The Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences distributed more than $267,000 from the Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) to 35 rural hospitals in North Dakota.

“For the 8th consecutive year, North Dakota’s eligible small rural hospitals have received an average of $8000 each year,” said Marlene Miller, program director at the Center for Rural Health. “To date, the program has brought well over $2 million to North Dakota’s small rural health care facilities.”
 
Administered by the Center for Rural Health, SHIP is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health Policy. 

The program:

* Helps small rural hospitals to deliver quality care to rural residents.

* Ennsures privacy of patient information.

* Funds financial studies designed to help with complex health care billing, coding, and reimbursement processes. 

Funds have also been used to upgrade equipment for financial operations and information technology, and for staff training, consultation, and educational materials.

Contacts:
Tara Mertz, communications specialist
Center for Rural Health
(701) 777-0871
taramertz@medicine.nodak.edu
 
Marlene Miller, program director
Center for Rural Health
(701) 777-4499
marlenemiller@medicine.nodak.edu