The award is given annually to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service in the advancement of rural health.  The award is named for Dr. Charles Crowder, a long-time supporter of the Virginia Rural Health Association. His love for rural health is demonstrated in his close relationships with his patients and his desire for the Association to focus on facilitating and nurturing research on rural health.

This year's recipient is Dr. Gregory Byrd - a longtime supporter and advocate for increasing access to healthcare in Shenandoah County.  Ten years ago, a focus group of county leaders met to ponder the regions problems.  The group was especially concerned that too many in their community did not have access to healthcare. The solution:  A free clinic.  Dr. Gregory Byrd was in that focus group and he took that spark, that solution and ran with it. He spent what free time he had between running a busy practice and raising his family to extensively research free clinics, attending free clinic conferences and even learned how to start a nonprofit. 

Dr. Byrd & his wife Jane

His hard work and diligence can be seen in the establishment of the the Shenandoah County Free Clinic, which just celebrated their 5th anniversary. What started out ten years ago as a possible solution has been realized into a dream - of providing much needed healthcare to 500 people in the county. 

This award is given to recognize a program or institution that exemplifies commitment and service to the advancement of rural health in Virginia.

This year's recipient isn't so much an organization as it is a concept - a new way of doing healthcare.  The Virginia Community Healthcare Association's Health Disparities Collaboratives is an innovative national health initiative of HRSA that seeks to: (1) generate and document improved health outcomes for underserved populations; (2) transform clinical practice through new evidence-based models of care; (3) develop infrastructure, expertise and multi-disciplinary leadership to improve the health status of patients; and (4) build strategic partnerships.  From the beginning, Virginia has been looked to as a leader in instituting the collaboratives. Currently, seventeen federally qualified health centers Virginia (14 in  rural communities) have adopted this new model of care.  The Association has provided free training and technical assistance to community health centers and is a recognized leader and model for how primary care association can work with community health centers to improve health outcomes.

Friend of the Association - Rebecca Davis

Rebecca Davis with her husband Michael

The Friend of the Association is given to recognize a program, institution or individual that has advocated for or aided the Association in support of the Association's mission.

This year's recipient is a friend to many in the Association! The nomination letter that was submitted says it all:   "In 2002 Rebecca Davis undertook the less than enviable task of rejuvenating the Virginia Rural Health Association.  Rebecca was hired as the first ever Executive Director and spent four years establishing VRHA as a voice for rural health concerns.  She undertook the typical new organization tasks (redo the bylaws, find any old records, determine who the board members are, etc.) with little if any assistance.  But she also moved quickly into growing the membership and providing benefits for members.  Under her guidance the weekly update, website and biannual newsletters were established.  The annual conference was reinstated along with an expanded awards program.  She acted as the representative for rural health in Virginia during the establishment of the Council on Rural Virginia, the Virginia Center for Rural Development and on the Governor's Task on Obstetrics in Rural Virginia.  And when she moved on, she left a viable, capable organization.  Rarely has VRHA had a better friend or advocate."

2006 Award Winners
Charles Crowder, Jr. Award: Dixie Tooke-Rawlins
Best Practices in Rural Health Award: The Rappahannock Area Health Education Center
Friend of the Association: Heman Marshall

2005 Award Winners
Best Practices Award: The Virginia Dental Health Association
Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award: Dr. Charles Miller
Friend of the Association: The Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

2004 Award Winners
Best Practices Award: Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital Health Wagon
Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award: Delegate Albert D. Pollard