Photo credit: Jolyn Smith

Rural Health Connect

Improving the health of rural communities

Photo: Sharlene Cole

Heber nurse honored with Impact Award for innovating a new health unit coordinator role 

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Primary Care and Rural Health is proud to announce that Sharlene Cole, RN, BSN, health unit coordinator at Heber Valley Hospital has won an Impact Award.

Join the Utah Rural Health Transformation Program Steering Committee

Help shape the future of rural healthcare in Utah

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is looking for 2 people from rural communities to join the Utah Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Steering Committee.

Utah is launching new programs under RHTP to improve rural healthcare. Members of this committee will offer advice and help guide these efforts so that state plans actually match what local communities need.

We are currently accepting applications from Utah residents to fill 2 open seats on the committee:

• Rural Healthcare Provider Representative: Open to current rural doctors, nurses, mental health providers, or clinic managers with direct experience in patient care and day-to-day operations.
• Rural Community Representative At-Large: Open to local government leaders, community advocates, public health workers, or residents who care deeply about rural healthcare access and fairness.

Members will meet four times a year to advise state leaders, track progress, and make sure long-term funding truly benefits Utah's rural towns. If chosen, you will need to sign a Conflict of Interest form.

Applications are due by August 14. If you have questions about the workload or meeting schedules, please email the team at ruralht@utah.gov.

Practical Guide to Supporting Innovation in Rural Health

The Practical Guide to Supporting Innovation in Rural Health shows ways to bring new, creative ideas to country healthcare systems and local groups. This guide is built to help rural health programs, workers, and their partners understand how innovation works in smaller communities. It helps them find realistic strategies that fit local needs and shows them how to turn good ideas into real-world action.

Thank you for joining the Rural and Job-Related Suicide Prevention Webinar

A recent report from the Utah Violence and Injury Prevention Program highlights elevated suicide rates among workers in construction, mining, and the oil and gas industries.

Thank you to those who joined the Rural Health Association of Utah, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, SOCG, Big-D Construction, and Four Corners Community Behavioral Health to explore these findings at our webinar on June 24. 

Watch the recording to learn more about risk and protective factors, warning signs for employers to look for, the importance of consent based care, and resources available for suicide prevention in Utah. 

Maternity Care Target Area update 

HRSA is letting Primary Care Offices (PCOs) and Primary Care Associations (PCAs) know that they are changing how they score Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs). This update matches the new official rules published in the Federal Register Notice on May 7, 2026.

Nominations being accepted for Impact Awards

In celebration of National Rural Health Day, PCRH is launching the return of its Impact Awards, a recognition program dedicated to honoring individuals and organizations going above and beyond to improve health across rural Utah.

This program shines a spotlight on the dedicated people—from doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, and emergency responders to educators, public health leaders, and community groups—who make a tangible difference in the lives of Utahns every day. If you know someone who embodies this commitment to rural healthcare excellence, nominate them for an award. Click here to learn more about the Impact Awards and to submit a nomination today.

Rural Health Transformation Program updates

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), created by H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), represents a 5-year opportunity to catalyze system-wide change and address core health challenges in Utah’s rural communities.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information about the program and funding opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to join our contact list for updates, email us at ruralht@utah.gov.

Photo credit: Alex Terrill

Disclaimer: The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) may occasionally link to outside sources of information. Utah DHHS and state of Utah do not necessarily endorse the provider of the content and are not responsible for any content published on the external site.