About SORH
The SORH was first established in 1994 at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The MDPH SORH is funded through multiple federal grants from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy at HRSA with considerable additional matching and in-kind resources from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other collaborating partners.
The program has developed a successful institutional framework that links rural communities with state and federal resources to help create solutions to rural health problems.
The SORH:
- Links rural communities with state and federal resources
- Collects and distributes rural health information
- Coordinates rural health networking activities
- Provides technical assistance for the planning, development, and implementation of local rural health projects
- Provides leadership to strengthen local, state, and federal partnerships
- Secures resources to improve rural health
- Administers the MA Rural Hospital Programs including the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program and the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program
- Provides leadership and coordination for special rural initiatives
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission:
The Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health supports rural communities by helping them access the networks, services, and resources they need to be healthy.
Vision:
A future where rural communities are heard, seen, and valued; community voices shape policy, resources build on local strengths, and community health and well-being is achieved through shared power and purpose.
Values:
- Health and Racial Equity
We are committed to advancing health and racial equity in rural communities by addressing systemic barriers and uplifting the voices of those most impacted by systems of oppression. - Community Engagement
We are committed to deep, ongoing engagement with rural communities, recognizing that sustainable impacts begin with local leadership and lived experience. - Continuous Learning
We believe that meaningful change requires ongoing learning, humility, and a willingness to grow alongside the communities we serve. - Sharing Power
We are committed to equitable partnerships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared power with the communities we serve. - Connection
We value the power of connection – convening rural partners to share best practices, learn from one another, and build a strong network of mutual support.