Established in 2018, Rural Medical Data Centers for Excellence (or RMD Centers for short) is committed to strengthening our nation’s most disadvantaged communities through community- based public health solutions. By standing in solidarity with likeminded nonprofits, we exist to improve the use of technology, while increasing accessibility and duplication of critical resources.
Our story began with our flagship project as an HRSA subrecipient. In collaboration with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), we established a public health community portal to bring critical resources to patients, providers, and community workers in rural areas, in real-time. Our first portal was built for the county of Robeson, North Carolina, which continues to reign as an industry-leading platform in terms of positive health outcomes.
In collaboration with our local community partners, we have created a database of vetted public-facing resources that are conveniently filtered by county and always kept up-to-date.
In partnership with some of the most prestigious academic centers nationally and worldwide, we strive to make clinical research accurate and fair by the inclusion of rural communities – making their voices heard loud and clear in national studies.
We understand that providing resources alone isn’t enough. Our engaging videos and visual guides ensure our resources reach more rural families, even those who struggle with literacy or are unable to navigate complicated website content.
After years of dedicated training to become a clinician, I came to a poignant realization: our focus often centers on treating problems, diseases, and the outcomes of poor decisions or inadequate support systems. While helping individual patients offers a unique sense of purpose, it frequently fails to tackle the root causes of these issues. Shifting my focus to preventative measures and ways to aid populations before diseases develop or worsen led me to public health, where I found a path to create substantial, lasting change.
Clinical Medicine, Public Health, & Informatics
Pulling it all together
Dr. Butler, a dedicated physician, has successfully integrated clinical medicine, informatics, and public health to innovate within the field of public health informatics. By leveraging his clinical expertise, he identifies critical health issues and gaps in patient care. Utilizing his informatics knowledge, Dr. Butler develops cutting-edge digital solutions to address these challenges, improving data management, and patient outcomes. His public health background ensures that these solutions are scalable and impactful on a population level, ultimately enhancing disease prevention and health promotion efforts. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Butler is pioneering advancements that bridge the gap between individual patient care and broader public health initiatives.
Long Term Goal
Empowering the patient
Personal informatics digital solutions empower patients by providing them with comprehensive access to their health data, allowing them to make informed medical decisions and take control of their medical records. These tools enable individuals to monitor their health metrics, track symptoms, and manage medications through user-friendly platforms. With real-time data at their fingertips, patients can identify patterns, set health goals, and engage in proactive health management. Additionally, the ability to easily share accurate health information with healthcare providers fosters better communication, leading to more personalized and effective care. By democratizing access to health information, personal informatics solutions promote patient autonomy, encouraging a more active and informed role in their healthcare journey.