Punxsutawney Area Hospital Physician Dr. Bryan Doverspike Receives 2025 Rural Health Impact Award from IUP and IRMC

Punxsutawney Area Hospital (PAH) is proud to announce that Bryan Doverspike, DO, Physician – OB/GYN, has received the 2025 Rural Health Impact Award, presented by the Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, collaboration, and innovation in improving the health and well-being of rural residents.
Dr. Doverspike earned this honor for his leadership in PAH’s Amish Outreach Program, a mobile women’s health and prenatal care initiative serving Amish families in the Smicksburg area. Working in conjunction with Punxsutawney’s mobile clinic, Dr. Doverspike brings essential prenatal and women’s health services directly to a community where transportation barriers and geographic distance often limit timely access to care.
“Dr. Doverspike’s work exemplifies what rural health innovation looks like at its best—meeting people where they are, with expertise and compassion,” said T. Clark Simpson, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer at Punxsutawney Area Hospital. “This program has improved outcomes for mothers and babies while honoring the needs and realities of the community it serves. We are thrilled to see his impact recognized across rural Pennsylvania.”
The Amish Outreach Program delivers prenatal and reproductive health care closer to home for Amish women who are pregnant or planning families. In addition to routine prenatal services, the program supports broader women’s health needs, including vaccinations, annual Pap and pelvic exams, and routine mammography—services that are often difficult to access consistently in remote rural settings. Dr. Doverspike stated, “I’m deeply honored to receive this award. Caring for women’s health is a true passion of mine, and I’m grateful to be able to serve this community. I also want to sincerely thank Sarah Walker and Brooke Henninger—whose skill and dedication make these monthly clinics possible”.
Beyond direct clinical care, Dr. Doverspike’s program has strengthened local maternal health capacity by partnering with Amish midwives. The outreach includes education to help midwives recognize significant changes or complications during pregnancy and delivery, enabling faster referrals to higher levels of care when needed. This collaboration supports earlier intervention and better outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
A longtime community member who grew up in the New Bethlehem area, Dr. Doverspike previously served at Clarion Hospital and has been with Punxsutawney Area Hospital for the past several years. Colleagues and patients consistently cite his dedication to patient-centered, compassionate care.
The Rural Health Impact Award, established by the Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference planning committee, honors individuals and organizations whose efforts significantly improve rural health through leadership, commitment, and innovation.