Health care leaders from across Tennessee convened in Memphis on April 15, 2026, for the inaugural Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence Innovation and Practice Conference, hosted by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). The gathering aimed to address persistent disparities in rural health access and develop actionable strategies to strengthen care delivery in underserved communities.
Organizers said the event brought together clinicians, policymakers, academic researchers, and community advocates to identify systemic barriers and explore innovative models for improving outcomes in Tennessee’s 60 rural counties, where residents face higher rates of chronic disease, maternal mortality, and provider shortages compared to urban areas.
The conference marked the formal launch of the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence, a UTHSC-led initiative funded through a combination of state appropriations and federal grants designed to support research, workforce training, and technology integration in rural health settings.
Focus on Workforce Development and Telehealth Expansion
Discussions centered on three priority areas: expanding broadband-enabled telehealth services, growing the rural health workforce through targeted training programs, and integrating social determinants of health into clinical care plans. Speakers highlighted that over 30% of Tennessee’s rural counties currently lack a practicing obstetrician, and nearly half have no licensed mental health provider, according to data presented by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Dr. Linda Collins, UTHSC Vice Chancellor for Rural Health Initiatives, emphasized the require for sustainable solutions during her keynote address: “We cannot treat rural health as an afterthought. This center exists to ensure that innovation doesn’t just happen in Memphis or Nashville — it must reach the Delta, the Cumberland Plateau, and every hollow in between.” Her remarks were delivered during the opening plenary session at the UTHSC campus in Memphis.
Representatives from the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Health Care Program shared updates on funding opportunities for broadband infrastructure, noting that Tennessee has received over $42 million in commitments since 2023 to support telehealth connectivity in clinics and schools.
Policy Recommendations and Community Engagement
Attendees participated in breakout sessions focused on Medicaid reimbursement reform, mobile clinic deployment, and partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities to increase diversity in the health workforce. A recurring theme was the importance of community-led design in health interventions, with several panelists stressing that top-down approaches often fail to account for local cultural and logistical realities.
Memphis-based nonprofit Church Health presented a case study on its mobile mammography unit, which has increased breast cancer screening rates by 28% in rural West Tennessee since 2024. The organization reported that the unit now serves 12 counties on a rotating schedule, reducing travel barriers for patients who previously drove over 60 miles for preventive care.
State Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis), who attended the conference, said legislative action will follow the event’s findings: “We’re taking these recommendations back to the Capitol. Rural health isn’t just a health issue — it’s an economic issue. When people can’t get care, they can’t work, and communities suffer.”
Next Steps and Ongoing Commitment
UTHSC officials confirmed that the Center of Excellence will release a comprehensive report summarizing conference outcomes by July 2026, including policy briefs and implementation roadmaps for rural health systems. The center plans to host annual convenings and establish a rural health fellowship program for medical and public health students beginning in fall 2026.
As rural hospitals continue to face financial strain — with eight Tennessee rural facilities closing or converting to emergency-only services since 2020 — stakeholders said the conference represents a critical step toward coordinated, evidence-based action.
For ongoing updates on the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence and its initiatives, visit the UTHSC Office of Rural Health website. Readers are encouraged to share insights and experiences related to rural health access in the comments below.
