RHAU Unveils 2024 Annual Award Winners

ST. GEORGE, UT — The Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU) celebrated the 2024 Annual RHAU Awards during its annual conference, recognizing five exceptional individuals and one organization for their dedication to advancing rural healthcare in Utah. This year’s awards featured a new sandstone design symbolizing Utah’s rugged rural landscapes.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Terry Box, MD, a hepatologist at the University of Utah Health, was honored for over 41 years of advancing patient care, medical education, and healthcare access for underserved communities. Dr. Box’s leadership in liver disease and transplantation has significantly improved patient outcomes. He is also a pioneer of Project ECHO, a tele-mentoring program that has expanded to over 800 sites globally, democratizing medical knowledge and enhancing care for conditions like hepatitis C and cirrhosis.

Rural Health Champion of the Year: Kurt R. Loveless, MBA, CEO of Kane County Hospital in Kanab, Utah, was recognized for his visionary leadership. In just three years, Loveless has spearheaded a major hospital expansion to enhance access to surgical care, dialysis, chemotherapy, and other essential services. His strategic guidance also helped RHAU navigate a critical organizational restructuring, solidifying its future impact.

Rural Provider of the Year: Dr. Colten Bracken, MD, owner and family physician of Main Street Family Clinic in Enterprise, Utah, was honored for his commitment to primary care and community well-being. A Mayo Clinic-trained physician, Dr. Bracken established his own clinic next to his family’s hardware store and later expanded it to better serve local needs. He is also a key contributor to Utah’s Rural Health Clinic network and serves as treasurer of the RHAU Board.

Rural Faculty of the Year: Dr. Selwyn Layton, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Director of Graduate Nursing Programs at Southern Utah University (SUU), was recognized for his leadership in launching master’s-level nursing programs, including an MS in Leadership and Administration (2023) and an MS – Family Nurse Practitioner (2024). These online programs enable nurses in rural and remote areas to advance their education and improve healthcare access in their communities. Dr. Layton’s work in program development and accreditation has had a transformative impact on nursing education in Utah and beyond.

Educational Partner of the Year: Utah State University (USU) Extension was celebrated for its impactful evidence-based programs, including “Be Epic, Escape the Vape”—a youth vaping prevention initiative targeting rural Utah. Launched in 2020, Be Epic has contributed to a 15.4% reduction in 12th-grade vaping rates in key rural counties. By engaging youth, parents, educators, and the community, USU Extension’s initiative has made a lasting impact on youth health outcomes.

Visionary Advocate Award: Kasey DeLynn Shakespear, newly appointed Executive Director of RHAU, was honored for his tireless advocacy on behalf of rural and frontier communities. His work to strengthen RHAU’s reach and capacity has laid the foundation for future growth, solidifying the organization's ability to champion rural health across the state.

For more information on RHAU’s Annual Awards, including how to nominate someone for 2025, visit www.rhau.org/annual-awards.