EDMOND — The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma recognized Shelly Dunham last week for her work in rural Oklahoma. Ms. Dunham received the “Rural Health Lifetime Achievement” award at the Awards Luncheon during the 2021 Rural Health Conference in Edmond, Okla. According to her bio,
According to her bio, Dunham has dedicated all of her adult life to some form of caring for and/or directing healthcare in the community. Dunham felt her background in nursing strengthened her ability to manage the everyday operations of the Okeene Municipal Hospital as the CEO. She was employed for 39 years with the Okeene Municipal Hospital.
Prior to being promoted to CEO, Dunham served as Administrator of Schallmo Assisted Living and Okeene Hospital Annex which was formerly a long term care facility, both of these facilities were managed by the Okeene Hospital. She also served as Surgery Supervisor in the hospital for three years. Dunham’s administrative career began at Baptist Medical Center in 1976 as Central Services Assistant Manager.
Dunham was an LPN for 17 years before receiving an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 1991 from El Reno Jr. College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and received the Award for Academic Excellence. Dunham retired from Okeene Municipal Hospital in June of 2021. She is enjoying retirement and has been busy tending her family’s vegetable garden, camping, and playing golf.
Corie Kaiser, Director of the Oklahoma Office of Rural Health and President of the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma, presented Dunham with the award. She quoted the nomination, submitted by Andy Fosmire, Senior Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives and Policy at Cohesive Healthcare Management & Consulting, saying, “Shelly has dedicated most of her career to caring for the residents of Okeene and northwest Oklahoma. Her amazing leadership as the “do it all” Administrator of Okeene Municipal Hospital, a small Critical Access Hospital that she has led through numerous changes with dignity and courage, easily qualifies her for this honor. But she earns this nomination because of her awareness that if she worked for the betterment of healthcare across the state, it would help improve healthcare in Okeene. Over the years, just a few of the organizations Shelly served are: the RHAO Board (including two terms as Chair), the Oklahoma Hospital Association’s Board, OHA’s Rural Council, OHA’s Education Committee, Cochair of the Governor’s Healthcare Workforce Committee, and the CMMS Outpatient Prospective Payment Advisory Committee. Serving on boards and committees is only a small part of Shelly’s leadership. She is a go-to advocate at the state capitol, always willing to go walk the halls at 23rd and Lincoln to help educate the legislators on the positive or negative impacts of bills they are considering. A final example of Shelly’s ability to get things done was her work on gathering signatures for the petition drive for State Question 802, to get Medicaid Expansion to a vote of the people. Shelly set the bar for the number of signatures gathered by a hospital CEO for all the others across the state. While there are many in Oklahoma who are deserving of the award, I cannot think of any better than Shelly Dunham.”
In her acceptance speech, Dunham said,“I’ve been involved with the Rural Health Association for many years and I want to thank them for everything they do. The mentors I have gained coming to this conference has been great. All of my employees at the hospital contribute to the success of Okeene hospital and I cannot thank them enough for all that they do.” Dunham received a stand
Dunham received a standing ovation from the almost 200 Rural Health Association of Oklahoma Award Luncheon guests and attendees at the Oklahoma Rural Health Conference.
The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s mission is “serving as a united voice for rural health in Oklahoma.” For information about joining the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma, or for conference information, contact Allison Seigars, (580)213-3177, agseigars@nwosu.edu or visit www.rhao.org.