Leaders from Healthy Connections traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to take part in a national effort focused on one of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing rural America: substance use disorder and the opioid crisis.
The organization participated in the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Reverse Site Visit, a three-day conference hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The annual gathering brings together healthcare providers, public health leaders, and federal partners from across the country to share strategies for expanding addiction treatment and strengthening healthcare systems in rural communities.
Representing Healthy Connections at the conference were Tony Calandro, CEO; Ann Calandro, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Services and the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program; Phi Tang, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist; and Dr. Leslie Ward, MD, a provider at the Hot Springs Central and Russellville clinics and a credentialed HIV Specialist.
Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Rural Communities
Substance use disorder continues to affect communities across the United States, and rural areas often face unique challenges in addressing the crisis. Many communities experience shortages of behavioral health providers, transportation barriers that limit access to care, and stigma that can prevent individuals from seeking treatment.
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program was created to help rural healthcare organizations build stronger systems of care by supporting evidence-based treatment, expanding access to medications used to treat opioid use disorder, and encouraging collaboration between healthcare providers serving rural populations.
Conferences like the RCORP Reverse Site Visit provide an opportunity for healthcare leaders to share lessons learned, identify effective approaches to treatment, and strengthen partnerships that help rural communities respond to substance use disorder.
Strengthening Rural Healthcare Through Collaboration
For organizations like Healthy Connections, these discussions directly relate to the work taking place every day in communities across Arkansas.
Healthy Connections is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving patients throughout Western and Central Arkansas with integrated medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. By bringing multiple disciplines together under one coordinated system of care, the organization is able to provide comprehensive treatment options for patients seeking help.
“Our communities face unique healthcare challenges, especially when it comes to addiction and behavioral health,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections. “Opportunities like the RCORP Reverse Site Visit allow healthcare leaders from across the country to learn from one another and strengthen the programs that are making a difference in people’s lives.”
The Role of Integrated Care in Addiction Treatment
A major focus of the conference was expanding access to evidence-based addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment and coordinated behavioral health services.
Integrated care models play an important role in addressing substance use disorder because patients often need support from multiple healthcare professionals. Medical providers, behavioral health specialists, and pharmacists each contribute important expertise in helping individuals begin treatment and remain on the path toward recovery.
Healthy Connections continues to expand addiction treatment services across its network of clinics, combining primary care, behavioral health services, and pharmacy support to ensure patients receive coordinated, compassionate care close to home.
Participation in national initiatives like the RCORP Reverse Site Visit helps Healthy Connections bring new ideas, partnerships, and strategies back to Arkansas—strengthening the care available to the patients and communities it serves.
Expanding Access to Care Across Arkansas
For more than 25 years, Healthy Connections has worked to improve access to healthcare for patients in rural and underserved communities. The organization provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services through clinics located across Western and Central Arkansas.
Events like the RCORP Reverse Site Visit reinforce the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, community partners, and federal programs working together to address complex health challenges facing rural communities.
If you or someone you know is seeking care, Healthy Connections offers medical, behavioral health, and addiction treatment services at clinics across Western and Central Arkansas. Call 888-710-8220 or visit healthy-connections.org to learn more or schedule an appointment.
