Kevin Bennett, PhD, elected as the Chair of the National Rural Health Association Research & Education Constituency Group

In January 2018, Kevin Bennett, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and Director of Research of the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Care, was elected to serve a three-year term as the Chair of the Research & Education Constituency Group.  This group of nearly 600 members nationally meets periodically throughout the year to discuss issues related to rural research, medical education, and other related issues.  Dr. Bennett along with one other member is sent to serve at the NRHA Policy Congress, a body that discusses the policy positions to be adopted by the NRHA.  As part of this group, they assist in writing policy briefs and working papers that the Governmental affairs team will use to advocate for rural health care on Capitol Hill.  He also serves on the NRHA Board of Directors in this role; this board ensures the NRHA's strategic plan is being implemented, as well as provides oversight to the operations of this nearly 20,000-member association.