William “Bill” Curry, M.D., professor emeritus in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science, has been named Alabama’s 2025 Community Star. The recognition, awarded at both the state and national levels, honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to improving health in communities with limited access to care.
The announcement was made by the Alabama Department of Public Health as part of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health’s Community Stars program. The program recognizes leaders across the country whose work reflects the Power of Rural, highlighting the compassion, innovation and collaboration that strengthen rural communities. This year’s Community Stars represent 47 states and were selected by State Offices of Rural Health and rural health advocates nationwide.
Curry is widely recognized for his long-standing commitment to improving access to quality health care in rural Alabama. Throughout his career, he advanced primary care, fostered rural health leadership and helped train future physicians. For 23 years, he served as associate dean for primary care and rural health while also contributing as a clinician educator and leader in population health. Earlier in his career, he practiced internal medicine in Pickens County, Alabama, where he was active on the hospital’s medical staff and board and worked closely with community leaders to address local health needs.
Among his many contributions, Curry established two medical school pipeline programs for students from rural communities through the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville campuses, helping educate and place physicians in those areas. He also played a key role in launching Alabama’s first statewide Area Health Education Centers program, which continues to support health workforce development across the state. In Tuscaloosa, he helped found the Institute for Rural Health Research, which focuses on population health and rural health priorities.
Curry’s influence also extends to innovative, community-driven solutions. While practicing in Pickens County, he worked with local physicians and residents to launch a grassroots campaign in support of a sales tax referendum that stabilized the county hospital. The effort not only helped secure the hospital’s future but also restored obstetrical services, contributing to a sustained decline in infant death rates.
At a recent faculty meeting, division director Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, praised Curry’s recognition, calling it a “really amazing achievement.”
Curry’s recognition as a 2025 Community Star reflects the work of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science, which brings together general internists and population scientists to improve health through research, education, clinical care and community partnership. His career demonstrates the lasting impact of working closely with communities and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes, particularly in rural Alabama.
Please join us in congratulating Curry on this well-deserved recognition.