ENID, OK - Andy Fosmire, Vice-President of Rural Health at the Oklahoma Hospital Association and Rural Health Projects, Inc., a community-based non-profit each recently received awards at the Oklahoma Rural Health Conference. Fosmire received the 2018 “Rural Health Advocate of the Year” award from the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma (RHAO), who helps sponsor the conference.
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Rural Health Projects, Inc. received the 2018 “Rural Health Educator of the Year” award.
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According to the nomination criteria, the “Rural Health Advocate of the Year” award is given to a “tireless advocate for rural health issues,” who has “repeatedly demonstrated his/her commitment to rural health through grassroots efforts or policy changes.” The recipient “inspires others to understand the significance rural health care plays for Oklahomans across the state by engaging elected officials in discussions and promoting policies that support rural health care.”
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Fosmire was nominated by Roger Knak, the CEO at Fairview Regional Medical Center, who received the 2017 “Rural Health Leader of the Year” award from the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma. In the nomination, Knak said Fosmire, “is a frequent visitor to the small communities, speaking to civic groups, local units of government, healthcare providers, and anyone who will listen about what is going on in rural healthcare.”
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Fosmire, accompanied by his wife and youngest daughter, said in his acceptance speech, “I was honored when I learned I was nominated for Rural Health Advocate of the Year, humbled when selected from such an outstanding group of nominees, and so very happy to be recognized by this group, who I truly see as friends and family.”
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Rural Health Projects, Inc. was recognized by the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s Board of Directors as “Rural Health Educator of the Year” for 2018.
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This award is given to a recipient who “has a proven record of educating rural health care students, current workforce, or community members, or who has developed a successful and unique education program for rural Oklahomans.”
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The nomination included several on-going community education programs, including those in partnership with the Tri-CHIO (Tri-County Health Improvement Organization) for diabetes and chronic disease management programs, funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), as well as work through the TSET Healthy Living Program grant. According to the nomination “staff and Board members connect and collaborate with [the] diverse communities to provide education and resources aimed at improving population health….RHP’s Board of Directors and staff are very proactive in working to meet the healthcare needs of their community through evidence-based education and services. They believe in collaboration and partnership with the amazing organizations and groups with which they work. RHP’s Board and staff are truly driven by the mission to serve the community.”
The mission of RHP is: "To improve access to and quality of healthcare services for rural Oklahomans through collaboration, advocacy, education, recruitment, and training."
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Toni Pickle, Rural Ed/Healthcare/Economic Development Manager at Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc. who is a Rural Health Projects, Inc. Board member, accepted on behalf of the organization.
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Pickle mentioned how much she enjoyed being a part of Rural Health Projects, Inc. and the benefits of the work the organization does for the communities.
"It is an honor to represent Pioneer on this RHP Board. The work of the staff of Rural Health Projects, impacts much of northwest Oklahoma. Improving access to and education in multiple health care issues, benefits the NW region in many ways. RHP is worthy of this award because the staff truly does make a difference with a vast and in communities. It’s really amazing.”
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The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s mission is “Promoting rural health in Oklahoma through advocacy, education, and leadership.”
Other recipients chosen by the RHAO Board of Directors this year were: “Rural Health Physician of the Year,” Gary Mathews, MD, Beaver, Okla., and “Rural Health Leader of the Year,” Garth Splinter, MD, MBA, Oklahoma Health Care Authority (retired).
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For information about the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma, contact Allison Seigars, 580/213-3177, agseigars@nwosu.edu or visit www.rhao.org.
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Andy Fosmire, Vice President for Rural Health at the Oklahoma Hospital Association, receives the “Rural Health Advocate of the Year” award from Corie Kaiser, Rural Health Association of Oklahoma President, at the Annual Awards Luncheon at the Oklahoma Rural Health Conference in Norman, Okla. on May 22.
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Rural Health Projects, Inc. staff and two Board members pose with the “Rural Health Educator of the Year” award from the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma Rural Health Conference on May 22 in Norman, Okla. Pictured from left to right are: (back) Jay Sharp, TSET Lead Coordinator; Deb Witt, Population Health Coordinator; Allison Seigars, Executive Director; Joelynn Karben, Community Health Worker; Jeff Lockett, (Board Treasurer) Agriculture Management Coordinator, Pioneer Tech; Toni Pickle (Board Member), , Rural Ed/Healthcare/Economic Development Manager, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.; (front) Becky Zook, Program Coordinator/Practice Facilitator; Stephanie Pendergraft, Program Coordinator; Shawna Perryman, Program Coordinator/Practice Facilitator; Crystal Camarena, Community Health Worker, and Rebecca Griffith, Program Coordinator.
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Enid Native, Organization Receive Rural Health Awards
