Rural Engagement Program
Created in 2023 with funding from the 88th Texas Legislature, the Rural Engagement Program is a coordinated, interdisciplinary initiative uniting experts and resources from across Texas A&M Health, working together to close gaps in health care access for all rural Texans.
Our core collaborators
Across Texas—urban and rural—our faculty, students and partners are advancing health care through education, research and service.
Through exceptional programs and strategic partnerships, we’re preparing confident, compassionate nurses ready to lead and serve.
From the border region to beyond, our accredited program equips students to become ethical, skilled Aggie pharmacists.
We work to improve health care access, quality and equity—especially in underserved and rural Texas communities.
Equipping students and professionals with best practice knowledge to make meaningful impacts in their rural communities
Broadening access and fortifying delivery
We are a collaboration of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and health care leaders with rural health expertise. We work with rural communities, hospitals, clinics and providers to improve:
Health Care Workforce Expansion
Attracting, developing, supporting and retaining talented health care professionals who practice in rural communities
Operation & Financial Viability
Comprehensive operational, financial, and workforce expansion technical assistance for rural health care facilities
Program Activities
To learn more about how we can support your rural health care organization or practice, watch our presentation. Contact information is listed under each activity below.
Watch the presentation webinar
Technical and Operational Assistance
We work alongside health care organizations to implement sustainable action plans that improve:
- Financial performance
- Operational efficiencies
- Quality and safety
- Service line development
- Workforce development opportunities
- Value-based care support
- Virtual care management support
Please complete our inquiry form to request technical assistance.
Contact Melissa Lackey for more information:
lackeyrn@tamu.edu, (979) 436-0409.
Value-Based Care
We provide operational and technical assistance to strengthen and grow rural health’s value-based care through work with providers, hospitals and existing programs.
We provide support in enabling the transformation of care delivery. Our services encompass performance improvement, financial assessment, digital transformation, and strategic alignment of incentives and business models.
Contact Reyann Davis for more information: reyanndavis@exchange.tamu.edu, 979.436.0394.
Expanded Rural Workforce Support
We strengthen the rural health workforce in Texas by addressing the critical shortage of health care professionals in underserved areas. Through this activity, we aim to attract, educate and retain talented individuals in the health care workforce through:
- Rural clinical experiences for Texas A&M medical, nursing and pharmacy students
- K-12 health career exposure activities
- Workforce development and evaluation
- Community engagement
- Scholarship opportunities for rural nurses seeking advanced education
Vashisht College of Medicine:
Cassie Shelton, shelton@tamu.edu, 979.436.0536
College of Nursing:
Kim Hudson-Gallogly, khgallogly@tamu.edu, 404.376.5205
Rangel College of Pharmacy:
Asim Abu Baker, abu-baker@tamu.edu, 361.221.0660
Telehealth Network/ECHO
This activity focuses on the expansion of telehealth capabilities through professional development and increased access to telebehavioral health programs and counseling in Texas communities.
Specifically, we aim to:
- Increase rural community access to behavioral health
- Expand tele-educational professional development offerings
- Increase mental health access in rural areas
- Connect providers to Texas A&M mental health experts
cmccord@tamu.edu, 979.458.9990.