The Institute of Telehealth and Digital Innovation (ITDI) advances rural healthcare through three interconnected areas of focus: Rural Telehealth Access, Operations Core and Rural Initiatives. Together, these efforts strengthen healthcare delivery, support innovation and expand access to healthcare resources across rural communities.
Rural Telehealth Access
ITDI works to expand access to healthcare services in rural communities by developing and implementing telehealth solutions.
The Rural Telehealth Access program includes telemedicine locations in Marathon, Fort Davis, Burton and Lubbock. Each site is designed to address the unique healthcare needs of the community and region it serves.
Operations Core
The Operations Core provides the infrastructure, technical expertise, grant writing and resources necessary to support innovation in rural healthcare. Through Project ECHO Superhub, microgrant opportunities, telehealth technical assistance and operational support for research and technology-driven programs, ITDI facilitates the advancement of innovative healthcare delivery models.
- Project ECHO Superhub is an education and training program that connects healthcare professionals with subject matter experts through virtual learning and provides training and technical assistance to organizations establishing their own ECHO programs.
Rural Initiatives
Through its Rural Initiatives, ITDI brings health education, preventive services and community-based programs directly to rural populations across Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's (TTUHSC) service region. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, these programs address rural health challenges, promote preventive care and strengthen connections between communities and healthcare resources.
- Medicine on the Move, a mobile health outreach program, brings preventive health services, screenings and health education directly to rural communities in partnership with the TTUHSC School of Medicine Permian Basin.
- Access to Breast Health for Texans uses innovative technology to expand access to breast health examinations and to encourage engagement in recommended preventive healthcare services. This community-based program operates in collaboration with the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health and the Rural Cancer Collaborative.
- Brain Health Literacy focuses on promoting brain health awareness, education and early identification of potential cognitive concerns through community-based educational resources and screening opportunities, in collaboration with the TTUHSC Garrison Institute on Aging.
- Block the Blaze is a John Wayne Cancer Foundation youth-focused skin cancer prevention education program that promotes sun safety awareness and healthy behaviors among school-aged children, implemented in collaboration with the Rural Cancer Collaborative.
- Rural Cancer Navigation Network strengthens cancer care coordination by connecting rural populations with patient navigation, preventive services and appropriate follow-up care, in collaboration with the Rural Cancer Collaborative.
