JANUARY 9, 2025

AMITE RURAL HEALTH CLINIC WINS OUTSTANDING RURAL

        HEALTH ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

[AMITE, LA] – Amite Rural Health Clinic (ARHC) has been named the 2024

Outstanding Rural Health Organization of the Year award recipient by the Louisiana

Rural Health Association (LRHA). The clinic was chosen because of their initiatives to

improve access to health services and information for rural people through innovative,

comprehensive approaches. Other factors considered include outreach, preventive

health and education, quality/efficiency of care and community involvement.

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Amite Rural Health Clinic is a full-service healthcare practice and a division of Hood

Memorial Hospital that serves the northern part of Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding

rural areas. The ARHC team’s goal been focused on bridging the gap between

healthcare needs and available resources to improve outcomes for the community.

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“Through unwavering dedication to serving the rural population, the Amite Rural Health

Clinic team embodies the true spirit of rural healthcare,” states Mike Whittington, Hood

Memorial Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we have reduced emergency

room visits, promoted preventive care in an area where services are scarce and

fostered a healthier community.”

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To improve access to quality care, ARHC is open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday

through Friday – and from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. By offering extended hours

and flexible walk-in services, patients with scheduling challenges or transportation

barriers are able to receive the medical attention they need.

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Also, ARHC is located in a region where public transportation is limited or non-existent,

and distances between home and healthcare facilities can be considerable. ARHC

brings essential healthcare services directly to communities – offering screenings,

health education, and preventive care to those who might otherwise lack access.

Additionally, the team is present at local events and provides first aid services and

support.

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“Our clinic’s significance in rural healthcare cannot be overstated,” remarks Elizabeth

O’Neill, Clinic Operational Director. “The impact that our physicians, practitioners and

staff have made and will continue to make will improve the quality of life for those in our

community – and the future looks healthier because of it.”

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About Amite Rural Health Clinic

Amite Rural Health Clinic is a full-service healthcare practice and division of Hood

Memorial Hospital in Amite. A full complement of outpatient and diagnostic services, as

well as preventive, primary and same day walk in care for patients of all ages is offered.

Both the hospital and clinic share the same mission and goal of providing the highest

level of care affordable and incorporating empathy, compassion and a hometown

approach to those served.

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Amite Rural Health Clinic providers include Drs. Francis Cefalu, Mark Daunis, Diane

Kirby and Muhammad Shahid; Nurse Practitioners Shea Edwards, Tara Estay, Zandi

Hudspeth and Lindsey Misita. Amite Rural Health Clinic is located at 409 Northwest

Central Avenue in Amite. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-

11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

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Learn more at www.hoodmemorial.com.

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