Nominations and Awards

Each year, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) presents awards to individuals and organizations in the state that have made substantial contributions to rural health in Pennsylvania. Rural Health Awards will be presented in the honoree’s community during the week of National Rural Health Day.

Nominations for the following categories will be accepted:

  • State Rural Health Leader of the Year
  • Community Rural Health Leader of the Year
  • Rural Health Program of the Year
  • Legislator of the Year
  • Rural Health Hero of the Year

Criteria:

Pennsylvania Rural Health Leader of the Year

The Rural Health Leader of the Year award recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed, or expanded an exemplary multidimensional state rural health program or initiative that benefits rural Pennsylvanians. Criteria used to select this award recipient include:

  • Demonstrates/provides leadership to a state health program or initiative that benefits rural Pennsylvanians
  • Uses comprehensive, unique approaches to address a specific health issue in the Commonwealth
  • Works with other relevant state/community organizations and/or uses relevant resources to develop or expand a program that addresses health issues affecting rural Pennsylvanians

Community Rural Health Leader of the Year

The Community Rural Health Leader of the Year award recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed, or expanded an exemplary multi-dimensional rural community health program or initiative. Criteria used to select this award recipient include:

  • Demonstrates/provides leadership to the rural community health program
  • Uses comprehensive, unique approaches to address a specific health issue
  • Works with other relevant community organizations and/or uses relevant resources to develop or expand a program that addresses health issues affecting rural Pennsylvanians

Rural Health Program of the Year

The Rural Health Program of the Year award recognizes an exemplary health program that addresses an identified need in a rural community. Criteria used to select this award recipient include:

  • Demonstrates unique, creative, and innovative approaches
  • Ensures access to the community/intended population (with no physical, economic, or social barriers) and includes community resources as part of the planning and evaluation process
  • Demonstrates a significant benefit to the target population as measured by evaluation

Legislator of the Year

The Legislator of the Year award recognizes an outstanding Pennsylvania legislator for his/her work and support of rural health initiatives that address an identified need in his/her district. Criteria used to select this award recipient include:

  • Introduces or supports an existing piece of legislation that addresses an identified rural health need or issue
  • Demonstrates leadership in the rural community
  • Incorporates community input into the planning process

Rural Health Hero of the Year

The Rural Health Hero of the Year award recognizes an outstanding leader in the area of rural health. Criteria used to select this award recipient include:

  • Demonstrates a personal and professional commitment to the rural health needs of his/her community and/or service area
  • Works with relevant state/community organizations and/or uses relevant resources to develop or expand a program that addresses a Pennsylvania rural health issue (or issues)
  • Goes above and beyond the call of duty

For more information, contact Karen Burke, Outreach Coordinator at klb520@psu.edu or 814-865-3647

2024 Call for Nominations Form

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