides
Presenters: Norma Mota, Viviana Matthews | Clatsop Community Action, Shelley Yoder | Providence
De-siloing Maternal Healthcare: A "Better Together" Approach | Presentation slides
Presenters: Rebeckah Orton, BS, RN, SANE | Astoria Birth Center & Family Medicine
2024 Virtual Forum on Rural Population Health
2024 Virtual Forum
Welcome Remarks | Stepha Dragoon
A Population Health Impact Pyramid for Health Care
Presenter: Philip M. Alberti, PhD | Association of American Medical Colleges Center for Health Justice
Transitioning Hospitals Towards Values-Based Purchasing and Climate-Friendly Food Initiatives With the Oregon Farm to Institution Collaborative
Presenters: Aliza McHugh | Health Care without Harm, Amber Hansen, MS, RD | Health Care without Harm
Accessing Clinical Research in Rural Communities
Presenters: Shalini Mohan | Genetech, Jane Myles | Decentralized Trials & Research Center, Mikael Elisasson | Genentech
Public Health Palliative Care for Community Well-Being: A Holistic Approach
Presenters: Elizabeth Johnson, MA | The Peaceful Presence Project, Erin Collins, RN CHPN | The Peaceful Presence Project
Asking Patients About Their Social Needs: Why it Matters, Getting Ready, and Improving Patient Experiences
Presenters: Anna Steeves-Reece, PhD | OCHIN, Kellee Rosales, AS | OHSU/ORPRN, Anne King, MBA | OHSU
Health Information Technology: Tools for an Integrated Approach EpicCare Link
Presenters: Lisa Parks | Willamette Health Council, Andrew Clarke, MD, FACS | Salem Health
Addressing SDOH by Providing Integrated Patient Navigation Services
Presenters: Amy Schanno-Sugg, MHA, RN, CCM | Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, Jasmin Huila Flores | Adventist Health Columbia Gorge
Sing It Together Now! Uniting Diverse Sectors, Partners and Funding Together for Systemic Change
Presenter: Shannon Buckmaster | Yamhill CCO
Bridging the Gap: Advancing LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Health Equity in Rural Communities
Presenter: Elliott Orrin Hinkle, BS | Unicorn Solutions LLC
How to Track, Show and Plan for Progress in Creating Suicide Safer Care Environments: Using the Oregon Zero Suicide Implementation Assessment Tool
Presenters: Karen Cellarius, MPA | Portland State University, Meghan Crane, MPH | Oregon Health Authority, Aliza Tuttle | Portland State University
Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Rural Communities
Presenters: Rebecca Larson, LCSW, C-SWHC | Columbia Memorial Hospital, Allison Whisenhunt, LCSW | Columbia Memorial Hospital
Connected Care for Older Adults: Community Health Workers Meeting the Unique Needs of Older Adults in Rural Areas
Presenters: Jodi Ready, MD | Providence Hood River, Teresa de Jesus Obregón Arroyo, MSW, CHW | One Community Health, Joan Field, CHW-MIH, CP-C | Asher Community Health Center
Using Population Data to Drive Care Management Program Development
Presenters: Lindsay Corcoran, MHA | Stroudwater Associates, Cameron Smith, MBA, CPHQ | Stroudwater Associates
Community Health Disparities Assessment: Using a Community Health Assessment Model to Identify Local Health Disparities Unique to Rural Counties
Presenter: Vanessa A. Becker, MPH | Douglas Public Health Network
Street Nursing: An Emerging Best-Practice Model for Care of People Experiencing Homelessness
Presenters: Rachel Richmond, MSN, RN | OHSU School of Nursing, Marilyn Gran-Moravec, MSN, RN | OHSU School of Nursing, Caleb Hill, MPA | OHSU School of Nursing
Federal Updates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region 10
Presenters: Priya Helweg | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Louise Ryan | The Administration for Community Living
Creating a Health Equity Culture: Tools and Resources to Support Rural Health Care Leaders
Presenter: Alana Knudson, PhD | NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Connecting Rural Oregonians to Health Coverage
Presenters: Amy Coven | Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, Carolyn Black | Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
Creative Funding Strategies to Support Integrating CHWs Into Primary Care
Presenters: Kelly Volkmann, MPH | Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, Christian Castro, BASc | Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, Gloria Andia, MSc | Health Resources and Services Administration
Community Balance and Fall Prevention Program of Wallowa County
Presenters: Stacey Karvoski | Wallowa Memorial Hospital and Medical Clinics, Brooke Pace | Wallowa Memorial Hospital and Medical Clinics
1115 Medicaid: Opportunities for Addressing Social Determinants of Health in rural Oregon
Presenters: Jessi Wilson | Oregon Health Plan, Meg Cary, MD | Oregon Health Authority
Delivering Prenatal Care in a Rural Oregon Health System: An Implementation Case Study to Improve Rural Family Health
Presenter: Candice Hunter, FNP | Orchid Health
Elevating Community Input to Address Rural Health Inequities
Presenters: Mika Ingram MPH, CPH | Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office, Kaj Jensen, MA | Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office, Grace Hocog, B.S. | Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office
Oregon AHEC: Impacting Oregon's Current and Future Health Care Workforce Needs
Presenters: Eric Wiser, MD, FAAFP | Oregon AHEC, Melissent Zumwalt, MPA | Oregon AHEC
A Contextual Approach to Health Equity
Presenter: Theo Latta | OHSU Health IDS
Development of the Oregon Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health and Aging
Presenters: Nirmala Dhar, LCSW, ACSW | Oregon Health Authority, Walt Dawson, PhD | OHSU-PSU School of Public Health; Institute on Aging at Portland State University, Allyson Stodola, MSW | Institute on Aging at Portland State University
Equity in Action: How to Build a Latinx Mental Health Program From the Ground Up in a Rural Outpatient Clinic
Presenter: Trevor Whitbread | South Lane Mental Health
Our Data, Our Story; Bilingual Community Data Walks in Jackson and Josephine Counties
Presenters: Sadie Siders | Jackson County Health and Human Services, Public Health Division, Skylar Fate | AllCare Health Gina Beer | OHSU
Shared Power: An Intentional Approach to New Partnerships for Workforce and Talent Development
Presenters: Vani Kapur | AGE+, Sarah Foster | Higher Education Coordinating Commission
The Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services provided financial support for this project. The award provided 17% of total costs and totaled $17,567. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of the Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. government.