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2018 Louisiana Rural Health Association Health
Awards Recipients Announced

Baton Rouge, Louisiana - On Monday, October 29, 2018, the Louisiana Rural Health Association (LRHA) honored individuals and programs that provide lasting contributions to enhance and increase access to health care in rural communities throughout Louisiana. Each year, the LRHA recognizes individuals and organizations in the following four categories:

1. Rural Health Legislator of the Year
2. Outstanding Rural Health Program of the Year
3. Rural Health Practitioner of the Year
4. Rural Health Professional of the Year

The Rural Health Professional of the Year recognizes a health care professional for their leadership in health care services throughout rural communities. Efforts taken into consideration include providing outstanding leadership, community involvement, lasting contributions to the health care system, as well as their outreach efforts. The LRHA is honored to name Chris Davis as the 2018 Rural Professional of the Year.

Chris Davis currently serves as the Vice President/Practice Administrator of Rural Health Clinics and Industrial Medicine for DeSoto Regional Health System (DRHS). Mr. Davis was born in Shreveport, LA and received his education in the Caddo Parish School System. He is a college graduate from Northwestern State University, Southern University A&M, and Louisiana Tech University. Mr. Davis has 15 years of health care experience.

Todd Eppler, CEO Desoto Regional Health Systems, stated, "Chris has done an amazing job of transforming DRHS’s three rural health clinics.  His efforts have maximized the community impact of these clinics by adding new service lines and increasing provider productivity.”  During his tenure, DRHS added the following disciplines to their busy clinics: pediatric physician, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, and psychiatric physician assistant.

Mr. Davis lead the Community Health Needs Assessment which identified needs in pediatric and mental health services. Through his diligent efforts, DRHS added five full-time equivalent providers which resulted in a 22% increase in the number of patients seen annually.

In 2018, Mr. Davis lead DRHS’s efforts to join a Medicare Accountable Care Organization.  Through his hard-work, DRHS has over 900 Medicare annual wellness visits to be completed and over 200 individuals to be enrolled into their chronic care management program.

 "The work Chris does in our clinics is outstanding but his impact in the community is much greater. Chris inspires everyone he meets,” said Eppler.

In grateful appreciation and distinguished recognition of his hard work, devotion, and commitment to rural healthcare, the Louisiana Rural Health Association is honored to recognize Chris Davis as the 2018 Rural Professional of the Year.