The 2018 award for Outstanding Rural Health Organization, presented by the National Rural Health Association, goes to St. Luke’s Miners Rural Health Clinics. The award was presented on May 10 during the NRHA’s annual conference and summit, which was held in New Orleans.

St. Luke’s rural program was recognized for its commitment to expanding and improving access to health care in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

More than 12,000 patients visit St. Luke’s rural clinics each year, where they have access to high-quality primary care and community outreach programs, such as the innovative Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program, which focuses on improving the health of patients with diabetes and decreasing emergency department visits for nonemergency situations.

The clinics also offer other initiatives, such as the “Adopt-A-School” program, which connects underserved students and families to the health care system; “Walk With a Doc,” which offers a unique way to personally interact with a local physician; dental health improvement; mobile health vans; in school programs; tobacco and substance abuse help; local health fairs; and partnering with farmers markets and local produce providers.

Micah Gursky, St. Luke’s Rural Health Clinics administrator, says, “I am proud that our team was selected for the amazing work they do every day. In addition to providing top-quality and innovative clinical care, every one of our team members does truly care about our patients.”

St. Luke’s Miners, which has rural health centers at 34 S. Railroad St., Tamaqua, and 108 W. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, was nominated for the award by Kelly Braun, dental delivery systems coordinator for Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.

A video detailing all of the rural health programs provided by St. Luke’s Miners is available on the NHRA Rural YouTube channel.