Brad Gibbens, the acting director and assistant professor at UND’s Center for Rural Health, will be honored with the Outstanding Rural Health Career award at the 39th Annual Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health in Grand Forks this week. The awards banquet is scheduled for 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, at the Alerus Center. Along with Gibbens, 10 other rural health and public health advocates and organizations will also be recognized for their achievements.
A few other award winners from the area include the Blue Zones Project in Grand Forks for Public Health Team of the Year, First Care Health Center in Park River for R-COOL-Health Scrubs Camp of the Year, and Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center in Hillsboro for the Flex Quality Reporting Award. The conference highlights a variety of categories including Outstanding Rural Health Provider, Outstanding Rural Health Volunteer, Outstanding Rural Health Program, Emerging Rural Leader, Legislator of the Year, Public Health Worker of the Year, and Public Health Outstanding Service Award.
The Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health serves as a platform for healthcare professionals, educators, and students to exchange ideas on maintaining healthy North Dakota communities. It features keynote speakers, workshops, and a poster presentation. The conference is a collaborative effort between the North Dakota Rural Health Association, the North Dakota Public Health Association, Altru Health System, the UND College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, and UND’s Center for Rural Health.
Pamela Knudson covers features, arts, and entertainment for the Grand Forks Herald. She has been a part of the Herald team since 2011 and has covered a wide range of topics, including regional performances and health. You can contact Pamela at pknudson@gfherald.com or (701) 780-1107.