Original Broadcast Date: 06/07/2026

Presented by: SolarWinds & Carahsoft

Telehealth has evolved from an emerging technology into a critical component of healthcare delivery, helping providers reach patients wherever they live while improving access to quality care.

Speaking on Fed Gov Today, CAPT Heather Dimeris, Director of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), says telehealth has undergone tremendous growth over the past six years and continues to play an increasingly important role in the nation's healthcare system.

"I think the majority of us are using it now, in one way or another," Dimeris says.

At HRSA, the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth works to support programs that help providers integrate telehealth into patient care. Dimeris highlights the role of Telehealth Resource Centers, which provided critical support to healthcare organizations during the height of the pandemic and continue to help providers expand access to care today.

Beyond technical assistance, HRSA supports telehealth through initiatives such as the Telehealth Network Grant Program and Telehealth Centers of Excellence. Together, these efforts aim to create a more integrated healthcare system that combines virtual and in-person services to improve patient-centered care and health outcomes.

For Dimeris, one of the most important considerations in telehealth expansion is sustainability.

While technology can help improve access, healthcare organizations must build telehealth into their workflows and long-term business strategies. That means considering sustainability from the beginning, including how telehealth fits into clinical operations, electronic health records, staffing models, and patient engagement.

"It's important to think about sustainability upfront," she says.

HRSA encourages grant recipients to develop plans that ensure telehealth programs can continue operating after federal funding ends. Dimeris says successful organizations establish sustainable revenue streams, integrate telehealth into daily workflows, and foster a culture in which both providers and patients recognize its value.

The goal is for telehealth to become a natural part of healthcare delivery rather than a separate service.

The benefits can be especially significant in rural and frontier communities, where access to specialists and healthcare services may be limited.

Dimeris emphasizes that telehealth does not replace in-person care. Instead, it helps connect patients and local providers with expertise that might otherwise be unavailable.

One example involves stroke recovery. Through a telehealth-enabled program, a patient recovering from a stroke was able to receive nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian located outside the patient's state. Working alongside local support personnel, the specialist helped monitor recovery, coordinate additional services, and connect the patient to resources that supported rehabilitation.

Over time, the patient regained strength and eventually became able to walk again.

For Dimeris, stories like that demonstrate how telehealth can improve both access and quality of care.

"That's priceless," she says.

The impact extends beyond patients. Telehealth also helps reduce professional isolation for providers in rural communities by connecting them with broader networks of specialists and healthcare professionals who can support patient care.

As telehealth continues to expand, collaboration remains a key ingredient for success.

Dimeris describes telehealth as an effort built on relationships and partnerships. Within the federal government, HRSA works closely with other agencies to share information, coordinate initiatives, and address challenges that affect healthcare access.

One critical area of collaboration is broadband deployment.

Without reliable internet connectivity, telehealth services cannot reach the communities that need them most. Dimeris highlights ongoing collaboration with federal partners, including the Federal Communications Commission, NTIA, and USDA, to support broadband expansion in rural areas.

"We really can't do telehealth without access to internet," she says.

The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth also participates in federal consortiums that bring agencies together to share best practices and discuss emerging telehealth developments.

After more than two decades with HRSA, Dimeris remains enthusiastic about the future of telehealth and the impact it can have on patients and communities.

She says the work continues to evolve, bringing new challenges and opportunities every day. Most importantly, it offers a direct way to improve people's lives by connecting them with the care they need.

As healthcare systems continue integrating virtual and in-person services, telehealth is positioned to remain a vital tool for improving access, strengthening rural healthcare, and supporting better health outcomes across the country.