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News Release

11-19-25 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Rural Health Day - 11/19/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2025

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Rural Health Day

 

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe National Rural Health Day, which is celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “In Douglas County we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of rural Douglas County citizens, and we want to celebrate our rural health care providers who work tirelessly to meet their needs.”  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

This year’s National Rural Health Day will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and recognizes the contributions of rural communities and highlights the challenges and successes of rural healthcare. The day aims to raise awareness of issues like healthcare access, provider shortages, and health disparities in rural areas, while also promoting the resilience and spirit of rural America. 

 

“I have had the pleasure to work a little bit in the Health Care Administrative area, specifically around public health policy. But also, I have the honor to serve on several local medical boards and organizations represented here today.  I am in awe of the incredible work that you all do in a very difficult environment.  We are very spread out in rural Oregon and in Douglas County, and it is often a challenge to get people to move here to provide these services.  The systems that are set up in Salem and in Washington, DC for health care generally are centered around more urban areas and they don't understand the unique challenges of rural America and rural Oregon.” - Board Chair, Commissioner Tim Freeman. 

 

Commissioner Freeman presented Rural Health Day proclamation certificates to various organizations in our community that promote healthy living and provide health care services in our rural communities.  They included: Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) - Teresa Mutschler, Kendra Murray & Paul Leonard; Central Douglas Fire & Rescue – Chief Rob Bullock; North Douglas County Fire & EMS – Chief Brian Burke, Sr.; ADAPT Integrated Healthcare – Stephen Baron, Skyler Meyer, Jerry O’Sullivan, Grey Garris; Thrive Umpqua - Lance Colley; Evergreen Family Medicine & Urgent Care – Kim Tyree & Natasha Anderson; Lower Umpqua Hospital District – Kaley Sweet; and CHI – Mercy Medical Center – Russ Wooley.  After the certificates were presented, representatives from several of the organizations were invited to the podium to talk about the work they do in promoting and responding to rural health issues in Douglas County. 

 

“First, I wanted to thank the Commissioners for the opportunity to come together and for recognizing rural health day.  I think everyone in this room recognizes the challenges of providing health care in rural communities - and feel that we could not do the work we do without the partnerships and the support of our communities. So again, thank you for this and, for bringing us together this morning.” - Teresa Mutschler, Executive Director, Douglas Public Health Network. 

 

“North Douglas County Fire & EMS covers approximately 720 square miles.  It's a big area.  It's a privilege to serve my community. I enjoy it every day. Our main focus for rural health is on prevention and getting community action such as more self-resilience. We are almost 30 minutes from the nearest hospital.  Through the support of working with the county and our partner agencies we see outstanding results. I come from a little city of Chicago, Illinois. And, to see what this community can do in a rural area is pretty impressive.   What we have here impresses me immensely, and I am proud to be part of it.  Thank you, Commissioners, for today's recognition.” – Chief Brian Burke, Sr., North Douglas County Fire & EMS. 

 

“I am the new CEO for Adapt, and I have only been here for a few weeks.  I want to thank you Commissioners for the recognition of Rural Health Day. I believe you (Commissioner Freeman) said it best that if someone doesn't work in rural health, they don't understand the complexities and challenges that the rural environment brings to us.  I see from all the various agencies and organizations that are here, it takes a village.  With those partnerships, we (Adapt) are excited to continue the role we play in our rural communities.  It's great that everyone pulls together and gets the job done.  We will continue to do that in the future.” – Stephen Baron, CEO Adapt Integrated Health Care. 

 

The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our citizens to honor and support our rural health care providers, practitioners, organizations and support staff, and work together to bring about a stronger, healthier rural Douglas County. #ruralhealthday #celebratingthepowerofrural

 

###

 

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist,

Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photo © K.Tate/Douglas County.  Individual photos available upon request.

 

11-19-25-Commissioners-Issue-Proclamation-for-Rural-Health-Day

 

11-19-25 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Rural Health Day - 11/19/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2025

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Rural Health Day

 

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe National Rural Health Day, which is celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “In Douglas County we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of rural Douglas County citizens, and we want to celebrate our rural health care providers who work tirelessly to meet their needs.”  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

This year’s National Rural Health Day will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and recognizes the contributions of rural communities and highlights the challenges and successes of rural healthcare. The day aims to raise awareness of issues like healthcare access, provider shortages, and health disparities in rural areas, while also promoting the resilience and spirit of rural America. 

 

“I have had the pleasure to work a little bit in the Health Care Administrative area, specifically around public health policy. But also, I have the honor to serve on several local medical boards and organizations represented here today.  I am in awe of the incredible work that you all do in a very difficult environment.  We are very spread out in rural Oregon and in Douglas County, and it is often a challenge to get people to move here to provide these services.  The systems that are set up in Salem and in Washington, DC for health care generally are centered around more urban areas and they don't understand the unique challenges of rural America and rural Oregon.” - Board Chair, Commissioner Tim Freeman. 

 

Commissioner Freeman presented Rural Health Day proclamation certificates to various organizations in our community that promote healthy living and provide health care services in our rural communities.  They included: Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) - Teresa Mutschler, Kendra Murray & Paul Leonard; Central Douglas Fire & Rescue – Chief Rob Bullock; North Douglas County Fire & EMS – Chief Brian Burke, Sr.; ADAPT Integrated Healthcare – Stephen Baron, Skyler Meyer, Jerry O’Sullivan, Grey Garris; Thrive Umpqua - Lance Colley; Evergreen Family Medicine & Urgent Care – Kim Tyree & Natasha Anderson; Lower Umpqua Hospital District – Kaley Sweet; and CHI – Mercy Medical Center – Russ Wooley.  After the certificates were presented, representatives from several of the organizations were invited to the podium to talk about the work they do in promoting and responding to rural health issues in Douglas County. 

 

“First, I wanted to thank the Commissioners for the opportunity to come together and for recognizing rural health day.  I think everyone in this room recognizes the challenges of providing health care in rural communities - and feel that we could not do the work we do without the partnerships and the support of our communities. So again, thank you for this and, for bringing us together this morning.” - Teresa Mutschler, Executive Director, Douglas Public Health Network. 

 

“North Douglas County Fire & EMS covers approximately 720 square miles.  It's a big area.  It's a privilege to serve my community. I enjoy it every day. Our main focus for rural health is on prevention and getting community action such as more self-resilience. We are almost 30 minutes from the nearest hospital.  Through the support of working with the county and our partner agencies we see outstanding results. I come from a little city of Chicago, Illinois. And, to see what this community can do in a rural area is pretty impressive.   What we have here impresses me immensely, and I am proud to be part of it.  Thank you, Commissioners, for today's recognition.” – Chief Brian Burke, Sr., North Douglas County Fire & EMS. 

 

“I am the new CEO for Adapt, and I have only been here for a few weeks.  I want to thank you Commissioners for the recognition of Rural Health Day. I believe you (Commissioner Freeman) said it best that if someone doesn't work in rural health, they don't understand the complexities and challenges that the rural environment brings to us.  I see from all the various agencies and organizations that are here, it takes a village.  With those partnerships, we (Adapt) are excited to continue the role we play in our rural communities.  It's great that everyone pulls together and gets the job done.  We will continue to do that in the future.” – Stephen Baron, CEO Adapt Integrated Health Care. 

 

The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our citizens to honor and support our rural health care providers, practitioners, organizations and support staff, and work together to bring about a stronger, healthier rural Douglas County. #ruralhealthday #celebratingthepowerofrural

 

###

 

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist,

Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photo © K.Tate/Douglas County.  Individual photos available upon request.

 

11-19-25-Commissioners-Issue-Proclamation-for-Rural-Health-Day