Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference

The IUP event will include a Breakout Session [Mobilize and Execute: Post Pennsylvania Regional Rural Health Summit Action Session], where we will hear status updates/progress from the previous 5 regional rural health summit workgroup leaders, and have a discussion of next steps for continued collaboration and impact in rural health initiatives statewide.

• 7:30 – 8:30 AM: Registration, Light Breakfast, and Networking - DeChurch Lobby
• 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Morning Sessions - Toretti Auditorium
• 8:30 - 9:00 AM: Welcome Remarks - Toretti Auditorium
  • Bonni Dunlap, PhD, Indiana County Commissioner
  • Michael Driscoll, PhD, President, IUP
  • Steve Wolfe, RPh, President and CEO, IRMC
• 9:00 – 10:00 AM: Implications of H.R.1 and Opportunities Under the Rural Health Transformation Plan - Toretti Auditorium
  • Moderator: Miko Rose, DO, Founding Dean, IUP Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Valerie Arkoosh, MD, Secretary, Department of Human Services
    • Debra Bogen, MD, Secretary, Department of Health
    • Michael Humphreys, Pennsylvania Commissioner of Insurance
    • Jason Kavulich, Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging
• 10:00 - 10:15 AM: BREAK
• 10:15 – 11:00 AM: Keynote Address - Toretti Auditorium
  • Nicole Stallings, President, Hospital and Healthcare System of Pennsylvania
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Panel: Government Impact on Rural Health - Toretti Auditorium
  • Moderator: Christina Koren, DEd, Director of Strategic Partnerships, IUP
  • Panelists
    • Michele Brooks, Senator, 50^th Senatorial District
    • Lindsey Mauldin, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, Deputy
    • Joe Pittman, Pennsylvania General Assembly, Senator and Senate Majority Leader
    • Jim Struzzi, Pennsylvania General Assembly, Representative and Chair, Appropriations Committee, 62^nd Legislative District
    • Arvind Venkat, MD, PA State Representative, 30^th Legislative District
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch - PNC Room
  • Poster display - Phi Sigma Kappa Rooms 6 & 7
  • Research Posters will be displayed throughout the day, offering an opportunity to explore innovative ideas and findings at your convenience. From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, the researchers will be present for a live Q&A session to discuss their work and answer your questions
• 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Panel: Healthcare Innovations in PA - Toretti Auditorium
  • Moderator: Hilliary Creely, JD, PhD, Assistant Vice Provost, IUP
  • Panelists:
    • Michael Roth, Director of Innovation, PA Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
    • Larry Nulton, PhD, President, Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center
    • Jeff Long, CEO Graystone
    • Mandi Paronish, Founder and CEO, Small Town Hope's Treehouse
    • Zane Gates, MD, Founder and CEO, Gloria Gates CARE
• 2:00 - 2:15 PM: BREAK
  • Please visit the research poster display, presented by IUP faculty and students, held in the Phi Sigma Kappa Rooms 6 & 7 rooms. Snacks will be available.
• 2:15 – 3:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions A
  • Breakout Session #1 - Building Sustainable Rural Health Systems: Policy and Prac􀆟ce for Cost Reduc􀆟on - Tore􀆫 Auditorium
    • Moderator: Clark Simpson, MD, President and CMO, Punxsutawney Area Hospital
    • Panelists:
      • Mark Volovic, PMCN CIO, COO
      • Steven Davis, Director of External Affairs, Rural Health Redesign Center
      • Jake Muskovitz, Special Projects, PA Health Care Cost Containment Council
  • Breakout Session #2 - Rural Health Innova􀆟on to the Classroom: K-12 Educator Workshop - PNC Room
    • Moderator: Susan Griffith, DEd, Director of Curriculum and Educa􀆟onal Technology, ARIN IU28
    • Panelists:
      • Mariha Shields, DEd, Training and Consulta􀆟on, ARIN IU28
      • Lacie Cook, MS, Curriculum Specialist, ARIN IU28
  • Breakout Session #3 - Advancement League Speakers - Conference Room 8
    • Moderator: Lisa Newell, Ph.D.
    • Panelists:
      • Alex Maiersperger, Advancement League Founder
      • Antwan Williams, Advancement League Founder
• 3:15 – 3:30 PM: BREAK
  • Please don’t forget to visit the research poster display, presented by IUP faculty and students, held in the Phi Sigma Kappa Rooms 6 & 7 rooms. Snacks will be available.
• 3:30 – 4:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions B
  • Breakout Session #1 – Rethinking Rural Health – Preparing for the Future - Toretti Auditorium
    • Moderator: Richard Neff, MD, Chief Medical Officer, IRMC
    • Panelists:
      • Travis Eckles, Senior Manager, Employee Benefits and Wellness at Sheetz
      • Wayne Maynard, Angel Flight, Indiana County, PA
      • Jacqueline McGinty, PhD, IUP Professor, College of Education and Human Services
      • Janice Walters, Executive Director, Rural Health Redesign Center
  • Breakout Session #2 – Pediatric Readiness in Rural Communities - PNC Room
    • Moderator: Amanda Vaglia, DO, Inaugural Program Director, IRMC, Family Medicine Residency Program 
    • Presenter: Kristin Juhasz, DO, UPMC Hammit, Emergency Medicine
  • Breakout Session #3 - Mobilize & Execute: Post DHS/DOH Regional Rural Health Summit Action Session for Rural Health Leadership - Phi Sigma Kappa Rooms 6 & 7
    • Moderators:
      • Karin Rhoades, MD, Special Assistant to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Secretary Valerie Arkoosh, MD
      • Miko Rose, DO, Founding Dean, IUP Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • A discussion with representatives from the 2025 Rural Regional Health Summits held across Pennsylvania. This session will provide an opportunity to share status updates, highlight progress made since each summit, and discuss next steps for continued collaboration and impact in rural health initiatives statewide.
• 4:30 – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks, Research Poster Awards, Hero Awards, Door Prizes - Toretti Auditorium
  • Moderators:
    • Jim Kinneer, PhD, Chief Human Resources Officer, IRMC
    • Lara Luetkehans, PhD, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, IUP