WRHA Awards

Annually, the Washington Rural Health Association honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions in the field of rural health care. As a leadership organization, we take great pride in recognizing the efforts of professionals and colleagues in our rural health family across the state.

2008 Ceremony

We invite our members to consider nominating an individual or organization that has made a significant positive impact on rural health in Washington State for next year's ceremony. Nominees do not have to be members of WRHA to be eligible for these awards. Nominations may be made by any member of WRHA. Please use the Nomination Form (doc) and attach a one page summary supporting each nomination.

All nominations for the 2009 awards must be received by February 1, 2009.

An individual or organization may be nominated in one of the following categories:

LEAH LAYNE MEMORIAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD - This award recognizes the late Leah Layne, a long-time campaigner and activist on behalf of rural health. This award is based on demonstrated leadership skills, someone who best exemplifies Leah’s spirit, vision, foresight and dedication in the field of rural health.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RURAL HEALTH - This award is based on the overall contributions a nominee has made to benefit rural health. This award is for nominees who have, over the course of their careers, made significant impacts in rural health across the state.

OUTSTANDING RURAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER - This award is based on the overall contributions a practitioner has made to benefit rural health. This award seeks nominees who have, over the course of their careers, made significant impacts in rural health.

FRIEND OF RURAL HEALTH - This award seeks nominees who have made a special effort to cause and effect change in rural health policy, legislation, etc. to specifically benefit rural health outcomes. This category honors individuals who are legislators, trustees, community wellness activists, etc.

FUTURE OF RURAL HEALTH – New in 2005, this award recognizes an outstanding youth 14-20 years of age from a rural community who has performed outstanding volunteer service for better health in his/her community or who is successfully pursuing health sciences educational opportunities.

Past WRHA Awards Recipients

Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award

Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award

Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner Award

Friend of Rural Health Award

Special Recognition

Future of Rural Health Award

Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award

            2007    Raleigh Hayter

            2006    Donna Karvia

            2005    Thomas Boone, MD

            2004    Garvin Olson

            2003    Florence Harcrow

2002    Gloria Cooper

2000    Howard Gamble

            1999    Anna Mae Ericksen

Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award

2008    David Weber, MD

2007    Jerry Lane

2006    Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C

2005    Kathy Spoor, RN, BSN

2004    Tri-County Community, Health Fund Board

2003    Greg Brandenburg

2003    Eric Jensen

2002    Steven Meltzer

            2002    Jean Roberts

            2001    Michael Snook, MD

            2000    Richard Gerlach, PA-C

            1999    Peter House

            1998    Leah Layne

            1997    Charlotte Hardt

            1996    Mary Selecky

            1994    Diane Demorest, ARNP

            1993    Don James

            1992    Gordon McLean

            1990    Ed Gray

Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner Award

2008    Pete Martin, PA-C & Fran Martin, RHN, PHN

2008    Walter Henze, MD

2007    Steve Bellinger, PA-C

2006    James Lamberton, MD

2005    Michael Luce, MD

2004    Sandra Schorzman, ARNP, FNP, NP-C

2003    Michael Cunningham, MD

2003    Noel Stevenson, MD

2002`   Linda Powell, MD

            2001    Mark L. Schlauderhaff, MD

            2001    A Peter Weir, MD

            2000    Robert Tulin, MD

            2000    Ray Fitzsimmons, MD

            1999    John Betz, PA-C

            1999    Paul Snyder, PA-C

            1998    Stephen Kriebel, MD

            1998    Chris Seyler, PA

            1991    Jackie Franks, NP

Friend of Rural Health Award

2005    Patricia Richardson

2004    Rep. Cathy McMorris

2003    Cal Swindell

2002    Philip Morrison, MD

            2001    Senator Pat Thibaudeau

            2000    Jack Hale, DO

            1999    Annabel Kirschner Cook

            1999    Linda Evans Parlette

            1999    L. Gary Hart

            1999    Alice James

            1999    Margot Nelle

            1999    Evelyn Torkelson

            1997    Luci Phillips

            1997    Gary Schillhammer, MD

            1997    Brad Hankins

            1996    Herbert Whitish

            1996    Timothy Peck

            1994    Thomas Trompeter

            1993    Greg Vigdor

            1992    Verne Gibbs

Special Recognition (President's Award)

2008    Dave Berk

2007    Gordon McLean

2006    Senator Patty Murray

2000    Alaska Airlines

            2000    Horizon Air

            1997    Victor Vander Does

            1994    Edna Schertenleib

            1994    John Williams, RN

            1993    Bob Maudlin

            1993    Michael Snook, MD

            1993    Phillip Cleveland, MD

            1991    John Anderson, MD

            1991    Scott Plack

            1990    Jim West

            1990    John Moyer

            1990    Peter Brooks

            1990    Dennis Braddock

            1990    Mike Kriedler

            1990    Scott Barr

Future of Rural Health Award

            2007    Becky Bertram

            2006    Ashley Jones

            2005    Miguel Blancas