Governor Proclaims National Rural Health Day 2023

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Office of Rural Health is proud to celebrate its 50^th anniversary and its status as the longest-standing Office of Rural Health in the nation; and

WHEREAS, rural communities in North Carolina are wonderful places to live, work, and play; they are enriched by the diverse people who call rural North Carolina home; and

WHEREAS, the rural health care system is an important economic foundation of rural communities; and

WHEREAS, being a rural health care practitioner provides tremendous opportunities to offer more comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered, and holistic care to patients; and

WHEREAS, meeting the health care needs of our state is a constantly evolving process, as each rural community faces unique challenges that they need to address to improve the health of our state now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, while we acknowledge our community’s health care challenges, we also recognize and celebrate our spirit of innovation as we strive to improve access to and quality of care for all our neighbors; and

WHEREAS, addressing health equity and reducing health disparities is a core component of uplifting and empowering rural communities to reach their fullest potential; and

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Office of Rural Health, along with other interested agencies and organizations, recognize the unique healthcare needs and opportunities that exist across our great state, and celebrate our healthcare communities, organizations, and providers for the valuable services they continue to provide;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 16, 2023, as “NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.