- State Office of Rural Health
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All 50 states offer a State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to timely and high-quality healthcare for rural residents.
The Washington State Office of Rural Health (WA-SORH) is supported by annual grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as well as state matching funds. Through outreach and strategic community partnerships, WA-SORH works to connect rural communities with vital federal, state, and local resources. The team coordinates statewide rural health initiatives and provides direct assistance to help strengthen and support rural healthcare systems across Washington.
Services and Activities
- Providing technical assistance and resources for rural health systems including rural hospitals and clinics
- Supporting workforce development and retention
- Providing guidance on grant and funding opportunities
- Offering training in healthcare leadership and operations
- Providing regulatory and compliance guidance and resources
- Conducting needs assessments, environmental scans, and asset and gap analysis
- Assisting in telehealth development initiatives
- Providing collaboration, peer learning, and network-building opportunities for rural healthcare providers
- Supporting data, policy, and community health efforts
- Leading quality, financial, operational, and health outcome improvement initiatives
- Connecting local, state, and national partners to improve Washington State rural health outcomes
WA-SORH Community Connections
- Academic institutions
- Community development partners
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Funders and philanthropic organizations
- State government agencies
- Healthcare systems
- Hospitals and clinics
- Local health departments
- Rural community coalitions
- State and national associations
- Rural health professionals
For more information email Washington State Office of Rural Health (WA-SORH) (RuralHealth@doh.wa.gov).
- Volunteer and Retired Providers Program
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The Washington State legislature created the Volunteer and Retired Providers (VRP) Program in 1992 (RCW 43.70.460 and RCW 43.70.470) to expand healthcare access for underserved patients in Washington.
The VRP Program encourages healthcare volunteerism by paying malpractice insurance premiums for those providing non-invasive care to underserved patients. Volunteers who use their Washington State professional license only for volunteer work are also eligible for license renewal. The Washington State Department of Health funds this program.
Non-Invasive Care Defined
Non-invasive medical care includes the administration of injections, suturing of minor lacerations, and the incision of boils and superficial abscesses. Obstetric care is not covered under non-invasive medical care.
Non-invasive dental care includes diagnosis, oral hygiene, restoration, and extraction. Orthodontia and surgical treatments are not covered by Volunteer and Retired Providers Program malpractice insurance.
Provider Eligibility
All healthcare providers with a Washington State active or retired active license or providers licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction who wish to volunteer at an approved site, are eligible with no minimum volunteer time commitment
Anyone interested in volunteering must first contact an approved site or event sponsoring organization to volunteer. Once approved by the site or event sponsor, please contact the Washington Healthcare Access Alliance (WHAA).
How to Apply as a Site
Clinics interested in hosting VRP program volunteers must provide healthcare services for low-income patients regardless of ability to pay, and must be approved by filling out a site application.
How to Open a Free Clinic
The Department of Health partners with the Washington Healthcare Access Alliance (WHAA) to support the free clinics across the state. If your community is interested in developing a clinic to meet your area's needs, please contact WHAA for assistance.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
If you are a healthcare professional interested in volunteer opportunities, contact WHAA for assistance.
Contact Us
Please contact Washington Healthcare Access Alliance for more information.
Washington Healthcare Access Alliance, VRP Program
P.O. Box 7242
Tacoma, WA 98417Phone number: 267-713-9422
Fax number: 206-260-8859
Email
VRP webpage
WHAA homepage - Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative
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The Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative supports rural communities across Washington State in developing the skills, services, and infrastructure needed to provide high-quality palliative care to individuals with serious illnesses and their families.
This initiative focuses on enhancing the delivery of compassionate, patient-centered care at any stage of illness, with a special emphasis on providing services in the home and community settings.
Through this initiative, rural healthcare providers receive training, resources, and technical assistance to better address the unique needs of patients facing complex, chronic, and life-limiting conditions. The initiative aims to improve access to palliative care, ensuring that patients and families receive comprehensive support, including pain management, symptom relief, and emotional and spiritual care. By strengthening local capacity, the initiative helps rural communities build sustainable palliative care programs that can be integrated into existing healthcare systems, ensuring that people with serious illnesses can live with dignity and comfort, wherever they call home.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for individuals living with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and the stress of both the illness and its treatment—regardless of the diagnosis. The primary goal is to enhance quality of life for the patient, their loved ones, and caregivers.
Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage of serious illness and can be provided alongside curative or active treatments. It emphasizes patient autonomy, informed decision-making, and access to critical information. The palliative care team works closely with patients and families to help them understand the illness, explore their options, and make timely, well-informed decisions about their care.
For more information email Washington State Office of Rural Health, Washington Rural Palliative Care Leadership (RuralHealth@doh.wa.gov).
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