Alyson Kornele, CEO at West River Health Services, received the Emerging Rural Leader award at the 2024 Rural and Public Health Awards Banquet, which recognized outstanding North Dakota rural health and public health advocates for their accomplishments. The award is presented to a new professional who has demonstrated tremendous promise for and commitment to improving the health of rural North Dakota residents. The awards banquet took place June 5 in Grand Forks.

Kornele has been at West River Health Services since October 2022. Originally, from rural Oklahoma, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Oklahoma and her master’s degree in healthcare administration from Oklahoma State University.

Despite being new to North Dakota, Kornele has shown great strength and passion to helping those around her. “I am continually impressed by Aly’s leadership abilities, dedication, and commitment to excellence,” said Carmin Erickson, chief nursing officer at West River Health Services. “Aly is deeply passionate about meeting the needs of her staff and the community, striving to deliver excellence in healthcare.”

In addition to her duties as CEO, Kornele is also a member of the City Chamber, Hettinger Housing Authority, and FFA. At the state level, she holds membership with the North Dakota Hospital Association and the North Dakota Healthcare Task Force.