Committees

The Rural Health Association of Arkansas promotes key areas of focus across the state through the work of committees. These committees constitute legislative, workforce and educational foci for the association. Please see the committee descriptions below.

Legislative Committee

About

The RHAA legislative committee focuses on state and national legislative priorities. The committee members help to draft focal areas for the association and recommendations for association support. All committee recommendations are taken to the Board of Directors for final approval.

Members

Chair
LeeAnn Sheer, PharmD E-mail

Benny Gooden
Kathryn Ryan
Mike Heald
Mellie Bridewell
Joey Miller
Janet Stallings
Matthew Stripling
Julie Pennington
Dave Oberembt
Michael Page

Meetings
September 23, 2021 Recording

Workforce committee

About

The RHAA workforce committee seeks to address gaps and challenges in Arkansas’ rural health workforce and provide solutions to those problems in support of our rural communities.

Members

Chair
Robin Howell Email

Anna Huff-Davis
Tina Creel
Kwasi Boateng
Janet Ligon
Melanie Thomasson
Renisha Ward
Tammy Henson
Joshua Baxter
Mary Ashleigh Harper
Amber Marshall
Marcia Byers
Matt Burns
Jennifer Craig
Mia Stark

Meetings
May 19, 2021 – UAMS Student Recruitment & Provider Placement Recording
June 16, 2021 – Hospital Workforce Solution Recording
July 21, 2021 – Arkansas Rural Health Partnership Recording
August 18, 2021 – HBCU MedTrack Recording
September 15, 2021 – HOSA & Arkansas Rural Practice Incentive Programs Recording
October 20, 2021 – NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Recording
January 19, 2022 – Community Health Centers of Arkansas Recording
February 16, 2022 – UAMS Pathways Program Recording
March 16, 2022 – UAMS Mental / Behavioral Health Recording
May 18, 2022 – Arkansas Workforce Recording
July 20, 2022 – Arkansas Department of Commerce Recording
January 18, 2023 – Planning Next Steps – Workforce Task Force Recording

Education committee

About

The RHAA education committee examines opportunities for continuing education for RHAA members in order to improve rural health delivery and compliance in the state.

Members

Chair
Lisa McClain, PhD (co-chair) Email
Seth Bayird (co-chair) Email

Amy McMellon
Marybeth Curtis

Student committee

About

The RHAA student committee works to address the needs of healthcare students in the State of Arkansas, particularly those going into the medical field.

Members

Chair
Melanie Meyer Email

Madelyn Stricklin – ARCOM
Anna Mears – UAMS
Josh Gray – NYIT
Connor Roset – UAMS
Jake Erwin – UAMS
Rosemary Kallarackel – NYIT
Elizabeth Nguyen – NYIT
Yu-Yin Chen – NYIT