Bothwell’s Elizabeth Green receives Missouri Rural Health Excellence award 

Elizabeth Green received the Rural Health Excellence Award for Innovation at the 2026 Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) conference held Sept. 9-10 in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Green was recognized for her work with the Bothwell Regional Health Center Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) program.

In 2024 Bothwell was selected as one of six rural hospital community hubs to participate in the ToRCH pilot program. ToRCH is sponsored by the Missouri HealthNet Division, which manages the Missouri Medicaid program. 

It is a model of care that directs resources to rural communities to address the non-medical factors that impact health outcomes. Known as health influencers, these factors include safe housing, transportation and access to healthy foods. 

The MRHA award for innovation recognizes exceptional efforts to implement new, effective ways to improve health and strengthen rural communities. Green was nominated for the award by Kelsey Hague, Unite Us account executive. Unite Us is a secure software platform that connects health care providers and community organizations to coordinate whole-person care. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Elizabeth for the past few years on the ToRCH pilot program,” Hague said. “Through her leadership of the Pettis County program, she has built an extraordinary network of providers, community organizations and local partners all working toward making sure people can access what they need to live healthier lives. Elizabeth is the rare combination of innovator and doer. She doesn’t just talk about change, she builds it.”

Green has worked for Bothwell since 1995 and has been the ToRCH pilot program coordinator since October 2024. She said she was honored to be recognized. 

“When I started this ToRCH journey almost two years ago I had no idea the work and progress our team would accomplish,” she said. “We could not be successful without our community organizations, our amazing leadership board and the partnership with Unite Us.”

Through the program, Bothwell has implemented a screening questionnaire that patients answer before seeing their providers. Screening happens across Bothwell’s clinics, the hospital, Pettis County Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health, the Pediatric Place and through an online self-referral form. Those who qualify for the program can be connected to services through the Unite Us referral platform linking the hospital, clinics and community partners.

To date, more than 38,000 Medicaid screenings have been recorded, with Bothwell conducting 31,500 of that number. Referrals include home safety repairs, pest and mold remediation, medically tailored meals, nutrition counseling and health-related transportation.

The program extends to community-based organizations that help Medicaid participants. Since September 2024, the ToRCH Be Well Leadership Board has awarded more than $590,000 to support organizations serving Pettis County residents.

“We’re extremely proud of Elizabeth and her work leading our ToRCH program, and we’re grateful the MRHA has recognized her,” said Lori Wightman, Bothwell CEO. “She’s built something in Pettis County that’s already changing lives, and her work has laid the foundation for what Bothwell is doing now as a ToRCH Care hub anchor. We’re excited to see that impact grow as she continues her leadership as our ToRCH Care program coordinator.”

Bothwell was recently named one of 27 hub anchors for ToRCH Care, a state program based on the ToRCH pilot program. Bothwell represents hub 13, which includes Pettis, Benton, Morgan, Moniteau and Cooper counties.