UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, received the 2014 James D. Bernstein Mentoring Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH). Davis received the award at an Oct. 28 ceremony during the organization’s annual conference in Omaha, Nebraska.
NOSORH promotes the capacity of the 50 state offices of rural health in the nation to improve health care in rural America through leadership development, advocacy, education and partnerships. NOSORH also serves as an influential voice for rural health concerns and promotes a healthy rural America through state and community leadership.
The organization presents its James D. Bernstein Mentoring Award each year to honor an experienced, long-time rural health leader who is a member of the organization, is actively involved in a State Office of Rural Health, and has gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to mentor and help develop other emerging rural health leaders. Because of the individual’s sincere interest in emerging leaders’ professional growth, the award recipient has played a key role in developing future leaders within the national rural health movement.
The award is named in memory of Bernstein, who during his 35-year career formed the first State Office of Rural Health in the United States (in North Carolina) and served as president of the National Rural Health Association. Bernstein also was a model mentor who advised and inspired hundreds of emerging rural health professionals.
The nomination recognized Davis as teacher and mentor to staff at other State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) by offering tools, information, and technical assistance in meaningful and thoughtful ways. Davis mentors multiple health careers students each year and is always helpful and nurturing to new SORH directors. She directs a SORH that serves as a model for others by continually innovating in the development of new ideas and programs. Through her efforts, Davis has helped to develop current and future generations of rural health-care leaders. She is an experienced, long-time rural health leader who is an active member of the NOSORH Board of Directors and committees. She also developed a very supportive and mutually nurturing environment for her staff in her SORH.
The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health was established in 1991 to enhance the health status of rural Pennsylvanians and strengthen the delivery and quality of care in the communities in which they live. Each year, the organization presents awards to recognize rural health programs and individuals who have made substantial contributions to rural health in Pennsylvania.