The Rappahannock Rural Health Network (RRHN) was established in 2024 through a grant to Rapp at Home from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. RRHN is a consortium of healthcare providers, community organizations, businesses, and not for profits to collectively identify solutions to increase access to healthcare in the rural tri-county area of Rappahannock, Culpeper, and Warren counties.
RRHN has created a number of workgroups to identify issues related to access to healthcare and explore solutions. Currently, the RRHN Workgroups are:
- Network and Governance, the forum by which the network establishes its policies and procedures;
- Paramedicine, which explores how county EMS services can play an expanded role;
- Pharmacy, this examines how residents can access pharmacy services in a timely manner and tracks developments in the region related to pharmacy services;
- School Clinic Expansion, explores how the school system can use its role as a community hub and public resource to expand access to quality healthcare;
- Telemedicine, looks at how telemedicine can be used in the counties to facilitate patient/provider interactions;
- Survey, creates evaluative tools to help RRHN and healthcare providers to better design healthcare programs in the communities; and
- Workforce, which examines how to create an enabling environment for healthcare professionals interested in working in the region and how to promote education programs for local students interested in career in healthcare.
The original RRHN members, included in the HRSA grant request are
- Rapp at Home: Nonprofit senior services Village organization
- Valley Health: Nonprofit health care system: (Warren Memorial Hospital)
- Aging Together: Nonprofit senior services organization
- UVA Health: Nonprofit hospital and outpatient facilities (Culpeper)
- Fauquier Free Clinic: Nonprofit health care clinic serving uninsured
- Mountainside Physical Therapy: Private health care provider
- Encompass Community Supports (Community Services Board, Behavioral Health Agency, and Area Agency on Aging)
- Rappahannock County Emergency Medical Services
- Rappahannock County Public Schools
- Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (part of the Virginia Department of Health)
- PATH Foundation
- Virginia State Office of Rural Health (part of the Virginia Department of Health)
Since we've begun others have joined and support our network in various capacities:
- The Regional Transportation Collaborative of the Rapidan Rappahannock Regional Commission
- Dr. Chris Nagle, MD
- Kate Warzinski, NP, mental health provider
- Rush River Commons
Through the HRSA grant and another anonymous grant award we have been able to secure the support of a full-time Network Director, Bob Richey (bob@rappathome.org), and a part-time Project Director, Arvela Heider of Holark Consulting (arvela@holark.com). Please feel free to contact them for additional information.
Click here for numerous RRHN-related documents.