Health Technology Part 2

In this part of my series on health technology, I’m sharing several more funding opportunities, including an opportunities to nominate an organization in your community (including your own!) that has achieved excellence in implementing health technology.  I also have several tech resources and reports I hope you find useful.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society sponsors the Nicholas Davies Awards that recognize “excellence in the implementation and value from health information technology, specifically EHRs” and that “creatively and effectively utilize electronic data” in patient care.  There are awards in four categories, including Public Health and Community Organizations.  Each category has a separate application deadline, beginning March 31.  This is a great opportunity to get recognition for your successful efforts to use technology in improving health care.  The site has comprehensive tutorials and instructions on how to apply.  No word on the award dollar amount.

The Technology Grants for Rural Schools program will award grants from $1-10,000 to projects that will “bring modern computers to every classroom, connect schools to the information superhighway and make sure that effective and engaging software and online resources are an integral part of the school curriculum.”  You’ll have to verify that your community is eligible to apply—there’s a list on the site.  The Foundation for Rural Education and Development sponsors the program; the Foundation also awards scholarships and community development grants.  Proposals are due September 17, 2010.

USDA Rural Development has a number of programs for community, infrastructure and telecommunication development.  The Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program provides combinations of grants, loans and loan guarantees for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities.  There are no deadlines for most Rural Development programs (including this one).  Contact your local USDA office for more information.

In case you still aren’t sure whether you need to invest in health technology, specifically electronic medical records (EMRs, also EHRs), this recent article clearly outlines the benefits.  These include: avoid duplication of tests, identify the right drug and dose and reduce medical errors.  Also this week, the White House announced the creation of a health IT task force, replacing several other interagency committees working on health technology.  The goal is to improve coordination of all federal government health IT efforts, including awarding $20 billion in federal IT stimulus funds.  The USDA is on the task force, so we can expect it will address rural needs.

The National Rural Health Association has teamed with Healthland, “America’s largest provider of information technology solutions specifically for critical access and small community hospitals,” to provide IT resources and assistance to rural providers on a variety of issues.  Their website has recordings of webinars on meaningful use and ARRA updates (if you’re wondering what that means, watch the webinar!).

Finally, I have this non-IT announcement: North Woods Community Health Center in Hayward is looking for an Executive Director.  If you’re interested or for more information, contact Diane M. Sosnowski, Interim Director, 715-634-2541.

February 25, 2010 · KJacobson · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: Conferences and Webinars, Grant Advice, Reports and Studies

Leave a Reply