The Rural Health Voice

Latest Episodes:

RHV 164: Alpha-gal Syndrome Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

What do tick bites and federal policy have in common? Sharon Forsyth of the Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund joined us to discuss the resources they have available.

On September 24, 2025, Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) became reportable to the Virginia Department of Health. Learn more about AGS and its impacts in Virginia during a special breakout session at the 2026 Rural Health Voice Conference.

Alpha-Gal Alliance https://alphagalalliance.org/ VDH Fact Sheet https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/search/feed/rss2/?pdf=5815

RHV 163: Evaluation Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

What is the importance of evaluating rural health programs? Michael Meit, director of the ETSU Center for Rural Health and Research, joined us to discuss the benefits and complications of rural health evaluation.

If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, join VRHA at the Rural Health Voice Conference this November – https://vrha.org/conference2026/

RHV 162: Virginia Relay Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

What is Virginia Relay and how does it help both patients and providers? Brittany Howard of the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing joined us to discuss the services they provide.

If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out VRHA’s upcoming Rural Health Voice Conference in Danville, VA on November 18 & 19 – https://vrha.org/conference2026/

RHV 161: Appalachian Center for Hope Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

What is needed to support recovery? Shauna Tilson from the Appalachian Center for Hope joined us to discuss their plan to address substance use disorders in Southwest Virginia.

If you want learn more about the history and causes of Medical Mistrust and how to address it, check out the book Medical Mistrust in Appalachia.

RHV 160: Community Health Workers Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to become a Community Health Worker? Leslie Clark from the United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge joined us to discuss CHW training and services.

During this episode we discuss the use of CHW’s to decrease medical mistrust. If you would like to learn more about this topic, check out the new book Medical Mistrust in Appalachia: Helping Patients and Providers Communicate with Cultural Humility, edited by Wendy Welch and Beth O’Connor.

RHV 159: Undue Medical Debt Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Most of us have heard of Medical Debt – but what is Undue Medical Debt? Dr. Eva Stahl of the Undue Medical Debt organization joined RHV to discuss what they are doing to help both patients and healthcare providers deal with medical debt.

If you want to be part of the conversation about rural health, check out the recently released book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia. Half of the net proceeds will support VRHA.

RHV 158: Occupational Therapy Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Why would you need an occupational therapist? Savanah Howe and Tara Riddle joined the RHV podcast to discuss the need for occupational therapy in rural communities and the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association.

If you want to be part of the conversation on rural health, follow the Virginia Rural Health Association on Facebook and LinkedIn:

@varuralhealth

https://www.linkedin.com/company/varuralhealth/

RHV 157: Trans Patients in Rural Communities May 08, 2026

Show notes

What issues do Trans patients face in rural communities? Former VRHA Board member Dove Standley and her husband Tatum joined RHV to discuss the extra precautions they have to take when seeking care.

If you want to learn more about concerns for rural Trans patients, check out Dove & Tatum’s chapter in the book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia.

RHC 156: Black Womb Care & Nutrition Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

How can disparities in birth outcomes be addressed? Femeika Elliot & Alexis Alsup joined RHV to discuss their work and the recommendations they have to improve maternal health.

If you want to learn more from Femeika & Alexis, check out their chapter in the upcoming book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia – https://utpress.org/9798895270486/medical-mistrust-in-appalachia/

RHV 155: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

How did the push to standardize medicine impact public health? Pharmacist and Herbalist Marybeth Babos joined us to discuss some of the history of medical mistrust.

If you want to learn more about Medical Mistrust, pre-order the new book Medical Mistrust in Appalachia: Helping Patients and Providers Communicate with Cultural Humility, edited by Wendy Welch and VRHA Executive Director Beth O’Connor: https://utpress.org/9798895270486/medical-mistrust-in-appalachia/

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