South Carolina Office of Rural Health

09/29/2025

The Rural Focus for September 29, 2025, is here! This week’s issue brings key updates and opportunities for providers and communities across South Carolina.

Click here to read 👉🏻https://mailchi.mp/scorh/scorhrural-focus-sept-29-1566538-ck5e09v9hu-13563908

09/26/2025

Rural Health Transformation Program Updates

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which will provide $50 billion to support rural providers from 2026–2030. States with approved Rural Health Transformation Plans will share half of the funding equally, while the remainder will be distributed based on state data and metrics.

📌 Key Dates:
- State applications due: November 5, 2025
- Awards announced: December 31, 2025

South Carolina Next Steps

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) hosted a webinar this week outlining state-specific plans to invest resources in rural communities, with a focus on:

- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Sickle cell disease
- Maternal health

If you were unable to attend, the recording and materials are available at scdhhs.gov/resources/grants.

📝 SCDHHS is requesting stakeholder feedback and proposals by Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

Input may be submitted through the SC Stakeholder Input Form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=SDSERcKHEUmn4hB58PSqw45LxGaPJW1El7N3JExKjJRUQ1pKOEc0SUNPNVQ0U1AzNk0wVjFYVVJERC4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl&mc_cid=744c101343&mc_eid=ff089d906b

09/24/2025

We’re pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Rural SC Art Competition:

“Marsh Solitude” by Durand Hall

Durand’s artwork will appear on materials for the 28th Annual Rural Health Conference and on South Carolina’s National Rural Health Day poster.

Congratulations to Durand for showcasing the quiet beauty of rural South Carolina!

09/22/2025

The Rural Focus for September 22, 2025, is here! This week’s issue brings key updates and opportunities for providers and communities across South Carolina.

Click here to read 👉🏻 https://mailchi.mp/scorh/scorhrural-focus-sept-22-1566538-ck5e09v9hu-13563839

09/19/2025

🚨 Spots Are Filling Fast! 🚨

Only a few vendor & sponsor opportunities remain for this year’s conference — and just 2️⃣ meal sponsorships left!

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your organization and connect with South Carolina’s rural health leaders.

🔗 Secure your spot now before they’re gone! https://scorh.net/2025-conference/

09/18/2025

September is National Su***de Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, share resources, and break the silence around mental health.

💬 Stop the stigma → Start the conversation.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone:

📞 988 – Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)
📞 NAMI HelpLine – 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 62640

Together, we can foster hope and support in every community. 💚

***dePrevention #988

09/17/2025

A national recruitment organization, state behavioral health organizations in Nebraska and South Carolina, and a mental health center CEO in Michigan discuss the challenges in recruiting and retaining mental health professionals in rural areas and share solutions.

09/16/2025

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 recipients of the Advanced PCMH Award Funding! These exceptional practices exemplify what it means to be a high-performing Patient-Centered Medical Home. Through a rigorous evaluation process, each recipient successfully met 20 carefully selected criteria drawn from national PCMH guidance—demonstrating their unwavering commitment to quality, coordinated, and patient-centered care.

Award Recipients:

- Dillon Internal Medicine
- Foothills Community Health Care-Easley
- Carolina Pediatrics-Irmo
- Fairfield Medical Associates
- Lovelace Family Medicine
- MUSC Primary Care - Lancaster
- New Horizons Family Health Services
- Prisma Health Seneca Pediatrics
- Self-Regional Family Healthcare - North Greenwood
- St James Health & Wellness - Andrews

If you would like to participate in the 2026 Advanced PCMH Funding opportunity, please visit our website to apply.

https://scorh.net/fundingopportunities/

09/15/2025

⏳ We’re less than 6 weeks out! ⏳

The countdown is on for the 28th Annual South Carolina Rural Health Conference, happening Nov. 4–6 in Hilton Head—the state’s premier gathering for healthcare leaders, community champions, and rural changemakers.

Three days. Countless connections. Fresh ideas to move rural health forward.

The preliminary agenda is live with inspiring speakers and timely topics you won’t want to miss.

👉 Reserve your spot today and be part of South Carolina’s premier rural health event!

Register now: https://scorh.net/2025-conference/

09/15/2025

The Rural Focus for September 15, 2025, is here! This week’s issue brings key updates and opportunities for providers and communities across South Carolina.

Here’s a look at what’s inside:
• Register now for the 28th Annual Rural Health Conference
• 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment
• South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative Symposium
• Reminder: Laboratories must switch to email notifications by March 1, 2026
• Telehealth Awareness Week, September 14–20
• Join us Wednesday for the Resilient Upstate Resource Rollout

Read the full newsletter here ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/scorh/scorhrural-focus-sept-15-1566538-ck5e09v9hu-13563788

09/13/2025

Our team proudly represented South Carolina in Oklahoma City this past week!

CEO Graham Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy & Communications Elizabeth Burt, and Senior Director of Provider Solutions Shannon Chambers spent two and a half days of leadership development, education, partnerships, and networking at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health Annual Meeting.

They’re bringing fresh ideas and new connections home to strengthen rural health in our state.

09/12/2025