Texas Rural Health Association has a history of recognizing individuals, programs and communities that have done outstanding work in the area of rural health. The following awards were presented at the 2009 Texas Rural Health Forum on November 10 th at the Austin Hyatt Regency.

The Texas Rural Health Association’s annual Rural Health Champion Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant difference in improving the health of rural Texans. This year, for the first time in the history of the award, two individuals were honored; Mr. Jim Shafer of Hamilton and Dr. Marilyn Sanders-McCrory of Marfa.

After moving to Hamilton to retire Jim Shafer was asked to take on the role of hospital administrator of Hamilton General Hospital. He has lead the hospital through a tremendous growth period. Under his leadership, Hamilton General has been able to build a new hospital, reactivate the Auxiliary, grow from 6 computers to 160, begin an aggressive IT development program, add cardiac and pulmonary rehab, pain management services, a fitness center, establish an ambulance station in Hico, purchase a new CT scanner, establish a foundation, purchase a clinic, and go after Level IV trauma designation. In addition to all his work, he possesses an understanding of rural and has the ability to recruit homegrown health professions -- in fact 7 of the 9 doctors with the system are originally from the county! Mr. Shafer is passionate about meeting the health care needs of rural citizens and is a true champion for rural health .

Jim Shafer and wife T.C.

Marilyn Sanders-McCrory is credited for bringing healthcare to Presidio County, the 4 th poorest county in Texas. The town of Presidio is located 90 miles from the nearest hospital in Alpine and has one volunteer operated ambulance. A movement began in 2003, spearheaded by Marilyn to bring healthcare to this community. Dr. Sanders-McCrory moved from the east coast to Marfa to retire from her profession of teaching Pharmacology. Once there, she was shocked by the lack of healthcare. Before long she was working well over 40 hour weeks meeting with local, state and federal representatives, making numerous telephone calls and working tirelessly for more than five years. The end result of her tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of the Marfa Community and Presidio County Medical clinics. When asked why she spent all the time and effort on behalf of so many people she didn’t know she replied, “I am lucky to have the financial stability and good health insurance to get health care. Many people do not; this is something I could do.” We applaud Marilyn’s selfless accomplishments for her community.

Marilyn Sanders-McCrory with Kate Wanstrom, NP

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The Texas Rural Health Association’s annual Outstanding Program Award recognizes rural health projects that make a significant difference in improving the health of residents inTexas communities. TRHA’s Outstanding Program Award recognizes up to ten programs or projects that have gone the extra mile for its citizens by implementing a health care project that has made a significant difference both for the people and for the community it serves. The nominees must have made a positive difference in their communities, implemented a program that could be replicated, and benefited a rural population.

This year a total of six awards were presented for outstanding programs including: El Terror Invisible: Preventing Exposure to Agricultural Chemicals for Promotores; Presbyterian Medical Care Mission; Lavaca Medical Center Health and Wellness Center; Healthy Kids 2020; Yoakum Community Hospital’s Donna’s Day Program and The Rotary Dental Suites at The First Baptist Church of Marble Falls.

The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (SWAG) partnered with the Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health, the Lake Country AHEC and the National Center for Farmworker Health (NNFH) to create and deliver a 4-hour bilingual train-the-trainer program for promotores focused on pesticide and chemical safety education, entitled, El Terror Invisible: Preventing Exposure to Agricultural Chemical forPromotores.

Initially, 20 participants were expected to participate with the first training but over 60 attended and received this program content. By the end of the first year of training, 157 promotores had attended the training and 36 more attended in 2008. The 2009 workshop was held in November. The best thing about this program is that it is replicable and available for use in your area.

Dr Jeffrey Levin of the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health Accepted the award on behalf El Terror Invisible: Preventing Exposure to Agricultural Chemical for Promotores.

Dr. Jeffrey Levin with TRHA’s Pam Danner

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Presbyterian Medical Care Mission , located in Abilene, serves the region with a “whole care philosophy”. During its tenure, since 1983, the mission has provided life-changing, sometimes, life saving care. Fees for an office visit range from $7 to $20 and are based on a person’s ability to pay. In 1999, the mission added dental services meeting a need not before met. The spiritual needs of those they serve are also part of the work of the mission. The Director of Spiritual Wellness serves as liaison between client and community partners (churches and other organizations). A recent patient who drives 44 miles one way to the clinic for her appointments for depression says, “I can’t remember the last time I felt normal. I feel better every day with the care and counseling the mission helps me get. They are a blessing”. Scott Golding, Executive Director accepted the award for the mission.

Scott Golding Presbyterian Medical Care Mission

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Lavaca Medical Health & Wellness Center is part of the Lavaca Medical Center and comprised of several sectors. Each sector serves to enrich the health of the community’s population in a different way. The medical/dental model is comprised of the Acute Care Center which encompasses both inpatient and outpatient services. The community model is comprised of the preventive care services. It includes a fitness center and a dietary section. In addition, case management services are included in this model to serve as liaison between acute care and prevention. Services for its rural clients include the Hands on Training Fitness Camp, a diabetes education program, outdoor gym and walking trail. James Vanek, CEO of the Lavaca Medical Center, accepted the award on behalf of Lavaca Medical Center.

James Vanek – Lavaca Medical Health and Wellness Center

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The Healthy Kids 2020 Project, at Covenant Hospital in Plainview, was developed as a tool to address childhood obesity. The HK 2020 Club offers activities for children and youth in the county that encourage healthy eating, engagement in physical activity and practicing other good behaviors. During the first year, 270 children joined the initiative. They participated in monthly community activities and quarterly meetings and learned about healthy eating and exercise. The second year, participation increased to 300. Current activities include swimming at the Y, walks at the Hike and Bike trail, hosting a children’s health fair, skating at the local skating rink, a triathlon and work in a community garden. Coralyn Dillard, a nurse educator, and Jennifer Scaramuzzo, a registered dietician, accepted the award on behalf of HK 2020.

Jennifer Scaramuzzo and Coralyn Dillard

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Yoakum Community Hospital’s Donna’s Day Program is a program started in honor of Donna Frels, a visible and active member of the community who passed away in 2005 due to a health issue that could have been prevented. In honor of Donna, one day a year is set-aside to provide free glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screening services to everyone in the community. The goal of the program is to reduce preventable deaths and improve quality of life for community residents. Community support of the program has been wide-spread and during the last three years over 350 people attended Donna’s Day. An example of the programs work includes the following statistics…17% of those tested had elevated glucose levels, 37% had elevated cholesterol levels and 17% had elevated blood pressure. Karen Barber, RN and CEO of Yoakum Community Hospital accepted the award on behalf of Donna’s Day Program.

Karen Barber

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The goal of The Rotary Dental Suites at The First Baptist Church of Marble Falls is to make basic dental care available to Burnet and Llano county citizens who otherwise would not be able to afford it. The clinic provides basic dental services (cleanings, extractions, fillings and x-rays) for low income qualified citizens at a cost of only $25 per visit. There is no paid staff for this ½ day a week clinic and business is booming. In August, the clinic appointments were booked through November. There are 12 volunteer dentists and 4 lab technicians that work 2 at a time and countless others who provide the never-ending administrative functions. Rural citizens find the location of the clinic and the ease of referral a benefit that otherwise does not exist. Dr. Mike Steel and Dr. Jan Morris accepted the award on behalf of the dental clinic.

Dr. Mike Steel and Dr. Jan Morris

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Presidents Award Honors UNTHSC ROME Director

Texas Rural Health Association honored Dr. John R. Bowling with the President’s Award for his significant work towards the betterment of rural healthcare. John R. Bowling, DO completed his medical training at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1969 and a Rotating Internship at Doctors Hospital, Columbus Ohio, in 1970. He practiced Family Medicine and Obstetrics in Lancaster, Ohio from 1970-1988. He joined the faculty at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine as Associate Professor of Family Medicine in 1988. He is the Director of the Division of Rural Medicine, and was named Assistant Dean for Rural Medicine at UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006.

At UNT Dr. Bowling champions the rural practice through a unique program called ROME (Rural Osteopathic Medical Education of Texas). The goal of this innovative rural education program is to prepare students for the practice of medicine in a rural environment.  For more information on the ROME Curriculum – TCOM, please visit www.hsc.unt.edu/RuralMed or phone 817-735-2275.

In addition to his work with ROME, Dr. Bowling is a member of the CATCHUM steering committee, Texas Rural Health Association Board, and a member of the Committee on Evaluation and Education of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. He was named Fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians in 1993, Texas Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year in 1996, and served as President of the Texas Society of ACOFP in 1999. He is listed in Who's Who in America, American Education, and Medicine and Healthcare.

Dr. Bowling is dedicated to improving the lives of rural Texans and is passionate in his mission to provide rural Texas with access to high caliber physicians who are committed to their community’s well being.

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Dr. John Bowling accepting President's Award

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The Texas Rural Health Association thanks all of the 2009 award winners for their tireless and commendable work to improve the health of rural Texans.

Click here to view additional photos of our 2009 award winners as well as other photos of the conference.