Hospital President Selected to serve on American Hospital Associations Task Force
The American Hospital Association recently commissioned The Future of Rural Health Care task force to work with legislators to help draft policies to address the healthcare challenges in rural communities.
CORBIN, KENTUCKY (July 18, 2019) – The American Hospital Association recently commissioned The Future of Rural Health Care task force to work with legislators to help draft policies to address the healthcare challenges in rural communities. This task force will meet multiple times over the next year beginning this month in Washington, DC.
Anthony Powers, President of Baptist Health Corbin, was one of the 28 healthcare leaders nationwide and the only leader from Kentucky chosen to serve on this task force. “The challenges faced by rural hospitals are complex, requiring policymakers, providers and communities to work together, innovate and leverage unique strategies to pave the way for the future of rural health care,” said Powers.
“Rural hospitals are not just access points for care, they are cornerstones of care for the communities they serve,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “In spite of their unique challenges, providing access to quality care where and when their patients need it will always be the goal of rural hospitals.”
While rural hospitals continue to struggle with low patient volumes and geographic isolation, they also must confront issues such as economic fluctuations, increased regulatory burden and the opioid epidemic. “I am excited and honored to be able to serve on this important task force and help represent our rural communities in Kentucky,” said Powers.
About Baptist Health Corbin
Baptist Health Corbin is a 273-bed, acute care facility providing a wide variety of healthcare services to the residents of Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell, Clay, McCreary, Harlan and Campbell counties in Kentucky and nearby Jellico, Tennessee. Part of Louisville, Kentucky-based Baptist Health, the hospital offers 24 points of care in a full continuum from inpatient care to rehab services to behavioral health. Services include cardiac, orthopedics, pain management, a full range of women’s services, including obstetrics and breast care; wound care, pain management, cancer care, and diabetic treatments.
Formerly known as the Baptist Regional Medical Center, the hospital includes outpatient diagnostic, home care, occupational medicine and physical therapy clinics. Baptist Health has a network of healthcare providers for patients in the Southeast Kentucky area – from Baptist Health Medical Group offices, to Baptist Health Urgent Care and Baptist Health Express Care inside Walmart stores.
About the AHA
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the website at www.aha.org.