College hosts rural health summit
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, except as credited
Penn College joined The Guthrie Clinic in hosting the Northern Tier Regional Rural Health Summit on Wednesday. More than 100 health care leaders, policymakers and community partners converged on Penn College’s main campus to address pressing challenges and opportunities facing rural health care in Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.
The daylong event featured speakers and interactive workgroup sessions focusing on access to care and delivery models, maternal health, and workforce development and pipeline strategies.
Presenters included Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; Dr. Debra L. Bogen, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; and Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.
In the opening address, Bogen revealed that health outcomes in the seven counties fall below state averages for several key indicators. She identified common challenges facing rural health care throughout the commonwealth: workforce, financial models, emergency medical services, behavioral health, the opioid epidemic and distance to care.
Penn College President Michael J. Reed and Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, president and CEO of The Guthrie Clinic, conducted a “fireside chat” focusing on how health systems and higher education can strengthen rural health.
“Penn College is proud to collaborate with Guthrie and fellow participants in this important health summit. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conversations that drive progress in rural health care,” Reed said. “Our robust nursing and health sciences programs, combined with our hands-on industry-focused approach, uniquely position us to support the health care sector in addressing workforce challenges and advancing solutions that meet industry needs.”
Penn College’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences is home to over 1,270 students enrolled in a variety of majors. In addition, Penn College Workforce Development offers a practical nursing program based in Wellsboro. Nursing is the largest program cluster at the college with 430-plus students.
In his welcoming statement, Reed noted that Penn College’s contribution to the health ecosystem includes graduates from the School of Engineering Technologies, who play an integral role in the construction and operation of health care facilities.
Collegewide, about 42% of graduates work in northcentral Pennsylvania.
The summit also included tours of Penn College’s Physician Assistant Center, including its Women’s Health Lab, and the Guthrie Maternity Oasis Mobile Unit.
“We were privileged to host this significant summit in partnership with Penn College,” Sabanegh said. “It was inspiring to witness so many leaders from a wide range of fields come together with a shared commitment: strengthen health care in our rural communities. We are grateful to all speakers and participants for their insights and engagement, which will help advance collaboration, innovation and access to care.”
Reed (left) and Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, president and CEO of The Guthrie Clinic, conduct a “fireside chat” focusing on how health systems and higher education can strengthen rural health.
