“New Directions in Rural Healthcare”
Click here for the Conference agenda.
We all know how complex healthcare has become and it’s hard to ignore the unprecedented changes that have taken place in our country over the past year, but we’re not done yet! 2017 is shaping up to be the monumentally challenging year we all thought it would. In order to protect and preserve your organization, you need not only to be on the forefront of innovation, but more strategic, more aggressive and more dynamic.
We contend that this is an ideal time for all rural hospitals to find a “New Direction in Rural Healthcare.”
Therefore, TORCH aims to use this year’s Annual Conference as a forum to explore the opportunities that reside among our rural hospital members to capitalize operationally and financially; locally and regionally; economically and politically from a vastly changing and rapidly evolving healthcare market. The goal is to be sure that your leadership, trustees and staff can learn from one another and from recognized state and national experts who have a vision for the long-term success of rural healthcare.
Don’t think of it as the end is near. Think of it as a new beginning! If you’re willing to assume a little more risk and think strategically, this environment is ready to reward you. We formally invite you all to come and be a part of this year’s TORCH Annual Conference and Trade Show and to take in the knowledge and education you need to get ahead in 2017, to network among your knowledgeable peers and to again make this event the cornerstone of a highly successful year for you, your hospital and your community. You can register for the event by clicking here
Once again, we are returning to the Hyatt Regency in the heart of downtown Dallas again. The hotel is located at 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX. The negotiated room rate is $164/night. The hotel does sell out quickly, so please make your reservations as soon as possible. You can reserve your room here
As you know, TORCH draws its strength from our many members and their dedicated support. Your participation in the TORCH Annual Conference and Trade Show as well as our other activities is always appreciated. Our overarching goal each year is to create a highly affordable and equally engaging educational opportunity that delivers a rural-friendly agenda and trade show experience with a special emphasis on helping you find solutions and improvements that will drop directly to the bottom line.
TORCH Annual Conference & Tradeshow – Annual Early Bird Golf Tournament
We have arranged a spectacular golf outing, sponsored by Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange (THIE) and TORCH Management Services, Inc. (TMSI), for the afternoon of Monday, April 17.
This event is only for hospital staff and corporate members registered to attend the 2017 TORCH Annual Conference. The golf tournament, benefiting the John F. Boff scholarship fund, will take place at the Tenison Highlands Golf Club. Get a sneak peek at this exciting new venue at www.tenisonpark.com
Registration fee to play golf is $99/pp. The registration fee also includes your lunch. You can register by clicking here.
Schedule of events for the golf tournament is as follows:
Noon – BBQ lunch served
12:30 – Warm-up begins
1:00 pm – Golf tournament begins
Apply Now for the 2017 TORCH Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: April 3, 2017
The TORCH Foundation is pleased to announce that the application process is now open for the 2017 MHA, Continuing Education and Internship Scholarships.
The TORCH Foundation 2017 Continuing Education Stipend will be awarded to a healthcare professional currently working in a TORCH Member healthcare facility who aspires to improve higher job performance by participating in a healthcare related continuing education event/opportunity (i.e. health education conference, course, seminar, workshop, training event, etc.). This individual demonstrates commitment to providing quality healthcare and values continuing education as a tool to achieve performance excellence in his/her occupation. There is a limit of one award per person per year. The stipend award can be used for registration fees and travel expenses up to $1000. You can download the application form here.
The TORCH Foundation 2017 Rural Healthcare Internship Stipend will be awarded to an individual, accepted to or currently participating in an internship program or practicum in a TORCH Member healthcare facility, who is dedicated to providing quality healthcare in rural areas and who aspires to become a healthcare professional in a rural area. Applicants must complete the eligibility requirements, as defined on the application form, including submission of a resume, a signed letter of recommendation by the internship program director or supervisor, and a one page personal statement that demonstrates both commitment to rural healthcare and interest in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. The Internship Stipend award is $1000. You can download the application form here.
The TORCH Foundation 2017 Texas MHA Student Scholarship will be awarded to a second year student currently enrolled in an accredited Texas Graduate Program of Healthcare Administration who has demonstrated academic excellence in their program and who aspires to work in the healthcare industry, preferably in a rural area. Applicants must be in good standing and complete the eligibility requirements, as defined on the application form, including submission of a current Graduate Program transcript, resume, a signed letter of recommendation by an instructor or advisor in the Graduate Program of Healthcare Administration, and a personal statement that demonstrates both commitment to healthcare administration and interest in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. The MHA Student Scholarship award is $1000. You can download the application form here.
Anyone interested in applying for these scholarships must complete the scholarship application and provide the supporting documentation to our office by April 3, 2017 to be eligible for consideration. Winners will be announced in early April and will be invited to be recognized at the TORCH Annual Conference awards banquet on April 19.
Interested in Exhibiting or Sponsoring at the 2017 TORCH Annual Conference?
For all TORCH Corporate members, exhibitor and sponsorship registration is officially open for the 2017 TORCH Annual Conference and Tradeshow. Registration for non-members officially opens January 3, 2017. A total of 106 booths are currently available. You can download a copy of the 2017 exhibitor prospectus by clicking here. Booths are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Payment must be accompany the exhibitor application in order to secure your requested spot. The tradeshow does sell out fast, so please make sure to get your application in as soon as possible. You can click here to see the available booths. This diagram is updated weekly. You can contact Rose Valenzuela @ (512) 873-0045 if you have any questions on exhibiting or sponsoring at the event.
The host hotel for this year’s event is the Hyatt Regency – Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, TX. The negotiated room rate is $164/night. The hotel does sell out quickly, so please make your reservations as soon as possible. You can reserve your room here.
TORCH Launches Advocacy Campaign to Save Texas Rural Hospitals
To help spread the word to our Legislature and Congress about the issues facing Texas Rural Hospitals, TORCH has been running an awareness campaign in the Austin American Statesman. We are hopeful it will send a message that rural hospitals need to be paid fairly to remain open and that our existence is beneficial to more than just the people that live in our local communities. Our Texas rural hospitals treat people from all across the country. The demonstration of our national impact in the Austin ad is with a map of the US showing where patients came from that went to the ER in Van Horn over a one year period. It is very interesting. You can click here to view the ad.
As part of our awareness campaign, TORCH has offered to customize an ad for you to place in your local newspapers using your local information of the home states/countries of your 2016 ER admissions. If you are interested in TORCH preparing an ad for you, contact Carrie Ruiz at the TORCH office at (512) 873-0045 or via email at cruiz@torchnet.org. You will need to provide the state and/or country of everyone that presented at your ER during the calendar year period. You will receive a full page color and black and white advertisement, as well as, a jpg file for use in community and board presentations.
25 Things To Know About Rural Hospitals
TORCH has prepared a quick fact sheet of the top 25 things to know about rural hospitals. Please click here to download the brief whitepaper.
Texas Rural Hospital Map
Click here to see a map of the rural hospitals throughout the state.