MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health, the first Office of Rural Health in the nation, is “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Embracing the Future” as they celebrate 50 years serving North Carolina’s rural communities on Thursday, Nov. 16.
The event, which coincides with National Rural Health Day, will be held at the Bertie County Council on Aging and will showcase the work of health care providers, the NCDHHS Office of Rural Health, stakeholders and advocates to address the unique health care landscape of North Carolina’s rural communities. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health recognizes the third Thursday of November each year to honor rural communities and their partners.
The celebration is sponsored by the Office of Rural Health, North Carolina Rural Health Association, Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, NC Rural Center and Hometown Strong.
What: National Rural Health Day and NC Office of Rural Health 50th Anniversary event
Who: Debra Farrington, Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer, NCDHHS
Maggie Sauer, Director, NCDHHS Office of Rural Health
Patrick Woodie, President/CEO, NC Rural Center
Dr. Karen Smith, M.D. FAAFP, Medical Director, Hoke County Family Medicine
David Reese, President/CEO, Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation
Reginald Speight, NC State Director, U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Tom Morris, Associate Administrator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. DHHS
Diane M. Hall, PhD, MSEd, Director, Office of Rural Health, U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure & Workforce
Additional local, state and federal leaders
When: Thursday, Nov. 16
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Bertie County Council on Aging
103 W. School St.
Windsor, NC 27983
Media: Credentialed media is invited to attend. Media availability will follow the event.
View more information at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/orh/nrhd.