The Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health bid farewell to its Associate Director, Brenda Church, on Friday, October 2nd, 2009. Brenda is retiring after 15 years of service.

During a ceremony held in her honor, Union Hospital CEO David Doerr presented Brenda with the “Distinguished Hoosier Award” from Governor Mitch Daniels' office. The Distinguished Hoosier is one of the highest awards given by the state of Indiana to its citizens. "The 'Distinguished Hoosier' award comes as no surprise to those of us who know Brenda and appreciate the extraordinary impact she has made on rural health throughout his distinguished career" Mr. Doerr said.

Brenda became involved with rural health 15 years ago as the Manager of the Clay City Center for Family Medicine, where she was responsible for the certification of the facility as a federally designated Rural Health Clinic for Union Hospital's Family Medicine Residency Program. This was the first RHC in Indiana that was set up to serve all residents in the local community. Brenda was a founding member of the Indiana Rural Health Association, serving on the Board of Directors from 1997 to 2001 and 2007-2008. She served on the Policy and Legislative Committees, as well as both Nominating and Conference Planning Committees. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARCH). She's also been an active member of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

Brenda has advocated for rural health issues at both the state and national levels. This included efforts to secure state tabacco funding dollars for CHCs in Indiana (both urban and rural) to take care of the uninsured and underinsured Hoosier residents. She is passionate about issues affecting our rural Indiana communities, especially health care. She believes strongly in all efforts to provide health care services at a local level, both through the Community Health Center structure and the Rural Health Clinic structure.

Brenda Church is a true champion for rural health with an impeccable record of service.

Please join us in wishing Brenda the best as she begins a new journey.