SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health’s Office of Primary Care and Rural Health (OPCRH) will join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and other state/national rural stakeholders in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

NOSORH founded National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related challenges; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those challenges. National Rural Health Day is an annual day of recognition which occurs on the third Thursday of November.

Events, including those held virtually, recognizing National Rural Health Day and “Celebrating the Power of Rural” are being planned throughout the nation. In New Mexico, the OPCRH is planning to mark the occasion by honoring New Mexico’s small rural hospitals and community health centers for their amazing work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a proclamation for Rural Health Day to recognize New Mexico’s rural health care delivery systems that provide quality care to New Mexico’s rural population.

“National Rural Health Day gives us a chance to recognize the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face and to showcase how we are working together with rural healthcare providers to address those challenges,” said Acting Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D. “It’s also an opportunity for us to applaud the ongoing efforts, contributions, and collaborations in our rural communities.”