UA Seeks Nominations for Rural Health Heroes

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Institute for Rural Health Research is seeking nominations for its 2014 Rural Health Heroes Awards.

The awards honor rural health-care providers and others in Alabama who assist communities in preventing childhood diseases and illnesses. Award winners will be honored at the 15^th annual Rural Health Conference, to be held April 29, at the Bryant Conference Center on UA’s campus.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Communities: The Early Childhood Experience.” The conference is hosted by the Institute for Rural Health Research and the University’s College of Community Health Sciences.

Nominations are accepted in the following categories: rural community members or organizations, health-care providers or government officials and agencies; students enrolled in Alabama colleges and universities, including undergraduate, graduate, medical students and residents; and faculty and staff of Alabama colleges and universities.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The registration fee is $100 per person ($25 for students) and includes breakfast and lunch. Continuing education will be offered.

The annual Rural Health Conference is attended by health care providers, community leaders, researchers, government officials and policymakers who hear from prominent speakers in the field and share information and knowledge about rural health issues.

For more information about the Rural Health Heroes Awards or to nominate an individual or organization, contact Barbara Wright with the Institute for Rural Health Research. The deadline to receive nominations is March 18. For more information about the conference, visit the Rural Health Conference website at http://rhc.ua.edu or phone 205/348-0025.

Established in 2001, the Institute for Rural Health Research works to bring the highest attainable standard of health to rural communities. The Institute pursues this mission through the combined strength of community involvement, scientific knowledge and informed public policy. The Institute’s research efforts are focused on health issues that impact people who live in rural areas.