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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Health workforce education and training

Mar 10, 2026 - Discusses sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) shortages across Kentucky, particularly in rural areas where case volume and access to training are limited. Describes the impacts of SANE shortages for assault survivors and state policy measures being considered to address the shortage.
Source: WPSD Local 6
Mar 9, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on new forms related to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program's (RWHAP) AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Program, which supports a network of national centers that conduct targeted, multi-disciplinary education and training programs for health care providers treating people with HIV. The information collected will be used to obtain more accurate data relating to National AETC activities, participants, and site information for all National AETC Program recipients, among other things. Comments are due by April 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2026 - Highlights the new Medical Laboratory Sciences Extended Internship Program at an Arkansas university. The program aims to reduce rural medical laboratory staff shortages in Arkansas and nearby states by training local students. An increase in rural lab staff would both speed up lab processing times and decrease the cost of care.
Source: UAMS News
Feb 24, 2026 - Describes workforce shortages in rural Colorado and a rural-focused program in the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz School of Medicine aiming to reduce those shortages. Highlights the programs attention to rural training and preparing students for family medicine.
Source: The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Feb 24, 2026 - Highlights two new 3D printed, low-cost simulation devices that may make training rural and other limited resource institutions more accessible. Discusses the high cost of simulation devices, how the devices were tested, and the involvement of engineering students in developing the devices.
Source: The Den, Mercer University
Feb 20, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH) seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "OMH Think Cultural Health." The Think Cultural Health (TCH) website is an initiative of HHS OMH that provides resources and tools to promote cultural and linguistic competency in health and healthcare. The information collected will be used to enable health and healthcare professionals to register for courses; obtain accredited continuing education credits; and help ensure that TCH offerings remain relevant, useful, and responsive to the needs of their target audiences. Comments are due by April 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 20, 2026 - Highlights philanthropic support for a rural workforce program at the Penn State College of Medicine. Discusses recruiting rural students into medical programs as a strategy to solve rural workforce shortages, as well as mobile care delivery and innovation to improve access to care for rural residents.
Source: PennState Health News
Feb 19, 2026 - Discusses the work of resident physicians in rural Missouri. A new rural residency program has placed 2 residents in rural communities, improving access for those in the area.
Source: KRCG
Feb 18, 2026 - Describes a Tennessee university's mobile dental care program bringing access to oral care into rural communities. Notes the potential improvements on both health outcomes and the dental workforce in the area.
Source: Chief Healthcare Executive