Avel eCare, Great Plains Health Alliance (GPHA), and Pioneer Health Network (PHN) announced a collaborative effort supported through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program to expand telemedicine-enabled care delivery across rural hospitals throughout the state. The organizations are advancing a shared strategy focused on strengthening access to essential services, supporting local care teams, and building long-term sustainability for rural communities across Kansas.
Partnership Structure and Services
Through this partnership, GPHA and PHN are leading a coordinated, network-based approach, with Avel eCare serving as a key clinical and operational partner. Telemedicine will play a central role in enhancing care delivery across emergency, inpatient, and behavioral health settings while ensuring patients can continue to receive care close to home. According to Doug Duskin, CEO of Avel eCare, “states are rethinking how care is delivered in rural communities, and virtual health is becoming a foundational part of that future.”
Participating Organizations
The Rural Partnership Grant Program provided an opportunity for Pioneer Health Network and Great Plains Health Alliance to expand emergency, behavioral health, and hospitalist telehealth services to member hospitals through Avel eCare. This collaboration will strengthen clinical resources across 31 Critical Access Hospitals in Kansas. Dee Dee Dewell, Executive Director of Pioneer Health Network, noted this “is a strong demonstration of collaboration to transform care delivery and strengthen clinical resources across 31 Critical Access Hospitals in Kansas.”
Technology and Support Model
Avel’s Virtual Health System is designed to support and extend local care teams—not replace them—by providing 24/7 access to board-certified physicians, experienced nurses, and specialists. By integrating virtual care into existing workflows, hospitals are better equipped to care for patients locally while supporting their workforce and maintaining essential services.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.timesargus.com/ap/state/avel-ecare-great-plains-health-alliance-and-pioneer-health-network-partner-to-expand-rural-care/article_d8cb37d0-e661-51eb-834c-40067e5bcd0f.html