November 12, 2009

Chad Nichols Named Health Care Advocate of the Year

MONTGOMERY - The Birmingham Business Journal awarded Chad Nichols, Assistant Director of Governor Bob Riley’s Alabama Rural Action Commission (ARAC), with its 2009 Health Care Hero Award as Health Care Advocate of the Year. Nichols was chosen over several finalists for the award at a special luncheon held last month at the Harbert Center in Birmingham where the keynote address was given by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.

“Chad’s done a great job on our initiatives and is very deserving of this award,” said Governor Riley. “He is working to improve access to health care in Alabama not only through our Rural Action Commission, but also as director of our KidCheck program and as a leader of our Black Belt Action Commission.”

Through his work on Governor Riley’s health care initiatives, Nichols has built coalitions between government agencies, hospitals, businesses, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations to improve the quality and accessibility of health care in our state. Through the Alabama Rural Action Commission, he helped create the KidCheck program, which brings school-based health screenings and follow-up treatment to tens of thousands of children in more than 30 participating Alabama school systems. Nichols also worked on the Black Belt Action Commission’s successful effort to eliminate a 1970s era state regulation that prevented dialysis centers from operating in rural areas without a hospital.

In 2006, Nichols received the Innovative Government Award from the AUM Center for Government for his leadership in the Black Belt. He was appointed by Governor Riley to serve on the Board of the Alabama Rural Health Association. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Diabetes Education Services and on the Community Advisory Board for the UAB Minority Health and Research Center.