WISEWOMAN wins Outstanding Rural Health Award: SEARHC's program for women's health is one to model.

• Position: HEALTH & MEDICINE

For its work improving the heart health of women in its region, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium(SEARHC) WISEWOMAN Program received the Alaska Rural Health Award for Outstanding Rural Health Program during an April 25 luncheon at the Alaska Rural Health Conference in Anchorage.

The Outstanding Rural Health Program award "recognizes a community, regional or statewide program involving one or more health professionals or entities that promotes or facilitates the development of rural health delivery systems," according to the Alaska Rural Health Conference Steering Committee, which presents the awards. "Factors considered include coordination of services, networking, collaboration, innovation in development and implementation and lasting impact of the program on populations served."

The committee is made up of representatives from the sponsors of the biennial conference: Alaska Center for Rural Health; Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, DPH/HPSD; Alaska eHealth Network; Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; Alaska Native Health Board; Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Alaska Primary Care Association; Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association; the Denali Commission; and the University of Alaska, Health Programs Development.

"The SEARHC WISEWOMAN Program is grateful to be recognized by the Alaska Rural Health Conference as an Outstanding Rural Health Program," said Litia Garrison, SEARHC Women's Health Program Manager, upon accepting the award. "Since 2000, our WISEWOMAN Program has helped women learn more about preventing heart disease and stroke, as well as supporting them to eat healthier, be more active and quit using tobacco. This award reflects the dedicated staff efforts, local partnerships and organizational support from SEARHC that led to the WISEWOMAN Program's successes. We accept this award in honor of the many women of Southeast Alaska who have made positive, heart-healthy changes in their lives, improving their health along with the health of their families and communities."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Marilyn Kasmar, APCA executive director, praised SEARHC for winning the award.

"SEARHC has long been a member of the Alaska Primary Care Association, and the APCA has been proud to support SEARHC's efforts in improving access to primary care to beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in the communities SEARHC serves," Kasmar said. "We are very pleased to hear about this award as SEARHC's...