The Kentucky Rural Health Association began in 1999 as the vision of Dr. Wayne Myer, who at the time served the state as the Director of the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health.  The concept was developed according to the National Rural Health Association and their state-level organizations, which dotted the United States. Mr. Robert (Bob) Brooks served as the first elected President of KRHA, along with a Board of Directors dedicated to the mission and vision of the organization.

In 1999 KRHA hosted it’s first annual Kentucky Rural Health Association Annual Conference in Bardstown, Kentucky. The first conference hosted a unique slate of rural focused presenters, with about 60 people in attendance. Today, the KRHA Annual Conference hosts a variety of state and national level speakers to an attendance of 300 health-focused professionals and health professions students.

Over the years, the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health and the Kentucky Office of Rural Health continued to play an important role by providing administrative support to the Kentucky Rural Health Association. In 2013, after roughly 14 years of operation, the Kentucky Rural Health Association Board of Directors voted to introduce the first Executive Director position.

Through the efforts of a number of KRHA members the Executive Director position was developed and funded, with Tina McCormick being named as the first Executive Director on May 6, 2013.

Over the course of KRHA’s existence the landscape of rural health has seen drastic shifts including the Affordable Care Act and Managed Care Organizations. Through this all, KRHA has evolved to serve its’ members while staying true to the Mission and Vision of the organization – just as Dr. Myer had envisioned.