ACTION Health and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania have worked together effectively on numerous health programs and events for several years. This partnership is now expanding into Bloomsburg University’s formal sponsorship of ACTION Health.

ACTION Health is a nonprofit agency which, through the support of sponsoring hospitals and universities, provides a wide variety of free community health outreach and education to Susquehanna River Valley communities. Bloomsburg University joins the other ACTION Health partners, including Berwick Hospital Center, Bloomsburg Hospital, Evangelical Community Hospital, Geisinger Health System, Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Sunbury Community Hospital, and Susquehanna University, in improving the health of local residents. Partners pay membership dues to support ACTION Health and representatives from each institution provide delegates to serve on the ACTION Health Board of Directors.

This partnership provides new opportunities for community and academic engagement for Bloomsburg University. Students, faculty, staff and members of the Bloomsburg community will have access to free health and wellness information and programs, and assist in the promotion of improved community health. Administrative representatives from Bloomsburg University will have a direct impact on the programs and services provided to the community by serving on the ACTION Health Board of Directors. BU’s students will have expanded opportunities for internships, work study positions and service-learning experiences.

Robert Marande, dean of BU’s College of Science and Technology, and Christine Alichnie, chair of the nursing department, recently joined the ACTION Health Board of Directors and will be working directly on organizational initiatives.

“Bloomsburg University is pleased to partner with ACTION Health to promote initiatives leading to better health for residents of communities throughout the region,” said BU President David Soltz. “We are delighted to be represented on ACTION Health’s Board of Directors by Dr. Marande and Dr. Alichnie, both of whom are involved in our university’s ongoing efforts to serve the health-related needs of our extended community and increase health awareness. We look forward to an active, engaged partnership.”

“This new partnership with Bloomsburg University enables us to further expand our programs and services to the college community,” said Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health. “We are looking forward to working with Dr. Alichnie and Dr. Marande on the board of directors, as well as working with additional faculty and staff to aid in the promotion of safe and healthy lifestyles.”

Find Bloomsburg University online at www.bloomu.edu.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.