About the Center

The Center for Rural Health’s work will be guided by core objectives that include strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline, expanding opportunities for students to train in rural settings and reducing the cost of healthcare education for students.

The Center aims to increase job placement for graduates in the region and to collect and analyze health disparity data to better serve communities with the greatest needs. In addition, it will work to secure resources to address those disparities while ensuring its efforts complement, rather than duplicate, the work of existing healthcare providers and organizations.

Mission Statement

Improving the health and well-being of rural Southwest and Southern Virginia’s communities through sustained investment in education, workforce, and research, in collaboration with those we serve.

Vision Statement

Radford University’s Center for Rural Health is a collaboration that serves as a regional incubator to have a collective positive impact on access to healthcare and the health and well-being of our communities.

Healthcare and Wellbeing in the Region

Access to affordable healthcare, as well as nutritious food, reliable transportation, stable housing, educational opportunities and gainful employment — things commonly referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH) — help communities thrive and stay healthy. Ensuring that access is available requires a sustained, concerted effort by many players, informed by the latest data. It is not an undertaking for the faint-hearted, but it is one that promises to transform lives and elevate communities for generations to come.

A quick look at recent data reveals the scale of our region’s health challenges. Southwest and Southern Virginia have the poorest overall health outcomes when compared to other regions of the state. The 2025 County Health Rankings report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute shows that 13 cities and counties in Southwest and Southern Virginia rank near the bottom among Virginia localities. These rankings reflect both health outcomes and the underlying risk factors that shape them, including access to care, food insecurity and substance use.

The success of this effort also depends on local insight. Community organizations, employers, educators, healthcare professionals and residents all have valuable perspectives to share. Whether by identifying barriers to care, piloting small-scale projects, mentoring students or helping align local resources, there are many ways to contribute.

By bringing together diverse voices, grounding decisions in data and centering the lived experiences of our communities, the Center for Rural Health and its Partner Council aim to build on those strengths. Together, we can move beyond short-term fixes and work toward healthier, more vibrant communities across Southwest and Southern Virginia.

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