National Rural Health Day: Rural Rising

This special hybrid event convenes partners from across the state of North Carolina to celebrate the #PowerOfRural.

We are pleased to invite you to our annual celebration of National Rural Health Day. The hybrid event will be held in-person at MAHEC in the Education Building’s Blue Ridge Room at 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803 on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm and virtually via Webex.

This year’s National Rural Health Day theme is Rural Rising, which celebrates the strength, resilience, and innovation of North Carolina’s rural communities. The theme also recognizes how rural healthcare providers, leaders, and partners are not just meeting today’s challenges — they are rising to create healthier and more connected communities. From expanding access to care and embracing new technologies to addressing social drivers of health and growing the local workforce, rural North Carolina is leading the way. Asheville, a hub for rural collaboration and innovation in Western NC, is the perfect place to share these stories of progress and partnership.

We are excited to bring relevant and engaging content to our grantees and community partners and look forward to gathering with you. Our topics will include Health Policy Updates, Best Practices & Innovative Approaches in Healthcare, Rural Resource Development, interactive activities and more.

Please RSVP as space in-person is limited to 100 people.

In-person registration will be $10.00 per person. The registration fee will go directly to Mountain Area Health Education Center to cover event costs. If you are unable to afford the registration fee, scholarships are available upon request. For scholarship information, please contact Justin Kearley at [email protected].

If you indicate virtual participation when registering, you will receive an email invitation from the NC Office of Rural Health within two (2) business days of registering. The email will come from Justin Kearley at [email protected]. Please contact him if you have any questions.

By completing your event registration, you are providing your consent and agree to the NC Department of Health and Human Services Photo Consent form. The form is included in the registration process and can be viewed at any time in the Event Overview section on the Eventbrite page. If you prefer to opt out, you will notate such in your registration and will receive the form via email.

For those needing hotel accommodations, several options are available nearby, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village (across the street from MAHEC), the DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Biltmore (at the bottom of the hill), and the Hilton Garden Inn Asheville (a few miles away). These are just a few nearby choices, and attendees are encouraged to explore additional options to best meet their needs.

Info: Blue Ridge Room: Growing & Retaining Your Rural Primary Care Workforce

Pisgah A: Innovative Approaches in Social Drivers of Health

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Host or Publisher NC Office of Rural Health