Rx drug abuse prevention efforts earn 2016 ‘Rural Health Team’ award

Jul 31, 2017 | CHI St. Gabriel's Health News

For the second time in four years, a CHI St. Gabriel’s Health grant team has received the Rural Health Team of the Year award. The Prescription Drug Task Force earned the honor for its efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse in Morrison County.

The statewide honor was presented June 21 at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference in Duluth. The annual award, which is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, the Minnesota Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Resource Center, recognizes organizations for outstanding service to rural Minnesota communities.

The Violence Prevention Initiative, funded through a CHI Mission & Ministry Fund grant,received the 2012 Rural Health Team of the Year award.

This year, in addition to the Rural Health Team award received by the Prescription Drug Task Force, Dr. Paul Van Gorp (CentraCare – Long Prairie) received the Rural Health Lifetime Achievement award and Dr. Matthew Bernard (The Center Clinic in Dodge Center) received the Rural Health Hero award.

According to Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the honorees embody the spirit of service and innovation that helped Minnesota build a robust rural health system that has served as a model for other states.

The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force was formed in 2015 as part of the State Innovation Model grant initiative. The team meets monthly, and consists of representatives from health care, law enforcement, social services, public health, courts, pharmacy, and schools.

Congratulations to the team on receiving this prestigious award.

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