FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rural Physicians Group Re-Introduces COMPASS-Telemedicine Program with New Neurology Service Line
[Denver, Colorado] — [January 2026] Rural Physicians Group (RPG), a national leader in rural inpatient and surgical care, is proud to re-introduce COMPASS (Comprehensive Patient Assessment and Specialty Support), its telemedicine program designed to deliver reliable, around-the-clock clinical support to rural hospitals. As part of this enhanced rollout, RPG is announcing the launch of a new Neurology telemedicine service line, expanding access for hospitals facing acute and chronic neurology needs.
COMPASS provides hospitals with immediate access to certified physicians through seamless telemedicine integration, ensuring consistent coverage. The newest addition, Neurology, fills a long-standing gap in rural healthcare by offering acute neurologic evaluations, inpatient consultations, and ongoing specialty support when hospitals need it most.
“Our goal is to strengthen every rural hospital we serve, and COMPASS allows us to bring specialist support to the bedside,” said Mike Patterson, CEO, Rural Physicians Group. “With tele-neurology now embedded in the program, hospitals can confidently deliver timely, expert care without transferring patients unnecessarily. It’s exactly the kind of stability and reliability rural communities deserve.”
COMPASS is structured to support hospital operations, improve provider workflows, and keep patients local. Hospitals gain immediate access to RPG-trained physicians across a range of specialties—including Cardiology, Nephrology, Infectious Disease, Pulmonology, Critical Care, Neurology, and Nocturnist support—each offered à la carte to seamlessly integrate with your existing clinical teams.
The program includes:
- Access to Specialists: Guaranteed coverage 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
- Streamlined Communication: Direct collaboration with onsite providers to support decision-making, reduce transfers, and improve care coordination.
- Technology Integration: Secure, reliable telemedicine workflows tailored to each hospital’s process.
- Operational Support: Assistance with IT integration, documentation, quality metrics, and clinical process improvements.
Through COMPASS, hospitals gain access to a core team of fully integrated specialists who enhance patient care and reduce the strain on limited clinical resources. Benefits include:
- Reduced Transfers: More patients receive complete care locally, keeping families close to home and protecting hospital revenue.
- Improved Outcomes: Faster specialty evaluations lead to better clinical results and safer care.
- Workforce Stability: COMPASS reduces unpredictable locum coverage as well as reliance on tertiary centers who, often times, prefer that you transfer your patient to them.
- Enhanced Quality & Safety: RPG physicians participate actively in quality initiatives, leadership discussions, and continuous improvement efforts.
“Access to expert specialty care should never be determined by geography,” said Dr. Matt Pappy, Chief Medical Officer of Rural Physicians Group. “Rural Americans face higher stroke rates and worse outcomes than urban populations. It’s time to change that paradigm by delivering instant access to neurologist care at the local hospital. Expanding COMPASS to include Neurology is a decisive step in our mission to strengthen rural hospitals, elevate clinical excellence, and ensure patients receive expert neurological care in their own communities.”
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If you’re interested in learning more about COMPASS or any RPG Service Lines, contact:
Cody Patten | Connect on Linkedin
Vice President of Business Development, Rural Physicians Group
Direct Line: (303) 889-9065
Email: cpatten@ruralphysiciansgroup.com