Chris Collins, Director for the Office of Rural Health and Community Care, got a surprise at the end of the March monthly staff meeting. Expecting to do a last call for the John W. Price “Out of the Park” Employee of the Year award, Collins was surprised when former office director and current Deputy Secretary for Health Services Dr. Robin Cummings arrived unannounced to present the award to her.

The “Out of the Park” Employee of the Year Award is named for John W. Price, a former director of the Office of Rural Health and Community Care, who served the office for more than 30 years. 

In addition to his constant effort to ensure access to health care in rural and underserved areas of the state, Price was known around the office for his affection for baseball, having created a shrine to the sport in his office, with photographs, signatures, bobble heads and miniature baseball bats decorating his office.

Collins was recently appointed to the position of director of the Office of Rural Health and Community Care, having previously served in the position of acting director since August of 2013 and deputy director since October of 2008.

“We have the unique privilege to work closely and assist local communities,“ said Collins. “This is such a fantastic place to work if you are interested in being a lifelong learner.”

When the nomination team began to look through the nominations for the award, they were not entirely surprised to find that every ballot for the award went to Collins, a unanimous nomination.

Collins’ peers know her for her degree of personal sacrifice in helping others and for consistently working to raise the visibility of the office through outstanding leadership and tireless efforts. 

“There is no greater honor than to be acknowledged by your team,” said Collins to the staff as she accepted the award.  “The credit is as much yours as it is mine.”