2008 Rural Health Awards
An Awards Event Celebrating Recognition of Excellence in Rural Health Care
The National Rural Health Association is pleased to announce the selection of the 2008 Rural Health Award Winners! Each winner of these competitive awards has shown extraordinary commitment and tireless devotion to the health of rural communities throughout America.
Please join the NRHA as we recognize these leaders in rural health at the 2008 Awards Luncheon, to be held Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Sheraton New Orleans. Support and thank your peers for all that they do for rural health!
Award Categories
Rural Health Practitioner of the Year
The NRHA’s Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award recognizes a direct service provider for leadership in bringing health services to rural populations. The Practitioner Award is meant to be inclusive of all health disciplines (e.g. dentistry, optometry, nursing, etc.). Factors taken into consideration include providing outstanding care, involvement in the community, and lasting contributions to the health care system.
The 2008 Rural Health Practitioner of the Year is Dr. Terry Dickinson, Director, Virginia Dental Association!
Louis Gorin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Health Care
The Louis Gorin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Health Care is presented annually in memory of Louis Gorin, a federal employee who for 25 years helped lead the design and authorization of health initiatives for rural America. Award recipients are selected based on their creativity, unselfishness, compassion and cooperative attitude in seeking ways to make lasting contributions to rural health care. The nominees work should expand beyond the local community and have a demonstrated effect on rural health at state and national levels. This category includes, but is not limited to, contributions to rural health policy, legislation, health care and health programs.
The winner of the 2008 Louis Gorin Award for Oustanding Achievement in Rural Health Care is Dr. Baretta Casey, Director, University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health!
Outstanding Researcher Award
The NRHA’s Outstanding Researcher Award is based on the premise that health services research and basic scientific inquiry specific to rural health needs have the potential to make long-lasting contributions by guiding public policy and health care planning toward a rural focus. The nomination may be based on a single, significant work or the culmination of multiple works. Criteria considered in giving the award include the scope of accomplishments, sophistication of scholarly effort, significance of the work to rural health, and evidence of the outcome of the work.
The winner of the 2008 Outstanding Researcher Award is Dr. Janet C. Probst, Director, South Carolina Rural Health Research Center!
Distinguished Educator Award
The NRHA Distinguished Educator Award strives to recognize that education and curriculum development dedicated to the needs of rural health professionals has the potential to encourage, assist, enhance, expand, and improve rural health careers. Criteria used to review nominees are the scope of accomplishments, the significance of the work to rural health, the sophistication of the scholarly effort (innovativeness and originality, rigor and scientific soundness, and theoretical base), and evidence of the outcome of the work in rural health (effect on heath care policy, contribution to the advancement of the field, significance in changing patterns of health care delivery, and enhancement of rural health careers).
The winner of the 2008 Distinguished Educator Award is Dr. Mary Williard, Director, DENTEX Training Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium!
Rural Health Quality Award
The Rural Health Quality Award recognizes any individual, organization or group that has made significant contributions to the quality or safety of rural Americans. Nominee criteria includes evidence of improved outcomes or increase in health status indicators. Factors considered include number of rural Americans impacted, demonstration of measurable improvement, innovative approach to quality improvement, or measurement and applicability to other organizations or communities. This award is designed to recognize innovative best practice. Evidence of quality may include information or studies including, but not limited to: surgical errors, transfers, diagnostic errors, infection control, obstetrics, adverse drug reactions, emergency services, or chronic disease management.
The winner of the Rural Health Quality Award is the Virginia Community Healthcare Association's Health Disparities Collaborative Initiative!
Outstanding Rural Health Organization
The Outstanding Rural Health Organization Award recognizes any group or entire organization that has improved access to health services and information for rural people through innovative, comprehensive approaches. Factors considered include outreach, preventive health and education, quality and efficiency of care, and strong community support and involvement.
The winner of the Outstanding Rural Health Organization Award is Gerber Memorial Health Services in Fremont, Michigan!
Outstanding Rural Health Program
The Outstanding Rural Health Program Award recognizes a community, regional or statewide program involving one or more health professionals or entities that promotes or facilitates the development of rural health delivery systems. Factors considered include coordination of services with other health care agencies to avoid duplication of services, networking and collaboration with other health care entities to achieve common goals, innovation in development and implementation, and lasting impact of program on populations and areas served.
The winner of the Outstanding Rural Health Program Award is Kentucky Homeplace, in Hazard, Kentucky!
NRHA/JSI Student Awards
Eligible candidates for student awards include individuals enrolled in an institution of higher learning in some form or capacity (including residents, undergraduate, graduate, technical/vocational, community/ junior college students).
Student Leadership Award
This award recognizes extraordinary leadership activities demonstrated by a student in the field of rural health. Candidates nominated for this award will have displayed a vested interest in improving rural health care, and will have demonstrated an ability to work towards this improvement. Efforts may include organizing and directing a student chapter in the NRHA, significant achievements, unique approaches to identifying or meeting needs, and commitment of time/effort.
The winner of the Student Leaderhship Award is Dr. Deanah Maxwell of the Tuscaloosa Family Practice Residency Program!
Student Achievement Award
This award recognizes extraordinary student initiated and performed activity demonstrated within the field of rural health. Nominee will have significant accomplishments in rural health care delivery, education, promotion, research or advocacy. Efforts may include clinical health care delivery, health care infrastructure development, significant health care research, and educational or promotional activities.
The winner of the 2008 Student Achievement Award is Josh Bell, University of Alabama Rural Medical Scholars Program
2009 Rural Health Award Nominations
Nominations for the 2009 Rural Health Awards will be solicited beginning in the summer of 2008. Check back soon for more information!
If you have any questions, please contact Meaghan McCamman at McCamman@NRHArural.org or (202) 639-0550.
