Aspirus Recognizes Rural Health Day
11/16/2022
An
estimated 61 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural
areas, yet its landmass is roughly 86 percent of the United States according to
the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).
National
Rural Health Day is Thursday, November 17, 2022. It celebrates the “Power of
Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded spirit that prevails in rural
America.
The Aspirus Health system serves community
members across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
“It’s wonderful to live and work in
these small towns and rural areas, where everyone knows and respects each
other,” says Aspirus Senior Vice President & System Chief Nursing Executive
Connie Bradley. “We’re serving our neighbors and loved ones and all working
together for the greater good of the community.”
These rural communities also have
unique health care needs. Today more than ever, rural communities must address
accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, the needs of an aging
population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and many
other challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One
of those challenges is the decreased nursing workforce. Bradley, who started as a bedside nurse and now leads the functions and
operations of nursing for the Aspirus Health system, says “it’s
imperative that we as a system adapt and find ways to rebuild our core nursing
staff and retain those already in the system.” The strategies for doing this
range from offering unique learning
opportunities, reimagining how the work is done, and providing new and
progressive staffing models. “We are also working to provide the same
opportunities for medical assistants, surgical technicians and laboratory
technicians.”
Aspirus facilities are driven
by the providers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders who keep
the spirit of small-town America alive in the best way possible. Bradley adds
“we are committed to working toward overcoming these challenges and look
forward to continuing to provide the best health care possible in the areas we
serve.”
Become a part of the Aspirus team.
Visit https://www.aspirus.org/our-careers
to find career opportunities in your area.
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