Nov. 21 was National Rural Health Day

The Washington Academy of Family Physicians joins health care partners around the country to celebrate National Rural Health Day. Nearly a quarter of the US population lives in rural areas, so say thank you to the physicians and their teams who help keep rural Americans healthy.

In conjunction with the celebration, the Washington State Department of Health announced its 2024 Rural Health Heroes of Washington: Mary O’Brien, MSW, LMHC, clinical services director at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, the winner in the Leader category; Raaj Ruparel, MD, surgeon at the Lincoln Hospital and health officer for Lincoln County, the winner in the Direct Patient Care category; and the Population Health Team at the Columbia County Health System.

Two WAFP members were nominated in the Direct Patient Care category: Alexander Brzezny, MD, MPH, FAAFP, of Columbia Basin Family Medicine and the health officer for Grant County, and Kassandra Tricola, MD, of Palouse Medical in Pullman. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees; thank you for all you do each day to improve the health of rural Washingtonians.