Pat Neal of Depoe Bay, Ore., has been awarded the 2011 Hero of the Year Award by the Oregon Office of Rural Health at Oregon Health & Science University. The Hero of the Year award is given annually to an individual who has had a major impact on rural health in Oregon.

“Pat Neal is a wonderful hero,” says Scott Ekblad, director of the Oregon Office of Rural Health. “She is currently involved in 10 different health care committees in her community.  She is working as hard today as she did before she retired.”

In addition to her committee work, Pat, age 80, also volunteers as an instructor for the AARP Driver Safety program for seniors, a class leader for the local Living Well with Chronic Conditions program, and a member of the Community Emergency Response Team.

She has been a leader in the Community Health Improvement Program (CHIP) , a strong advocate for expanded School Based Health Centers around reproductive health, as well as a planner for the Let’s Go Lincoln County, a summertime campaign to encourage physical activity and good nutrition.

“Because of Pat’s involvement in community health over the years, lives have improved in Lincoln County,” says Julia Young-Lorion, Lincoln County CHIP Coordinator. “Her public service and dedication to her community have continued strong for over 20 years and there is no indication that she intends to stop.  She is compassionate, dedicated, professional and a motivating person to be around.  She is truly a Rural Health Hero.”

The mission of the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) at OHSU is to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of health care for rural Oregonians. Three of Samaritan Health Services' five affiliated hospitals are designated as rural facilities and have partnered with the Office of Rural Health to form CHIPs to address the particular needs of rural residents.