Rural Hospital Nonprofit Partner

Expanding access to specialty care for rural communities through practical telehealth solutions

Rural Focus

Access | Connectivity | Health disparities | Care coordination | Outcomes

Overview

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Center for Telehealth and Emerging Technologies helps rural hospitals and clinics expand access to care through scalable, real-world telehealth solutions.

Their work focuses on connecting patients to timely, specialized care while supporting rural providers with the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to sustain those services long term.

Core Support for Rural Hospitals & Clinics

UMMC provides end-to-end telehealth support, including:

  • Virtual Clinical Services
    Teleconsults, specialty access, remote patient monitoring, and virtual nursing
  • Implementation and Technical Assistance
    Program design, workflow integration, technology selection, and operational support
  • Data and Evaluation Support
    Outcomes tracking, utilization analytics, and ROI modeling
  • Workforce Training and Education
    Telehealth training, ECHO-style learning, and implementation bootcamps
  • Policy and Sustainability Guidance
    Reimbursement strategy, regulatory navigation, and long-term planning

Challenges Addressed

  • Limited access to specialty care
  • Provider shortages
  • Geographic and transportation barriers
  • Fragmented care across settings
  • High chronic disease burden
  • Financial strain on rural facilities
  • Ongoing health disparities

How It Works for Rural Communities

UMMC uses a hub-and-spoke model that connects rural hospitals and clinics to centralized expertise and support.

Their approach is designed to be practical and sustainable:

  • Integrates into existing workflows without adding burden
  • Works in low-bandwidth and resource-constrained environments
  • Extends local teams with virtual specialists and care coordinators
  • Uses data to guide implementation and measure outcomes
  • Follows a phased approach from design to long-term sustainability

This allows rural providers to expand services without overextending their teams.

Measurable Impact

  • Approximately 50 percent reduction in hospitalizations for patients in remote monitoring programs
  • Expanded specialty access across rural regions, reducing travel and improving timeliness of care

Rural Success in Action

After implementing AI-enabled virtual nursing, one rural program saw a 30 percent reduction in patient falls on medical-surgical units.

This demonstrates how technology, when implemented correctly, can improve both safety and outcomes without adding strain to staff.

What Rural Providers Are Saying

“Telehealth support has been a game changer for our clinic. We can manage complex patients more effectively, reduce unnecessary transfers, and provide care locally.”

Why UMMC Center for Telehealth and Emerging Technologies

UMMC works directly with rural hospitals and clinics to build solutions that fit their environment.

Their approach stands out because it combines:

  • Clinical services, implementation, and training in one model
  • A focus on sustainability, not short-term programs
  • Real-world solutions designed for rural settings
  • A commitment to improving both access and outcomes

Connect with UMMC

POC: Tearsanee Davis, Director, Clinical Programs and Strategy
📞 (601) 815-2022
📧 tcdavis2@umc.edu