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.

The Arizona Rural Health Association is proud to release its 2025–2026 Annual Report, highlighting another year of meaningful progress in advancing healthcare across Arizona's rural communities. The report showcases the Association's accomplishments in education, advocacy, workforce development, grant-funded initiatives, membership growth, and strategic partnerships that continue to strengthen rural health throughout the state.

From expanding obstetrical simulation training in Critical Access Hospitals to launching the Age-Friendly Rural Arizona Initiative and enhancing policy engagement, AzRHA continues to serve as a trusted statewide voice for rural healthcare. Readers will also find updates on the Association's financial stewardship, governance improvements, committee activities, and the many individuals and organizations who contributed to this year's success.

As AzRHA looks ahead to 2026–2027, the report outlines a clear vision for continued growth, stronger advocacy, expanded educational opportunities, and sustainable support for rural communities. We invite our members, partners, and stakeholders to explore the full report and celebrate the collective impact we are making together for rural Arizona.

Click here to view the annual report

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, the Medicaid division of AZ Blue, is now accepting speaker applications for its 13th Annual Tribal Summit, scheduled for October 1, 2026, at Twin Arrows Casino in Flagstaff, Arizona.

This year's summit, "Unity in Action: Bridging Systems, Strengthening Communities," will bring together Tribal leaders, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and stakeholders to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore solutions that improve health and well-being across Tribal communities.

Organizers are seeking speakers who can share experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches related to healthcare access, community health initiatives, and successful collaborations between Tribal governments, healthcare organizations, and community partners. Presentations are intended to highlight practical strategies, lived experiences, and programs that can inspire and inform attendees from across Arizona and beyond.

The one-day event will begin at 8:00 a.m. and provide a forum for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and relationship building among those committed to advancing health equity and strengthening Tribal communities.

Individuals interested in presenting are encouraged to submit a speaker interest application. Questions regarding the summit or speaker opportunities may be directed to Teresa Tadayon, Senior Public Relations Specialist with AZ Blue.

The House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services (L-HHS) Subcommittee passed its fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding bill out of the Subcommittee and sent it to the full House Appropriations Committee. The bill includes robust funding for rural health programs, despite proposals in the President’s FY 2027 Budget Request (PBR) to eliminate of many core programs such as the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex), the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH), the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program, and the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program.  NRHA is ecstatic to see Congress’ strong support for rural health through increased funding for many of our core rural programs at FORHP, including increase over the FY 2026 enacted levels and the FY 2027 PBR.  We encourage you to use our advocacy campaign to urge Congress to fully fund rural health programs and pass a comprehensive FY 2027 appropriations package that is reflective of funding levels for rural health programs in the House Appropriations Committee’s (HAC) FY 27 requests.

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has announced an updated implementation timeline for the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a major investment aimed at improving health outcomes and access to care in rural communities across the state. Funding opportunities will begin rolling out in June 2026 and continue throughout the fall, with grant awards issued on an ongoing basis in accordance with state procurement requirements. AHCCCS, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, has adjusted the timeline to ensure adequate planning, stakeholder support, and long-term program success. While the schedule has shifted from earlier projections, the program's funding commitment, overall scope, and transformational goals remain unchanged. All Budget Year 1 funds are expected to be obligated by October 30, 2026, with expenditures continuing through September 30, 2027. Rural providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders are encouraged to monitor upcoming announcements and prepare for future funding opportunities as Arizona moves forward with this historic initiative.

Click here to learn more

The Arizona Rural Health Association is now accepting nominations for its award program.  Nominations are an opportunity to recognize individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions have made a meaningful impact in aging across Arizona. 

Awards Include:

• Outstanding Legislator of the Year: The Arizona Rural Health Association (AzRHA) Outstanding State Legislator of the Year Award honors one member of the Arizona State Legislature whose leadership has measurably advanced the health and well-being of rural and frontier communities through policy, budget action, oversight, and authentic partnership.

• Outstanding Federal Legislator of the Year: The Arizona Rural Health Association (AzRHA) Outstanding Federal Legislator of the Year Award honors one member of the Arizona Federal Congressional Delegation whose leadership has measurably advanced the health and well-being of rural and frontier communities in Arizona through policy, budget action, oversight, and authentic partnership.

• Distinguished Martha Ortiz Rural Health Leadership Award: The Distinguished Martha Ortiz Rural Health Leadership Award honors a professional or volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving health care for people living in Arizona’s rural and medically underserved communities.

• Inspiring Rural Health Program Award: The Inspiring Rural Health Program Award recognizes a program within a community, at the local or state level, that involves one or more health professionals or entities, and promotes or facilitates the development of rural health delivery systems.
  
  

How to Nominate

Please use this form to nominate a deserving rural health champion.  The deadline to nominate has been extended to May 15, 2026.

Would you like to bring attention to health issues in your rural Arizona community?  Producing digital stories is easier than ever.  A good digital story can be created in 10-15 hours.  We want to hear your voices and elevate your stories.  Please review the attached context description.  We are offering two cash prizes to the winners! 

Contest Description

Photo Release Form

The National Rural Health Association is leading a national initiative, in partnership with the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, to better understand the role of mobile health clinics in rural and frontier regions. Through a comprehensive environmental scan, this effort will identify successful models, promising practices, and the policies needed to support mobile care delivery across diverse geographies, including Arizona.

Mobile clinics are especially critical in Arizona, where geographic distance and provider shortages present unique challenges. Insights from local providers, tribal health organizations, and community leaders will help inform a national report focused on strengthening rural health infrastructure through targeted policy and funding strategies. Arizona’s participation is key to ensuring these solutions reflect real-world needs.

Stakeholders across Arizona are encouraged to engage in this effort. If you have information on mobile health activities or can recommend individuals for informational interviews, your input is essential. Please contact Mory Bell at Mbell@ruralhealth.us or Marguerite Peterseim at Mpeterseim@ruralhealth.us to share your expertise and contribute to this national initiative.

Congress is going into a 2-week recess next week. While they're heading back to their home states, the advocacy does not stop! NRHA is excited to share our newest advocacy resource, our rural health in-district advocacy toolkit, to help guide your advocacy and engage your Members of Congress when they return from D.C. to their home states and districts. Spring Recess Dates: Senate Recess: March 28, 2026 to April 12, 2026 House Recess: March 28, 2026 to April 13, 2026

Inside the toolkit you'll find guidance on finding your members of Congress and understanding the importance of leveraging their committee assignments, identifying district-level congressional events you can attend, and engaging with your Member of Congress via a meeting, email, or social media. The toolkit also provides template emails that you can utilize for your outreach as well as our 2026 rural health advocacy talking points and other NRHA advocacy materials that can assist you in your in-district advocacy as well.  In-District Advocacy Toolkit