Stephens County Commissioners honor hospital administrator, staff in Rural Health Day proclamation
The Stephens County Commissioners Court honored Stephens Memorial Hospital Administrator Brian Roland and his team during its Nov. 12 meeting, recognizing their contributions to rural healthcare and marking the county’s observance of National Rural Health Day on Nov. 21.
In a proclamation read by County Judge Michael Roach, the court highlighted the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing quality healthcare, including provider shortages, transportation barriers, and aging populations. Roach praised Roland’s leadership during his tenure, which began four years ago.
“Brian, thanks for leading the hospital for the last several years,” Roach said. “Accessibility, aging population—all those things are challenges that the hospital has navigated and are so important. I think sometimes we don’t appreciate, probably to the fullest, that economic development does not happen without a hospital. It’s the heartbeat in the community.”
Roland, who recently announced his resignation to move out of state, reflected on the vital role of rural healthcare in sustaining communities.
“Rural healthcare is the backbone of healthcare. Without it, our communities couldn’t survive,” Roland said. “You see what happens in communities where hospitals close. A lot of those communities do dry up because they cannot make it without a healthcare system of some sort.”
Roland also credited his coworkers, several of whom attended the meeting, for their dedication. “It’s the people that work there, like the group behind me, that serve every day, making sure that everybody’s taken care of and our doors are open,” he said.
Looking to the future, Roland noted several ongoing projects at Stephens Memorial Hospital, including a transition to critical access designation, new electronic health record systems, and upgrades to surgical suites. “We’ve got a lot of great things going on in 2025 and 2026… to help grow the hospital and make it even stronger for years to come,” he said.
The court unanimously approved the Rural Health Day proclamation and presented Roland and his team with recognition for their service. Roland’s final day as administrator is set for Dec. 6.
Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Commissioners celebrated Rural Health Care Day at their Nov. 12 meeting by presenting a proclamation honoring health care workers at Stephens Memorial Hospital. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
