Annual Awards

Melissa Veater is a substance use and mental illness prevention specialist and Prevention Coordinator for Iron, Kane, Garfield, and Beaver Counties, with over 22 years of experience in rural behavioral health. She is deeply dedicated to improving the health and well-being of residents in underserved areas. Her commitment is exemplified by her response to funding cuts nearly ten years into her career. When federal funds for rural substance use prevention were eliminated, her position was reduced to part-time. While some employees left, Melissa stayed, supplementing her income by waiting tables. Later, when her position was dropped entirely, she returned immediately when funding was restored, and her expertise made her an easy hire. Melissa has worked tirelessly to secure funding and resources for frontier communities in Utah. She has helped establish community prevention coalitions and brought in millions of dollars through grant writing. Under her leadership, communities are implementing evidence-based programs that reduce risk factors, antisocial behaviors, and substance use. Her efforts have also led to the hiring of full-time behavioral health professionals in areas that previously had none. Melissa’s legacy is one of increased services, staff, and public health support, positively impacting thousands of lives in rural Utah.

Melissa poured her heart, 20+ years of experience into rural behavioral healthcare, and unrelenting grit to establish the first ever rural crisis receiving center in Utah. The center is located in the heart of Price, Utah and provides safety to those experiencing mental health distress and those in need of social detoxification services free of charge. The center has saved hundreds and is sure to help save thousands more in the years to come. Melissa has worked tirelessly on this pursuit. Her assertiveness, knack for leadership, and empathetic disposition have been invaluable to the residents who call Emery, Carbon, and Grand Counties home. I can think of no other person who has single-handedly paved the way to making urgent mental health care more accessible in rural Utah. She demands no recognition for this selfless venture. She requires no accolades. Melissa saw a very real need in the community and used her experience as a guide to unapologetically make it happen. She truly cares about rural mental health and is a trailblazer for those you do not have as much access to quality care.

It is with great admiration that I nominate Dr. Jeanne Wigant for the Rural Provider of the Year Award. As a family medicine physician with advanced training in obstetrics, Dr. Wigant has become an irreplaceable resource and advocate for maternal and women’s health in our rural community. Dr. Wigant’s presence has made it possible for countless patients to stay close to home for prenatal care and delivery—an option that would not exist without her expertise. Most recently, her swift, decisive action during a complete placental abruption saved the lives of both a mother and her newborn. Thanks to Dr. Wigant’s quick recognition and intervention, the baby was delivered via emergency C-section and is now recovering well in the NICU, soon to return home with her family. Beyond her clinical excellence, Dr. Wigant is committed to continual learning. She regularly assists a visiting gynecologic surgeon to further expand her skills and bring additional surgical care to our patients—bridging critical gaps in access and specialty care. Dr. Wigant embodies the resilience, compassion, and excellence that rural healthcare demands. Her impact on maternal and family health in our region is profound, and she is more than deserving of this recognition.

Sulane has served as Chief Nursing Officer at Blue Mountain Hospital since 2023, but her dedication began in 2012 when she joined as a floor nurse, willing to work wherever needed—med/surge, labor & delivery, dialysis, or the OR. From the start, she demonstrated positivity, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to patients, staff, and the community. Even as she advanced to Director of Nursing and later CNO, Sulane continued to fill shifts, including nights and weekends, always prioritizing her team and patients. She steps in during critical moments, such as meeting Joint Commission surveyors on her day off, and makes herself available to staff and leaders nearly 24/7. A champion of patient safety and quality, Sulane has strengthened the hospital’s culture of excellence. Under her leadership, HCAHPS scores have improved, the hospital has earned awards for excellence, and tele-services now bring care to remote patients. She is also a devoted mentor, supporting staff from Patient Care Technicians to new nurses and fostering partnerships with local colleges to create nursing pipelines. Sulane’s service, leadership, and dedication have had a lasting impact, inspiring excellence, improving care, and strengthening rural healthcare.

Rural areas always have fewer resources and funding for all health services, especially behavioral health services, and especially drug and mental illness prevention services. But through her dedication, innovation, leadership, coaching, and relentless hard work and focus, Heidi has brought increased services to rural communities throughout Utah, and has helped them improve the quality and administration of those services. She started as a community health educator and coalition coordinator in Tooele county, helping to build and run a prevention coalition, and implement evidence-based strategies and programs throughout the community. Because of her expertise and success, she was brought to the state level, working as a Program Manager for the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, and serving as a Regional Prevention Director coaching rural communities throughout the state on public health and prevention services. Under her coaching, communities are building prevention coalitions, improving health outcomes, developing and implementing programs, and overall significantly impacting and improving rural health in Utah.

Utah State University (USU) Extension improves lives across Utah through evidence-based programs. One such initiative, Be Epic, Escape the Vape (Be Epic), was created in 2020 to address rising youth e-cigarette use in rural Utah, particularly in Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties. At the time, these areas had some of the highest youth vaping rates in the state, with 48.3% of 12th graders in the Four Corners District reporting lifetime use in the 2019 SHARP survey. Be Epic employs a multi-component approach targeting youth, parents, teachers, and the broader community. By combating myths and raising awareness about the harms of vaping, the program has made a significant impact. In the 2023 SHARP survey, the number of 12th graders reporting lifetime e-cigarette use dropped to 32.9%, and past 30-day use fell to 20.2%. While still high, these figures show a notable decline, reflecting the program’s success in reducing youth vaping in the region. If you aren’t familiar with the dozens of programs offered through USU Extension we highly encourage you to visit their website and learn more about how they can help your community. We are thrilled to recognize all programs and members of USU Extension with this award.