GET TO KNOW
Who We Are
Our mission is to bring community partners together to strengthen access to mental health, primary health and financial health resources, improving the health and wellness of families across the rural Central Texas communities of Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Lee counties.
Our Story
The Rural Whole Health Coalition (RWHC), formerly the Smithville Whole Health Partnership, was established in 2014 to bring organizations and community leaders together to improve health and wellness through collaboration.
What began as a local initiative has grown into a regional coalition serving Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Lee counties. Today, RWHC convenes healthcare providers, nonprofits, educators, workforce organizations, government agencies and community leaders to address regional health challenges by strengthening access to mental health, primary health and financial health resources across rural Central Texas.
What We Do
We bring together organizations and communities to leverage resources, partnerships, and funding for increased community wellness and access to care, and lifelong learning programs and services.
We partner with cross-sector organizations to promote community health via education,
screening, and policy changes
We foster communication between organizations
and the community to enhance awareness
We share information about the health progress
of our community
We help connect services with the community
What We Believe
Our Guiding Principles
What We Believe
Our Guiding Principles
Health is a Shared Responsibility
Wellness and health are not just individual concerns but a shared responsibility of the entire community, including the private sector, governments, schools, families, and individuals at risk.
Take an Asset-Based Approach.
We recognize the strengths, talents and resilience that already exist within individuals, families and communities. We build on those assets rather than focusing solely on challenges.
Serve the Whole Community through a Systems-Oriented Approach.
We believe improving community health requires more than addressing individual needs. We work alongside partners to strengthen systems, resources and opportunities that support healthier communities across the region.
Empower People and Families.
We commit to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge, cost-effective care, and tools they need to take their health into their own hands.
Our Approach
Areas of Impact
RWHC brings together people from diverse backgrounds to address complex health challenges in rural Central Texas through collaboration and collective impact. By building cross-sector partnerships, sharing resources, and focusing on Primary, Mental and Financial Health, RWHC works to improve community wellness.
Our Team
The Rural Whole Health Coalition brings together a steering committee, dedicated workgroups, and a supportive staff team that helps guide and connect our efforts. Together, we collaborate to strengthen health and wellness across rural Central Texas.
Executive Board
Phillip Marquette
RWHC Chair
Texas Public Safety Training Academy, Assistant Chief
Kristi Farquar
RWHC Co-Chair
Smithville Community Clinic, Executive Director
Linda Nowlin
RWHC Treasurer
Career Tracks, Bookkeeper
Rebecca Powe
RWHC Board Member
BRIDGE, Co-founder
Julie Miller
RWHC Board Member
Ascension Seton, Director of Nursing
Steering Committee
Jill Strube
City of Bastrop, Business and Community Development Manager
Judy Bergeron
City of Smithville, Library Director
Sharlene Scheler
Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Wesley Nurse
Janice Bruno
RWHC, Project Coordinator
Jose Rivera
RWHC, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications
Tessy Dorantes
Bastrop Prescription Assistance Program
Ascension Seton, Coordinator
Ronnie Holt
Career Tracks, Interim Executive Director
Staff
Kimberly Craig, MSN, RN, COHN-S
Executive Director
Jose Rivera
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications
Janice Bruno
Project Coordinator