Rural Health Physicians Honored by MDH as Part of National Rural Health Day

November 20, 2025

Two Minnesota physicians were honored by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for making significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of their rural communities as part of National Rural Health Day in Minnesota on November 20. 

The MDH Office of Rural Health and Primary Care presented Minnesota Rural Health Awards to the following: 

• Long-time MMA member and former president Ray Christensen, MD, associate dean for rural health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, received the 2025 Lifetime Commitment to Rural Health Education Award. In addition to his long, successful career in medicine, Christensen has served many leadership roles locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally in pursuit of his lifelong goal of increasing opportunities for students to learn and practice medicine in rural settings. 

• Joseph Corser, MD, a board-certified physician in family medicine and addiction medicine at Sanford Bemidji and Bagley Medical Centers, received the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Lifetime Provider Achievement Award. Corser has led initiatives that have transformed healthcare delivery across his region of Greater Minnesota and pioneered programs to address critical gaps in rural health care delivery. 

MDH also recognized Rick Ash, president and CEO of United Hospital District, and Nicole Kiesow, a certified physician assistant from Grygla. Ash received the 2025 Minnesota Community Star Award winner; Kiesow received the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Hero Provider Award. 

Former MMA President Ray Christensen, MD received the 2025 Lifetime Commitment to Rural Health Education Award.

The Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato Coalition (Mankato) and Elevate (Perham) are co-recipients of the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Team Award. Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato Coalition is a coalition of parents, teachers, coaches and health professionals committed to protecting youth from nicotine addiction. The coalition is being honored for its work to bring nicotine addiction education to its community, advocate for stronger policies and connect families with tools and support to live healthy, nicotine-free lives. Elevate is being honored for its work to redefine what it means to age well in rural Minnesota. Operating as a division of Perham Health and supported by the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Connected Communities initiative, Elevate brings together healthcare and community resources to help older adults live with purpose, health, and joy. 

Additional information about the award winners is posted on the Minnesota Rural Health Awards webpage.