Katie Donald Receives the Pennsylvania Community Rural Health Leader of the Year Award for

Katie Donald, Vice President of Professional and Corporate Services at Punxsutawney Area Hospital in Punxsutawney, PA, received the 2025 Pennsylvania Community Rural Health Leader of the Year Award, presented by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH). The award was given during an awards ceremony on November 20, 2025, by Lisa Davis, director of PORH and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State.

The Community Rural Health Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed or expanded an exemplary multidimensional rural community health program or initiative; demonstrates leadership to rural community health programs; uses comprehensive, unique approaches to address a specific health issue; and collaborates with community organizations to develop or expand a program that addresses health issues affecting rural Pennsylvanians.

The award was presented on November 20, which was National Rural Health Day 2025, established in 2011 by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, and the governor-proclaimed 2025 Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, November 17-21. Both celebrate the “Power of Rural” by honoring rural American residents, health care providers, and communities. The ceremony was part of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Indiana Regional Medical Center’s 2025 Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference in Indiana, PA.

The nominator praised Donald for truly embodying the essence of a rural health leader in the community. The Punxsutawney area and its surroundings are incredibly fortunate to benefit from her expertise in enhancing health care services. According to Dr. Clark Simpson, PAH President and CMO, “Katie’s dedication and drive have been her strengths and have allowed her to be a Rural Health Leader. This awards recognizes this commitment. She is a deserving recipient and we at PAH have benefited from her leadership and are proud to call her our own.”

Donald works tirelessly to implement initiatives that address Social Determinants of Health, obtaining grants to assist with high-risk pregnancies in the Amish community, educational opportunities for advancing health care careers in the Punxsutawney Area School District, providing hygiene kits to students in the district, and partnering with the Rotary Club to hold an annual community blood screening program. One of Donald’s notable contributions is the creation of the Wellness Connections Program, which offers free access to health care resources, testing opportunities, community educational seminars, and connections to resources. Other programs include an annual women’s health fair, mental health forums, Lyme disease outreach and education, and more. Donald has shared her knowledge at the Pennsylvania Community and Public Health Conference in 2024 and 2025. She has also presented the topic of social media and Healthcare Risk Management at the national conference for American Society for Health Care Risk Management for the past three years.

Donald connects the Punxsutawney Area Hospital with a wide range of economic, community, educational, physical activity, law enforcement, and emergency services initiatives and organizations. Her efforts illustrate her role as a leader making a difference in our community. She exemplifies leadership through comprehensive and innovative strategies, based on Community Health Needs Assessments and other data.

Each of her projects stands out individually, and together they create an impressive impact. Her extensive approach to addressing community needs is inspiring and is making a significant difference in the lives of many. 

PORH was formed in 1991 as a joint partnership between the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Penn State. The office is one of 50 state offices of rural health in the nation and is charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, networking, and partnership development.

PORH provides expertise in the areas of rural health, population health, quality improvement, oral health, and agricultural health and safety. PORH is administratively located in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University Park.

Each year, PORH presents awards to recognize rural health programs and individuals who have made substantial contributions to rural health in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu.