Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 21, 2025
Colorado Celebrates Rural Healthcare Heroes on National Rural Health Day
TLDR
- The Colorado Rural Health Center's recognition of Southwest Health System highlights how rural healthcare facilities gain competitive advantage by building strong community partnerships and state support.
- The Colorado Rural Health Center celebrated National Rural Health Day through a catered meal, leadership remarks, and reading of a Governor's Proclamation at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez.
- This celebration honors rural healthcare providers who ensure essential medical services reach isolated communities, making Colorado a healthier and more equitable place for all residents.
- Since 2011, National Rural Health Day has celebrated rural communities every third Thursday in November, this year featuring Southwest Health System's vital safety net hospital work.
Impact - Why it Matters
This celebration highlights the critical role rural healthcare facilities play in providing essential medical services to geographically isolated communities. Rural hospitals like Southwest Memorial serve as safety net providers, ensuring access to comprehensive care including emergency services, primary care, and specialty treatments that would otherwise require extensive travel. The recognition of these facilities matters because rural healthcare disparities continue to challenge communities nationwide, with many rural hospitals facing closure threats. Supporting and celebrating these institutions helps maintain vital healthcare access for millions of Americans living in rural areas, preserving community health infrastructure and ensuring equitable medical care regardless of geographic location.
Summary
The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC), serving as both the State Office of Rural Health and State Rural Health Association, joined forces with Southwest Health System in Cortez, Colorado to celebrate National Rural Health Day on November 21, 2025. This annual celebration, held on the third Thursday of November since 2011, honors rural communities and their essential healthcare contributions across the state. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized that "National Rural Health Day is a day to celebrate the Power of Rural," highlighting the critical importance of rural healthcare facilities to communities throughout rural and frontier Colorado. The celebration featured a locally catered meal and remarks from leadership of both organizations, creating a meaningful gathering that recognized the dedication of healthcare professionals serving remote areas.
Southwest Health System, operating Southwest Memorial Hospital in Montezuma County, serves as a vital safety net hospital in this geographically isolated region. CEO Joe Thein expressed honor at having CRHC recognize their daily work, noting the significance of bringing together staff, caregivers, and community partners to celebrate rural healthcare at national, state, and local levels. The health system provides comprehensive services including urgent and emergent healthcare, primary care, and specialty care, demonstrating the breadth of medical services available even in remote locations. CRHC secured and read a Governor's Proclamation honoring rural healthcare facilities statewide, reinforcing the official recognition of their essential role in community health infrastructure.
Lisa Gates, Southwest Health System Chief Nursing Officer, echoed the proclamation's sentiment that rural healthcare providers and staff serve as the backbone of medical care in their communities. She emphasized their unwavering commitment, resourcefulness, and compassion in ensuring patients receive essential health services, often under challenging circumstances. The celebration underscored the collaborative spirit between CRHC and rural healthcare facilities, with Mills concluding that it was "a true joy to celebrate the work of Southwest Health System and so many other incredible facilities in rural Colorado." For more information about the organization's mission to enhance healthcare services and ensure access to comprehensive, affordable, high-quality healthcare for all rural Coloradans, visit www.coruralhealth.org.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Colorado Celebrates Rural Healthcare Heroes on National Rural Health Day
