Rosemary McKenzie’s passion for rural health and dedication to multicultural and multiracial populations were unparalleled. Rosemary served as the National Rural Health Association’s minority liaison and program services manager in the Kansas City, Mo., office for 27 years. She died in 2011 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
To carry on Rosemary McKenzie’s legacy and honor her memory, the National Rural Health Association has established the Rosemary McKenzie Legacy Award to be presented annually during the NRHA's Health Equity Conference, a conference she predominantly and passionately coordinated.
NRHA is looking for individuals who have mobilized their communities and have dedicated their lives to improving the health of underserved rural populations in the same spirit as Rosemary. The criteria for nominees include the following:
- Demonstrated track record for securing funds to improve rural health access for multiracial and multicultural, LGBT, veterans, homeless and other underserved populations;
- Demonstrated track record for mobilizing partnerships to improve rural health access for multiracial and multicultural, LGBT, veterans, homeless and other underserved populations; and
- Demonstrated passion for working to improve rural health access for multiracial and multicultural, LGBT, veterans, homeless and other underserved populations.
Rosemary’s lifelong passion for improving the health of rural underserved populations has inspired many to become more involved in their communities to increase awareness of their health issues. This award will be given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution of major significance in improving the health of rural underserved populations.