Ann Lima, MD, MPH, is one of 50 women awarded by the Idaho Business Review
OROFINO, Idaho — June 24, 2022 — Ann Lima, MD, MPH, is one of 50 people named by the Idaho Business Review as a 2022 Women of the Year honoree. Dr. Lima is a broad-spectrum rural family medicine physician at Clearwater Valley Health in Orofino. She was nominated by Project ECHO Idaho, a virtual continuing education program that convenes Idaho’s healthcare workforce to enhance knowledge and build community, and one of the many organizations Dr. Lima is affiliated with.
“I use my life experiences to inform my service to patients, my local community, and my global community.” Lima said. “I am honored to receive this award from the Idaho Business Review; it motivates me to keep working with determination, passion, and perseverance to help everyone achieve the best quality of life they can.”
Lima began attending ECHO Idaho in 2018 to deepen her knowledge of resources available for patients with opioid and substance use disorders. In 2020, Dr. Lima joined ECHO Idaho’s COVID-19 series as an expert panelist, representing the perspective of rural family medicine.
“Dr. Lima’s wisdom, endurance, and ability to articulately share her experiences with others have made her a role model for Idaho’s rural healthcare workforce,” said Katy Palmer, ECHO Idaho’s interim director. “Dr. Lima continuously demonstrates a curiosity to learn from others, while also contributing a wealth of knowledge informed by experience.”
Lima has been actively involved in Clearwater Valley Health and broader Orofino community through participation in a variety of memberships and advisory roles including but not limited to:
Preceptor for Idaho WWAMI Medical School students participating in rural medicine programs; preceptor for family medicine residents at Full Circle Health, Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency, Ventura Family Medicine Residency, and University of Minnesota Duluth Family Medicine Residency; Medical Director, Clearwater County Ambulance Service; Medical Director, Elite Home Health and Hospice; Medical Director, Back Country Medics, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue; Walk with the Docs Orofino; and Clearwater Memorial Public Library Foundation.
“All of these achievements and activities are clear testimony to her vigorous and deep commitment to advancing rural healthcare in Idaho,” said Kelly McGrath, chief medical officer for Clearwater Valley Health. “She provides a shining example of the leadership, knowledge and dedication that will help keep Idaho citizens healthy and thriving.”
In 2021, Dr. Lima was recognized as an Idaho Rural Health Hero by the Idaho Rural Health Association.
A full list of Women of the Year honorees can be found on the Idaho Business Review’s website.
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About ECHO Idaho
Housed in the WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Idaho, Project ECHO is an innovative strategy that leverages videoconferencing to increase the capacity of the healthcare workforce in rural and frontier communities. Since 2018, ECHO Idaho has connected healthcare professionals for continuing education and mentorship across four health domains: substance use disorders, behavioral health, complex pregnancy, and infectious disease, including COVID-19.
About Clearwater Valley Health
Clearwater Valley Health is an award-winning critical access hospital serving the healthcare needs of remote communities in north-central Idaho. Clearwater Valley Health (CVH) is located in Orofino, Idaho. In addition to the hospital, CVH has one clinic located in Orofino, one rural health clinic in Pierce and one physical therapy clinic located in Orofino. In addition to a deep commitment to deliver high-value, sustainable healthcare to their communities, Clearwater Valley Health strives to be the leader in rural health care through continuous innovation. The combined service area for Clearwater Valley Health, and their sister organization St. Mary’s Health in Cottonwood, ID, is 28,756 people over Clearwater, Idaho and Lewis, counties. Both Clearwater Valley Health and St. Mary’s Health are part of Kootenai Health. To learn more, visit: smh-cvhc.org.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Lodis
Marketing and Communications Manager
Idaho WWAMI Medical Education
208-364-4037
Ashley Steinbruecker
Director of Marketing & Community Relations
Clearwater Valley Health
208-816-8923