The Montana Office of Rural Health (MORH) works with federal, state and local partners to offer services and resources to rural healthcare providers, facilities and communities. MORH is proud to collaborate with various organizations, health departments, hospitals, government and academia. MORH is committed to provide rural health leadership for the state’s diverse and inclusive statewide constituency of stakeholders.

Focus Areas

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Collect and Disseminate Information

MORH/AHEC promotes rural health in Montana through newsletters, websites, social media, and a continuing education calendar. They share information with healthcare providers, organizations, and individuals, and collaborate with state and federal partners to support conferences, workshops, and summits on rural health issues. 
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Coordinate Rural Health Activities

MORH/AHEC actively supports rural health by serving various boards and managing the Montana Rural Health Association, a key resource hub for rural Montanans. They offer technical assistance, support funding applications, and collaborate on initiatives to improve access to healthcare access. MORH/AHEC also collaborates on recruitment and retention efforts for healthcare professionals in rural, frontier, and  geoprahically isolated communities, while helping facilities build capacity, secure funding, and enhance healthcare delivery.
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Provide Techinical Assistance

MORH/AHEC provides hospital, clinical, and community-focused technical assistance programming. The Community Health Services Development (CHSD) Program helps hospitals and the communities they serve identify and address community health needs and mainittain a statewide community health needs assessment data hub. In partnership with organizations across the state, MORH/AHEC developed the Montana Rural Health Clinic Network. The Network supports Rural health Clinics by providing education, training, sponsorships, quality improvement projects, and more.

History

Established in 1991 by Governors’ designation and start-up support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Montana Office of Rural Health (MORH) is a partnership between the US Federal Government, the State of Montana and Montana State University. The MORH is one of the 50 state offices of rural health in the nation funded through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA). The state offices of rural health are charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, and networking; partnership development; and assisting in the recruitment and retention of health care providers.