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راة«س°؟â and Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC)’s joint podcast, Rural Health Pulse, continues with part two of the three-part series highlighting the 2023 راة«س°؟â and IRMC Second Annual Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference.
This part two of episode nine discusses the Pennsylvania rural health model with Punxsutawney Area Hospital President Dr. Jack Sisk, the role of Area Health Education Centers with Dr. Dennis Gingrich, and reflections of a rural physician with Dr. Richard Whalen, an internal medicine specialist in Titusville, with more than 31 years of experience in the medical field.
The Rural Health Pulse podcast is available for free on Spotify and from the IRMC website.
The podcasts include professionals from IRMC and from راة«س°؟â. It is recorded by students in the راة«س°؟â Department of Communications Media under the direction of communications faculty member Dr. Mark Piwinsky and is produced by راة«س°؟â Director of Strategic Partnerships Christina Koren. Dr. Jim Kinneer, IRMC Chief Human Resources Officer, serves as the host for the shows.
The Rural Health Pulse podcast is part of a continued collaboration between راة«س°؟â and IRMC on the topic of rural health care, focusing on issues and stories impacting the health of the region and programs and initiatives designed to improve healthcare and wellness.
The 2023 conference was held at راة«س°؟â on Nov. 16 in celebration of National Rural Health Day; the 2024 Conference is planned for Nov. 21 and is open to the community. Pre-registration is required and can be made at
The first part of episode nine recapping the 2023 conference features these keynote presentations:
- “Preparing for the Next Generation of Physicians,” presented by Bergitta Cotroneo, chief operating officer, American College of Physicians, a 1980 راة«س°؟â graduate and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient;
- “Pathways to Solve Pennsylvania’s Rural Physician Workforce Challenges,” presented by Benjamin Frederick, director, Global Health Center; director, Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center; Doctors Kienle Chair for Humane Medicine; professor of family and community medicine and of public health sciences and humanities, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine;
Episode eight of season two features راة«س°؟â biology faculty member Dr. David Janetski discussing the critical role that freshwater ecosystems play in every community.
In episode seven of season two, “Critical Support: Addressing Rural EMS Funding and Workforce Challenges and Solutions with Citizens’ Ambulance, B.J. Pino and Dr. Reba Johnson of Citizens’ Ambulance discuss Pennsylvania's evolution and current state of emergency medical services (EMS).
In episode six of season two, Dr. Kinneer discusses genomics research and rural health with راة«س°؟â Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Nick Jacobs, of Windber, co-founder and president of the Windber Research Institute (now The Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Molecular Medicine in Windber), and the founder of the Clinical and Translational Genome Research Institute, a research institute that is now part of Southern California University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles.
Podcast episode five, season two, is “Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases” with راة«س°؟â biology professor Dr. Thomas Simmons. In this episode, Dr. Simmons discusses ticks and the diseases they transmit, drawing on his extensive background and pioneering research about tick-borne diseases. He also offers prevention and safety recommendations to help people stay protected during tick season.
Season two of the podcasts was launched Nov. 16, 2023, as part of راة«س°؟â and IRMC’s National Rural Health Day events, and features Jacobs in an episode titled “Promoting Integrative Wellness in a Rural Community.” This episode is a discussion with Jacobs and Dr. Kinneer on the realm of complete holistic wellness, offering insights into health prevention and wellness strategies developed during Jacob’s tenure as a hospital executive, providing a holistic perspective on healthcare and encouraging innovative thinking for rural communities, particularly when considering the topic of wellness.
Season two episode two features IRMC Director of Ambulatory Social Services Rachel Grove and Clinical Care Coordinator at IRMC Physician Group Jonathan Hunte, discussing how they work on a daily basis to help break down barriers to enable patients to overcome challenges in order that they can access services and resources in the local community.
Season two episode three focuses on the challenges and opportunities of rural healthcare with Dr. Lou Pesci, director of راة«س°؟â’s Institute for Rural Health and Safety. Dr. Pesci shares his experiences and expertise about navigating the unique dynamics of providing healthcare in rural areas, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing rural healthcare disparities. Dr. Kinneer and Dr. Pesci also discuss the role of the راة«س°؟â Institute for Rural Health and Safety in bridging gaps and providing essential services to rural communities through the Institute's multifaceted approach to enhancing rural health and safety, including driver education, improvement programs, and first responder and emergency response team training.
Season two episode four features Dr. Hilliary Creely, dean of راة«س°؟â’s School of Graduate Studies and Research with Dr. Kinneer discussing the vital role of research at راة«س°؟â within the context of rural healthcare, exploring how research initiatives at راة«س°؟â are shaping the landscape of healthcare in rural communities. The show discusses innovative approaches, healthcare disparities, and the practical application of research findings led by a number of faculty and students, and uncovering the diverse ways in which research impacts the rural healthcare sector.
Upcoming episode topics planned for season two include the Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference highlights; stream water conservation; and the proposed راة«س°؟â college of osteopathic medicine.
The Rural Health Pulse podcast was launched in November 2022 in celebration of National Rural Health Day. Dr. Amanda Vaglia, family medicine physician and director of the IRMC Residency Program, is featured on the first episode of season one of the series, discussing the residency program.
Season one episode two of the podcast is an interview with Dr. Narayanaswamy Bharathan, chair, راة«س°؟â Department of Biology, and Jackie Sansig, IRMC director of Laboratory and Respiratory Services, discussing the evolution of the same-day COVID-19 testing process at IRMC by Dr. Bharathan, and the difference it made in patient care.
Season one episode three features Dr. Rick Adkins, professor of mathematics in the راة«س°؟â Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, discussing the community wastewater surveillance system. Indiana Borough has had a sewer surveillance program with Biobot Analytics, Inc., since April 2020. Weekly flow samples are collected over a 24-hour period at the headwaters of the wastewater plant and sent to BioBot Analytics.
Season one episode four has IRMC’s Dr. Dan Clark, director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery and director of IRMC’s Comprehensive Breast Center, discussing robotics in surgery. Since coming to IRMC, Dr. Clark has been integral in IRMC’s successfully obtaining a second da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system. Dr. Clark serves as a national proctor for robotic surgery and plays an important role in certifying robotic skills competency.
IRMC’s five family medicine residents -- Dr. Nawar Al Janabi, of Baghdad, Iraq; Dr. Tanvi Bharathan, of Indiana; Dr. Mohit Chhatpar, of New York; Dr. Robin Rodriguez, of Corpus Christi, Texas; and Dr. Narinder Sangha, of California. – are featured on season one episode five of the podcast.
Season one episode six interviews Dr. Clark presenting an overview of breast cancer medical education and care from IRMC. Dr. Clark has more than 25 years of breast cancer experience and more than 12 years of experience with genetic counseling. In this role, Dr. Clark serves as a breast surgeon as well as a genetic counselor.
Season one episode seven features Dr. Steve Hovan, dean of راة«س°؟â’s John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and راة«س°؟â Distinguished University Professor, discussing راة«س°؟â’s John J. and Char Kopchick Hall, home to the Kopchick College.
Season one episode eight is an interview with Wendy Haislip, IRMC Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, discussing Pennsylvania’s rural health model and workforce challenges.
Season one episode nine features Erin Clark, director of راة«س°؟â’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and assistant professor in the راة«س°؟â Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services.
Season one concludes with a discussion with Katie Donald, marketing and public relations specialist at Punxsutawey Area Hospital, discussing rural healthcare models and challenges, in episode 10.