Wisconsin’s rural communities are wonderful places to live, work, and visit. They are also communities where health care providers deliver innovative, affordable, and holistic primary care. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to Celebrate the Power of Rural by honoring the community-minded, “can-do” spirit that prevails in rural Wisconsin.
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has created a toolkit to help celebrate November 16, 2023
NOMINATE YOUR LOCAL RURAL HEALTHCARE HERO (deadline Nov 1)
TELL US HOW YOU ARE CELEBRATING!

National Rural Health Day is a national campaign to highlight the unique challenges rural communities face: provider shortages, an older population, and lack of transportation. Celebrating Rural Health Day on November 17, 2022 is an opportunity to recognize the challenges of rural health care and celebrate our successes.
This year’s theme is “Driving change: Going the Extra Mile.” The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has created a toolkit to help celebrate. We’ve included an idea guide and coloring book (in English and Spanish) below.
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Here are this year’s community heroes:
Stephanie Waterman: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner, Western Wisconsin Health Roberts Clinic, Baldwin
Dr. Melissa Lucarelli, Medical Director, Randolph Community Clinic
Dr. Rachel Hartline, Upland Hills Health, Dodgeville
Dr. Erin Huebschman, Family Practice / OB Physician, Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster
Dr. Colleen Erb, Psychologist of St. Croix Health
Michael Conard, PA-C, Marshfield Medical Center – Neillsville
Southwest Health Family Practice and Specialty Clinics, Platteville
Edgerton Hospital & Health Services
Please see our Facebook feed for their stories!
Wisconsin’s rural communities are wonderful places to live, work, and visit. They are also communities where health care providers deliver innovative, affordable, and holistic primary care. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to Celebrate the Power of Rural by honoring the community-minded, “can-do” spirit that prevails in rural Wisconsin.
In 2021, we asked healthcare professionals and volunteers serving in rural areas to nominate colleagues for COVID-19 Community Hero. We are highlighting these stories on our Facebook page.

In the surge of Fall 2020, medical facilities went online to celebrate its rural workforce. Community groups, such as REACH Waushara, held outdoor “Steps Around Wisconsin.”
In 2019, our office was proud to recognize two winners for our Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Awards. One winner was Jean Mierow of Fox Lake Fire & EMS was given an award recognizing her 25 years of service as an Emergency Medical Technician and leader in the Fox Lake agency. The other winner was Family Health La Clinica (FHLC) of Wautoma provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health/addiction recovery services in Friendship, and dental services in Stevens Point, Mauston, and Beaver Dam. FHLC also delivers school-based dental services and delivers medical and dental services via their mobile clinic throughout the state.
NOSORH’s Community Star Award-2019 Rescue Divas, an organization in Ashland, WI, was recognized by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health as one of 44 national Community Stars for its work sparking interest in young people in Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Rural Health Awards: We are proud to recognize three winners (one each for an organization, individual, and program) for our inaugural Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Awards. Each awardee was recognized in a local ceremony in early November.

Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill received our Outstanding Organization award for their innovative approach toward addressing health priorities in the community.
Mary Schneider, RNC-CEN in Ladysmith received our Outstanding Individual award for her volunteerism and fundraising for local emergency service providers, excellence in her profession, and contribution to the community by providing numerous classes, coordination of blood drives, and assistance to individuals.
A-F County Market in Adams received our Outstanding Program award for their “Veggie Voucher” program, which helps lower-income residents in Adams County increase their consumption of fresh food. The program was developed by the County Market after they were approached by the Be Healthy Adams County Coalition for ideas about potential public health programs.