RURAL OUTREACH

CONHI opens Center for Rural Health and Nursing

This year, CONHI launched the Center for Rural Health and Nursing to enhance access to health care for Texas’ rural communities. Funded by a $4 million legislative appropriation by the state of Texas, the center will support efforts to improve rural nursing education and the health outcomes of rural populations.

Elizabeth Merwin, the center’s executive director and dean of CONHI, hopes the center will develop and foster a model for providing nursing education to rural residents aiming to become registered nurses and nurse practitioners. This model will support and educate those students while they reside in their home communities. It will also aim to reduce the shortage of nurses and other health providers to support access to health care for Texas’ rural populations.

“Thanks to generous funding by the state of Texas, CONHI will be able to form sustainable partnerships with rural communities that improve the quality of life for underserved populations in those areas,” says Dr. Merwin.

Aspen Drude, the center’s manager, says the center aims to support existing providers and engage young people from rural populations to become nurses in their communities. The center’s nursing education initiatives will be supported by Elanda Douglas, a clinical assistant professor and nurse practitioner.

“Our rural health curriculum will prepare students with a broad set of skills to meet the day-to-day demands of rural care,” Douglas says.

Reshma Thomas, a first-year student in CONHI’s Master of Science in Nursing program, is a student research assistant at the center. As a family nurse practitioner in training, Thomas is passionate about serving vulnerable rural populations.

“Nearly 25% of Texas’ population lives in rural communities and suffers from harmful health disparities and lack of care,” she says. “Providing preventive care and raising the health care standards in these communities is vital.”