The City Proclaims November’s Third Thursday as Rural Health Day

The City of White Salmon has formally issued Proclamation 2025-008, declaring the third Thursday of November as Rural Health Day and recognizing the annual Better Together Health Forum, an event organized and led by Skyline Health to strengthen regional healthcare collaboration.

Mayor Marla Keethler signed the proclamation to highlight the essential role that rural healthcare plays in the vitality of the Columbia River Gorge and to acknowledge the ongoing leadership of Skyline Health, headquartered in White Salmon. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of coordinated, community-driven efforts to improve health outcomes for rural residents.

In issuing this proclamation, the City of White Salmon reaffirms the importance of regional cooperation to support:

• Workforce development
• Preventive health initiatives
• Emergency response coordination
• Health equity and access for all residents
• Strengthened community resilience

The proclamation reflects the City’s recognition that “the health and well-being of every person who calls the Gorge home” depends on strong relationships among healthcare and community partners.

Quote from Mayor Marla Keethler: “Rural health is at the heart of strong, resilient communities. By recognizing Rural Health Day and the Better Together Health Forum, we express our gratitude to the healthcare providers who serve our residents every day and reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier future for the entire Gorge.”

Celebrating the “Power of Rural,” National Rural Health Day is observed each year on the third Thursday in November. The day celebrates the vital contributions of rural healthcare providers and shines a spotlight on the unique challenges facing rural communities, including access to services, workforce shortages, and the need for strong collaborative networks.

Skyline Health’s Leadership and the Better Together Health Forum

The proclamation recognizes Skyline Health as a trusted, compassionate rural healthcare provider and highlights its role in convening the Better Together Health Forum, held each November. This forum brings together:

• Local hospitals and clinics
• Public health agencies
• Behavioral health providers
• Emergency services
• Social service organizations
• Community-based partners

The purpose of the forum is to align regional priorities, enhance care coordination, strengthen partnerships, and plan for the future of health across the Gorge.

Skyline Health’s leadership in this event underscores its commitment to advancing rural health through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.

About Skyline Health, located in White Salmon, Washington, serves as a critical rural healthcare provider for communities across the Columbia River Gorge. It offers emergency services, outpatient care, primary care partnerships, diagnostic services, rehabilitation, and community wellness programs, all guided by a mission of compassionate, high-quality, locally accessible care.