New Division Unites Our Work in Rural Health

I am excited to introduce the new Division of Rural Affairs. This addition to the university marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment of access to care, which has been our mission since inception.

The division combines the network of our F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health with project development and funding from the Institute of Telehealth and Digital Innovation (ITDI), leveraging the strengths of each institute.

Billy U. Philips Jr., PhD, MPH, a seasoned professional in rural health care and telehealth services, leads the division. He previously served as director of the F. Marie Hall Institute, and his wealth of experience makes him the ideal choice for this role.

The combined assets of these institutes and the university’s existing platforms in education, research and service delivery positions TTUHSC as a leader in innovative solutions for access to care in rural areas.

Through the division and with support from the ITDI, we have launched five transformative projects, each with a specialized focus and impact.

• Telehealth hubs managed by the School of Medicine in Odessa, Texas, offer primary health care services onsite for kindergarten-to 12th-grade students.
• Mobile breast cancer screenings in the Abilene, Texas, region using Bexa sonography technology, made possible through the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health. Hendrick Health will provide post-screening care as needed, regardless of the person’s ability to pay.
• The Office of Strategic Initiatives will provide telepsychiatry services in participating TORCH (Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals) hospitals. The organization works to address the needs of the communities and patients they serve.
• Expand digital and telehealth infrastructure to improve patient and physician access to clinical services in the Lubbock, Texas, region through Texas Tech Physicians.
• Conduct health care access and outcomes assessments in Pecos and Crane, Texas, in collaboration with the Permian Strategic Partnership. The data gathered will help these communities identify and address solutions to their specific health care needs (read more on Page 15).

The Division of Rural Affairs marks a new chapter for our university, one that brings hope to our friends in rural regions. Its establishment and the launch of these initial projects comes at a time when rural communities need better access to health care more than ever, providing tangible steps toward a healthier future.