Annual Awards
Annual Awards
Rural Health Association of Utah
Annual Awards
RHAU Lifetime Achievement Award
The Rural Health Association of Utah’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in the field of healthcare within rural communities in Utah. This award celebrates the remarkable contributions of individuals who have devoted their careers to improving the health and well-being of residents in remote and underserved areas. Recipients of this award have exhibited outstanding leadership, shown a profound commitment to addressing the unique challenges of rural healthcare delivery, and have made significant strides in enhancing medical access, quality, and services in these regions. Through their tireless efforts, awardees have left an enduring legacy that has positively shaped healthcare practices and positively influenced the lives of countless individuals in rural areas.
Debbie Marvidikis - Southeast Utah Public Health
Debbie Marvidikis, of Price Utah, retired this year from the Southeast Utah Public Health Department after 20 years. Debbie holds a bachelor's degree in Public Health and a wealth of experience in prevention. Over her two-decade career, Debbie managed 29 health promotion programs focusing on community prevention and health and wellness. One of Debbie’s favorite accomplishments was founding the Hope Squad of Carbon, Emery, and Grand County in 2013. Hope Squad is a national program that focuses on suicide prevention. Debbie also participated as part of the UCO-OP Steering Committee, and the National Governors Association for Opioids, and was part of the UDOH Opioid Fatality Review Committee. She worked to also establish a committee for Carbon County. She was also part of the Utah Rural Opioid Health Care Consortium (UROHC), The Carbon and Emory Substance Use Prevention Coalition, The Communities That Care Coalition, SSP the USEN Utah Syringe Network, and Safe Kids and Safe Highways. She received several state and national awards for her efforts around suicide and substance use prevention. Debbie is an ardent champion in her community who stands for what she believes in, even under threat of arrest. Thankfully, she was never arrested. Instead, she won over the local law enforcement. Debbie retired this summer, and her absence has been felt. I am honored to recognize a true pioneer in prevention and harm reduction, Debbie Marvidikis with the 2023 Rural Health Association of Utah’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
RHAU Rural Health Champion of the Year
The Rural Health Association of Utah’s Rural Health Champion of the Year Award stands as a pinnacle of recognition, honoring a remarkable individual or organization that has displayed unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership, and a profound impact in the realm of rural health care in the state of Utah over the previous year. This esteemed accolade celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities, demonstrating innovative solutions, advocating for change, and making substantial strides in enhancing healthcare access and quality. The awardee's transformative efforts not only improve health outcomes within underserved areas but also serve as an inspiration for others to actively engage in and contribute to the advancement of rural health on a broader scale.
Ashley Moretz - Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
For the past three years, Ashley Moretz has served as the Director of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health. During that time, Ashley has made it a focus to ensure that the healthcare needs of rural Utah are addressed through the work of his team and partnerships around the state. This effort has included multiple needs assessments and grant programs, including the Flex Program, the Utah Primary Care Grant Program, and many others which make a world of difference to communities throughout rural Utah. Recently, Ashley has spearheaded the effort to create the first updated Rural Health Strategy for Utah in over two decades. A strategy which is set to be unveiled very soon. Ashley has been truly committed in his words and actions to championing a better quality of life for all those who call rural Utah home. We recognize Mr. Ashley Moretz as the 2023 Rural Health Association of Utah’s Rural Champion of the Year.
RHAU Rural Provider of the Year
The Rural Health Association of Utah’s Rural Provider of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary healthcare professional who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, outstanding clinical skills, and a profound impact on healthcare delivery within rural Utah communities. This prestigious award celebrates the provider's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural populations, showcasing their unwavering efforts to ensure access to high-quality medical care. Through innovative practices, compassionate patient care, and a deep understanding of local needs, the awardee has become a beacon of excellence in rural healthcare. This recognition not only honors their outstanding achievements but also highlights their role as a vital healthcare partner in improving the well-being of individuals and families in underserved areas.
Sabrina Carter, FNP-BC, Positive Pathways
Sabrina is the founder and owner of Positive Pathways in Price, Utah. Sabrina has been serving Carbon and Emery County as an Advanced Practice Nurse doing medication management for those struggling with mental health disorders. Sabrina has shown unparalleled dedication and resourcefulness to meet the needs of her community. She has been a consortium member with the Utah Rural Oppioids Health Care Consortium (UROHC) for over 5 years. Recently, Sabrina volunteered to participate in a small group of clinics that are working to implement innovative new substance use treatments in rural Utah, including Contingency Management. Sabrina’s ability to plow through the challenges of a new Contingency Management Clinic and her willingness to be creative in prize management has been outstanding. She has been dedicated to the process and has not missed one meeting. She has continued to push through despite her participants having a less-than-enthusiastic first couple of weeks. Sabrina embodies the heartful dedication of so many providers who choose to make rural Utah their home. She is very deserving of the 2023 RHAU Rural Health Provider of the Year Award.
RHAU Faculty of the Year
The Rural Health Association of Utah’s Rural Healthcare Faculty Member of the Year Award acknowledges an exceptional educator who has made a significant impact in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for the unique challenges and opportunities present in rural settings. This distinguished award celebrates the faculty member's dedication to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to excel in delivering healthcare in remote and underserved communities. Through innovative teaching methods, mentorship, and a deep commitment to fostering an understanding of rural healthcare dynamics, the recipient has demonstrated a remarkable ability to inspire and shape the future of rural healthcare providers. This accolade not only recognizes their outstanding contributions to education but also underscores their role in cultivating a workforce that can positively influence the health and well-being of rural populations.
Dr. Ty Dickerson, University of Utah School of Medicine
Dr. Dickerson is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Health for the University of Utah School of Medicine; he also serves as the Assistant Dean of Global Health Education. One focus area for his work is community-based maternal and child health in resource-poor settings; another is physician workforce development to improve health equity among rural, remote, and underserved communities. Dr. Dickerson has served as the primary lead on a project funded by the University of Utah School of Medicine (UUSOM) and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) which strives to increase the number of medical students who choose primary care careers and eventually practice in tribal, rural and medically underserved communities. He and Dr. Sandweiss do outstanding work to prepare a new generation of mission-driven providers working under difficult conditions to serve traditionally under-resourced communities.
RHAU Educational Partner of the Year
The Rural Health Association of Utah’s Rural Provider of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary healthcare professional who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, outstanding clinical skills, and a profound impact on healthcare delivery within rural Utah communities. This prestigious award celebrates the provider's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural populations, showcasing their unwavering efforts to ensure access to high-quality medical care. Through innovative practices, compassionate patient care, and a deep understanding of local needs, the awardee has become a beacon of excellence in rural healthcare. This recognition not only honors their outstanding achievements but also highlights their role as a vital healthcare partner in improving the well-being of individuals and families in underserved areas.
Southern Utah University College of Health Sciences
Southern Utah University is the host institution for the Utah Center for Rural Health and Rural Health Association of Utah. SUU has provided support to our Utah Health Scholars program for more than 20 years, and has partnered with our office to create and manage education for Community Health Workers, supported the development of numerous ECHO series delivered by the Rural Health Association of Utah, and is leading efforts with our team to create an innovative new Behavioral Health Technician Certificate program., SUU also spearheads the Utah Psychiatric Internship Consortium, which places 8 behavioral health interns in sites across rural Utah and has seen a tremendous retention rate after those internships. Southern Utah University truly makes it possible for our team to succeed in rural Utah!
Nominations for the 2024 Annual Rural Health Association of Utah Awards will open in Summer 2024. We encourage you to nominate any individuals or organizations who you feel fit the descriptions provided above.
The individuals/organizations selected will be presented with their awards during the RHAU Networking Dinner and Annual Update on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in St. George, Utah, Time and Location TBD
If you have any questions about the Annual Rural Health Association of Utah Awards, please contact Kasey Shakespear at kaseyshakespear@suu.edu.
