Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health

05/05/2026

We had a great time last week at the 2026 Community and Public Health Conference, Sponsored by Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, The Pennsylvania Public Health Association, The Pennsylvania Rural Health Association, Penn State College of Medicine's Public Health Program, The Society for Public Health Education, Pennsylvania Chapter, and Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center.

If you joined us, let us know your favorite part of the conference below. If you weren't able to join us, we hope to see you next year!!

11/25/2025

Congratulations to the Cameron Elk Su***de Prevention Task Force’s 989 Lifeline Challenge for being awarded Pennsylvania Regional Health Program of the Year during Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania!

11/25/2025

We were honored to take part in National Rural Health Day celebrations in Wayne County last week!

Commissioners were joined by representatives from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health , Pennsylvania Rural Health Association, The Wright Center, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers and the Himalayan Institute for the Rural Health Day 2025 Proclamation.

The day celebrates the need for rural health throughout our communities and the unique solutions to the challenges of rural healthcare.

10/23/2025

Earlier this week, PORH co-hosted the 2025 Rural Health Care Transformation Summit with HAP. Many thanks to our presenters including representatives from DOH, Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, WIPFLI, and The Compliance Team and HAP.

10/23/2025

Call for Abstracts for the 2026 Pennsylvania Community and Public Health Conference

Tentative Dates are April 27-30, 2026

The Pennsylvania Public Health Association, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, the Penn State College of Medicine’s Public Health Program, the Society for Public Health Education - Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, announce the 2026 Pennsylvania Rural Community and Public Health Conference. This outstanding multi-day event will highlight community and public health issues and initiatives to support diverse and underserved populations. Abstracts are now being accepted on topics that address:

· Innovative community and public health strategies.
· Best practices in improving the health of special and underserved populations, with a special focus on migrant and immigrant farmworkers.
· Use of data-driven and evidence-based practices in public and community health; and
· Intersection of public health and nutrition.


Abstracts may be delivered in two formats, oral or poster. Please note your preference on the submission form.

The deadline for submitting abstracts is November 14, 2025.

For more information, contact Karen Burke, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at klb520@psu.edu or 814-865-3647.

10/06/2025

The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health is pleased to invite nominations for the 2025 Pennsylvania Rural Health Awards!

The 2025 Rural Health Awards will be presented in the honoree’s community during Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, November 17-21, 2025, which encompasses National Rural Health Day, November 20, 2025.

The deadline for nominations is October 17, 2025

Award categories include:

State Rural Health Leader of the Year
Community Rural Health Leader of the Year
Rural Health Program of the Year
Legislator of the Year
Rural Health Hero of the Year

For more information, contact Karen Burke, Outreach Coordinator,
Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at klb520@psu.edu or 814-865-3647

Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health; Awards: Pennsylvania & Community Leader, Program, Legislator, and Hero of the Year. Make a Nomination Here. Call: (814) 863-8214

10/06/2025

Check out this podcast episode from Fors Marsh featuring our very own Lisa Davis!

10/05/2025

Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Announces a Call for Abstracts for the 2026 Pennsylvania Community and Public Health Conference!

Tentative Dates are April 27-30, 2026

The Pennsylvania Public Health Association, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, the Penn State College of Medicine’s Public Health Program, the Society for Public Health Education - Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, announce the 2026 Pennsylvania Rural Community and Public Health Conference. This outstanding multi-day event will highlight community and public health issues and initiatives to support diverse and underserved populations. Abstracts are now being accepted on topics that address:

· Innovative community and public health strategies.
· Best practices in improving the health of special and underserved populations, with a special focus on migrant and immigrant farmworkers.
· Use of data-driven and evidence-based practices in public and community health; and
· Intersection of public health and nutrition.


Abstracts may be delivered in two formats, oral or poster.

Please note your preference on the submission

The deadline for submitting abstracts is November 14, 2025


For more information, contact Karen Burke, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at klb520@psu.edu or 814-865-3647.

08/28/2025

As children go back to school, check out the new Smile Hub from our friends and partners at Healthy Teeth, Healthy Children: A PA Medical/Dental Partnership!

Discover HTHC's EPIC model for oral health trainings. Enhance pediatric and prenatal oral health in your office. Join our live or remote sessions. More info at hthc@paaap.org.

08/25/2025

At PORH, we have respect and gratitude for the work that Community Health Workers do to support the health of rural communities.
August 25-29 is National Community Health Workers Awareness Week. Uplift a CHW in your life today!