At this event, we will be presenting the findings of our recent Community Needs Assessment. “Rural Pennsylvania Counts: An Assessment of Need in Central Pennsylvania” was conducted in 2009 to assess the health and human service needs in our 5-county service region, which includes Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. This event will be your opportunity to receive the most comprehensive presentation of these findings.

In addition, we will be presenting information regarding local impacts of healthcare reform. The afternoon will include break-out sessions to create action plans to address local needs. The break-out session topics include Transportation, Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Coordination of community service information & referrals and Child Care.

We are hopeful that you will join us for this exciting and informative event. The cost is only $20.00/person (student rate of $15.00/person), which covers our cost of lunch and other refreshments. The deadline for registration is September 24, 2010. This event is open to anyone, but pre-registration is required. To download the registration brochure, click here.

This event is made possible through grant funds from the Degenstein Foundation and in-kind support from Susquehanna University and Geisinger Center for Health Research.

Choose the date you would like to dress down.  It can be held weekly, monthly, or yearly.  Your company will be joining many others in the Central Susquehanna River Valley in an effort to provide the continued free health programs for children, families, adults, and seniors that ACTION Health provides.  Dress Down for ACTION Health is a fun and easy fundraiser that costs your company little to nothing.  Dress Down Day will be enjoyable for your employees, and helps support ACTION Health!

Contact ACTION Health at (570) 275-9150 to learn more about this initiative or to schedule your Dress Down Days and receive your Dress Down Fundraiser packet.

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.

Our project started with a comprehensive survey of local food banks, which enabled us to collect all the vital information about these facilities, including their hours of operation, average number of participants, and ability to store perishable food items. This information was compiled into a database and distributed to local farmers, asking them to donate their excess produce to local food banks. In addition, flyers and media releases have been distributed both last year and this year to encourage local gardeners to donate their excess produce. Despite these efforts, donations have not significantly increased.

Our project also includes educational components for the food bank recipients. Produce cards have been created to teach participants how to store and prepare local produce, so that no healthy foods go to waste.

In addition, we’ve reached out to local grocery stores inquiring about their protocols related to produce that is no longer eligible for sale, but could still be classified as usable nutritious food. Unfortunately, there is no designated recipient for these items to be donated and instead they are disposed of. As members of the Community Wellness Task Force of ACTION Health, we are trying to find ways to make this project work.

At the June meeting, limitations to the project were discussed and several challenges were identified. First, local food banks are only open for small windows of time throughout the month, making distribution of perishable produce quite difficult. In addition, delivery of the produce from donors to the food bank can prove difficult, given the limited shelf life of the produce and the limited hours of the food banks. Once the produce is actually available at the food banks, it is difficult to get food bank recipients to pick it up if it is not a regular food distribution date. In addition, local farmers have growing financial obligations and donations can be challenging for them.

We would like to take this opportunity, with the aforementioned limitations in mind, to invite you, the reader, for input or thoughts you may have on this project. We have compiled the data from the local food banks and feel this project could have a significant impact in our community. But with these limitations, we need support from the community to find a way to increase donations and access to healthy foods for residents in our area that need it the most.

Our program extends from May through September (our local growing season).  If anyone has questions, thoughts or feedback concerning where to drop off produce, how to increase produce donations, how to participate in the program, or any other suggestions, please call ACTION Health at 570-275-9150.

This partnership provides new opportunities for community and academic engagement for Susquehanna students, faculty and administration. Students will have access to numerous health-related programs during the fall 2010 semester, as well as unique internship and service-learning opportunities. Faculty will have the opportunity to work directly with ACTION Health’s recent needs assessment data, “Rural Pennsylvania Counts,” which can supplement existing research initiatives focused on health care needs in the central part of the state.

Ed Clarke, director of foundation and government relations at Susquehanna, and Terry Winegar, dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences and professor of psychology, have recently joined the ACTION Health Board of Directors and will be working directly on organizational initiatives.

“Susquehanna is excited to partner with ACTION Health,” Clarke said. “We recognize the value they bring to the region and look forward to the many opportunities for collaboration that we hope will ultimately strengthen programs benefitting children, families and seniors in our communities.”    

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work more closely with Susquehanna University,” said Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health. “This new partnership expands our ability to reach out to new populations, including students and faculty, as well as increase our research initiatives and build new programs and partnerships.”

ACTION Health has worked with Susquehanna in the past at health-related events.  This coming year will establish more programs hosted by ACTION Health and its four task forces.  The presentations will be for students, faculty, and the community. The programs are free and offer important information on health and wellness.

Founded in 1858, Susquehanna University is a national liberal arts college that prepares students for achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, interconnected world. Academic excellence, study away and service learning, student-faculty collaboration, and rich opportunities for creative and personal growth are hallmarks of a Susquehanna University education. Susquehanna students come from 36 states and 13 countries, and more than 90 percent of them find jobs or pursue graduate study within six months of graduation. The university is located in central Pennsylvania, in the town of Selinsgrove, along the banks of the scenic Susquehanna River and about three hours from major East Coast cultural, financial and recreational centers.

To learn more about Susquehanna University, visit Susquehanna_University’s_website.

Here you will find a summary of the methods and process used and some of the most striking results found. In addition, ACTION Health will be highlighting a different topic area monthly and providing additional results, data, tables and/or graphs. So please check back on our website often to learn even more about the needs of our community.

A special thank-you goes out to the following individuals, without which this project would not have been possible:

• Sharon L. Larson, PhD, Geisinger Center for Health Research and Principal Investigator
• Carl Milofsky, PhD, Bucknell University and Co-Investigator
• Heather Feldhaus, PhD, Bloomsburg University and Co-Investigator
• Chelsie Hauer, Geisinger Center for Health Research and Project Coordinator
• Administration & staff of the Geisinger Center for Health Research
• Nicholas Szumigraj, Bloomsburg University Intern
• Christine Kearns, Bloomsburg University Intern
• Christopher Damiano, Bucknell University Intern
• Steven Schmaltz, Bucknell University Intern
• Sonja Blazekovic, Bucknell University Intern
• Focus group participants
• Insight interview participants
• Survey respondents
• ACTION Health Board of Directors, Oversight Committee, and staff

Where: Evangelical’s Educational Training Center (next to Staples in Lewisburg)

ACTION Health’s Aging & Wellness Task Force and Evangelical Community Hospital are partnering to bring you this informative session.  The purpose is to educate families, friends and anyone interested in learning more about the similarities and differences of Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD) and Asthma. 

The evening will begin with welcoming and refreshments, followed by a presentation by keynote speaker Deb Sanders, PhD, RN, GCNS, BC, “The ABC’S of COPD and Asthma.”  Following the presentation, Deb will join a discussion panel of several professionals from the field of respiratory health to answer questions audience members may have concerning COPD and/or Asthma.  The respiratory panelists will include:  Deb Sanders, PhD, Susan Sidler, RT, and Dr. Sutton, Allergist. Concluding our program, there will be a great door prize drawing at 8 PM (winner must be present to win).  To register, call (570) 522-2693 or go to www.evanhospital.com.  Walk-ins are welcome as well.

The program was sponsored by the Psychology Association of Bloomsburg University. This student organization provided a donation to off-set the cost of the refreshments, promoted the event on campus and even advocated with faculty to offer academic incentives for student attendance. ACTION Health is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Psychology Association, who sponsored an event last semester and has pledged their ongoing support for upcoming programs.

ACTION Health also wishes to thank the other sponsors of the event, including GIANT Food Stores, Russell’s, Steph’s Subs, Subway, and The Washery System Car Wash, and Weis Markets, who each provided generous donations towards door prizes and refreshments. With these sponsors and the partnership with the Psychology Association, this program was a great success.

This year, 14 Exemplary Community Partner Awards were presented to various individuals, organizations and programs across the 5-county region ACTION Health serves. Each of the award recipients were nominated by one of the ACTION Health task force groups, which include Aging & Wellness, Cancer, Community Wellness and Dental.

Among the award recipients were the Bloomsburg University Psychology Association, Southern Columbia Area Middle School, the AmeriCorps program, 2 physicians, 4 local health care providers and several other organizations & programs. A complete list of the award recipients can be found by clicking here: 2009_Award_Recipients

In addition, the officers of each ACTION Health task force were presented an award for their time, effort and hard-work in serving the task force over the last year.

The presenting sponsor of the event was Capital BlueCross and Kim Capers, Chip Outreach Coordinator, welcomed attendees and thanked the various community partners, Board of Directors and staff for working together to promote healthy lifestyles. The event was also sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and Herring & Roll, P.C.

Corinne Klose, ACTION Health Board President and VP of Nursing at Shamokin Area Community Hospital, also provided opening remarks. She noted the importance of community partnerships, hospitals and universities working together and thanked the dedicated task force members for all their support throughout the year. She also thanked the sponsors of the event for their support and attendance.

As over 85 attendees enjoyed lunch, Brett Simpson, Executive Director of Quest and The Corporate Institute at Bloomsburg University, presented the keynote address. His presentation, entitled “More Than a Mountain,” described a 7 year project to climb the highest mountain in Mexico, Pico De Orizaba (18,500’). This journey provided many lessons on facing adversity head on, the challenging and rewarding aspects of teamwork and the discovery of a final recipe for success. The keynote address, which was highlighted by a breathtaking slide-show of photographs, kept attendees riveted and was extremely well-received.

Next, Allison Clark, Executive Director of ACTION Health, commenced the Awards Ceremony. She elaborated on the noteworthy accomplishments of each task force group and described the exemplary volunteer work provided by the award recipients.

The event was concluded by a basket raffle, sponsored by the task force groups and board of directors, and raised a total of $595.00. The proceeds will benefit ACTION Health and assist in providing ongoing community health education.

ACTION Health sends a sincere “THANK YOU” to all the Banquet sponsors, including Capital BlueCross, Highmark Blue Shield and Herring & Roll, P.C. In addition, we would like to thank the other donors, including Beiter’s Department Store in Danville, Dollar General in Danville and numerous individual donors.

To view pictures from the event, please click here: 4th_Annual_Awards_&_Community_Recognition_Banquet

“Many individuals in our community have heard of ACTION Health or attended our health programs,” said Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health, “but have not yet had the opportunity to attend our annual banquet. This event recognizes those individuals and agencies in our community that have contributed to successful programming and partnerships throughout 2009. It’s a great way for the community to hear about what we’re doing and meet those people that make our programs a success.”

The presenting sponsor of the banquet is Capital BlueCross and they will be welcoming the attendees to this year’s event. The banquet will feature keynote speaker Brett Simpson, Executive Director of Quest and The Corporate Institute at Bloomsburg University, to present “More Than a Mountain.” This inspirational presentation will discuss facing life’s challenges and obstacles head-on. The event will feature an awards ceremony to present Exemplary Community Partner Awards and Task Force Officer Awards. The event is also sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield and Herring & Roll Certified Public Accountants.

The event also includes a Basket Raffle. “The baskets are sponsored by each of our 4 task force groups, as well as our Board of Directors and are extra-special this year,” said Clark. The basket themes will include a Chocolate Lovers Basket, Gardening Basket, Hot Beverages Basket, Pamper Yourself Basket and 2 baskets featuring a wide variety of restaurant gift cards with a value of over $150 each. Tickets for the Basket Raffle are $5.00 for 6 tickets or $10.00 for an arm’s length of tickets. Cash and checks are accepted the day of the event.

General admission tickets for the event are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Meal choices include Chicken Cordon Bleu or Stuffed Shells, along with salad, sides, dessert and beverage. But seats are limited, so please contact ACTION Health at (570) 275-9150 to purchase your tickets prior to April 7, 2010.