The New England Rural Health Association

What The New England Rural Health Association does

The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1997 and headquartered in Barre, Vermont, that serves as the only regional rural health association in the United States, convening stakeholders across the six New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The organization delivers a portfolio of grant-funded workforce training programs (RPHWTN, RCORP, OBLS), technical assistance services (Northern Border TA/CB, NEPI quality improvement, Brownfields TA), publications (Rural Roots magazine, monthly newsletters), and convening events (Annual Fall Conference attracting 400+ attendees, Rural Health Student Summit hosting 125 students), serving 600+ members and reaching 6,000+ stakeholders including Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, community health centers, behavioral health and substance use organizations, community-based organizations, and academic institutions.

NERHA's revenue model is a hybrid of HRSA federal grants, state-level partnerships, tiered membership dues (free public profile and paid full membership), conference and event registration, and program administration fees. Major active federal awards include a $1.6M RCORP Northern Border Rural Workforce grant (2025-2029) training 100+ PA students, a $1.89M HRSA Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building award, and a $60K annual HRSA organizational award. The technology footprint is intentionally light: NERHA does not develop proprietary software, but operates the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard built by John Snow, Inc. in partnership with the six State Offices of Rural Health, plus a MemberClicks-based member exchange community and standard webinar/event infrastructure. Key leadership includes Executive Director Andy Lowe and Chief Operating Officer Ann Marie Day.

Name

The New England Rural Health Association

Legal name

New England Rural Health Association

Website

https://nerha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The New England Rural Health Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Barre, Vermont, that serves as the only regional rural health association in the U.S., delivering workforce training, technical assistance, and convening events to 600+ members and 6,000+ stakeholders across the six New England states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Healthcare Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) (HLAFAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Learning Strategy, Instructional Design & Content Development (BPACANAG)

Keywords

• Rural health association
• Health workforce training
• Technical assistance services
• Community health programs
• Grant management consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Newfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NERHA generates revenue through membership dues, with tiered benefits including free public profiles and paid full memberships with conference discounts and networking access.
2. Federal and State Grants: NERHA receives significant grant funding from HRSA (including the $1.6M Northern Border RCORP grant and the $1.89M Rural Grant TA/CB program award), and other federal/state programs supporting rural health workforce, behavioral health, and opioid response initiatives.
3. Program Fees and Scholarships: NERHA administers workforce training programs (e.g., RPHWTN in Massachusetts) that provide scholarships and stipends to trainees, funded through HRSA grants. The association also earns recognition awards such as the Lipinski Award from Farm Credit East.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NERHA is a nonprofit membership-based association that provides training, technical assistance, advocacy, consulting, and program management services to rural health stakeholders across the six New England states. Its core offerings include an annual conference and student summit, HRSA-funded workforce development programs (RCORP, RPHWTN), grant technical assistance, the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard, and publications/webinars supporting rural healthcare providers, CBOs, and policymakers.

Product overview

The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) operates as a membership-based association offering a diverse portfolio of programs, events, resources, and technical assistance services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: (1) Annual conferences and events including the Fall Conference and Rural Health Student Summit; (2) Grant-funded workforce development programs including the RCORP Northern Border Rural Workforce program and Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network; (3) Data and analysis tools including the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard; (4) Educational resources including webinar recordings on AI and healthcare topics, Rural Roots magazine, and Quality Compass guides; (5) Technical assistance services including grant writing support, brownfields program assistance, and the New England Performance Improvement Program; and (6) Network programs including state-specific initiatives in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. These offerings work together to serve NERHA's mission of improving health and wellbeing in rural New England communities through training, advocacy, consulting, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NERHA Membership Program Tiered membership (free public profile and paid full membership) for individuals and organizations across New England, providing access to a monthly newsletter, member exchange community, conference discounts, networking, and professional development resources.
• NERHA Annual Fall Conference Flagship annual in-person conference attracting 400+ rural health professionals from across New England, featuring breakout sessions, keynotes, student programming, networking, and sponsor/exhibitor engagement. Venue rotates across New England states.
• Rural Health Student Summit Annual student-focused event hosted at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, with free admission for all students. Features panels, workshops, networking, loan repayment resources, and the Rural Health Leadership Institute kickoff. The 2025 Summit welcomed 125 students from every New England state and 15+ colleges.
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Northern Border Rural Workforce A $1.6 million HRSA-funded four-year program training 100+ Physician Assistant students in behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment, including MAT/buprenorphine prescribing, recovery coaching, and therapy, with placement in rural healthcare facilities across Vermont and New Hampshire.
• Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (RPHWTN) - Massachusetts A three-year HRSA-funded initiative creating a pipeline of skilled Community Health Workers (CHWs) through partnerships with community colleges (Cape Cod Community College, Berkshire Community College) and clinical organizations across Massachusetts rural regions. Has trained over 200 CHWs and over 100 students annually in its first two years.
• Rural Grant Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program HRSA-funded program providing comprehensive free support including grant identification, application development, administration support, and sustainability planning for rural health organizations in the Northern Border Region. Delivered via one-on-one coaching, webinars, and curated resources across 28 eligible rural New York counties plus ME, NH, and VT.
• Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program Partnership with UConn's EPA-funded TAB program providing free assistance to New England communities for brownfield site investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment, bridging environmental health needs with rural health solutions.
• New England Performance Improvement Program (NEPI) Collaboration among Rural Hospital Flexibility programs in ME, NH, VT, and MA offering quality improvement resources, professional certifications, and training for Critical Access Hospitals. Co-funded by the six New England State Offices of Rural Health.
• MA Rural Vaccine Program Partnership with the Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health supporting community-based organizations in rural regions to increase vaccine uptake through community-based outreach.
• Rural Obstetric Life Support Project (OBLS) AHRQ-funded partnership with the University of Connecticut Health to adapt Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) training for implementation in rural settings, addressing maternal health in obstetric care deserts.
• Endorsed Partner Program Program connecting NERHA members with endorsed partners that offer specialized services supporting rural health initiatives, providing vetted vendor relationships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 Physician Assistant students trained in behavioral health and SUD treatment (MAT prescribing, recovery coaching, therapy) through the $1.6M RCORP Northern Border grant over four years.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Onpoint Healthcare PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Partner in the March 2026 webinar 'Leveraging AI Technologies for Financial Sustainability in Rural Health.' Gerry Kelly, SVP at Onpoint, serves as presenter alongside Rural Health Engine.
• Rural Health EngineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Partner in the March 2026 webinar on AI for rural health financial sustainability. Mark Allen, Executive Director, serves as presenter alongside Onpoint.
• Advanced Pharmacy Solutions (APS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Partner in the February 2026 webinar on rural pharmacy deserts. APS demonstrates how rural hospitals and clinics can use RHTP funding for medication automation technology to improve patient care and reduce errors.
• eCare USAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Partner in the February 2026 webinar on rural pharmacy deserts. eCare USA provides expertise in RHTP grant acceptance, compliance, and implementation support for rural providers pursuing pharmacy technology funding.
• Franklin Pierce University Physician Assistant ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Franklin Pierce University leads didactic and clinical experiential instruction for the RCORP Northern Border Rural Workforce grant. Over four years, the program trains 100+ PA students in behavioral health and SUD treatment (including MAT/buprenorphine prescribing, recovery coaching, therapy), with graduates placed in rural healthcare facilities in Vermont and New Hampshire.
• Northern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center (AHEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Partner in the VT/NH Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Training Network (VT/NH RBHWTN) consortium. AHECs support clinical placement coordination, preceptor site development, and regional workforce pipeline activities for the RCORP Northern Border grant.
• Southern New Hampshire AHECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Partner in the VT/NH RBHWTN consortium supporting rural behavioral health workforce development. AHEC coordinates clinical placement sites and preceptor recruitment for PA students trained under the RCORP grant.
• Southern Vermont AHEC and Vermont AHEC NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Partner in the VT/NH RBHWTN consortium providing AHEC services across Vermont, supporting rural behavioral health workforce training and placement for PA graduates under the RCORP grant.
• Vermont State Office of Rural HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Provides additional support for the RCORP Northern Border consortium, contributing to rural health workforce development and sustainability planning in Vermont.
• New Hampshire State Office of Rural HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Provides additional support for the RCORP Northern Border consortium, contributing to rural health workforce development and sustainability planning in New Hampshire.
• Array Behavioral HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025Featured speaker at NERHA's Demystifying RCM & ROI for Telehealth workshop (August 2025). Scott Baker, Executive VP of Growth, provided expertise on telehealth ROI and emergency department telemental health sustainability.
• Iris TelehealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025Featured speaker at NERHA's Demystifying RCM & ROI for Telehealth workshop (August 2025). Andy Flanagan, CEO, contributed insights on revenue cycle management and telehealth sustainability.
• Island Community Medical ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025Christina Quinlan, Director of Operations, served as a featured speaker at the Demystifying RCM & ROI for Telehealth workshop, sharing operational expertise in island and rural community telehealth.
• Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Geisel School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Host venue for the annual Rural Health Student Summit (2024, 2025, 2026). Provide resources and facilities to convene students from across New England for rural health career exploration and networking. Dr. Sonia Nagy Chimienti from Geisel participated as a speaker and advisor.
• Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the Demystifying RCM & ROI for Telehealth workshop (August 2025). Provides telehealth expertise and subject matter support for revenue cycle management and ROI in rural telehealth settings.
• Cape Cod Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Lead educational partner in the Massachusetts Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (RPHWTN). Developed flexible, multilingual CHW training curricula (in-person and distance learning) covering billing/coding, EHR support, service coordination, and peer recovery support. Hosted the 2026 CHW Symposium.
• Berkshire Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Educational partner in the MA RPHWTN program, developing CHW training curricula and providing certification pathways for rural community health workers in the Berkshire County region.
• Cape & Islands Area Health Education CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Partner in the MA RPHWTN program covering the Cape & Islands region. Provided leadership and program direction, with Director Stephen McLeod emphasizing workforce development as economic development.
• Outer Cape Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Rural healthcare employer partner in the MA RPHWTN program, providing clinical training sites and employment pipeline for CHW trainees graduating from the Cape Cod Community College program.
• Baystate Franklin Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Rural hospital employer partner in the MA RPHWTN program, providing clinical training environments and employment opportunities for CHW graduates.
• Community Health Programs of Berkshire CountyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023CBO employer partner in the MA RPHWTN program serving rural Berkshire County, MA. Provides CHW training sites and employment pathways.
• Volunteers in MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Nonprofit employer partner in the MA RPHWTN program providing CHW training and employment in rural Massachusetts communities.
• Outer Cape Community SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Community-based organization partner in the MA RPHWTN program, providing culturally and linguistically tailored services to support CHW trainees and community health outreach.
• Six New England State Offices of Rural HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Financial and strategic partners in the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard: Connecticut Office of Rural Health, Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health, Maine State Office of Rural Health & Primary Care, New Hampshire State Office of Rural Health, Rhode Island State Office of Rural Health & Primary Care, Vermont State Office of Rural Health & Primary Care. Also co-fund the NEPI quality improvement program.
• Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Rural Health and Primary Care ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023NERHA collaborated with Maine CDC's Rural Health and Primary Care Program to develop the Maine Rural Health Field Guide, a dynamic online resource showcasing innovative programs and best practices for rural health across Maine.
• University of Connecticut (UConn) Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NERHA partners with UConn TAB (EPA-funded) to support rural communities across New England in addressing brownfields and environmental health challenges. NERHA provides specialized public health expertise, connecting communities with UConn's free brownfields redevelopment technical assistance services.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RHIhub (Rural Health Information Hub): RHIhub is a national clearinghouse providing rural health data, program examples, and resources—closely comparable to NERHA's Rural Data Analysis Dashboard, Resource Links, and Maine Rural Health Field Guide, but at nationwide scale.
• National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH): NOSORH is the membership association representing the 50 State Offices of Rural Health—many of which directly partner with NERHA on NEPI and the Rural Data Analysis Dashboard. Both organizations operate at the intersection of state-level rural health coordination, training, and convening.
• National AHEC Organization (NAO): NAO supports the national AHEC network, including the Vermont, Southern NH, Northern NH, and Cape & Islands AHECs that are direct NERHA partners in the RCORP and RPHWTN programs. Both entities coordinate clinical placement and rural health workforce development.
• Center for Rural Health (University of North Dakota): UND's Center for Rural Health is one of the nation's leading rural health research, policy, and workforce centers and a HRSA-funded partner. It performs comparable functions (technical assistance, workforce pipeline, data) for an Upper Midwest service area.
• National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC): NARHC is the membership association specifically serving Rural Health Clinics, a core NERHA customer segment. It addresses a narrower provider subset but mirrors NERHA's training, advocacy, and convening model for RHCs nationwide.
• 3RNET (National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network): 3RNET is the national network for rural health professional recruitment, a topic NERHA features in its webinar series. Both organizations collaborate through state-level entities to address rural health workforce shortages via training and placement.

Broad incumbents

• National Rural Health Association (NRHA): NRHA is the national umbrella membership association for rural health and the organization that originally funded NERHA in 1997. It serves a comparable constituency (rural providers, clinics, hospitals, students) but at a national rather than regional level, making it the closest broad incumbent peer.
• American Hospital Association – Section for Small or Rural Hospitals: AHA's small/rural hospital section represents Critical Access Hospitals and other rural facilities—key NERHA members served through the NEPI quality improvement program. AHA is a broader incumbent with overlapping advocacy and quality resources.
• National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC): NACHC represents community health centers, including FQHCs serving rural areas that are core NERHA members. It is a larger, broader player with overlapping training, advocacy, and workforce programs but a different primary customer profile.

Emerging players

• Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC): NETRC is a federally funded telehealth resource center serving the same New England region as NERHA and a direct workshop partner (Demystifying RCM & ROI for Telehealth). It covers a narrower telehealth niche but shares NERHA's geography, audience, and grant-funded operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nerha.org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The New England Rural Health Association