Kylie Nissen, senior project coordinator for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) program at the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health (CRH), received the 2012 Emerging Leader Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) at a ceremony held October 17 during NOSORH’s 2012 annual meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. Nissen received this national award on October 17 during NOSORH’s annual conference in Madison, WI.
NOSORH presents its Emerging Leader Award each year to a State Office of Rural Health staff member who has demonstrated new leadership, initiative, involvement and commitment to the mission of NOSORH or State Offices of Rural Health. The recipient may be a new staff member or existing staff member who has newly demonstrated exemplary communication skills, passion or understanding of an issue that enhances education advocacy or partnerships to improve rural health. Recipients for this award are chosen from a pool of nominations submitted from peers and are selected by a national panel.
According to CRH Associate Director Lynette Dickson, “Kylie is a young professional who leads by example with vision, drive, and creativity. She thrives on being actively engaged and contributing in her own state, in the region, and nationally through NOSORH always with a can do spirit and positive attitude.”
Nissen is actively involved in NOSORH work such as planning regional and annual meetings and currently serves as co-chair of the Communications Committee. She is also a member of the Center for Rural Health’s wellness, communication, and technology committees; she also serves as the executive director of the North Dakota Rural Health Association and provides consistent guidance to the board in order to keep the organization moving forward.
“It is an honor to receive this award from NOSORH,” Nissen says. “They are an amazing group to be a part of. Being able to go to work each day and love and feel passionate about what I am doing is a true gift. The mentorship and support from co-workers at the Center for Rural Health has inspired me and taught me that what we do really can make a difference.”
Photo Caption: Kylie Nissen (center) receives the 2012 NOSORH Emerging Leader Award from North Dakota Center for Rural Health Associate Director (and NOSORH Past President) Lynette Dickson and NOSORH President John Barnas.
