Annapolis, MD – The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) and its membership convened at the Yellowfin Steak and Fish House in Annapolis on Wednesday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. for its Annual Meeting and Rural Impact Awards Ceremony. This annual event provides an overview of upcoming events and activities for 2025 and honors advocates for rural Maryland communities. Board Chair Susan O’Neill was the master of ceremonies for the evening and said, “It was a true privilege to meet and honor our Rural Community Advocates, each of whom exemplifies the spirit of service and dedication. Their work uplifts entire communities and motivates us to pursue our vision of a prosperous Rural Maryland, where resources flourish, economies thrive, and residents enjoy healthy, connected lives.”
This year, eight awards were presented for the 2024 Rural Impact Award Ceremony:
Outstanding Rural Community Volunteer Award to Rick Nelson whose volunteer service and leadership at Chesapeake Housing Mission (CHM) have transformed lives across Maryland’s Lower Shore. Rick personally designs and manages wheelchair ramp projects, ensuring accessibility and independence for those in need. To date, he has led over 120 projects, working with more than 1,800 volunteers to improve the lives of low-income families.
Outstanding Rural Community Volunteer Award to Sara Visintainer who served as Board President of Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) from 2018 to 2023. Sara led efforts that expanded access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care for over 30,000 patients annually. Her advocacy resulted in new health centers, expanded prenatal and pediatric dental care, mobile health units, and critical services in Kent County, ensuring broader access to quality care.
Outstanding Rural Community Development Award to Buck Browning, Executive Director of the Fort Ritchie Community Center for his exceptional leadership in improving the quality of life in Cascade, Maryland. Under his guidance, the Center has become a vital community hub, offering programs that support health, wellness, and recreation, including youth camps, kids’ clubs, and a full-service fitness center, all reflecting his vision to make it the best community center in America.
Outstanding Rural Economic Development Award to Maryland Area Health Education Center West (AHEC West) for their leadership in the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, which provided life-changing healthcare services to over 4,000 residents across the Tri-State area. From July 26 to August 7, 2024, AHEC West coordinated a partnership with the Department of Defense and local agencies, delivering more than 28,000 medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary procedures at no cost, saving the community an estimated $1.2 million.
“A Collective Voice for Rural Maryland”
Rural Champion Award to Senator ‘Jack’ Bailey has championed rural Maryland since joining the Senate in 2019, leveraging his conservation background to craft policies that balance environmental protection and community needs. His work with the Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commission has strengthened the agriculture industry, including rebranding the Northern Snakehead to boost conservation and the economy. Through his efforts on the Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, he ensures rural voices are heard and meaningful solutions are implemented.
Rural Champion Award to Mayor Darlene Taylor whose visionary leadership has transformed Crisfield, securing over $36 million for flood mitigation, $2 million for elevating City Dock, and $500,000 for a business incubator. As the first African-American woman mayor, she champions youth engagement through her nonprofit, impacting over 200 children. Her collaborative, community-driven approach continues to revitalize Crisfield and serve as a model for rural communities.
Rural Legacy Award to Santo Grande for his twenty-year leadership at Delmarva Community Services, where he expanded vital support for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and underserved populations across the Eastern Shore. His visionary approach has introduced innovative solutions in transportation, housing, and essential services, particularly benefiting rural communities. Santo’s advocacy at local, state, and national levels has strengthened partnerships and enhanced the quality of life for residents. His compassion and dedication have made a lasting impact, establishing Delmarva Community Services as a leader in the nonprofit sector.
Posthumous Rural Legacy Award to Leanne Dawn Bowman-Bodes (posthumously) whose visionary leadership as Executive Director of the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland profoundly impacted our community. Leanne’s dedication, from advocating for key programs in Washington to her leadership at the national level, ensured vital support for rural communities. Her legacy of service, commitment, and tireless work will continue to inspire Western Maryland for years to come.
The Rural Maryland Council operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. It serves as the state’s federally designated rural development council and functions as a voice for rural Maryland, advocating for and helping rural communities and businesses across the state to flourish and to gain equity to its suburban and urban counterparts. The vision for RMC is the ultimate realization that residents in rural communities are achieving success in education and employment, have access to affordable, quality health care and other vital public services, and live in an environment where natural and cultural resources are being sustained for future generations.
This year, five awards were presented for the 2021 Rural Impact Award Ceremony:
In 1994 when Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer signed an executive order designating a “rural development council” for Maryland, he had no way of knowing he would set in motion the formation of a new institution that would touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, not just in rural Maryland, but in every corner of the state.
Throughout its history, the RMC has never backed away from the big, difficult and often controversial issues like wastewater, inadequate access to health care, financial resources and broadband. From the beginning it has remained steadfast in problem solving using two important tools: Giving voice to rural Marylanders and creating partnerships.
Facilitating the addition of money to the Rural Broadband Assistance Fund. State funding for this initiative was $11.8 million between 2008 and 2011.