Denver, Colo. – February 24, 2010 – Two Colorado leaders have been recognized nationally for their contributions to rural healthcare. Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) Chief Executive Officer, Lou Ann Wilroy, has been elected president-elect of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), and Legislative Health Policy Advisor for Senator Michael Bennet, Rohini Ravindran, was recently awarded the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Legislative Award.

Wilroy will serve a three-year leadership term at NOSORH, as president-elect in 2011, president in 2012 and past-president in 2013. She has been with CRHC for over 10 years, and has held the title of CEO since August 2007. CRHC was created twenty years ago as Colorado’s state office of rural health to administer programs and services to ensure that rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services.

As president of NOSORH, Wilroy will be responsible for ensuring the national organization meets its mission of increasing the capacity of state offices of rural health across the country through leadership development, advocacy, education, and partnerships. All 50 state offices of rural health depend on the support of NOSORH to increase awareness about rural health issues and actively engage in solutions at the state and national levels.

In January, the National Rural Health Association awarded Rohini Ravindran with the NRHA Legislative Staff of the Year Award for 2010 for her dedication and commitment to the health of rural Americans. Ravindran was instrumental in ensuring vital rural healthcare funding was included in last year’s senate health reform bill. “During healthcare reform, Rohini went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure it included issues important to rural America,” stated NRHA president Alan Morgan. Hailing from the very rural state of Colorado, Senator Bennet has been recognized as a true rural advocate largely due to Rohini’s behind-the-scenes efforts. According to Wilroy, “Congressional leaders, the people of Colorado, and rural America are all better served because of her dedicated service.”