ARHW Toolkit

Recognition Activities

Below are some meaningful personal initiatives to consider trying in your community during in the coming weeks:

• Profile your health provider(s) in the newspaper
• Write a thank-you card
• Recognize the important days (birthdays, work anniversaries, etc.).
• Mention their accomplishments at community events
• Host a BBQ
• In coordination with local elementary or high schools, build opportunities where students’ work can be shared with or presented to your health provider
• Gift an appreciation basket
• Consider doing something to celebrate the health providers during their professional recognition day/week (For example: Nursing Week in May; Paramedics Week and Licensed Practical Nurses Week in June; Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) Week in November.) 

• Place a heart in a window
• Put up a drawing or messages of thanks in a window
• Put a drawing or message of thanks on a fence (laminate)
• Put a thank you sign up at the hospital entrance
• Organize a Neighborhood Window Walk (after residents have put things in their windows or on their fences)
• Create thank you posts for your website and social media
• Hold a backyard photo contest
• Create a thank you video
• Coordinate outdoor jam sessions
• Post messages of support to websites/social media
• Create a funny appreciation video (e.g. JibJab, etc) for health care providers
• Tag social media posts with #Ruralhealthmatters
• Coordinate a porch photography project where local photographers take pictures of community members on their porches, driveways, etc.
• Donate technology like iPads to groups who may not have it (e.g. seniors)
• Give a “shout-out” on the community’s  digital board or screens in the health facility
• Acknowledge health-care professionals at Village / Town/ County council meetings
• Drive-by parades!