2022 Rural Hospital Leadership Team Award Winner and Finalists

West Tennessee Bolivar General Hospital, Bolivar, TN and Hardeman County made healthy lifestyles a priority and made remarkable gains in reducing the obesity rate in Hardeman County especially for students. They established a food distribution center and distributed food, encouraged healthy food choices, and promoted exercise while working with BCBS to build a playground. These results were led by Ruby Kirby, CEO and achieved through organization of varied community resources focused on a common goal.

Finalists include:

  • Lesley Ogden, M.D., CEO, Samaritan North Lincoln and Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospitals, Lincoln County, Oregon and the team’s efforts to improve patient access, behavioral and population and health, and workforce initiatives with new rural residency and expanded nursing and allied health training programs.
     
  • Don Caruso, M.D., CEO and president, Cheshire Medical Center, Keene, NH and his team who through The Doorway health services led efforts in working with the community to reduce overdose deaths, expand access, and improve community behavioral health and wellness that produced excellent results.