News and Events

Get Ready for National Rural Health Day!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 20, and join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, and rural health champions nationwide in celebrating National Rural Health Day and the #PowerofRural! 

NOSORH sets aside the third Thursday of every November to celebrate National Rural Health Day (NRHD). NRHD is an opportunity to "Celebrate the Power of Rural" by honoring the selfless, community-minded, "can-do" spirit that prevails in rural America; gives us a chance to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face; and showcase the efforts made by rural healthcare providers and stakeholders to address those challenges. 

Please visit PowerofRural.org to see how you can celebrate Alabama's rural communities and see our National Rural Health Day page for more information. 

Join Us in Recognizing the Spirit of Rural America!

We're excited to celebrate the #PowerofRural on November 20th, National Rural Health Day! 

We want to hear from rural communities around Alabama and see how YOU share your unique way of celebrating the #PowerofRural. 

What to do: 

• Take a photo of yourself with a sign saying what the #PowerofRural means to you!
• Submit photos via email to [email protected].

The 88th American Legion Alabama Boys State Visits ADPH

The 88th American Legion Alabama Boys State 2025, a leadership and government training initiative for rising high school seniors, visited the Alabama Department of Public Health on May 30, 2025. Representatives from the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, the Injury and Prevention Branch, and Emergency Medical Services provided the students with a comprehensive understanding of the various public health professions and programs that exist throughout the state. 

Each representative offered in-depth insights into their respective careers, discussing the essential roles they play in enhancing community health, addressing public health challenges, and ensuring timely emergency responses. This exposure allowed the students to explore both the skills required for these professions and the critical impact these roles have on the health of residents in Alabama. 

Free Rural Health Clinic Training Webinars

The Office of Primary Care and Rural Health is pleased to announce a Rural Health Clinic training partnership with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. 

Please review the RHC 101 for more details and the Rural Health Webinars page for dates and registration information. 

Karl Bryant Presented 2024 Spirit of Rural Award! 

Karl Bryant, Director of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, was presented the 2024 Spirit of Rural Award selected by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) staff. It honors a NOSORH member who has demonstrated significant contributions to NOSORH and the SORH community through engagement in activities, services, and volunteerism. 

For the complete award article, please see the November issue of Alabama's Health. 

From left are Tammy Norville, CEO of NOSORH; Karl Bryant, Director of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health; Michelle Mills, CEO, Colorado Rural Health Center and NOSORH Stakeholder Engagement & Awards Liaison; and Robert Duehmig, Director, Oregon Office of Rural Health and President of NOSORH.

OPCRH Rebrands with Troy University 

The Office of Primary Care & Rural Health (OPCRH) is pleased to announce a rebrand through a partnership with The Center for Design, Technology, and Industry at Troy University. David Saner, a recent graduate, worked with the OPCRH during his senior year on the rebranding project. The OPCRH's new logo symbolizes the office's dedication to helping those in rural areas and underserved communities across Alabama.