Forum on Rural Population Health
Join us in May 10-12, 2027 for the next 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 advancing well-being across our rural communities.
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.
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.
Receive updates on the Forum by subscribing to the ORH newsletter.
Interested in sponsoring the 2027 Forum? Contact Stepha Dragoon | dragoon@ohsu.edu
2026 Forum on Rural Population Health
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Liberation, Voice and Power: Reimagining Rural Health Through Community-Led Advocacy and Organizational Accountability | Presentation slides
Presenter: Jayden Ruff | South Coast Health Equity Coalition
Connected Care for Older Adults: A Promising Model to Achieve Quadruple Aim Goals | Presentation slides
Presenter: Lindsay Miller | Columbia Gorge Health Council
Creation of a Virtual Age-Friendly Curriculum for Community Health Workers | Presentation slides
Presenters: Robin Brown, MD, Adi Shafir, MD | OHSU
Scaling Rural Therapy Intensives: Outcomes, Workforce Development and Sustainable Funding | Presentation slides
Presenters: Justin Little, LMFT, Lacey Hawkins | Forage Wellness Collective LLC
Growing Public Health from the Ground Up: Rural Workforce Perspectives | Presentation slides
Presenters: Alice Gates, PhD | OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Kelly McNeil, PhD | Eastern Oregon University, Jennifer Little, MPH | Klamath County Public Health, Sam Arneson, RDH | OHSU/PSU School of Public Health, Kali Paine, MPH | EOCCO/Moda Health, Dawn Richardson, MPH, DrPH | OHSU/PSU School of Public Health
Oregon’s HERO Kids Registry: Linking Families to Emergency Medical Services and Filling the Information Gap | Presentation slides
Presenters: Brittany Tagliaferro-Lucas, BS | Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, Rachel Ford, MPH | Oregon Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, Tamara Bakewell, MA | Oregon Center
Wellness Starts at Home: How Home Energy Upgrades Improve Health and Comfort | Presentation slides
Presenters: Julia Sinex, Tim Davis | OHCS Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP)
MIH in Action: How Oregon Is Redefining Access to Care | Presentation slides
Presenter: Sabrina Ballew, CP-C, NR-P, CHW | Mercy Flights
Avoid the Care Crisis: Strategies to Anticipate and Plan for Increased Care Needs of Older Adults | Presentation slides
Presenter: Suvi Neukam, DO, FACP, CPAFH | OHSU
Rural Health’s Role in Recognizing and Treating PANDAS/PANS | Presentation slides
Presenters: Sarah Lemley, MPA, HA, Kym McCornack | Northwest PANDAS/PANS Network
Financial Wellness Resources from Oregon DFR: From Financial Preparedness for Disasters to Scam Prevention and More | Presentation slides
Presenter: Craig Vattiat | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
Cultivating Compassion: The Oregon Network for Community-Based Serious Illness Support | Presentation slides
Presenters: Elizabeth Johnson, MA, Erin Collins, MN, RN, CHPN | The Peaceful Presence Project
Incredible Equitables: A Team Approach to Championing Rural Health Equity | Presentation slides
Presenters: Vanessa A. Becker, Kendra Murray, MPH, CHES, Sarah Zia, MPH, MSBA, Paul Leonard | Douglas Public Health Network
The OHSU Mobile Health Coalition: Connecting Oregon Communities to Care | Presentation slides
Presenters: Paul Bollinger, MPH | OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Community Outreach and Engagement, Verian Wedeking | OHSU Casey Eye Institute Community Outreach
Replicating a Locally Responsive Traditional Health Worker Training Hub | Presentation slides
Presenters: Lisa Ladendorff, LCSW, CHW, Cami Miller, CHW, PSS | Northeast Oregon Network, Rosie Strange | Columbia Gorge Health Council
Five Fundamentals to Succeed in Value-Based Payment | Presentation slides
Presenters: Evan Saulino MD, PhD, Dave Ross | Comagine, Kelly McGrath, MD | St. Mary's Clearwater
Why Public Health Partners and Communities Should Care About SHIP and CHIPs | Presentation slides
Presenter: Cintia Vimieiro, MGH | OSPHD – Oregon Health Authority
Deconstructing Trauma: Integrating Harm Reduction and Prevention for Lasting Recovery | Presentation slides
Presenter: Renee Frye | Sacred Sol Healing Institute
How Self-Reported Understanding Undermines Individual and Population Health | Presentation slides
Presenter: Cliff Coleman, MD, MPH | OHSU
Integrating Health Care Into Housing: The Impact of Embedded Nursing on Well-being and Care Coordination | Presentation slides
Presenters: Deb Fellcarlson, BSN, RN, MSPH, Marcy Shanks, MSN, RN, MSEd | Faith Community Health Network
Empowering Traditional Health Workers: Cancer Education Training for THWs Presentation slides
Presenters: Carina Garcia, BA, Paige Farris, MSW | OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach & Engagement
Trauma-Informed Care with Rural Populations Presentation slides
Presenter: Thomas Pitts | Valley Family Health Care
Bridging the Gap: EMS Training Expands Rural Access to Life-Saving Opioid Use Disorder Treatment | Presentation slides
Presenters: Dre Cantwell-Frank, NRP | The Bridge Center at PHI, Emily Henke, MPH, BA | Oregon Public Health Institute
POLST: What is it? Who needs one? How does it work? | Presentation slides
Presenter: Christine Mullowney, MD | Oregon POLST Program & Oregon POLST Coalition
A Rural Case Study: Community-Driven Approaches to Increase Awareness of Diabetes Prevention Programs | Presentation slides
Presenter: Genevieve Martinez Garcia, PhD | ICF Next
Understanding Oregon’s Rural Community Mental Health Needs for Children and Families | Presentation slides
Presenters: Andromeda Blair, Halle Bakir | Pacific University
Delivering Oral Health in Rural Oregon: Mobile Dentistry in Behavioral Health and Recovery Settings | Presentation slides
Presenters: Destyne Johnson, EPDH, Alyssa McClain, EPDH, CHW | Capitol Dental Care
2025 Forum on Rural Population Health
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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
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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 14% of total costs and totaled $4,378. 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.