Executive Summary

The Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) is focused on its future, guided by insights from three strategic planning sessions. The Board has developed a clear roadmap for growth, built around five key strategies that will ensure long-term success:

1. Building Capacity: Strengthening foundational documents and policies for growth.
2. Roadshows: Engaging communities to enhance visibility and value.
3. Member Engagement: Creating workgroups and committees to involve members and develop future leaders.
4. Sponsorship of Training: Offering educational opportunities to generate revenue and increase member value.
5. Succession Planning: Preventing burnout and fostering innovation for sustainable growth.
   

These strategies will shape the Association’s continued impact and success in the years ahead.

The Maryland State Office of Rural Health announced the release of their new Maryland Rural Health Strategic Plan, 2025-2030!  This Strategic Plan is purposefully designed with broad input from across rural Maryland to further equip state and local entities with a tailorable path toward a future in which all rural Maryland residents can reach their full health potential. It puts forth three key priorities for organizations and programs to take into account as they work to provide health-related services across rural Maryland. These priorities aim to strengthen multi-sector collaboration, advance health equity, and foster a more resilient rural health system. Beyond detailing the key priorities, objectives, and outcomes, the Strategic Plan discusses the definition of “rural Maryland,” the current status of rural Marylanders' health, and provides an overview of the public health and healthcare delivery system. The Strategic Plan also provides rural region and county profiles as a snapshot of health, compiling the most recent data and indicators on county health. The full digital PDF of the 2025-2030 Maryland Rural Health Strategic Plan can be accessed online by visiting the MDH State Office of Rural Health website: https://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/pages/rural-health.aspx, or by clicking the button below.