The Louisiana Rural Health Association, a non profit working to provide educational and advocacy opportunities relating to rural health in the state of Louisiana, announced the winner of its Louisiana Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award, Dr. Victor Jackson.

This years’ honoree received the award for his commitment to providing quality care to the most vulnerable populations. Caring for people with significant health disparities for over 30 years gave Dr. Jackson intimate knowledge of the challenges they faced when diagnosed with chronic diseases, specifically diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He had identified ways to get them the medications and necessary treatment they needed, but feelings of isolation and limited education were the primary barriers that prevented his patients from effectively managing their disease. This prompted the development of the ICCHC Health Academy/School of Wellness. Dr. Jackson hosts this twelve week course annually for his patients, free of charge. He coordinates guest speakers and group discussions that are designed to not only educate the patients about managing their diseases, but allow them to support and learn from each other. Dr. Jackson doesn’t ask the patient to do the impossible, nor are they expected to be perfect. He wants them to have the support they need and the basic tools to manage their disease daily.

Dr. Jackson practices internal medicine at Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center in New Iberia, LA. Iberia Comprehensive is a Federally Qualified Health Center whose purpose is to provide accessible, affordable primary health care for the uninsured and medically underserved. Dr. Jackson is a 1974 graduate of Meharry Medical College.