Not a single one among us in this space are unaware of the challenges rural communities face when it comes to broadband infrastructure. My travels and time spent in Oregon, Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, Kentucky, Montana, Mississippi, and many beautiful rural places in between, has provided me with a much-needed perspective on what it means to be connected. I've traveled on many long winding roads with the dreaded "no-service" message on my phone, which pales in comparison to those in a position living their day to day without the essential digital tools required to be competitive. Children, as we know, are no exception.
On the Podcast I host, Rural Matters, we explore the intersections between rural education, business/economy, and health. A recurring conversation relates to broadband-- some of it focused on breakthroughs, the bulk of our time spent on persistent disparities where this is concerned. COVID-19 has most assuredly, told the rest of the U.S. the rural story that we've all known, now others know too.
In the Rural Matters episode released this week, I had a conversation with Dr. Allen Pratt, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association. Hearing him describe all the ways this horrific pandemic has impacted rural schools, teachers, parents, and students was both heartbreaking and motivating. I asked him what was needed the most. His most pressing priority, continue finding ways to feed our rural children, many of whom rely on their schools for two and three meals per day. With that, a plea to end Federal budget cuts to rural education (sound familiar), as well as close the broadband divide in rural America for once and for ALL. I know firsthand that this is a cause that keeps many of you up at night.
I think about all the hospitals I've worked with over the years and their deep commitments to supporting their local schools. Heavy on my mind is the children of hospital and clinic staff, juxtaposing that to my children and how they're coping with providing educational instruction to their children, my grandchildren while at home. They've been able to Zoom with their teachers and classmates, download homework, upload images of their science projects. How many millions of children in this country do not have these opportunities? For them, broadband is a wish rather than their reality?
When we are on the other side of this nightmare public health crisis, made worse by partisan politics, I know we'll need to regroup and reset priorities. I also know that we will need to be working hard to get back on track where rural provider recruitment and retention is concerned. If we are to 'grow our own' provide students from K-12 with opportunities to learn about STEM and STEAM, coding, medicine, and all the career opportunities that rural health indeed has to offer, we've got to fix this, together. Big picture. Rural lens.
I hope you'll have a listen to my conversation with Allen. He, like all of you, are advocating for rural. From my home and heart, I am willing you all wellness and an end to the hardships for rural hospitals.
Michelle Rathman
President & CEO
Impact! Communications, Inc. / Host, Rural Matters Podcast