Contact: Allison Seigars
Association Manager
Phone (580) 213-3177
Fax (580) 213-3167
agseigars@nwosu.edu

Joint Rural and Underserved Health Conference Keynote Speaker Confirmed

The Oklahoma Primary Care Association, Oklahoma State University Office of Rural Health, and the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s Joint Fall Conference will feature Donald L. Weaver, MD. Dr. Weaver has a lifelong commitment to improving the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations through the provision of community-responsive, culturally competent care by interdisciplinary teams.

He is the Chief Medical Officer for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). In addition to leading NACHC’s Clinical Affairs Division, he oversees NACHC’s activities regarding clinical workforce issues, residency and medical school training. He also provides technical assistance to primary care associations, residency programs, and hospitals regarding health profession training issues.

Dr. Weaver will give the keynote address, titled “Getting Better Together.” The theme of the conference is “Getting Better Together: Strengthening the Healthcare Safety Net for Rural and Underserved Oklahomans.”
“It will be imperative for all health care providers to work together to create systems of care that produce improved patient outcomes and maximize limited resources,” said Alison Williams, Workforce and Communications Manager for Oklahoma Primary Care Association. “Dr. Weaver is most sincere with health care advocacy and ends all of his presentations by encouraging participants to be tobacco free and exercise - emphasizing the need for personal responsibility to improve health.

“The conference is an example of statewide collaboration of three safety net organizations to address access to care for all Oklahomans,” said Greta Stewart, Executive Director, Oklahoma Primary Care Association.
Williams said the Joint Fall Conference attendees hearing Dr. Weaver’s presentation will gain “an understanding of best practices Dr. Weaver has identified from across the nation.”

The Joint Fall Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman, Okla. on September 20-21, following a golf tournament at Westwood Park Golf Course, benefitting the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma.

To register for the Joint Fall Conference or to see the agenda, visit www.rhao.org. For more information about the conference, contact Andy Fosmire, Managing Director, ahecadmin@nwosu.edu or (580) 213-3172.
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