St. Mary’s Health & Clearwater Valley Health Receive $200,000 National NIH Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Mary’s Health & Clearwater Valley Health Awarded $200,000 National NIH Build UP Trust Prize

Cottonwood and Orofino, Idaho — St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health (SMH–CVH) are proud to announce they have been awarded a $200,000 cash prize from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) through its highly competitive Build UP Trust Prize Challenge.

The Build UP Trust Challenge recognizes innovative, community-led approaches that strengthen trust in healthcare and research, particularly in rural and underserved populations. SMH–CVH was selected for its demonstrated commitment to improving access to care, engaging communities in meaningful ways, and addressing health inequities across a large, geographically dispersed region of North Central Idaho.

“This award is a powerful affirmation of the work our teams and community partners are doing every day,” said Dr. Kelly McGrath, CMO of St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health. “Trust is foundational to healthcare, especially in rural communities. We are honored that the NIH recognizes our approach to listening, partnering, and building programs that reflect the real needs of the people we serve.”

The $200,000 award will support ongoing and expanded efforts to reduce barriers to care, enhance community engagement, and strengthen relationships between patients, providers, and healthcare systems. These efforts are designed to ensure care delivery is accessible, culturally responsive, and rooted in trust – particularly for populations that have historically faced challenges accessing healthcare services.

SMH–CVH’s Build UP Trust work reflects a broader commitment to advancing rural health through collaboration, innovation, and locally driven solutions. By engaging community members, healthcare professionals, and regional partners, the organization continues to develop programs that improve health outcomes while honoring the values and voices of the communities it serves.

The NIH Build UP Trust Prize Challenge is part of a national effort to identify and elevate promising models that foster trust and participation in healthcare and research, with the ultimate goal of improving health equity nationwide.

For more information about St. Mary’s Health and Clearwater Valley Health, visit www.smh-cvh.org

For more information about this important award, please visit www.builduptrust.org