• Healthcare Hero: Recognizes members of the medical, dental, pharmacy, social work, or nursing professions working in the rural health field.
• Healthcare Physician Hero: Specifically recognizes a physician (MD/DO) providing exemplary care in a rural setting.
• Healthcare Advanced Practitioner Hero: Recognizes advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), providing exemplary care in rural settings.
• Healthcare Administrator Hero: Recognizes individuals working in administrative or oversight roles in healthcare settings, often with training in business, marketing, or management.
• Behavioral Health Hero: Recognizes individuals working in mental health and/or behavioral health who serve rural communities. This award honors those providing critical support in therapy, counseling, substance use treatment, or crisis intervention.
• Community Health Hero: Recognizes a frontline public health worker who serves as a trusted community liaison, facilitating access to health and social services.
• Health IT & Informatics Hero: Recognizes professionals in IT, focusing on the design, development, and maintenance of healthcare information systems that enhance electronic health records and support information management.  

2024 Rural Health Heroes

Healthcare Hero - Dr. Michael Gervasi, DO from Dr. Michael Gervasi, DO Family Practice

"I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the 2024 Rural Healthcare Hero Award. Serving in rural medicine has been my passion for the past 25 years, and it continues to inspire and drive me every day. I encourage everyone to remain committed to advancing rural health initiatives and supporting the well-being of rural communities." -Dr. Michael Gervasi, DO

Community Health Hero - Jean Paul "JP" Roggiero from Healthcare Network

Jean "JP" Roggiero

Healthcare Advanced Practitioner Hero - Denise M. Schentrup, APRN, DNP from UF Health Archer Family Health Care.

Healthcare Administrator Hero - R. D. Williams from Hendry Regional Medical Center

R. D. Williams

Healthcare Physician Hero - Dr. Mark Whiteside from Florida Department of Health Monroe County

Dr. Mark Whiteside - Listen to an audio message

 2023 Rural Health Heroes

Healthcare Hero - Dakota Redd from Hendry Regional Medical Center

Dakota Redd

Community Health Hero - Robert Harris from Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast

Robert Harris

Mental Health Hero - James Poole from Archer Family Health Care UF College of Nursing

James Poole

Healthcare Administrator Hero - Paula Webb from Lake Butler Hospital

2022 Rural Health Heroes