Professional Development & Training : Programs & Initiatives : Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Networks (LORHN)

Annual Rural Health Regional Symposium

LORHN coordinates and facilitates the Annual Rural Health Regional Symposium each year for our network, providers, partners, and residents. The Symposium theme parallels trending issues for rural providers and communities. Each year participants gather to glean information from national, state, regional, and local leaders on a range of topics. This is also a time for reflection and recognition, LORHN recognizes Rural Health Champions each year that are nominated by their peers. We relish the opportunity to provide this event to our Network and community partners, providing continuing education credits when possible and endless opportunities for networking with partners.

Health Literacy Summit

A Health Literacy Summit was provided for health providers and health and human service professionals on October 5, 2018 at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade, Florida. This professional development opportunity provided an overview of what health literacy is and how to incorporate it into daily activities serving patients and clients, especially those living in rural communities. Information on our guest speakers and the presentations are provided below:

Increasing Access to Care by Reducing Barriers to Proficient Health Literacy by Laura K. Guyer, PHd, MEd, RDN

Enhancing Cultural Competence in Health Care by Debi Stewart

Care Coordination Panels

LORHN coordinates tailored Coordinated Care Panels in each of the rural communities within the network. These Coordinated Care Panels are tailored to each unique area to respond to any of the network’s commonly voiced needs, assisting rural residents with knowing services available in their area and how to access the services. A range of participants are invited to attend, including but not limited to: primary care physicians, dental providers, behavioral health providers, transportation vendors, United Way, 211, and other social service providers. In addition, Certified Assistance Counselors will be on site to answer questions about the Affordable Care Act, and other coverage options, and provide onsite navigation and enrollment as needed. KEPRO’s Quality Improvement Organization will also be available to discuss their free advocacy services for Medicare recipients.