NRHA announces 2026 Rural Health Award recipients
The National Rural Health Association is proud to announce the association’s 2026 Rural Health Award recipients.
NRHA’s Rural Health Awards are given each year to individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others.
The winners will be honored during NRHA’s 49th Annual Rural Health Conference in San Diego.
“We’re extremely proud of this year’s winners,” says NRHA CEO Alan Morgan. “They have each made tremendous strides to advance rural health care, and we’re confident they will continue to help improve the lives of rural Americans.”
NRHA's 2026 Rural Health Award recipients are as follows:
Outstanding Rural Health Program - The Plumas Model
Quinn NRHA Student Award - Parker George
Volunteer of the Year - Joni Nelson, PhD
Outstanding Educator Award winner - Darrell Carter, MD
Rural Health Practitioner of the Year - Teresa Owens-Tyson, DNP
Outstanding Researcher Award winner - Brittany Howell, PhD
Quinn NRHA Student Award - Ruth Lim
Louis Gorin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Health Care - John Barnas
President’s Award - Carrie Cochran-McClain, DrPH
Outstanding Rural Health Organization - Wamego Health Center
Rosemary McKenzie Legacy Award - Beth O’Connor
Journal of Rural Health Article of the Year
“Mapping maternity care deserts: Driving distance and health outcomes in North Carolina”
Margaret Sugg, PhD, Shishir Shakya, PhD, Sarah Ulrich, Jennifer Schroeder Tyson, Jennifer Runkle, PhD.
View NRHA's press release for more info on each awardee and all videos in our 2026 Rural Health Awards playlist.