The Rural Health Foundation (RHF) was formed to promote and further the mission of the entities represented by the board of directors’ members. These are the member organizations of RHF: Tahlequah Public Health Authority-Northeastern Health Systems; Northern State University; Cherokee Nation; and Cherokee County.

It is the primary mission of the Rural Health Foundation to enhance the health and well-being of Cherokee County Citizens as well as any citizen in Oklahoma. One of the target populations is those citizens who are at or below the poverty level and do not have access to health care or wellness information. The vision of operating programs and offering services is to address health issues and concerns in Rural areas. The Rural Health Foundation, Inc. embarked upon a mission to adopt a series of initiatives to develop and promote rural Oklahoma's health status. The RHF, Inc. supports the work of area health organizations to deliver needed prevention activities such as healthy living activities, promote nutrition, and encourage physical fitness. The various activities that the Rural Health Foundation has delivered upon in recent history are health fairs, working with the local Farmers’ Market, and assisting with gardening projects within the community.