Honoring the People Making a Rural Difference

Community Stars

NOSORH’s annual Community Star recognition program is one of the most popular features of National Rural Health Day. Each person, coalition, and organization nominated to be their state’s Community Star represents the faces and grassroots initiatives that are working to address the social determinants of health and improve the lives of those who call rural their home. 

Congratulations to the 2021 Community Stars! These are extraordinary people making rural life better every single day.

Read Their Stories
The Community star publication

When you read the Community Star stories from years past, it is clear they are a picture of the positive aspects of life in rural America.

Released every National Rural Health Day, the Community Star e-book is an anticipated publication. As you turn each page, you will not only read about a group of dynamic and impressive individuals and organizations; you will gain a better understanding of the value of your State Office of Rural Health.  

Past Editions

Who qualifies as a Community Star?

If you know of a person, coalition, or organization that meets any or all the following criteria, we invite you to honor them by nominating them to be a 2021 Community Star!   

01  Innovative

Cultivates a vital, innovative rural health landscape and infrastructure  

02  Demonstrates Leadership

Develops leadership capacity to grow rural population health and health equity  

03  Grows Rural Programs

Builds capacity for rural data-driven program planning and decision making  

04  MISSION-DRIVEN

Contributes to rural health innovation, education, collaboration, and communication  

Have questions? Please refer to the FAQs for more details.

FAQs
2020 Community Star
Ellen Hodges, MD
Chief of Staff, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation | Alaska
2020 Community Star
Vermont Department of Health COVID-19 Health Operations Center, Burlington, Vermont | Pictured: Dan Batsie, Incident Commander
2021 NOMINATIONS

Nominations Are Now Closed

Community Star nominations were accepted through 8:00pm Central Time on August 2, 2021. Once the nomination period has closed, no additional submissions will be considered.