Each year on National Rural Health day, the third Thursday of November, NOSORH gives one individual or organization from each state a Community Star Award. These are awarded to those that go above and beyond to support the health of their rural community. This year, Creek Valley Health Clinic in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona, was awarded the Community Star Award for their impressive efforts. Hildale, along with its neighboring town of Colorado City, Arizona, was at one time largely composed of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), creating a tightly knit community with special health care needs. Creek Valley’s integrated care model helps meet the physical, mental, and oral health needs of this community, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Primary Care and Rural Health (PCHR) is recognizing 2 southwest Utah healthcare workers with Impact Awards for their remarkable work in our rural communities. Dr. Benjamin Williams, was awarded an Impact Award for his leadership as the Chief Medical Officer at Creek Valley Medical Clinic, and for his inspiring work in Hildale.
“Dr. Williams provides exceptional whole-person care. Patients continuously say he goes above and beyond in well-child exams, sick visits, prenatal appointments, and chronic disease followups to ensure patients feel seen and supported,” says Hunter Adams, Co-founder and CEO of Creek Valley Health Clinic. “He provides primary care services to patients across the lifespan, and many children, adults and seniors are thankful to have him as their primary care provider.”
About 80 miles away, in Enterprise, Dr. Colton Bracken was also honored with an Impact Award for his contribution to the town he grew up in. As a primary care physician, Dr. Bracken sees all members of the community throughout the stages of their lives.
“Dr. Bracken is a brilliant doctor who provides an untold amount of good for so many in our area. His deep kindness makes him indispensable to our community,” says Bonnie Goff, Clinic Manager, Main Street Family Medicine. “Without question, the driving force was his love and devotion to his own small, rural community here in Enterprise.”
About our winners:
Creek Valley Health Clinic
Creek Valley Health Clinic, a Federally Qualified Health Center, serves the twin cities of Hilldale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. The clinic operates in an area with one of the highest poverty rates in the state. Before the clinic opened in 2019, there was no access to local medical and dental services. Beyond providing integrated health services, Creek Valley also supports patients as they navigate referrals for specialist care, apply for health insurance, and improve their health through connection to community resources.
Benjamin Williams, D.O.– Chief medical officer
Creek Valley Health Clinic, Colorado City, Arizona
Dr. Williams delivers quality medical care to the communities he calls home on the Utah/Arizona border. He led efforts to develop Creek Valley Health Clinic and improve the health and well-being of those who live in the remote area.
Colten Bracken, M.D.– Physician
Main Street Family Medicine, Enterprise, Utah
It is important to Dr. Bracken to care for the community where he was born and raised. Not only does he serve in his own clinic in Enterprise, he is also on the board of the Rural Health Association of Utah, moonlights at the Richfield emergency room, and serves as medical director for 3 local organizations.
About the awards:
NOSORH’s annual Community Star Recognition Program began in 2015 as a way to tell the stories of rural healthcare and the individuals that work to provide care in these communities. To read more stories of Community Star recipients around the country and explore past winners, visit https://powerofrural.org/community-stars/.
PCRH presents Impact Awards awards annually to frontline healthcare workers in honor of National Rural Health Day. These awards recognize these exemplary staffers for making quality healthcare services and programs affordable and accessible to all Utahns, no matter where they live.
Celebrated on the third Thursday of November each year, National Rural Health Day aims to bring attention to the outstanding work of rural healthcare providers, communities, and organizations around the country. Governor Spencer Cox declared November 17- 23, 2024 as Utah Rural Health Week, to uplift the rural providers in our state that go above and beyond for their communities. Visit https://ruralhealth.utah.gov/ for more information about rural health in Utah.
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