UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) recently presented four awards to honor organizations and individuals who took leadership roles in rural health causes. The awards were presented by Lisa Davis, director of PORH and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, in honor of the governor-proclaimed Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, Nov. 13-17. The week encompassed Nov. 16, National Rural Health Day, which was established in 2011 by the National Organization of the State Offices of Rural Health. Both events celebrate “The Power of Rural” by honoring rural American residents, health care providers and communities.
The 2023 Rural Health Hero of the Year Award was presented to Dr. George Garrow, CEO of Primary Health Network in Sharon. The Rural Health Hero of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding leader who demonstrates a personal and professional commitment to the rural needs of their community, works with relevant organizations to develop or expand a program that addresses an identified need, and goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Garrow was recognized for his exceptional dedication and leadership in addressing rural health care challenges in Pennsylvania. His extensive involvement on health care boards and councils, such as the Buhl Regional Health Foundation and the Mercer County Health Task Force, underscores his commitment to improving health care in Mercer County and beyond. Garrow’s collaborative efforts with organizations in multiple rural counties, along with his pioneering work in environmental determinants of health, exemplify his innovative approach to rural health issues.
His contributions, including recruiting primary care providers and providing training for medical students, make him a deserving candidate for the award and reflect his unwavering dedication to improving rural communities' well-being in Pennsylvania.
Bonnie Kent, operation manager and community liaison for the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville, received the 2023 Community Rural Health Leader of the Year Award. This award recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed or expanded an exemplary multi-dimensional rural community health program or initiative and who has demonstrated leadership to a rural community health program.
The Northern Dauphin Human Services Center serves as a “one-stop shop” with 14 agencies that provide access to a variety of services and programs to improve their quality of life for northern Dauphin County residents. Kent creatively fills gaps and engages the community and organizations to work together for positive change. By partnering with the Penn State student-run Collaborative Outreach Program for Health Equity (SCOPE), a mobile free clinic, Kent found a way to help improve rural health equity in her community, which led to SCOPE’s ability to build relationships and connect with the community by providing flu shots, health screenings, education, resources and community-friendly activities.
Kent’s dedication to improving the health of her community goes beyond her position and roles she fills. She gives grace, offers trust and builds relationships with the hope of seeing others change their lives for the better.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth (SAFE-T) System received the Rural Health Program of the Year Award. The award recognizes an exemplary health program that addresses an identified need in a rural community utilizing unique, creative and innovative approaches. The SAFE-T System, established in 2017 at Penn State University Park in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, was recognized for providing person-centered, evidence-based, trauma-informed forensic care for victims of sexual assault across Pennsylvania.
The equitable access model to healing care delivers 24/7 telehealth support and guidance during sexual assault forensic exams, ensuring patients take their first step toward healing in a familiar, local environment. Working closely with rural community partners including advocacy, law enforcement, district attorneys, and regional and state government officials, the SAFE-T System provides a comprehensive approach to developing improved patient outcomes. Ongoing research and evaluation components are integral to the success of the program.
Wayne Tomorrow! and the Wayne County Commissioners, located in Honesdale, first celebrated National Rural Health Day in November 2020, and proclaimed National Rural Health Day in Wayne County. The proclamation has been made each year to coincide with the national recognition on the third Thursday of November. Wayne County remains the only county in Pennsylvania to proclaim National Rural Health Day to celebrate robust and responsive health care system and the shared efforts to improve the health and vitality of all its citizens.
In recognition of their focus on National Rural Health Day, the Wayne County Commissioners received the 2023 National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health Collaborative Award on Nov. 16 to honor their efforts in bringing the health care community together each year to demonstrate “The Power of Rural.”
Representatives from Wayne Memorial Hospital, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers, the Wright Center for Community Health and the Himalayan Institute attended the award presentation to speak on the collaborative efforts to serve the citizens of Wayne County. Chairman Brian Smith stated, “The award signifies the county’s effort to model a cooperative environment for local health care providers.”
PORH formed in 1991 as a joint partnership between the federal government, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Penn State. The office is one of 50 state offices of rural health in the nation and is charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, networking and partnership development.
PORH provides expertise in the areas of rural health, population health, quality improvement, oral health, and agricultural health and safety. PORH is administratively located in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State's University Park campus.
Each year, PORH presents awards to recognize rural health programs and individuals who have made substantial contributions to rural health in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu.