What do you appreciate about living in a rural area? Our beautiful lakes and wide open spaces, friendly and caring neighbors, and quality education are just a few that come to mind. How about your convenient access to rural healthcare?

Governor Dayton has proclaimed November 15, 2012 as Rural Health Day in the State of Minnesota and we feel that this is a great reason to celebrate! In his proclamation, he recognizes that rural communities in Minnesota are places where people know each other and work together to benefit the community and that rural healthcare facilities are often a core economic foundation of a particular community or region. Minnesota’s rural healthcare providers are meeting the unique healthcare needs of rural citizens with innovation and resourcefulness that reaches beyond geographic boundaries and demographic challenges by offering patients comprehensive, compassionate, and patient-centered care.

You, our valued patients, are the true reason Paynesville Area Health Care System is able to celebrate Rural Health Day! On behalf of the 340 healthcare employees and medical providers who serve the residents of our healthcare district, we thank you for placing your trust in rural healthcare- which we firmly believe is the best healthcare.

Did you know that nearly one in five Americans live in rural and frontier areas? Yet, we have approximately half of the primary care providers and specialists serving rural patients compared to those living in urban areas. Many rural communities face real and unique healthcare concerns. The lack of healthcare providers, accessibility issues and greater affordability costs due to declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels make it challenging to meet the physical, social and economic needs of their rural citizens.

However, smaller towns are historically fueled by the creative energy of its citizens to step forward and find the resources needed to accomplish great things. Doesn’t this sound just like Central Minnesota? We are fortunate to have Jackie Osterhaus, of our own medical providers from Paynesville Area Health Care System, appointed to the State of Minnesota’s Rural Health Advisory Committee and currently serving on this statewide forum for rural health concerns. Many of our other medical providers have served in leadership roles and national committees to make sure rural healthcare continues to move forward with technology and resources to serve its patients.

Our healthcare system is a proud group of local citizens, who are working hard to provide the best in healthcare services for you, our friends and neighbors. We live here, raise our families here, and we believe in the Power of Rural!

Thank you for being the most important part of our November 15th celebration of Rural Health Day in Minnesota. And, if you also believe in the importance of rural healthcare, tell your medical provider, nurse, pharmacists, dentist, or chiropractor (to name just a few) that you appreciate them!