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EXPERTISE

Cultural Competence
Health Communications
Health Information Technology
Homeless Veterans
International Health
Program and Project Management
Research & Analysis
Strategic Planning & Performance Measurement
Rural Veterans Health
Women Veterans Health

 

Residents of rural communities face unique challenges in obtaining affordable, readily accessible, quality health care.  Those living in remote areas tend to have fewer medical resources available to them to address routine and emergency care, and wrestle with even greater problems when they require treatment for more serious medical issues.  Rural health care providers typically work in more restricted health care environments due to reduced staff support and limited technology access. 

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has determined that 37.5 percent of Veterans reside in rural areas.  Patients in rural areas tend to present serious challenges due to economic struggles such as unemployment, lack of health insurance, and limited finances combined with lower education levels, overall poorer health status, and cultural and social barriers.  The health disparities emerging from these issues are further compounded for those rural Veterans who are additionally burdened with combat-related stress. 

Leadership & Experience
Atlas is recognized for its technical expertise and national leadership in rural Veterans health.  The Atlas team’s experience includes health care strategic planning and management for clients, providing health program advisory services, and conducting health services research and evaluation. 

Atlas intimately understands the demands and challenges facing Veterans seeking quality health care because a number of its senior leaders are Veterans themselves.  We are uniquely positioned to assist with ongoing initiatives designed to improve Veterans’ health care, which is why the VA Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) chose to partner with our firm for technical support of a portfolio of rural health programs.  VISN 5’s Rural Health Initiative includes projects designed to improve access to and quality of care for rural Veterans through the expansion of existing programs and the development of new education and access opportunities.  The projects span key focus areas for VA, including rehabilitative services, telehealth, transportation services, homeless Veteran outreach, Veteran reintegration, and women’s health. 

Atlas is also assisting the South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16) to connect health care providers across large geographic areas through the development of the Rural Veterans Provider Network (RVPN), a web-based social networking tool.  This new resource facilitates interactions among providers both internal and external to VA and increases their ability to build a community of meaningful relationships based on shared values and priorities.

Services & Products
• Baseline assessments
• Training and professional development
• Policy and procedure review
• Business and health care
• Delivery system redesign
• Research, studies, and reports
• Presentations and keynotes
• Communications and outreach planning

 

Contact
Hilda Heady, MSW, ACSW
Senior Vice President & Chair, Rural Health Research & Policy Group
hheady@atlasresearch.us
304.288.9003