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Appalachian Region Support

Empowering Healthcare Innovation Across Appalachian Communities

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Appalachian Regional Support

Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization in Appalachian Pennsylvania, New York, or anywhere across the broader Appalachian region, our support programs are here to help. Through these programs, the Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRC) offers no-cost technical assistance, expert consulting, and strategic guidance tailored to the unique needs of rural healthcare providers. Learn which program best fits your organization’s location and goals — and join a growing network working to strengthen rural health systems and communities.

Program Comparison

Find the Right Support for Your Healthcare Organization


 Appalachian Region Healthcare Technical Assistance Center (ARH-TAC)

Appalachian Region Commission Technical Assistance Center (ARC-TAC)

Service Area

  • Rural regions across all 13 states within the federally designated Appalachian Region.
  • 66 Appalachian-designated counties in Pennsylvania and New York.

Eligibility

  • Must be a healthcare organization located in the Appalachian Region and designated as rural according to HRSA’s eligibility analyzer [hyperlink]
  • Must be a healthcare organization located in the Appalachian Region of New York and Pennsylvania.

Support Offered

  • Technical assistance to rural healthcare organizations, specifically focused on operational improvement and service line expansion.
  • Seed funding for new services.
  • Peer forums for connection and shared learning.


  • Technical assistance to rural healthcare organizations, specifically focused on operational improvement and service line expansion.
  • Development of alternative payment models and strategies.
  • Peer forums for connection and shared learning.


Selection Process

  • Annual application process
  • Rolling enrollment

Cost to Participate

  • This program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and is free of cost to participants.
  • This program is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and is free of cost to participants.

Focus Areas

  • Operational Sustainability
  • Population Health
  • Service Line Expansion


  • Operational Sustainability
  • Workforce Development
  • State and National Alternative Payment Strategies


Service Regions

Get Started With the Program That’s Right for You​

Serving healthcare providers across the full Appalachian region, including:

  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia (all counties)
Appalachian Region Healthcare Technical Assistance Center (ARH-TAC)

 Focused on strengthening healthcare across 66 counties within:

  • Appalachian Pennsylvania
  • Appalachian New York
Appalachian Region Commission Technical Assistance Center (ARC-TAC)
The Appalachian Region Commission Technical Assistance Center is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) program. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ARC or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit ARC.gov.

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Appalachian Region Support Empowering Healthcare Innovation Across Appalachian Communities EMAIL CALL About Appalachian Regional Support Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization in Appalachian Pennsylvania, New York, or anywhere across the […]

Appalachian Region Support Empowering Healthcare Innovation Across Appalachian Communities EMAIL CALL About Appalachian Regional Support Whether you’re leading a healthcare organization in Appalachian Pennsylvania, New York, or anywhere across the […]

Ken Harman RHRC Regional Liaison
Ken Harman
Regional Liaison

Ken Harman is a Regional Liaison with the Rural Health Redesign Center and the Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center for the Midwest and Western States. He brings over 30 years’ healthcare experience, with the last 20 years being a rural Critical Access Hospital CEO. He has served in Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, California, Utah and Minnesota. He graduated in 1996 from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and from the University of Utah in 1990 with a Bachelors of Science in Economics. He has a passion for rural healthcare and in assisting organizations and communities in sustaining and growing to take care of community needs.

Appalachian Region Support

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tom harlow
Tom Harlow
Program Director

Tom has over 43 years of healthcare experience, with 24 in executive leadership and 16 in rural settings. In his role, he provides tactical assistance to rural providers in areas such as workforce, strategic planning, and value-based care.

janice walters
Janice Walters
Executive Director

Janice has been leading the work of the RHRC since its inception. She has a background in health nance and is a highly rated rural health expert with over 20 years of relevant leadership experience. She works closely with rural health executives, state and federal partners, and other community stakeholders to ensure access to quality healthcare in maintained across the rural U.S.