Richardson Honored for Rural Health Achievement

Sally K. Richardson, vice president and executive director of the WVU Institute for Health Policy Research, was recently recognized with an award for "Outstanding Rural Health Achievement" during a Rural Health Awards Luncheon at Stonewall Jackson Resort.

The award recognizes an individual or organization for leadership and noteworthy initiative in areas pertaining to the development of community-oriented rural health care delivery.

Richardson has been a leader in West Virginia health care for more than 25 years.  She has served in leadership positions in state government in the Department of Public Health, the State Health Care Authority and the Public Employees Insurance Agency.

"Throughout her years of leadership in health care in our state, Sally has inspired many others; I am one," said Hilda Heady, associate vice president for rural health at the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center.  "Sally is the kind of mentor and leader whose passion always fuels her work and her dedication reflects that passion and spirit.  She is very deserving of this honor."

As vice chair of the State Health Care Planning Commission, she led West Virginia citizens through a process of thinking about their health care.  She worked on President Clinton's White House Health Reform Task Force and became the national director of Medicaid.