Impact

Organizations, individuals recognized as 2018 'Community Stars'

National Rural Health Day recognizes those who serve the vital health needs of nearly 60 million people residing in America’s rural communities, estimated to be 1 in 5 Americans

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On the third Thursday of November each year, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) leads National Rural Health Day, an annual day of recognition for those who serve the vital health needs of nearly 60 million people residing in America’s rural communities, estimated to be 1 in 5 Americans.

NOSORH is the member organization of 50 State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) that serve the states in which they are located. The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH), located at Penn State's University Park campus, serves Pennsylvania, one of the most rural states in the nation, with nearly 3.5 million residents living in areas that are federally designated as rural.

SORHs provide support to rural hospitals and health systems, clinics, providers and others through technical assistance, coordination, partnership development, population health management, quality improvement initiatives and more.

In 2015, NOSORH launched the “Community Star” recognition to honor individuals and organizations that make a positive impact on rural lives. The book of National Rural Health Day Community Stars showcases those rural health heroes. Beginning on Nov. 15, these Community Stars from Pennsylvania will appear in the 2018 edition that will be available on the Power of Rural website, the official hub for National Rural Health Day and the Power of Rural movement.

  • Dr. Kevin A. Strauss, Clinic for Special Children, Strassburg
  • Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health, Delmont
  • Kelly Braun, dental delivery systems coordinator, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, University Park
  • Angel Flight East, Blue Bell

“The office of rural health is so proud that these community heroes, and their organizations, call Pennsylvania home,” said Lisa Davis, director of PORH and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State. “They are a testament to the dedication we so appreciate to address rural health needs in the state.”

PORH 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. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu. For more information on National Rural Health Day, visit nosorh.org/about-national-rural-health-day and pledge to support the Power of Rural at powerofrural.org

Last Updated November 27, 2018

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