Paris Regional Medical Center (PRMC), in Paris, Texas, hosted approximately 60 healthcare industry professionals for the Texas Rural Health Association's (TRHA) Rural Health Care Symposium on October 22. The one-day event was presented by TRHA in conjunction with PRMC and the Alzheimer's Association, Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter.Symposium participants attended two panels focused on rural healthcare challenges, legislative issues, initiatives and tools for physician recruitment. Local representatives giving presentations included PRMC Chief Executive Officer Steve Hyde, and organizations involved included the Texas Primary Care Office, the Texas Organization of Rural Community Hospitals, UNT Health Science Center's Rural Medical Education (ROME) program, the ARK-TEX Area Agency on Aging, the Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) East-Northeast Region, Adult Protective Services and the Alzheimer's Association.
Sharon Bonner, ethics and compliance officer for PRMC, worked with THRA Board President Kelly Cheek to coordinate the symposium.
"Providing healthcare in a rural community is both a privilege and a responsibility for the patients we serve at PRMC, as well as their families," Bonner said. "As we carry out our mission of Making Communities Healthier, we strive to be the regional healthcare provider of choice. Networking with post-acute healthcare providers and sharing community resources through events like this is vital in order to promote healthcare and wellness in the communities we serve."
