For 2009, the Virginia Rural Health Association decided that we needed a new award category. Lawmaker of the Year was created to give special recognition to an elected official at any level who has demonstrated support for improving health in rural Virginia. Our very first Lawmaker of the Year is Virginia Delegate Dave Nutter.
Delegate Nutter has become a voice among legislators for rural Virginia. Most importantly, he serves as a member of the prestigious Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care. He has repeatedly insisted that the Joint Commission include a rural perspective and the Virginia Rural Health Plan in their decisions.
Delegate Nutter has played a role in the development of the Virginia Rural Health Plan. He has attended the past two Rural Health Summits; listening and actively participating – not just showing up as a politician wishing to be seen and heard.
Delegate Nutter also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Center for Rural Virginia, which has health as one of its six key elements.
Janice’s leadership and guidance with the community, hospital and free clinic has made a lasting positive change in the healthcare status for Patrick County residents.
Rob Bradley
Executive Director
Lackey Free Family Medicine Clinic
With our conference theme of “Working together to Strengthen the Safety Net”, it is especially fitting that the 2009 VRHA award goes to a VAFC member – the Lackey Free Clinic.
The clinic began as a one-night a week ministry based in a church. It has evolved to a five-day a week facility providing a range of services, including dental care, gynecology, ophthalmology, rheumatology, cardiology and pediatrics.
Lackey Free Clinic’s practices are focused on the comprehensive health of its patients. The clinic’s leadership developed this philosophy and it pervades and energizes the clinic’s activities and staff. Patient health conditions are assessed upon arrival along with their family situation, emotional makeup, and religious views, things x-rays and stethoscopes can’t identify.
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 we have selected Virginia Department of Health - Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy - Division of Primary Care and Rural Health; better known as the State Office of Rural Health.
The State Office of Rural Health has financially supported the VRHA annual conference since 2003. VRHA would not have the means to hold this event each year without this level of assistance. Furthermore, sustaining the conference provided VRHA with the stability needed to grow from a small start-up organization, to a membership of over 500 individuals.
In the past two years, the State Office of Rural Health has expanded their support beyond conferences. In 2008, they began providing a VRHA Organization membership to each of Virginia’s small rural hospitals. In 2009, the State Office of Rural Health funded VRHA to conduct a variety of projects related to the Virginia Rural Health Plan, including development of the rural health data portal and a rural behavioral health summit. These projects have allowed VRHA to expand the level of services provided to its membership.
Kathy Wibberly
Director, Division of Primary Care and Rural Health
Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy