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WRHA Rural Health Awards Click Here for Nomination Form
2019 WRHA Award Winners:
Ron Rehn Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award Winner
Denny Lordan Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award Winner
Dr. Joe Mattern Dr. John Anderson Memorial Award for Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner (Dr. Mattern not present)
Beionka Moore Mary Selecky Friend of Rural Health Award Winner
Tessa E. Moore Future of Rural Health Award Winner
Each year, 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.
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.
An individual or organization may be nominated in one of the following categories:
LEAH LAYNE MEMORIAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
This award honors 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. Award recipient is selected based on their creativity, selflessness, compassion and cooperative attitude in seeking ways to make lasting contributions to rural health care.
DR. JOHN ANDERSON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RURAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER
This award honors the late Dr. John Anderson, a dedicated physician, and a leader in the development of a system to ensure that physicians and other health care professionals have the opportunity to work in the rural communities of Washington State.This award recognizes a direct service provider for leadership in bringing health services to rural populations. Factors taken into consideration include involvement in rural the community and lasting contributions to the health care system.
MARY SELECKY FRIEND OF RURAL HEALTH
This award recognizes an individual who has made a special effort to cause and effect change in rural health policy, legislation, rural communities, etc., to specifically benefit rural health outcomes. This category honors individuals who are legislators, trustees, community wellness activists, rural health care professionals, etc. 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.
FUTURE OF RURAL HEALTH
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 demonstrated an ability to work towards this improvement. Efforts may include organizing and directing rural health activities or groups, significant achievements, unique approaches to identifying or meeting needs, and commitment of time/effort..
Past WRHA Rural Health Awards Recipients
Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award
2019 Ron Rehn 2018 Susan Skillman 2015 Kris Sparks 2014 Paul Nurick 2013 Renee Jensen 2011 Tom Martin 2010 Vic Dirksen
Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award
2019 Denny Lordan 2018 Ron Wallin 2017 Chief Gordon Pomeroy 2016 Thomas Martin 2015 Robert Campbell, MHA 2014 Bruce Buckles
The Dr. John Anderson Memorial Award for Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner (created in 2010)
2019 Dr. Joe Mattern 2018 Dr. Tobe Howard Harberd 2017 Dr. Yong Ki Shin and Dr. Clara Chon Shin 2016 Dr. William Hurley 2015 Mark Larson, MD; Edward Macke, MD and Robert St. Clair, MD 2014 Andy Castrodale, MD
The Mary Selecky Friend of Rural Health Award
2019 Beionka Moore 2018 Tammy A. Arndt 2017 Eric Larson, PhD 2016 Jeff Mero 2015 Brenda Suiter 2014 Nancy Webster
Future of Rural Health Award
2019 Tessa E. Moore 2018 Kyrk Taylor 2014 Maggie Douglas