The Oregon Office of Rural Health is proud to present this year’s Rural Health Hero of the Year Award to Patricia Neal.

Pat Neal is a dedicated, tireless volunteer in our community. She has lived in Lincoln County for 22 years and has been volunteering in many community health initiatives throughout this time. Pat is currently on ten different health-related committees in Lincoln County and joined her first one, the Public Health Advisory Committee, in 1990. Other committees include: Mental Health Advisory Committee, Tobacco Coalition, Diabetes Coalition, Local Alcohol and Drug Addiction Planning Committee, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Council, Commission on Children and Families, Chronic Care Committee, Childhood Obesity Partnership and Healthy Communities Assessment Workgroup.