HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County joined thousands of other counties across the country in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 17.

National Rural Health Day showcases the efforts of rural healthcare providers, organizations, the PA Office of Rural Health and stakeholders dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health and the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face today and in the future.

Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) CEO James Pettinato welcomed the recognition of rural health care at a time when it faces real dangers. He said that in the three years since WMH became part of the pilot for the PA Rural Health Model, a handful of rural community hospitals have closed.

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of the Wright Center, said their Hawley center opened to address the opioid crisis in the community and found an important partner in Wayne Memorial, which helped them achieve federal look-alike status.

Dr. Carrie Deremers of PureRejuv Wellness Center at the Himalayan Institute applauded the holistic nature of the recognition, including efforts to address the mental side of health.

Amanda Master of the Cooperage Project, and representing the Wayne Tomorrow! Health & Wellness task force, agreed with the importance of bringing together the holistic and the clinical to fight diseases of despair and build connections and community.

Marie Alexander, who coordinates health and wellness activities for the Wayne County Area Agency on Aging, talked about their efforts to address these topics with senior citizens through a variety of speakers and specialized programs on disease management and fall prevention.

PA Office of Rural Health executive director Lisa Davis joined Wayne County for the celebration. In 2021, she came to deliver the Rural Health Care Leader of the Year award to Dave Hoff, and in 2022, she returned to recognize Norma Nocilla, clinical operations and quality director for the Wayne Memorial Health Care Centers, with the same award.

Commissioner chairman Brian Smith thanked the various groups for attending, noting that all play an important part in the health care web, from the youngest children to the county’s honored seniors. Commissioner Joe Adams said all those who attended are a part of a network or continuum of services that are important to the area’s overall quality of life. Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer said that each organization has separate and diverse missions dealing with different aspects of health care, “but when we exercise our ‘Wayne Tomorrow! Muscle’ we all work together.”

This year marks the third time Wayne Tomorrow! has celebrated National Rural Health Day in Wayne County.

Mikki Uzupes serves as the Wayne County Community Network Specialist.