Darcy Czarnik Laurin (Midland, MI) -- 2014 Outstanding New and Emerging Health Network Leader

Darcy Czarnik Laurin, Network Director of Thumb Rural Health Network (TRHN), was recognized as the 2014 Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader during the 6^th Annual National Cooperative of Health Networks Awards Luncheon held last month in St. Louis, Missouri. The National Cooperative of Health Networks (NCHN) is a membership organization comprised of health network leaders throughout the nation. The Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader Award recognizes extraordinary leadership demonstrated by a health network leader who has held the position for less than 5 years. Award nominations are submitted by NCHN members and reviewed and voted upon by the Awards Committee, which is comprised of previous award winners.

Darcy Czarnik Laurin has nearly fifteen years of experience working with both federal and state grant-funded organizations. She began her non-profit career working as a watershed coordinator designing and implementing watershed and wetland restoration initiatives. Soon after, Darcy’s focus switched to rural health, and she dedicated her work to helping alleviate the health challenges and disparities found in rural communities.  She has served as the Network Director of TRHN since 2011. 

“Since starting in her role as Network Director, Darcy Czarnik Laurin has been very involved in NCHN activities, fostering both her own development as a leader and serving as a resource for other health networks,” said Rebecca Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Cooperative of Health Networks. “She has actively participated in two NCHN Leadership Learning Communities, serves on multiple committees, chaired the 2014 Conference Planning Committee, and currently serves as NCHN President. Through all of this, her commitment to rural health and her desire to excel as a network leader are apparent.”

TRHN works to improve comprehensive health services in Michigan’s Thumb region by exploring and facilitating innovative approaches among the Network members. The TRHN membership consists of three county health departments, six critical access hospitals, and two tertiary-level hospitals. Services focus on population health management that include access to health care for the underserved population with an emphasis on primary care and dental services, as well as chronic disease management. Additional services are improved community health status, regional health behaviors data collection and utilization, community access to care, educational opportunities, and leadership development. Each TRHN member organization has a community-based mission and continually seeks and sustains meaningful relationships with other community organizations that increase viability, efficiency, and effectiveness through collaboration.

By definition, health networks are formed when three or more health care providers formally come together to better meet the needs of patients in their service area. These providers often include hospitals, community health centers, critical access hospitals, physician practices, mental health providers, rural health clinics and other for-profit and not-for-profit health care organizations. Networks strive to increase access to quality health care for local patients and streamline the cost of that care, as well.

NCHN is a professional membership organization of health network leaders across the nation. Its mission is to support and strengthen health networks through collaboration, networking, leadership development and education. The Association has members in 31 states. For more information please go to www.nchn.org