Rural Health Day
Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Rural Health Day 2023
Since 2011, The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, and rural health stakeholders from across the country have set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate National Rural Health Day. This day promotes the “Power of Rural,” which brings much-needed attention to the ongoing efforts to communicate, educate, collaborate, and innovate to improve the health of an estimated 57 million rural Americans. Over the years, National Rural Health Day has transformed from a daylong event to a sustainable movement.
On November 16, 2023, the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) hosted the third annual Rural Health Day celebration. The celebration honored the efforts of rural communities and healthcare providers for their selfless, community-minded spirit that prevails in rural Missouri. The ORHPC honored Rural Health Champions nominated by rural stakeholders committed to addressing health equity and healthcare challenges. These honorees received an award, a letter of appreciation from the Department of Health and Senior Services Director, Paula F. Nickelson, and a Rural Health Day Proclamation from the Missouri Governor, Mike Parsons, for their outstanding efforts to provide quality care and services in the communities they serve.
Please take the
Post-Celebration Survey
Rural Health Champion Awardees:
Beverly Williams, RN
Washington County Memorial Hospital
Nancy Lock, PT
Carroll County Memorial Hospital
Sarah Willoughby, LCSW
Freeman Health System
Not Pictured: Kathleen Lenz, NP, Cooper County Public Health Center
Rural Health Day Sponsors
- Missouri Hospital Association (MHA)
- Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA)
- Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA)
- Missouri University Rural Scholars Program (MU)
- Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC)
- A.T. Still University (ATSU)
- Missouri Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
- Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence (MOCPHE)
Rural Health Day Presentations
- Health In Rural Missouri
- Improve Oral Health in Rural Areas PP
- Missourians Aging with Dignity; Missouri's Master Plan on Aging
- Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Updates Day Presentation 2023
- Rural Immersion Program
Rural Health Day Subject Matter Experts and Table Topics
- Community Asset Builders (CAB) – RHC Learning Network PROMPT
- Missouri University Extension (MU) – Community Engagement
- Missouri University Extension (MU) – Rural Citizen’s Access to Health
- Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence (MOCPHE) – LPHA Accreditation
- Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) – Health Providers in Rural Areas
- Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) – Rural Health Advocacy and Immunizations
- Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) – Mobile Integrated Health
- Stoudwater – Quality Improvement
- Warbird Consulting Partners – Financial Operations
- A.T. Still University – Becoming a Preceptor
- Health Disparities Program Office (HDPO) – Health Disparities
- Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Project (MO-CPAP)
- Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC) – Missouri Immunizations