Rural Health Coalition

Rural Health Coalition

The Rural Health Coalition aims to:

• Achieve efficiencies through regular coalition partner meetings and the launch of a survey to understand provider and community needs

• Address the barriers to local rural healthcare delivery through the development of a strategic plan

• Strengthen rural healthcare delivery through health systems evaluation, provider education, and intervention to address local barriers

• Expand access to the quality of basic healthcare services and health outcomes by including social determinants of health

• Utilize the collective RHC vision to develop sustainable models and expand goals for future funding opportunities

Figure: Rural Health Coalition catchment area

Benchmarks for Partner Success

• Engage all levels to identify gaps in rural healthcare

• Understand health system needs through engagement

• Plan and implement strategies, tailored from survey findings

• Focus on sustainable models and expanded goals

Current Initiatives

Engaged Coalition Meetings

• Program meetings held with partners, to learn organizational strengths and perspectives

• Leadership team identified main barriers to rural healthcare service delivery

Environmental Scan

Use a mixed methods approach, to focus in on areas such as:

• Workforce Shortages

• Sources of Clinical and Research Information

• Community to Clinical Linkage

Mobile Health

• Partnering with Penn State specialists and the Penn State Mobile Units to bring care to FQHC locations

• Offering screenings and primary care in low resource communities

PA-wide Initiatives

• PA Office of Rural Health

• Farm Bureau

• Extension Offices

• Mobile Clinics

Penn State Partnerships

• Cancer Institute

• Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

• Department of Ophthalmology

Contact Us

For more information, email PAruralhealthcoalition@psu.edu.