The Idaho Rural Health Association represents a variety of individuals and organizations who are committed to the health and welfare of rural Idahoans. IRHA has a diverse membership, consisting of physicians, nurses, nutritionists, health care administrators, public health officials, government officials, researchers, educators, students, private individuals, and other health care professionals. The Idaho Rural Health Association honors and gives a personal voice to rural people, providers, advocates and communities across Idaho.

Each year IRHA nominates and recognizes Rural Health Heroes with the Rural Healthcare Heroes Award. Recipients of this award are shining examples of service and dedication to the people who call rural Idaho home.

In 2021 both Dr. Ann Lima and Dr. Rebecca Katzman/Clearwater Valley Health, were recognized as Rural Healthcare Heroes for their dedication to delivering high quality and innovative care to the underserved in rural Idaho.

A family physician at Clearwater Health, Dr. Ann Lima, was nominated for her contributions as a preceptor for Idaho WWAMI medical students and also for being a participant and panelist for the University of Idaho’s ECHO Idaho program. While teaching undoubtedly adds to her workload, Dr. Lima goes out of her way to ensure that each student has a rewarding and meaningful educational experience. In addition, she joined the ECHO Covid‐19 specialist panel to ensure other clinicians had timely access to dependable, evidence‐based information. She also demonstrates her dedication to patients by making home visits and participates in health outreach programs like Walk with the Docs to promote community health.

“I have the chance to see patients and community members in all aspects of their lives—including the hospital or clinic, but also in their jobs, out on the trail and with their family members,” says Ann Lima.

Dr. Rebecca Katzman and all the Physicians and Staff at the Clearwater Valley Health/Orofino Clinic and Hospital were nominated for their commitment to providing clinical rotations to WWAMI medical students and other healthcare learners. Educating the next generation of healthcare providers is part of their mission, and many students have been inspired by how these rural health heroes practice high‐quality and evidence-based medicine in a resource‐limited, underserved area of Idaho. Orofino is truly a center of excellence for healthcare education, and the entire team of the clinic and hospital work together to provide a top‐notch educational experience for learners. These exceptional clinical sites are vital to solving rural workforce challenges.

“These last couple years have given us the opportunity to grow and innovate—setting up telemedicine for many of our patients,” says Rebecca Katzman. “Telemedicine appointments are available at the patients request and can be done over your cell phone, computer or any device connected to the internet. This type of appointment can be very useful in increasing access to care in the clinic and hospital settings.”