BY KAREN BOSSICK

St. Luke’s physician Dr. Julie Lyons has been awarded the Idaho Rural Health Hero Award from the Idaho Rural Health Association.

The award recognizes rural health educators, community advocates, health care providers and program administrators who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to rural communities.

Lyons, who is soon to be Chief of Staff for St. Luke’s Wood River, was recognized as a strong advocate for the well-being of her fellow citizens in Blaine County.

She organized a vaccine drive during the pandemic for the Hispanic community. She formed a local coalition of women providers to advocate for improved birth control access. And she proposed four resolutions protecting reproductive health care at this year’s Idaho Medical Association’s House of Delegates.

She is a student preceptor at St. Luke’s Clinic Family Medicine in Hailey, meaning she guides medical students in delivering safe, quality patient care while bridging the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice.

When not working, she enjoys outdoor activities in the mountains with her husband Blair, an RN at St. Luke’s, and their sons ages 7 and 10.