Southern Indiana Business Report
FRENCH LICK — Recognizing outstanding service in rural healthcare, the Indiana Rural Health Association selected Dr. Yolanda Yoder, chief medical director for Paoli-based Southern Indiana Community Health Care, as the organization’s 2021 “Doc Hollywood” award winner.
The winner of the annual award, which takes its name from a popular film where an inspiring urban surgeon discovers the rewards of practicing in a rural setting, is chosen by a group of independent medical professionals who review nominations from across Indiana. The award was presented before the keynote address from former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on June 16 at the annual IRHA conference at French Lick.
According to Dr. Cara Veale, IRHA CEO, Yoder was chosen for a variety of reasons. “Dr. Yoder’s exceptional commitment to high quality healthcare throughout her four rural county service area is well documented by medical peers, state officials, local leadership and patients themselves,” Veale stated. “As one local leader noted, ‘Our region relies on her for her wisdom, discipline, substance, truth, teamwork, responsibility and excellence. She is always willing to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. She’s a proven leader.’”
Veale spoke on Yoder’s work in mental health, including helping to establish Thrive Orange County to address critical adverse childhood issues. “Dr. Yoder quietly but aggressively champions the integration of high-quality mental health services directly in SICHC primary care service offerings,” she said. “She sees and understands the need for quality mental health services, especially as area residents face issues associated with the COVID-19 crisis. She powerfully recognizes the need for professional, peer and local support for dealing effectively with substance abuse issues and more importantly, recovery.”
Veale said Yoder insists on high standards of health care service delivery and leads by example, leveraging her unique position as a community physician to be a key influencer.
Regional medical professionals, including senior administrators at IU Health Paoli Hospital and the Center for Rural Engagement at Indiana University noted that Yoder is well known for her collaborative — rather than competitive — approach to establishing and elevating quality healthcare.
In receiving the award, Dr. Yoder expressed that she only wished the award could be made in the name of the entire team at SICHC. She said that group truly makes this level of service possible.
The “Doc Hollywood” award nomination is open to any individual in Indiana who has shown dedication toward improving health care in his or her own under-served community.
About SICHC
Founded in 1975, the non-profit Southern Indiana Community Health Care organization is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive, community-sensitive health care utilizing Christ-centered principles to medically under-served, rural communities. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, SICHC serves as a “safety net” provider for vulnerable populations and focuses on increasing access to primary care services for Medicaid and Medicare patients in rural communities. SICHC offers medical care in the medically under-served areas of Crawford, Martin, Orange and Washington counties.