Dickinson Center, Inc. Receives Rural Health Program of the Year Award
Front Row: Curt Proctor, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania; Lisa Davis, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health; Senator Joseph Scarnati; Jack Goga, Dickinson Center Chief Executive Officer; Patty Schake, Community Care Behavioral Health
Middle Row: Glenn Metzler, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Sally Walker, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania; Debbie Stahli, Dickinson Center Total Health Administrative Support; Tracey Williams, Dickinson Center Peer Specialist & Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation Director; Richelle Bauer, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Danielle Cesa, Dickinson Center Total Health Administrative Support, Tricia Brendel, Dickinson Center Total Health Director/Total Health Wellness Nurse; Jolene Wiesner, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Julie Papa, Dickinson Center Peer Specialist Supervisor; Yvonne Kastner, Dickinson Center Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation; Kacie Starr, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Toni Mosebarger, Dickinson Center Psychiatric Rehabilitation Director/Total Health Wellness Nurse
Back Row: Neil Quackenbush, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Denise Michalowski, Dickinson Center Blended Case Management Director; Sharon Barr, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Ginette Watts, Dickinson Center Outpatient Manager; Beth Sorg, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Michelle Chubbuck, Dickinson Center Peer Support Specialist; Kayla Grunthaner, Dickinson Center Total Health Navigator; Ray Graeca, Penn Highlands Healthcare Chief Executive Officer
(University Park, Pa.) The Total HEALTH Program at the Dickinson Center, Inc. received the 2014 Rural Health Program of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) at a Nov. 20 awards presentation at the Dickinson Center, Inc. in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. The award was presented during Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, Nov. 17-21. The week encompasses Nov. 20, which is National Rural Health Day, established in 2011 by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.
The Rural Health Program of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary health program that addresses an identified need in a rural community; uses unique, creative and innovative approaches; ensures access to the community it serves; includes statewide resources as part of the planning and evaluation process; and demonstrates a significant benefit to the target population. Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration, presented the award to Jack Goga, chief executive officer of the Dickinson Center, Inc.
The nomination, submitted by Curt Proctor from the Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania, recognized the Total HEALTH Program in its efforts to offer holistic treatment options to the residents of Elk, Cameron, and McKean counties to improve care coordination and better meet the health care needs of those communities. The program is a collaboration between Penn Highlands Elk, Dickinson Center, Inc., and an independent physician in Elk County, to provide primary and behavioral health care services to individuals with physical and psychological conditions. The organizations meet weekly to assess patient progress, ensuring they are up-to-date on all aspects of care so they can help patients achieve their goals and healthy outcomes.
PORH was established in 1991 to enhance the health status of rural Pennsylvanians and strengthen the delivery and quality of care in the communities in which they live. Each year, the organization 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 www.porh.psu.edu. Front Row: Curt Proctor, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania; Lisa Davis, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health; Senator Joseph Scarnati; Jack Goga, Dickinson Center Chief Executive Officer; Patty Schake, Community Care Behavioral Health