Accomplishments

Since its inception, the Adirondack Rural Health Network has focused on the development of a regional health care delivery system. This undertaking has consisted largely of identifying regional health care needs and developing proposed solutions to immediately identifiable gaps in services. The following is a description of the Network's more significant activities.

1. Delivery System Development
   • Researched and provided data to be used in federal applications for health professional shortage area designations for primary care, dental and mental health.
   • Developed and submitted applications for medically underserved area designations for ten townships in northern Washington County, southern Essex County, northern Warren County and northern Saratoga County.
   • Assisted members of the Adirondack Rural Health Network in the development of a regional strategic plan to increase primary care, dental and mental health services.
   • Developed a plan and secured funding for a regional facilitated enrollment program.
   • Expanded and improved transportation systems that link transportation disadvantaged residents to no-cost/low cost rides to medical appointments.
   • Developed a first responder Medic car program.
2. Clinical Education
   • Secured funding for the establishment of an Area Health Education Center.
   • Responsive to the need for professional development and community education by developing and conducting education programs.
   • Development and maintenance of a web-based clearinghouse of emergency medical services courses, training and instruction.
3. Regional Health Planning
   • Conducted a multiple agency regional community health assessment.
   • Grant writing resource to develop a three county home telehealth program.
   • Grant writing and administrative resources in the completion of a two county mental health strategic plan.
   • Developed and implemented a five county oral health education program.
4. Information System Development
   • Development and maintenance of a web-based online directory of regional health resources and information.
   • Developed and maintain a region-wide inventory of current health data.
   • Created NYEMTInfo.com in 2005, a convenient online tool for EMS course providers to post up-coming courses. It is where pre-hospital and hospital care providers in our predominantly rural region now look to find the training they need at times and locations that are most convenient. That convenience is crucial to first responders based in remote locations. As many as 50 courses are listed at one time and over 200 local EMTs and other medical service providers have registered on the website.