Washington, D.C. – The National Rural Health Association announced the final selections for the 2011 Rural Health Fellows Program. After the completion of a competitive review process, 12 fellows were selected, amoung them was Mary Ellen Pratt, CEO, St. James Parish Hospital, Lutcher, to participate, in this year-long, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

“We are very pleased to announce this new class of fellows as this program enters its fourth year. Once again, this class represents various levels of rural healthcare expertise, With the successes achieved by the previous three classes, we look forward to continuing the tradition of building rural healthcare leaders through this valuable program,” said Alan Morgan, NRHA CEO.

Fellows will gain valuable insights and build critical skills in three primary domains:

• Personal, team and organizational leadership;

• Health policy analysis and advocacy;

• National Rural Health Association governance and structure.

For more information regarding the NRHA’s Rural Health Fellows Program, please contact Amy Elizondo, vice president of Program Services at Elizondo@

NRHArural.org or 202-639-0550.