EMS

MCRH is proud to offer a diverse portfolio of programming in Michigan’s rural communities. These communities include but are not limited to the rural counties represented in the map below. There are a variety of definitions for rural, and the map represents a visual of the rural counties in Michigan. Additional resources for defining rural are below:

Resources for Defining Rural:
• Census Bureau: The Census Bureau defines rural as any population, housing, or territory NOT in an urban area. Urban areas are organized into two categories:
1.) Urbanized areas (UAs) are 50,000 or more people
2.) Urban clusters (UCs) have 2,500 - 49,999 people. This link provides resources around the Census Bureau’s evolution of defining rural, and how nuanced data such as census tract data can be useful in defining rural.
• HRSA: This link provides insight into how HRSA utilizes the various definitions of rural for funding prioritization. A lookup tool to determine if your organization is eligible for Rural Health Grants provided by HRSA can be found here. HRSA defines rural as the following:
• All non-metro counties
• All metro census tracts with RUCA codes 4-10
• Large area Metro census tracts of at least 400 sq. miles in area with a population density of 35 or less per sq. mile with RUCA codes 2-3.
• Beginning with Fiscal Year 2022 Rural Health Grants, all outlying metro counties without a UA are considered rural.
• USDA: USDA defines Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes (RUCA) which classify U.S. census tracts using measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting.
• HHS Guidance Document on Defining Rural: This link provides insight into commonly used rural definitions by HHS stakeholders.
• RHIhub “Am I Rural” Tool: This interactive service can be used to help determine whether a specific location is considered rural based on various definitions of rural, including definitions that are used as eligibility criteria for federal programs.
• Note: Many definitions note rural census tracks – to see a listing of rural census tracks in MI, please visit page 32 of this resource.

Andrea Abbas is the EMS Programs Manager for the Michigan State Office of Rural Health. With over 20 years of EMS industry experience in various leadership roles including Field Training Officer, Supervisor, Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager, EMS Director, Innovation Coordinator, Consultant and Programs Management. Andrea is skilled in system management, training & education, administration, and project management. She has work experience in frontier, rural, suburban, and urban EMS systems. In addition to her leadership experience, she brings years of experience working in the ambulance and emergency department. Andrea holds her National Registry Paramedic license, Community Paramedic certification and Instructor Coordinator license in addition to her formal education and degree’s. Andrea is an avid blogger, national speaker and consultant.