CSRHA Honors 2008 Rural Champion Awardees at the 8th Annual Conference

The Rural Champion Awards Luncheon, held on the second day of CSRHA’s 8th Annual Conference, honored five distinguished individuals for their extraordinary achievements in the rural communities of California. Four professionals were awarded the CSRHA Rural Champion in Community Leadership award, which recognizes a member who has made a significant contribution to advancing rural health at the local or regional level. The recipient is recognized by peers for demonstrated leadership characteristics, commitment, and distinguished service. Assemblymember Jean Fuller was presented with the CSRHA Rural Champion in Legislative Service award, which is given to either a public official, their staff, or a state advocate who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing rural health at the state level.

In the midst of the conference, the luncheon served as a brief but lasting interlude.  Along with a very heartfelt singing performance by Dr. Bill Hunter towards the end, attendees had the pleasure of witnessing many uplifting stories from this year’s awardees.

Here are the inspiring stories of the 2008 Rural Champion Award recipients:

Speranza Avram, Consultant, Speranza Avram & Associates
Speranza has long been a rural health advocate, and her largest impact has been in the area of technology.  She has championed the use of technology to increase access and improve overall health for rural residents. Speranza has been an instrumental leader in advancing the adoption of technology to increase access to care in rural California. click for more

Pat Houghton, Founder/Coordinator, Amador Co. Senior Peer Counseling Program
Some people get paid to lead their community in planning and providing health care services.  Pat Houghton, MFCC, did her share of that as Mental Health Director for Amador County for six years.  But her retirement in 2002 gave her the opportunity to launch an all-volunteer senior peer counseling program in this rural county of 30,000, which she says is as satisfying as anything she ever did for pay. click for more

Bill Hunter, MD, Medical Director, Open Door Community Health Centers
What makes Bill Hunter different is how he approaches the leadership tasks. He is dedicated and hard working, many are. But he adds to this a brand of creativity and inclusiveness that brings new energy and perspective to the work of expanding access and improving quality. He is a tireless advocate for these goals, but his work and leadership is never tedious. Always, with every encounter, I have found him to be optimistic and enthusiastic about his work and the prospects of improving people’s lives. click for more

Marsha Larrabee, Director, Calaveras Children's Dental Partnership
Marsha is a registered dental hygienist who has practiced with local dentist offices for many years.  However, when the Calaveras Children’s Dental Project was formed ten years ago, she took over as the director of the project.  She and another hygienist have visited every preschool and elementary school site in the county to provide dental screenings to thousands of children, as well as fluoride treatments and dental varnish applications to prevent future decay. click for more

Jean Fuller, R-32 Assembly District
Elected as Chair of the California State Legislative Caucus in her first year in office, Assemblymember Jean Fuller has led the bipartisan group of 43 Assembly Members and Senators to provide a strong, united voice in the state legislature for residents of rural communities. She has interacted extensively with CSRHA and its leadership to better develop her understanding of statewide rural issues. click for more

Article posted on 1/6/08