USDA awards $2.3M to Alaska telemedicine, distance learning

The U.S. Department of Agriculture chose Thursday, National Rural Health Day, to announce $2.3 million in grants to support telemedicine and distance learning programs in Alaska.
Jim Nordlund is the Alaska state director of the USDA Rural Development program. He says some of the grants, such as $420,000 going to the North Slope Borough, will be used to link health clinics and hospitals. He says the new Internet connections will improve access to emergency medical care, behavioral health and othe