FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karl Bryant, (334) 206-5517
The late William “Bill” Coleman has been named Alabama’s 2023 “Community Star” by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).
On the third Thursday of November, NOSORH leads National Rural Health Day (NRHD), an annual celebration that shines a light on those who serve the vital health needs of the nearly 61 million people living in rural America. Dr. Coleman will be featured prominently on the official NRHD website, Power of Rural, on November 16, 2023, alongside other Community Stars from across the nation. This platform will showcase each Star’s remarkable dedication and contributions to rural healthcare.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is proud to join NOSORH in honoring Dr. Coleman as Alabama's Community Star. Dr. Coleman was born, raised, practiced medicine, and built his family in rural Alabama. He was always an advocate for rural Alabama citizens, and he worked diligently to not only care for the citizens of those communities, but devise ways to ensure those communities would be cared for after his work was completed. Dr. Coleman was instrumental in the creation of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Rural Medicine Program to develop rural physicians. He also assisted in the creation of the Alabama Rural Medical Service Awards, a program to incentivize primary care physicians to practice in rural Alabama.
In 2015, the Community Star Recognition Program was established in conjunction with NRHD to tell the stories of the people and organizations who make a difference in rural communities. Since then, over 300 inspiring rural stars have been honored nationwide on NRHD.
Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found at Power of Rural. To learn more about the ADPH, visit About ADPH.
-30-
11/16/23
County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health
Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.