F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health

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.

05/05/2026

Population: 3,769
Eastland, Texas

This is rural Texas.

Access to Breast Health for Texans at TTUHSC is in Eastland this week, bringing care directly into the community.

Our boots-on-the-ground team is set up at the Eastland County Crisis Center with a full schedule of Bexa breast exams, ensuring women in this region have access to essential screenings close to home.

A special thank you to Briona Sattarphai, LMSW, Executive Director, and the Eastland County Crisis Center for partnering with us to make this possible.

And sometimes, rural Texas reminds you you're not alone out here...even the local goats stopped by to supervise.

Follow our journey as we continue across rural Texas. One town at a time.

04/29/2026

Burton Southern Clinic open house today in Burton, TX.