Announcing the 2025 Oregon Rural Health Excellence Awardees
Oregon’s rural hospitals, clinics, EMS agencies, local public health agencies (LPHAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) often demonstrate exceptional resourcefulness, teamwork and creativity when addressing improvement in health care and health outcomes. To recognize organizations that demonstrate outstanding dedication to improving rural health care and health outcomes, ORH developed the Oregon Rural Health Excellence Award program in 2023. This year marks the third year of an ongoing awards program to recognize the exceptional implementation of strategies that have led to improvements in rural health care delivery and community support available to patients.
We are pleased to congratulate the 2025 Oregon Rural Health Excellence Award awardees, who were honored at the 42nd Oregon Rural Health Conference on Oct. 2! Awardees include Columbia Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health Tillamook Rural Health Clinics, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon and Wallowa Memorial Hospital EMS.
Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH), located in Astoria, created the Meaningful Language Access Initiatives to Improve Hispanic and Latino Patient Experience Program to enhance language access for patients with limited English proficiency. CMH, in partnership with Columbia Pacific CCO, collaborated with a local Hispanic and Latino workgroup to co-develop targeted goals and strategies.
The project included secret shopper calls to evaluate language access services, which identified gaps in Spanish interpretation over the phone. In response, the hospital established PFAC Hispano, a patient and family advisory council comprised of Spanish-speaking members who provide ongoing guidance and feedback. Key initiatives arising from this collaboration included hiring a full-time Spanish interpreter, introducing Spanish language phone options and developing staff resources such as a Spanish interpretation quick guide and documentation reference. These efforts reflect CMH’s sustained commitment to delivering equitable and culturally responsive care to the rural Hispanic community.
Adventist Health Tillamook Rural Health Clinics redefined rural health care delivery by improving access for underserved and high-risk patients through community-based nursing services (CBNS).
In Tillamook and Columbia counties, many rural patients have struggled with barriers to care, including limited transportation, high poverty levels, housing instability and a shortage of local health care providers. Traditional clinic-based models may not effectively engage patients, leading to unmanaged chronic conditions that eventually result in hospitalization.
This innovative, nurse-led initiative brings health care directly to patients, whether in their homes, temporary housing or on the streets. RNs serve as health coaches, trust builders and health care navigators. They conduct home visits, manage chronic illnesses, reconcile medications, perform procedures within their scope of practice, assess social needs and coordinate comprehensive care.
During the pilot phase from Dec. 2023 to May 2024, the program served 103 patients. Statistics showed notable improvements in medication adherence, access to care, self-management, engagement with primary care and overall improved medical outcomes.
This program is replicable and sustainable and will be backed by a toolkit currently in development to promote statewide adoption. It has been implemented in six rural clinics and offers a valuable alternative for rural communities seeking to support their most vulnerable residents.
Council on Aging of Central Oregon has, for over 50 years, been a lifeline for older adults across the region, especially those in rural and underserved communities. As the area’s designated Agency on Aging and the sole provider of Meals on Wheels, they deliver far more than meals: they provide daily wellness checks, safety visits and a vital human connection that combats isolation and promotes dignity, security and independence. With the help of over 700 dedicated volunteers and strong local partnerships, they serve hundreds of thousands of nutritious meals each year, offer caregiver support, connect older adults to essential resources and even care for clients’ beloved pets. Their tireless work strengthens rural health, builds community resilience and ensures that older adults can age with the respect, care and connection they deserve in the communities they helped build.
Wallowa Memorial Hospital EMS, located in Enterprise, Oregon, created a win-win project for the community and for local EMS through its Community Resilience and Injury Prevention Program. The program brings together Wallowa Memorial EMS personnel and Wallowa County’s rural residents to share knowledge, train with life-saving tools, improve injury outcomes and connect in a life-changing way.
Wallowa Memorial EMS brought essential training and tools to the communities where residents congregate, to better equip the county’s remote citizens in the event of critical medical emergencies. Prevention education was incorporated along with critical tools and the recognition of serious medical situations. They took essential training materials, including CPR feedback devices, upgraded manikins and "stop-the-bleed" limbs into schools and community classes. They also strategically distributed comprehensive first aid bags to community members. The focus was on early recognition and immediate aid to improve outcomes, while also providing EMS medics an opportunity to teach and connect with remote communities.
This project shows an understanding of the independent spirit of Wallowa County residents and demonstrates a comprehensive educational approach, characterized by a deep commitment to their communities.
ORH will honor up to five awardees, one in each category —rural hospital, Rural Health Clinic, LPHD, EMS, and CBO — again in 2026. Awardees will receive registration scholarships to attend the annual Oregon Rural Health Conference, where they will be recognized and receive their award. The Conference will be held Oct. 7-9, 2026, in Bend, Oregon. The application for the 2026 awards is now open and closes on Aug. 31, 2026. Apply here now!