2013 has kicked off full speed ahead and I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. With the cold weather outside it is hard to believe that the heat of the summer wasn’t that long ago. Change in the weather and change in the healthcare environment are on the horizon. While the fiscal cliff was averted at the end of the year, we still have opportunities and challenges facing us in 2013. The healthcare environment continues to evolve and is moving collaboration to a new level. Did you know that nationally Colorado is considered one of the most collaborative states? This means that we have a head start on implementing change in our rural communities. Recently, I heard of healthcare becoming a team sport that not only will be measured on individual performance, but team performance. How do we embrace this challenge and change? Teamwork and communication are key. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Culture of Patient Safety Surveys are focused on capturing and evaluating culture and teamwork in clinics through surveying. Recently CRHC used components of the AHRQ survey to assess the culture of the clinic including communication, teamwork, cooperation, efficiency, effectiveness, training and education. Results from the survey indicated that the majority of participants either agree or strongly agree with the statement “the practice emphasizes teamwork to take care of patients (81%) and staff and providers work well together” (85%). These results indicate rural providers are ready and willing to embrace change. With 53 certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and many other safety net clinics in rural Colorado you are an important component of the rural health care infrastructure and are poised to lead collaboration and change. In the upcoming months CRHC will be hosting a webinar entitled “When Teams Feel the Connection between Communication and Culture Change – Shift Happens.” Our presenter will be Michelle Rathman Batschke, President and CEO of Impact! Communications, Inc. located in St. Charles, Illinois. Many other exciting opportunities lie ahead and CRHC is here to help you along your journey