Marsha Delaney works as a registered nurse at the Grant County Health Department in Canyon City. The Eagle/HEATHER SHEEDY

CANYON CITY – Marsha Delaney, a registered nurse employed at the Grant County Health Department, was one of two Oregon nurses to receive the prestigious Rural Health Nursing Award presented during the Rural Health Conference held Oct. 4 in Bend. Delaney’s nomination by her employer, Grant County Health Department nursing administrator Johnnie Titus, was supported by various health care personnel within her office and around the county.

Of the award, Delaney said, “In nursing you don’t get a lot of kudos. … I was taken back and humbled.”

For 25 years, Delaney worked as a labor/delivery nurse at hospitals in Idaho and Washington. After moving to Grant County seven years ago, she stopped in at the Health Department office and was hired immediately.

Her main duties have involved immunizations and home visits, the Women, Infant and Children program, Babies First, Cocoon Program, Maternity Case Management, parenting classes and breastfeeding consultation. In addition, she serves on various committees including the Grant County Commission on Children and Families, Families First, Early Childhood, family assessment for Grant County Healthy Start Program, Early Childhood Steering Committee, Grant Branch Department of Human Services Review Committee/System of Care Advisory Board, and contributes to the Oregon Children’s Plan.

In the past few years she noted more collaboration among health care services and agencies within the community and applauded the commitment of people providing the services.

Co-worker Shannon Winegar, a fourth-year student nurse now learning from Delaney at Grant County Health Department, said “It’s been inspiring to be under a good teacher.”

Marsha’s husband, Gary is the Grant County ag extension agent. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.