Dale Quinney NRHA President’s Award – Alabama Rural Health
- Dale Quinney, the former Executive Director of the Alabama Rural Health Association (ARHA), has been honored with the National Rural health Association’s (NRHA) President’s Award.
- Quinney's ability to present data effectively has been instrumental in addressing critical healthcare needs in Alabama.
- His leadership extended to developing Alabama's first Community Health Assessment, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health and over 300 organizations.
Dale Quinney,former ARHA Executive Director,earns the prestigious NRHA President’s Award,a testament to his impactful dedication to rural health in Alabama.For 16 years, Quinney has leveraged data to advocate for vital healthcare improvements, including his pivotal role in saving Wedowee Hospital. His strategic use of data presented compelling arguments at a public forum, swaying public opinion and securing critical funding through a local sales tax. Quinney’s work, recognized across News Directory 3, exemplifies how local communities can identify and address healthcare needs, securing funding through competitive grant applications. He also developed the first Community Health Assessment in Alabama. Discover how his legacy continues to inspire action and drive positive change in rural healthcare.
Dale Quinney Receives National rural Health Association Award for Rural Health Advocacy
Updated June 02, 2025
Dale Quinney, the former Executive Director of the Alabama Rural Health Association (ARHA), has been honored with the National Rural health Association’s (NRHA) President’s Award. This prestigious award recognizes Quinney’s 16 years of dedication to promoting rural health and his innovative use of data to drive change.
Quinney’s ability to present data effectively has been instrumental in addressing critical healthcare needs in Alabama. notably, he produced the Selected Health Status Indicator Reports for Alabama’s 67 counties in 2009 and 2013. These reports compared county health indicators to state and national averages, helping local communities identify health issues and secure funding through competitive grant applications. Quinney also shared these reports with local media and elected officials, emphasizing healthcare’s economic importance.
His leadership extended to developing Alabama’s first Community Health Assessment, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health and over 300 organizations. This assessment identified the top ten health issues in the state, with a focus on rural areas.
One of Quinney’s most meaningful achievements was his role in saving Wedowee Hospital.When Randolph County faced the potential loss of its hospital, Quinney presented compelling data at a public forum, highlighting the county’s high rates of motor vehicle accidents, firearm deaths, and strokes. He emphasized the urgent need for a local emergency department. His presentation, along with data provided to the local newspaper, swayed public opinion, leading to the approval of a crucial sales tax with 84% of the vote.
Ryan Kelly from Mississippi noted, “From the first time that I met Dale Quinney, I could instantly tell that his passion for improving rural health was deeper than just a career…It is determination and dedication like this that makes a true difference.”
Tina elliot from Indiana added, “I’ve enjoyed meeting Dale at various National Rural Health Association events, and learn about how he is meeting the needs of rural communities through Operation save Rural Alabama, an organization he founded.”
Beth O’Connor, the 2022 NRHA President, selected Quinney for the award. She stated, ”Dale impressed on me the need to convey information to our elected officials regarding everything rural communities do to support the United States as a whole… [He] helped me understand how rural communities need to stop begging for resources that came from our land and start communicating how rural supports urban.”
quinney’s other accolades include the D.G. Gill Award and the Ira Myers Award,the most prestigious public health award in Alabama. He is one of only two non-physicians to receive the Ira Myers Award.
Quinney credits his family, including his wife Susan, their children brent and Leigh, and their six grandchildren, for their support. He believes they are carrying on his legacy through their contributions to healthcare in Alabama.
What’s next
Quinney’s work serves as a model for addressing the rural crisis through leadership, commitment, and data-driven advocacy. His efforts continue to inspire those working to improve rural health across America.