HCC of Rural Missouri Celebrates
Rural Health Day on November 16, 2017
This year’s celebration is dedicated to the late Melanie Corporon.
Proclamation from
Mayor Brown
Mayor Jerry Brown will honor Corporon with a Rural Health Day proclamation at noon on the courthouse steps. Corporon passed away August 12, 2017. She was a
well-known advocate for the underserved in West Central Missouri.  Throughout her career, she championed giving those in need a “hand up” and played a crucial role in connecting individuals with educational opportunities, food, shelter, clothing, and medical assistance. Corporon’s work with Marshall, Mo.-based Missouri Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA) spanned over two decades before she joined HCC’s team in Lexington.  
“Melanie was one of those rare individuals who truly had a heart for service,” said HCC CEO Toniann Richard. “She had a passion for helping individuals find their way out of poverty. Every year, she would lead poverty simulations to teach others what living poor looks and feels like. Her heart, service and genuine goodness has made an indelible mark and won’t be forgotten.”
As for this year’s Rural Health Day, it will commemorate the life and legacy of Corporon with a day of service that includes a food drive. After the proclamation ceremony, a truck will be on hand to collect and deliver donated items to the Lexington Food Pantry. The day also includes activities for students interested in the health professions, and access to HCC’s warehouse where social service providers may collect goods and supplies to distribute to those in need. 
Events
  • Mayor Jerry Brown will honor Melanie Corporon with a Rural Health Day proclamation at noon on the courthouse steps. 
  • Food drive held for the local Food Pantry.
(Frozen turkeys and hams included.)
  • Activities for students interested in the health professions.
  • Access to HCC’s warehouse where social service providers may collect goods and supplies to distribute to those in need.
In conjunction with Rural Health Day, the HCC is observing the Great American Smoke Out.
Every year since 1976, the third Thursday in November marks the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out, a day when smokers are encouraged to quit for the day and make a plan to quit for good. 

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly seven out of 10 smokers (68 percent) say they want to quit. In any year, about four in 10 (42 percent) try. But very few succeed on their own on any given attempt. Studies show that with the aid of medications, as many as 25 percent of smokers can stay smoke-free for over six months, and that combining medication use with counseling increases success.
What is National Rural Health Day?

National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded, “can do” spirit and also highlights the unique health care challenges that rural citizens face.

In 2010, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) created National Rural Health Day (NRHD) as a way to applaud the ongoing efforts, contributions, and collaborations occurring in rural communities to address the unique challenges in accessing and delivering health care services. In the past six years, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) has planned, hosted, and participated in this annual event.

This year's NRHD events will highlight the Power of Rural and the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSAs) Bureaus and Offices and HHS agencies collaborations to improve rural health.

HRSA's Bureaus and Offices, spearheaded by FORHP, will moderate a series of Twitter chats, one topic a day at 2 p.m. CST on Monday (the 13th), Tuesday (the 14th), and Wednesday (the 15th). The topics are workforce development, the social determinants of health, and behavioral health, respectively. Join the Twitter chat conversations by following @HRSAgov or using hashtag, #OurRural.
HRSA Rural Health Week Agenda

Monday, November 13, 2017
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Workforce Twitter Chat via  @hrsagov 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Social Determinants of Health Twitter Chat via  @hrsagov 

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CST
Rural Health Workforce Webinar

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. CST
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Rural Health Series Webinar.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Behavioral Health Twitter Chat via  @hrsagov 

Thursday, November 16, 2017
[National Rural Health Day]

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Antibiotic Stewardship Webinar
Presented by FORHP & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Learn more about Rural Health Day and register to attend webinars, visit
Hope to see you November 16th!