Colorado Rural Health Center CEO Michelle Mills received three national awards recognizing her leadership in rural healthcare during the National Rural Health Association's annual Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington D.C. The recognition highlights the critical role of advocacy in addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities across Colorado and the nation.
Mills was honored with awards for her service as 2025 President of the NRHA Board of Trustees, for exemplary commitment to advancing rural health leadership from the National Rural Health Foundation, and for her overall contributions to the field. NRHA CEO Alan Morgan stated, "Michelle Mills deserves tremendous recognition for her time on the National Rural Health Foundation board of directors. Her impact on the organization and our progress over the last year cannot be understated."
The awards come at a significant time for rural healthcare, which Mills described as "undergoing huge changes right now." She emphasized the importance of advocacy, stating that "the leadership of NRHA, and its partnership with CRHC and countless others nationally, is making sure that the voices of rural Americans are heard." The National Rural Health Association's Rural Health Policy Institute serves as a key platform for this advocacy, bringing together rural healthcare representatives with federal legislators to discuss policy priorities.
During the February 10-12 event, Mills led Colorado's delegation in five meetings with federal representatives, including Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Representatives Lauren Boebert, Brittany Pettersen, and Yadira Caraveo. The Colorado delegation included healthcare professionals from across the state, representing organizations such as Melissa Memorial Hospital, Rio Grande Hospital, Lincoln Health Community Hospital, and Southwest Health System.
This recognition matters because rural healthcare faces unique challenges including provider shortages, limited access to specialty care, and financial sustainability issues. Advocacy efforts like those led by Mills and the CRHC team directly influence policy decisions that affect healthcare access for approximately 60 million Americans living in rural areas. The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991 as Colorado's State Office of Rural Health, plays a dual role as both the state office and state rural health association, working to improve healthcare services in rural communities. More information about their work is available at https://www.coruralhealth.org.
The awards underscore the importance of sustained leadership in addressing rural health disparities at both state and national levels. As healthcare policy continues to evolve, particularly regarding telehealth expansion, workforce development, and rural hospital sustainability, experienced advocates like Mills play a crucial role in ensuring rural communities' needs are represented in policy discussions that will shape the future of healthcare delivery across the United States.
