Working With the SORH in Texas: Adventures in Pardnering NOSORH Regional Meeting – May 20, 2015 Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

Page  2 Some Background on TORCH  Founded in 1990 – This is our 25 th Anniversary!  501(c)(6) trade association for rural and community hospitals of 150 beds or less  148 member hospitals (79 of which are CAHs)  345 total members (hospital, corporate, affiliate, ect.)  The largest state ‘rural’ hospital organization in the U.S.  TORCH is a full-service association dedicated exclusively the unique needs and issues of rural and community hospitals. “Big enough to help. Small enough to care.”  In short, we are a community of rural health professionals Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

Page  3 Our Mission and Vision  Vision – Rural Texas has access to the highest quality health care.  Mission – To be the voice and principal advocate for rural and community hospitals in Texas, and to provide leadership in addressing the special needs and issues of these hospitals.  We accomplish these tasks through the support and direction of our: 21 member volunteer Board of Directors 9 staff at the Austin Headquarters 2 remote employees (TMSI) 2 contractors (Gov’t Relations & Communications) Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

Page  4 Our Family of Organizations We also manage the following organizations: Texas Rural Health Association Northwest Texas Hospital Association Texas Association of Rural Health Clinics Texas Hospital Home Health Association

Page  5 Our Programs and Services  Advocacy – Rural health and hospital issues at the state and national level  Public Relations – Raise the visibility of TORCH and its members  Communications – Raise awareness of the issues and solutions  Research – Data and policy analysis to support rural providers  Membership Services – High-quality programs that deliver value and address member needs (insurance, group purchasing, HIT, et cetera)  Education – Conferences and distance education that increases knowledge and understanding of rural health issues and solutions  Networking – Creating opportunities for more peer-to-peer interaction  Other Duties As Assigned – The various and sundry initiatives and activities that are derived from member requests and suggestions

Page  6 We have a long history of collaborative activities A few examples:  Development and coordination of the CAH/Flex Program  Establishment and onsite facilitation of HealthFind  Creation of the Capital Improvement Loan Fund  Support During Agency Sunset Review Processes  Advocacy for further funding/administrative simplification

Page  7 We have many ongoing collaborative activities too A few examples:  Needs Synthesis Grant and workplan development  Financial and Operational Improvement Grant activities to support Texas CAHs  Leadership training and staff development activities  Annual CAH Conference and monthly member calls

Page  8 What the future holds for this and other partnerships A few examples:  Work to address regional challenges and hospital closures  An emerging focus on population health-related activities  Assistance with and participation in regular site visits, listening sessions and stakeholder meetings  Development of a statewide rural health plan with well-coordinated policy development activities

Page  9 What are the factors that contributed to our success A few examples:  The significant overlap in our constituencies, staff and leadership  Our shared mission and exclusive focus on ‘rural’  The trust and respect that has been developed through years of mutual collaboration  A belief that coordinating our activities reduces confusion and preserves valuable resources  The rising tide lifts all boats, so put members first

Page  10 A few examples:  Look for those organizations that share a common purpose or a unifying goal  Put collaboration way out ahead of competition  Share knowledge, intelligence and ideas freely  Network together and build trusted relationships  Join forces and always fight for the same side  Small collaborations, often lead to larger ones How can you foster similar partnerships back home

Page  11 It was a pleasure to speak to you! Remember: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” - Helen Keller Quang Ngo - and David Pearson