The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) honored Timothy D. McBride, PhD, associate dean for public health at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, with its Outstanding Researcher Award April 19 during the NRHA’s 35th annual Rural Health Conference.
McBride is part of a small group of individuals and organizations being recognized for their work in rural health care.
“We’re especially proud of this year’s winners,” says Alan Morgan, chief executive officer of the NRHA.
“They have each already made tremendous strides to advance rural health care, and we’re confident they will continue to help improve the lives of rural Americans.”
McBride has conducted rural health services research for more than 20 years. He is an influential health policy analyst and leading health economist shaping the national agenda in rural health care, health insurance, Medicare policy, health economics, and access to health care.
McBride’s work in rural health care focuses on studying the uninsured, Medicare Advantage and Part D in rural areas.
He is an advocate for rural people, providing testimony to Congress and consulting with important policy constituents in Medicare and rural health policy. He is a member of the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Health Panel that provides expert advice on rural health issues to the U.S. Congress and other policymakers.
“I consider it a great honor to receive this award from the rural health association and my professional colleagues,” McBride says.
“At this critical juncture, when we are working to implement health reform in rural America, it means even more to me to receive this on behalf of rural Americans and others who need the kinds of reforms that are contained in the health reform law.
“However, I know that the work I have completed over the years would not have been possible without literally dozens of colleagues I have collaborated with over the years,” he says.
NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference is the largest gathering of rural health professionals in the nation.
“Every year, rural Americans come together to gain education and raise awareness on behalf of the 62 million Americans who live in rural areas and desperately need access to affordable health care,” Morgan says.
NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and providing leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research.
NRHA membership is made up of 22,000 diverse individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.