SDSU Imperial Valley nursing professor joins the 2025 National Rural Health Association Fellowship

Shiloh Williams, SDSU Imperial Valley assistant professor in nursing, joined the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) in 2022 to share rural health and health literacy research expertise. Now, Williams has been selected as one of the 18 fellows to participate in their yearlong program. 

As part of the association’s 2025 class of Rural Health Fellows, selected participants gain unique experiences and knowledge around the health policy development process, advocacy and have access to a network of key individuals who can support initiatives in the region and across the nation. 

For Williams, she says, her background as a registered nurse, health care administrator, educator and scholar allows her to well represent Imperial Valley. 

“What attracted me the most about NRHA is that their approach is ‘rural first,’” said Williams. “They go in depth to understand communities and create models that best work for them, regionally and nationally.”

Born and raised in Imperial Valley, Williams’ experience and expertise around health advocacy and literacy in a county near the U.S. – Mexico border will bring a fresh perspective that she hopes will bring real solutions. 

“I am excited to better understand how policy is developed and how we, as leaders, can create equitable health policies,” said Williams. “It’s often that agencies create models using data from other regions and when it’s time to apply them, it may not always resonate or work for our communities. I hope my perspective will change that for Imperial Valley and other communities alike.”

The fellows selected come from all over the country, including states like Washington, Alabama and Texas. 

“These leaders represent various levels of rural health expertise. We look forward to continuing the tradition of building rural health care leaders through this valuable program,” said Alan Morgan, NRHA CEO, in a press release. 

According to the NRHA, the fellows will connect with NRHA leaders and other rural leaders within the program. Fellows will often go on to serve leadership roles within NRHA or other rural health groups.

“All of the fellows bring their own research knowledge, which mainly is community-driven,” said Williams. “That is so key as we need to understand how to engage with issues that matter the most to our communities and see how we can best support them.” 

The 18 fellows will meet in February 2025 to launch the intensive program.