The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) announced that CEO Michelle Mills received three significant awards during the National Rural Health Association's (NRHA) annual Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington D.C. last week. The recognition honors Mills' extensive contributions to rural healthcare leadership both in Colorado and across the United States, coming at a time when rural healthcare systems face unprecedented challenges and transformations.
Mills was presented with awards "In appreciation for her service on the NRHA board of Trustees as 2025 President," "For exemplary commitment and contributions advancing rural health leadership - National Rural Health Foundation," and "For her leadership and exemplary contributions made throughout the years." These honors recognize her year-long service as NRHA Board President from January through December 2025, during which she helped guide national rural health policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
NRHA CEO Alan Morgan MPA emphasized Mills' impact, stating, "Michelle Mills deserves tremendous recognition for her time on the National Rural Health Foundation board of directors. Her impact on the organization and our progress over the last year cannot be understated." He added that the foundation and its supporters are grateful for her leadership during her tenure. The National Rural Health Association is a national nonprofit membership organization that brings together thousands of members across the United States with a mission to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research.
During the policy institute, Mills led Colorado's delegation in five meetings with federal legislators, including Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Representatives Lauren Boebert, Brittany Pettersen, and Yadira Caraveo. These discussions focused on the future of rural healthcare and ensuring that the voices of rural Americans are heard in policy decisions. The NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute is an annual event that pairs rural healthcare representatives with their federal senators and representatives for meetings and discussions about rural healthcare's future.
"It was an honor to serve NRHA as Board President in 2025 and I am humbled to receive recognition from NRHA, an exemplary leader in the field," Mills said. "Rural Healthcare is undergoing huge changes right now and the leadership of NRHA, and its partnership with CRHC and countless others nationally, is making sure that the voices of rural Americans are heard."
The Colorado delegation included a diverse team of rural health advocates: Kelly Erb Zager (CRHC Director of Policy and Advocacy), Michael Hassell and Jimmie Bailey (Melissa Memorial Hospital), DeeAnn Sierra (Rio Grande Hospital), Kevin Stansbury (Lincoln Health Community Hospital), Joe Theine (Southwest Health System), Dannon Cox (Colorado School of Public Health), Bill Jaeger (LOR Foundation), Tommy Barnhart (Ten Mile Enterprises, LLC), and Kenneth Blake, MD (Provider One Solutions). This collaborative effort demonstrates the broad coalition working to address rural health challenges in Colorado.
The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991 as Colorado's State Office of Rural Health, serves dual roles as both the State Office of Rural Health and the State Rural Health Association. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, CRHC's mission is to enhance healthcare services in the state by providing information, education, linkages, tools, and energy toward addressing rural health issues. The organization's vision focuses on improving healthcare services available in rural communities to ensure all rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable, high quality healthcare. More information about their work is available at https://www.coruralhealth.org.
This recognition comes at a critical juncture for rural healthcare nationwide, as many rural hospitals face financial pressures, workforce shortages, and infrastructure challenges. Mills' leadership and the collaborative efforts of organizations like CRHC and NRHA highlight the importance of sustained advocacy and policy engagement to address healthcare disparities between urban and rural communities. The awards not only celebrate individual achievement but also underscore the collective work needed to ensure equitable healthcare access for all Americans, regardless of geography.
