Programs Overview

The Chetco Medical Foundation supports programs that strengthen the sustainability of existing rural healthcare delivery systems. All programs are delivered through active clinical care settings and integrated into ongoing operations.

Rather than creating stand-alone initiatives, the Foundation invests in workforce, education, infrastructure, and technology that reinforce healthcare services already serving rural communities every day.

Workforce Recruitment & Retention

Stable healthcare access in rural communities depends on the ability to recruit and retain qualified clinicians. The Foundation supports workforce stabilization by funding activities that reduce recruitment barriers and improve long-term provider retention.

Program elements include:

  • Provider recruitment and onboarding support

  • Retention incentives and rural service bonuses

  • Continuing medical education (CME) and professional development

  • Administrative support related to workforce stabilization

These investments help ensure continuity of care while reducing turnover-related disruptions.

Medical Education & Training

Training clinicians within rural practice environments is essential to building a sustainable workforce pipeline. The Foundation supports structured clinical education programs embedded within established care settings.

Supported activities include:

  • Physician assistant and medical student clinical training

  • Faculty teaching and supervision support

  • Teaching site infrastructure and capacity expansion

  • Longitudinal rural clinical immersion experiences

Training activities are supervised by experienced clinicians and integrated into existing workflows to maintain patient access.

Clinical Infrastructure & Operations

Modern healthcare delivery requires reliable infrastructure and operational support. The Foundation invests in systems that allow long-standing rural clinics to function efficiently while meeting regulatory and patient care demands.

Program elements include:

  • Electronic health record (EHR) and billing systems

  • Care coordination programs (CCM, RPM, TCM)

  • Telemedicine and virtual care services

  • 24/7 nurse triage and call center support

  • Office management and administrative staffing

These investments strengthen operational capacity without duplicating services.

Technology & Modernization

The Foundation supports technology upgrades that expand access and improve care coordination in geographically isolated communities.

Technology investments include:

  • Telehealth platforms and connectivity

  • Remote patient monitoring equipment

  • Secure patient communication systems

  • Data reporting and quality improvement tools

Technology initiatives are implemented within existing clinical systems to ensure usability, sustainability, and measurable impact.

Why These Programs Matter

Rural healthcare systems face persistent challenges related to workforce shortages, geographic isolation, and infrastructure limitations. By strengthening existing services rather than creating new or duplicative programs, the Chetco Medical Foundation enables high-impact, low-risk investments that improve access, stability, and long-term sustainability for underserved communities.

Measured Impact

The Foundation tracks outcomes aligned with funder and grant requirements, including:

  • Providers recruited and retained

  • Healthcare learners trained annually

  • Patient access and utilization metrics

  • Telehealth and care coordination enrollment

  • Infrastructure and technology improvements completed

Outcome data supports continuous improvement and transparent reporting to partners and funders.

Program Implementation

All programs supported by the Foundation are delivered through existing clinical facilities, experienced healthcare teams, and established administrative systems. This structure allows funded activities to be implemented immediately upon award and sustained beyond individual funding cycles.