Program History
The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) was created in 2005 through the leadership of Dr. Stewart Ferguson and a number of individuals sharing a vision and goal to advance telehealth in the Western region. Representatives from 35 health care organizations in 8 states and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands worked to develop a collective mission and vision, create a Board of Directors, by-laws, and a consortium to advance the concept of a multi-state Center.
Two Board Members were elected from each of the states, and met regularly to identify common areas of interest, need, and potential areas for collaboration. Telehealth networks represented in the consortium possess a wealth of experience and expertise, and many are considered pioneers in the development of telehealth networks and applications regionally and nationally. Consortium members have been influential in addressing policy, reimbursement, and other key barriers to the evolution of telemedicine and telehealth.
The NRTRC received funding in 2006 through the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth to create an office and expand its collaborative activities throughout the region. In 2010, the NRTRC underwent a few changes as our region shrunk slightly with Hawaii and the US- Affiliated Pacific Islands breaking off from the NRTRC to form their own Telehealth Resource Center known as the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center. This separation came from a growing need for the islands to address their unique challenges and to expand their reach internationally. The other change came as the NRTRC offices moved from Spokane, WA to Billings, MT. The NRTRC now covers 7 states Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming with a membership of 32 telehealth networks.
