The Arizona Rural Health Association proudly recognizes state and federal policymakers and members whose leadership has strengthened the health and well-being of rural communities across Arizona. Through these annual awards, AzRHA honors those whose vision, advocacy, and commitment have helped advance policies that improve access to care and support the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare.  See below to learn more about these awards:

Legislative Awards

Each year, the AzRHA recognizes one state and one federal legislator with our Outstanding Rural State Legislator of the Year and Outstanding Rural Federal Legislator of the Year awards. These awards aim to recognize and honor those legislators whose leadership has measurably advanced the health and well-being of rural communities in Arizona through policy, budget action, oversight, and authentic partnership.

Outstanding Rural State Legislator of the Year Award
Representative Julie Willoughby

The Arizona Rural Health Association is thrilled to recognize Representative Julie Willoughby as our Outstanding Rural State Legislator of the Year. Julie Willoughby represents Legislative District 13, which is comprised of Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. She is a registered nurse with experience in various areas of healthcare and healthcare leadership, with a large portion of her career dedicated to trauma emergency medicine. Her selection is in recognition of ongoing legislative work that reflects a coherent rural health agenda focused on strengthening patient transfer coordination, supporting small rural hospitals, sustaining tribal health services, protecting patients from inappropriate denials of care, and investing in home- and community-based services. Her nominators particularly noted her work advancing rural maternal health, including efforts to improve access to maternal mental health services and to strengthen care pathways for families in rural Arizona.

Representative Willougby was kind enough to send comments to the membership, stating, “I am incredibly grateful and honored to be the recipient of the 2026 State Rural Health Legislator of the Year award.  As a nurse and a legislator, I have seen and felt how access to healthcare directly impacts the well-being of our Arizona friends and neighbors.  Rural members feel this even more.  I believe rural Arizonans deserve the same quality of care regardless of geographical location.  I have been privileged to advocate for policies and opportunities that support patients, providers, hospitals, tribal communities, and all families across the state.”

Outstanding Rural Federal Legislator of the Year Award
Senator Mark Kelly

In recognition of his sustained commitment to rural communities, the Arizona Rural Health Association was pleased to name Senator Mark Kelly its Outstanding Rural Federal Legislator of the Year. The senior Senator from Arizona is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former NASA astronaut. After flying 39 combat missions in the Gulf War, he completed four space shuttle flights. He retired in 2011 to care for his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, following an assassination attempt, and later co-founded the gun violence prevention organization, Giffords. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020.

The award recognizes Senator Mark Kelly’s clear and practical record of service to rural Arizona. Throughout his time in office, Senator Kelly has supported policies and federal investments that strengthen access to care, stabilize rural hospitals, expand broadband and telehealth capacity, support Tribal water infrastructure, improve food access, and address the broader community conditions that shape rural health. His nomination highlighted his work to bring attention and resources to communities where distance, geography, workforce shortages, and infrastructure gaps too often shape access to care. In particular, the nomination recognized his support for legislation and federal investments to expand Medicaid primary care access, strengthen the rural physician workforce, and improve telehealth access across Arizona’s rural and Tribal communities.

The Arizona Rural Health Association is pleased to announce its 2026 award recipients, recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have made a lasting impact on rural healthcare throughout Arizona. These annual awards celebrate excellence across the rural health continuum while highlighting the remarkable efforts of those who are improving access to care, strengthening healthcare systems, and advancing the health and well-being of rural communities. AzRHA is honored to recognize this year's recipients for their exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to serving Arizona's rural residents.

Leadership Awards

AzRHA awards recognize the individuals and organizations whose vision, innovation, and unwavering commitment are advancing rural healthcare across the state. These honorees exemplify the excellence, collaboration, and dedication that strengthen rural communities and inspire continued progress toward healthier futures for all Arizonans.

Distinguished Martha Ortiz Rural Health Leadership Award
Erin McMahon, CNM, EdD, FACNM, Nurse-Midwifery Program Director, University of Arizona School of Health Professions

The Arizona Rural Health Association is proud to recognize Erin McMahon, CNM, EdD, FACNM, as the recipient of the Distinguished Martha Ortiz Rural Health Leadership Award for her extraordinary commitment to strengthening maternal healthcare across Arizona's rural communities. Through statewide obstetric emergency simulation training, Dr. McMahon has prepared more than 230 rural healthcare professionals and first responders to confidently manage emergency deliveries in communities where obstetric services are often unavailable. Her work equips rural teams with the knowledge and confidence needed to provide life-saving care close to home. Reflecting on her experiences, Dr. McMahon shared, "The most meaningful experience has to do with feeling the passion folks feel about serving their communities. They really wanted to gain skills to provide the best care to their patients." She also credits the resilience of rural Arizona as her greatest source of optimism, noting, "The strength, resilience, and commitment within rural communities is what gives me hope." Her leadership continues to improve maternal health preparedness while championing innovative approaches to rural healthcare.

Inspiring Rural Health Program Award
Dr. Benjamin Williams, MD, Chief Medical OfficerCreek Valley Health Clinic

The Arizona Rural Health Association proudly recognizes Dr. Benjamin Williams and Creek Valley Health Clinic with the Inspiring Rural Health Program Award for transforming healthcare access in the remote Arizona Strip.  Since opening in 2019, Creek Valley Health Clinic has evolved into a comprehensive, integrated medical home offering primary care, behavioral health, dental services, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and telehealth. Under Dr. Williams' leadership, the clinic has dramatically expanded access to high-quality healthcare for a community that previously had few local healthcare options.  For Dr. Williams, the greatest reward has been seeing the impact on patients' lives. "The most rewarding part has been seeing the dramatic improvement in health outcomes across our community as more people gain access to high-quality healthcare close to home," he said. Looking ahead, his vision remains centered on equity in rural healthcare: "We believe the future of rural healthcare is about meeting people where they are and demonstrating that rural communities deserve, and can absolutely receive, the same high-quality, evidence-based and comprehensive care as anyone else." Through innovation, partnership, and community-driven care, Creek Valley Health Clinic continues to set a standard for rural healthcare excellence.