Every year, the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina bestows the Michael and Saundra Samuals Outstanding Alumni award to one of our Department's own. This year, in recognition of his ongoing contributions to rural public health, the 2011 award went to Graham Adams, MPH, PhD. Since USC's graduation coincided with the National Rural Health Association conference, Dr. Adams was not able to receive his award at his alma mater's ceremony. While a lunch and a presentation by our interim chair, Dr. Dave Murday, aren't a real substitute for being honored in front of the entire Arnold School, we can at least repeat his accolades, read at graduation, here.
Dr. Adams received his undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland and completed his his MPH and PhD degrees at the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Adams has worked with the South Carolina Office of Rural Health Since 1995, advancing to Chief Executive Officer. During his career in rural health, Dr. Adams has emerged as a national leader and advocate for rural persons and institutions. Dr. Adams serves on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS), a 21-member citizens' panel of nationally recognized rural health experts that provides recommendations on rural issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. A past Trustee on the Board of the National Rural Health Association, Dr. Adams currently chairs the Development Committee of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, having previously served as the NOSORH President.
Locally, Dr. Adams has built the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, into one of the largest, and the most proactive, offices of rural health in the nation. The South Carolina Office of Rural Health serves rural communities through offering health professions recruitment and retention services, a revolving loan program to help new practices get started or existing services to improve, and assisting in the deployment of new technologies. The SCORH also offers support services for certified Rural Health Clinics, acts as an advocate for rural providers, and disseminates information regarding legislative and policy issues impacting rural health. The SCORH also runs the Benefit Bank of South Carolina, a web-based system that helps match families with benefits for which they are eligible. All of these services reflect Dr. Adams’ foresight and leadership.
Locally, Dr. Adams has built the South Carolina Office of Rural Health, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, into one of the largest, and the most proactive, offices of rural health in the nation. The South Carolina Office of Rural Health serves rural communities through offering health professions recruitment and retention services, a revolving loan program to help new practices get started or existing services to improve, and assisting in the deployment of new technologies. The SCORH also offers support services for certified Rural Health Clinics, acts as an advocate for rural providers, and disseminates information regarding legislative and policy issues impacting rural health. The SCORH also runs the Benefit Bank of South Carolina, a web-based system that helps match families with benefits for which they are eligible. All of these services reflect Dr. Adams’ foresight and leadership.
