F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health

09/30/2026

Congratulations to the TexLa Telehealth Resource Center on the recent launch of the "Frontiers in Telemedicine: Core Competencies for Virtual Care" course, which provides a foundational introduction to telehealth.

The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health in the Division of Rural Affairs is proud to partner with TexLa in offering this course, based on the updated AAMC Telehealth Competencies.

Register today at https://bit.ly/4AZTAqz. The course is free and open to all participants, but particularly relevant for healthcare providers, trainees and support staff who deliver or plan to participate in telehealth services.

Frontiers in Telemedicine Frontiers in Telemedicine: Core Competencies for Virtual Care is an asynchronous online course offered by the TexLa Telehealth Resource Center in partnership with the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTU...

09/23/2026

In rural communities, distance can be one of the greatest barriers to accessing quality healthcare. Telehealth plays a vital role in bridging geographic gaps, improving health outcomes and strengthening rural communities. Thanks to the American Telemedicine Association for leading this week's awareness efforts.

09/22/2026

A training earlier this month with Floydada Emergency Medical Services marked an important milestone in rural Texas emergency care. Through our Next Generation 911 Telemedicine Medical Services and Telehealth Services Pilot Project, the agency achieved the first end-to-end connection between an EMS team and healthcare providers at the receiving hospital.

Floydada EMS is one of seven rural EMS agencies participating in the NextGen 911 project led by the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health, within the Division of Rural Affairs, in a contract with the Commission on State Emergency Communications.

During the training, Floydada EMS responded to a simulated emergency at the Whirlwind Energy Center wind farm northeast of Floydada, Texas. They transmitted ultrasound images and vital signs to the healthcare team at WJ Mangold Memorial Hospital and Cogdell Clinic in Lockney, Texas, approximately a 30-minute drive away.

This successful connection demonstrates how telehealth can strengthen and extend the reach of rural emergency services, giving EMS teams a way to connect with hospital-based medical expertise before a patient reaches the emergency department. The project also supports community paramedicine, allowing EMS personnel to provide nonemergency care in patients' homes.

08/11/2026

The summer issue of the RHQ is now available.

In this issue we take a look at the different ways rural communities can get access to healthcare.

Rural Health Quarterly – Summer 2026 Author Amber ParkerPosted on August 3, 2026Categories Rural Clinics, Rural Health QuarterlyTags access to care, Rural Health

08/04/2026

We were proud to partner with the TexLa Telehealth Resource Center to host the 2026 Digital Health Summit, bringing together healthcare leaders, providers, researchers, and innovators from across the region to advance digital health in rural communities.

Centered around this year's theme, "Rural Texas Strong," the summit featured engaging presentations, insightful panel discussions, research posters, and meaningful conversations focused on strengthening healthcare access and outcomes through innovation and collaboration.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and helped make this year's summit a success. Together, we're building a stronger future for rural healthcare in Texas.

07/15/2026

Representing the Division of Rural Affairs this week at the National AHEC Organization Leadership Forum alongside leaders from our West Texas AHEC Center Offices. We're connecting with colleagues from across the country, sharing ideas, and learning new approaches to strengthen the rural health workforce and improve access to care in the communities we serve.

07/06/2026

The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health, part of the Division of Rural Affairs at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), reached a notable milestone on Wednesday, July 1st, when its NextGen 911 EMS Telehealth Program used telehealth equipment to provide patient care for the first time.

Levelland EMS, one of the enrolled EMS providers in the Program, used the equipment in a Community Paramedicine setting, to establish a connection with a patient in their home while connecting to their primary care physician. The telehealth equipment enables EMS providers the ability to setup telehealth appointments so patients can be evaluated from the comfort of their own homes, making healthcare more accessible for individuals with transportation challenges or limited mobility. This approach reduces the burden on patients, their families, and healthcare providers while improving access to timely care and follow up from recent hospitalizations.

This milestone represents just one of the many benefits of the NextGen 911 Program and is another example of how TTUHSC is leading the future of rural healthcare through innovation and technology.

05/14/2026

Our ITDI team was in attendance at ATA Nexus in Orlando, FL this week.

05/14/2026

The ITDI team was in attendance at ATA Nexus this week.

05/06/2026

Floydada EMS used the NextGen911 kit during a drill on May 1, demonstrating its effectiveness in a rural environment. Highlights included the use of an ultrasound device, a digital exam camera, and a digital otoscope—all of which have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.

During the exercise, Floydada EMS also conducted a Zoom meeting to share images and live video feeds with another test kit. Both systems operated successfully using mobile hotspots, showing the feasibility of remote connectivity in the field.

The training demonstrated how both traditional and modern EMS equipment can be integrated to enhance patient care and improve outcomes, especially in rural settings.