The Delaware Rural Health Initiative teamed up with Beebe Healthcare on Nov. 17 to celebrate the 12th National Rural Health Day.
Rural health leaders gathered at Beebe Healthcare’s Hospital for Special Surgery to recognize three groundbreaking doctors and their local contributions to health care.
Honored were Dr. Fabricio Alarcon, CMO, La Red Health Center; Dr. Mark Borer, Psychiatric Access; and psychiatrist Dr. Jose Capiro. They have paved the way for integrated primary care and behavioral health services in Sussex County.
To make behavioral health care accessible in the primary care setting for all ages and cultures, this tireless group pushed through uncharted territory, sought nationally recognized expertise, completed advanced training and certification, and advocated for resources. and policies to implement the necessary services.
“Many important and innovative efforts are underway by individuals and organizations to change Sussex’s target health trends,” said Brian Olson, president of the Delaware Rural Health Initiative. “People in Sussex face unique challenges in accessing care and unfortunately experience poor health outcomes with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and infant mortality, and addiction-related deaths caused by the opioid epidemic, which also exacerbates chronic conditions.”
The Delaware Rural Health Initiative is a partnership of many community-based, state, private, public and nonprofit organizations that support rural Delawareans through services and programs to expand access to primary care, mental health and oral health services.
National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to recognize that approximately 61 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural communities across the United States. Rural communities are wonderful places to live and work. That’s why nearly 250,000 people call rural Sussex County home.
Beebe Healthcare has been committed to serving Sussex County since 1916 and has driven the innovative growth of rural healthcare infrastructure with its expansion and focus on creating more access to care.
“We are focused on putting the health and well-being of our community first because Sussex County is our specialty,” said Dr. David A. Tam, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare. “Specializing in Sussex County means taking the necessary steps to truly understand the evolving health needs and expectations of our neighbors, and providing them with the services they want and need, close to where they live , work and visit. This is our commitment to you.”
