Spokane, WA—The Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA) recently honored Providence Health Care leaders Ron Rehn, DHA, MPA, CMPE, and Denny Lordan, Jr., for their contributions to rural health. The Association recognized these local leaders as helping meet WRHA’s mission to collaboratively strengthen and improve the health of rural communities.
Ron Rehn, chief administrative officer, Providence Health Care-Stevens County Ministry, received the Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award. This award is based on demonstrated leadership skills; someone who best exemplifies Layne’s spirit, vision, foresight and dedication in the field of rural health. The award honors the late Leah Layne, a long-time campaigner and activist on behalf of rural health.
According to WRHA, Ron embodies Layne’s spirit and determination. From his start in 1977 as a lab technician at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital and Northeast Washington Medical Group, Colville. He has brought a history of leadership and commitment to rural health. He oversees Providence Stevens County operations, including Providence Mount Carmel Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah. He advocates for rural health in the legislature where he has testified on a number of issues, has chaired the Rural Health Committee of the Washington State Hospital Association, and is currently on the WSHA Board making sure rural issues are not lost with "big hospital" issues.
Denny Lordan, coordinator, Telehealth Program for Providence Health Care, received the Outstanding Contribution to Rural Health Award. His award is for nominees who have, over the course of their careers, made significant impacts in rural health across the state.
Lordan brings more than 20-years of leadership and dedication to the field. His nominator recognized his many contributions, most recently as chair of the Telehealth Advocacy Council for Providence St Joseph Health. In this role, he has worked collaboratively with stakeholders across Washington state and the six other states in the Providence service area, to improve legislative and reimbursement policies for telehealth services. As a result, he has helped lift barriers and more patients will receive care when and where it is needed.
Linking telehealth to rural health care
“Rural communities often lack the access to specialty services typically concentrated in urban centers,” said Lordan. “Patients typically have to travel great distances and at considerable expense for care. Telehealth bridges the gap and offers the opportunity for providers and patients to connect using growing digital solutions.”
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