NCDHHS Office of Rural Health Celebrates National Rural Health Day, Honors NC's 'Community Star' Recipient

From the NC Department of Health and Human Services

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating National Rural Health Day today, Nov. 20.

"Today is an opportunity for our rural providers, partners and residents to celebrate their resilience, commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to ensuring our rural health care is the best it can be," said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Debra Farrington. "This is a time to recognize the strides we’ve made and recommit ourselves to continued improvements for the well-being of every person who calls North Carolina home."

"National Rural Health Day is always a day to pause and reflect here in North Carolina since our NCDHHS Office of Rural Health was the first such office established in the United States more than 50 years ago," said NC Rural Center President and CEO Patrick Woodie. "Our rural health legacy is unparalleled in this state and that is always worthy of celebration and grateful reflection."

To commemorate National Rural Health Day and recognize the contributions of those who support rural health care, the NCDHHS Office of Rural Health is proud to announce the annual Community Star award winner.

Beginning in 2015, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health made a nationwide call for Community Star nominations, seeking individuals, organizations and coalitions making a positive impact in rural communities to highlight during National Rural Health Day. Each year, one Community Star recipient is named per state. Dr. David Pope has been named North Carolina’s 2025 Community Star winner.

Dr. Pope serves as President and CEO of Scotland Health Care System, a non-profit network that includes Scotland Memorial Hospital, the Scotland Physicians Network (with 16 medical practices), Hospice of Scotland County, Scotland Family Counseling Center, and the Scotland Memorial Foundation. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Pope has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving health care delivery in rural and underserved communities.

Under his leadership, Scotland Health has launched several transformative initiatives:

Strengthening the nursing and medical assistance workforce through innovative recruitment and retention programs;
Integrating Community Health Workers into their care delivery model to improve access and coordination; and
Expanding and enhancing service lines that prioritize care for underserved individuals and families.

"Beyond health care, Dr. Pope’s leadership has touched every corner of his community," said NCDHHS Office of Rural Health Director Maggie Sauer. "His work exemplifies how the power of rural drives resilience, creativity and connection — qualities that define this year’s National Rural Health Day theme, ‘Rural Rising.’"

Additional information about National Rural Health Day, including resources and tools, can be found at PowerOfRural.org. To learn more about the Office of Rural Health, check out the NCDHHS' Office of Rural Health webpage.