NRHA’s 2018 Rural Health Awards a powerful testimony to personal dedication
 National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health representatives with NRHA CEO Alan Morgan |
 Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative director of advocacy Jeremy Levin, nursing leadership senior manager Cella Janisch-Hartline, RN, BSN, executive director Tim Size and NRHA CEO Alan Morgan |
 Top: Roger D. Wells, PA-C, Jacob Thatcher, Cella Janisch-Hartline, Teryl Eisinger, K. Bryant Smalley, PhD, PsyD, Kent Hoerauf, MD, CMD, FACP, Michelle Mills. Bottom: Nicole Geary, friends and family of Rhonda Kay Skelton. Not pictured: Grant Gase |
 2018 NRHA President’s Award winner and NRHA board member Roger D. Wells, PA-C, and 2018 NRHA President Tommy Barnhart |
 National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health representatives, colleagues and partners |
 St. Luke’s Miners Health Center office coordinator Nicole Geary and Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health director Lisa Davis |
 Friends, family, and former co-workers of Rhonda Kay Skelton |
More than one thousand people attended NRHA’s annual events in New Orleans this May. The association’s Rural Health Award winners were honored with a special ceremony during the 41st Annual Rural Health Conference and 3rd Rural Hospital Innovation Summit. For this special annual event, videos are submitted to showcase the talents and dedication of each winner and shown as the awards are presented.
Particularly powerful this year was the video for the Louis Gorin Award, given posthumously to Rhonda K. Skelton. Skelton’s family was present to accept the award on her behalf. The compelling video highlighted the subsequent achievement of Skelton’s hospital as the second CAH in Minnesota to win a baby-friendly designation in a time when OB wards across the rural landscape are struggling. Skelton’s legacy testifies to the power of individuals making a difference in rural health, which is exemplified by the winners of the Rural Health Awards.
Outstanding Rural Health Organization
St. Luke’s Miners Rural Health Centers
Outstanding Rural Health Program
National Rural Health Day — National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
Louis Gorin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Health Care
Rhonda K. Skelton
Rural Health Practitioner of the Year
Kent Hoerauf
Outstanding Educator Award
Cella Janisch-Hartline
Outstanding Researcher Award
K. Bryant Smalley
NRHA/John Snow Inc. Student Leadership Award
Grant Gase
NRHA/John Snow Inc. Student Achievement Award
Jacob Thatcher
NRHA Volunteer of the Year
Michelle Mills
NRHA President’s Award
Roger D. Wells
To read more about the winners of this year’s Rural Health Awards and view their videos, visit https://bit.ly/2HwJ7aV.
To view all NRHA Rural Health Award winners,including links to past videos, visit https://bit.ly/2JoJbgX.