About Us

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The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center provides technical assistance in developing Telehealth networks and applications to serve rural and underserved communities. We leverage the collective expertise of 41 Telehealth networks in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming to share information and resources and develop new Telehealth programs. The NRTRC provides technical assistance for new programs and applications, increases exposure to Telehealth as a healthcare delivery tool, improves access to specialty care through regional collaboration, develops information on best practices and Telehealth toolkits, and provides information and facilitates discussion of regional regulatory, policy, and reimbursement issues.

Our Mission is to advance the development, implementation, and integration of telehealth through:

Sharing information
Leveraging resources
Creating a synergistic telehealth community

Our Vision: Access to quality healthcare for everyone.

Program History

The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) was created in 2005 by a group of Telehealth leaders in the Region who came together to develop the network. They shared a vision and goal of advancing Telehealth in the Northwest.

Two Board Members were elected from each of the states, and meet regularly to identify common areas of interest and need, and to identify areas for collaboration. The region’s Telehealth networks possess a wealth of experience and expertise. Many are considered pioneers in the development of Telehealth networks and applications. Consortium members have influenced policy, such as reimbursement, licensure, credentialing and have worked to eliminate barriers to the evolution of telemedicine and Telehealth. Two of our Board members are past presidents of the American Telemedicine Association, a great honor for us.

In 2010, the NRTRC underwent a few changes and a slight size reduction when Hawaii and the US – Affiliated Pacific Islands formed a new Telehealth Resource Center, the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center (PBTRC). This separation was logical because of the growing need for the islands to address their unique challenges and to expand their reach internationally. It also made calling a meeting a bit easier, as the original NRTRC spanned eight time zones. We now only have to worry about three!

NRTRC offices are currently located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NRTRC provides service for 7 states, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Values:

Affordability
Availability of information
Collaboration and community
Efficient use of resources
Facilitation
Healthy People
- Evaluation and outcomes analysis
- Remove health disparities
Innovation and diffusion of innovation
Quality of Care
- Access to care
- Continuity of care and services
Service
Standardization
Sustainability

Want to learn more about telehealth and NRTRC? Read NRTRC FAQ

NRTRC Board:

Representatives to the NRTRC board are located in seven northwestern states:
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Our board members are pioneers in the world of Telehealth and several have influenced Telehealth policy and evolution on the national level.

Meet our Board Members

We specialize in:

Information exchange through website and personal contact
Educational opportunities
Monthly NRTRC and National TRC Webinars
White Papers and Toolkits
Annual Telemedicine Conference
Network collaboration opportunities
Statewide Telehealth meetings
Coalition building
Research and reporting on Telehealth Issues
Collaboration with National TRCs
Coaching
A rich social media atmosphere to share information in a wider arena
Technical Assistance
Linkages to a wide variety of Telehealth/Telemedicine organizations

Staff

Deb LaMarche, Principal Investigator / Program Director

The Principal Investigator/Program Director provides the overall direction and oversight of the project by working with partners to ensure support, commitment, and involvement to advance the project's goals and objective. Additionally, plans, implements, directs, and evaluates the NRTRC project.

NRTRC Phone: (801) 587-0349

Office: (801) 587-6190

Marta Petersen, M.D., Medical Director

The Medical Director serves as medical advisor to the NRTRC and explores coordination with VA telehealth activities in VISN 19. This position advises in the evaluation of health care professional telehealth curriculum and distance educational programs.

Marz Cesarini, Associate Director IT

The Associate Director, IT directs UTN network & media services teams. This position serves as a key technical resource and oversees technical support of NRTRC activities, including webinars and videoconferences. He serves as staff liaison to the NRTRC Technical Committee and provides technical assistance to NRTRC constituents.

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About Us

Topics:

Program History

Values:

NRTRC Board:

We specialize in:

Staff

Deb LaMarche, Principal Investigator / Program Director

Marta Petersen, M.D., Medical Director

Marz Cesarini, Associate Director IT

NRTRC Join Us: Become a Member

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