Two MMA Members Receive Rural Health Awards

November 10, 2022

As part of National Rural Health Day on November 17, the Minnesota Rural Health Association, the Duluth-based National Rural Health Resource Center and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are presenting the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Awards to the following honorees: 

  • Rozalina McCoy, MD, medical director, Community Paramedic Program, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, Rochester, will receive the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Hero Award for her work establishing a Community Paramedicine Program that brought care out into the community and to residents in their homes, hotels, shelters and other living situations. 

  • Wesley O. Ofstedal, MD, medical director of Living Center, Essentia Health-Fosston, will receive the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award for his devotion to his patients and his focus on geriatric care and preventive medicine. His work as a compassionate physician and mentor for multiple generations of local families benefited his entire community. 

  • Wilderness Health, Two Harbors, will receive the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Team Award for improving patient experience, advancing patient and community health outcomes, lowering costs, and enhancing the care team while serving a large area with some of the most remote parts of the state. 

McCoy and Ofstedal are both MMA members.  

More information about award winners and their photos can be found at the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Awards webpage. In addition to the Rural Health Day recognition, the recipients will be honored at the 2023 Minnesota Rural Health Conference in Duluth, June 12-13, 2023. 

Latest News

Federal Budget Bill Will Have Significant Impact on Minnesota Healthcare

July 10, 2025

With the passage of President Trump’s budget bill, many in healthcare are wondering how it will affect the practice of medicine in the United States, and how it will impact the health of Minnesotans. 

Allina Providers Vote to Authorize Strike

July 10, 2025

With an overwhelming 90% vote of support, Allina Health physicians, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practitioners voted to authorize a strike if the members of the Doctors Council – SEIU and Allina cannot reach a deal.  

Equitable Health Care Task Force Seeks Public Comment

July 10, 2025

The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Equitable Health Care Task Force is seeking public comment on its draft recommendations for improving health equity across the state.