On Thursday, April 24, Kari Granz, Program and Communication Specialist for the Thumb Community Health Partnership (TCHP), was honored with the 2025 Rural Health Professional of the Year Award during a luncheon ceremony at the 28th Annual Michigan Rural Health Conference.
John Barnas, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Rural Health, presented the award to Ms. Granz, noting that the award “recognizes individuals who have shown exemplary dedication to improving health outcomes in Michigan’s rural communities”. Recipients are celebrated for their leadership, innovation, and lasting impact on rural health care. Since its inception in 1994, the award has been given to an esteemed group of rural health leaders, and Ms. Granz is a standout addition to that legacy.
Ms. Granz exemplifies the very qualities this award celebrates. Through her work with TCHP, she collaborates closely with community members, local organizations, and healthcare providers to design and deliver initiatives that address critical health challenges in rural areas. Her focus on building strong, sustainable partnerships — particularly in mental health, community engagement, and access to care — has made a measurable difference in the lives of rural Michiganders.
Among her many contributions, Ms. Granz has:
- Led the implementation of the Man Therapy campaign, a innovative initiative tailored to address the urgent issue of rural male suicide with culturally relevant, stigma-reducing strategies.
- Developed and supported two health career pipeline programs — one targeting middle and high school students, and another aimed at combating the regional nursing shortage by cultivating local talent and strengthening the rural nursing workforce.
- Helped launch ThumbCares.org in collaboration with Northeast MI 211, an online platform that connects residents to vital services such as healthcare, housing, and transportation, addressing essential social determinants of health.
Her day-to-day work helping individuals navigate health coverage options gives her a unique, on-the-ground perspective that informs the design of impactful programs, deeply rooted in the needs of the communities they serve.
Ms. Granz’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding access to care, advocating for essential resources, and ensuring rural communities remain a priority in the broader healthcare landscape. Her ability to identify gaps in care, unite stakeholders, and implement sustainable solutions has transformed the delivery of rural healthcare services across Michigan. When accepting the award, Ms. Grantz noted that “this award is a reflection of the incredible people who care deeply about rural communities, and show up each day to make a difference”.
Ms. Granz’s unwavering commitment to rural health has made her a trusted advocate and a catalyst for meaningful change in Michigan’s Thumb region.
Kari was nominated by the Man Therapy Evaluation team.