[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 144]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH PRESENTS THE 2014 RURAL HEALTH 
                                 AWARDS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize one individual and one organization from Pennsylvania's Fifth 
Congressional District that during the past year made substantial 
contributions to rural health in support of the communities our 
hospitals and caregivers serve each and every day.
  The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, which is funded by the 
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Pennsylvania Department of 
Health, and the Pennsylvania State University, is a public partnership 
designed to expand data-driven health care outcomes for rural 
communities.
  Each year, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health's ``Rural Health 
Awards'' recognize individuals and organizations in the Commonwealth 
that have gone above and beyond in their respective field or program 
and made significant improvements towards improving health outcomes.
  Mr. Daniel Blough, chief executive officer of the Punxsutawney Area 
Hospital in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, received the 2014 State Rural 
Health Leader of the Year Award. Mr. Blough was recognized for 28 years 
of dedicated service to the health and well-being of the residents in 
and around Punxsutawney, which is located in Jefferson County, 
Pennsylvania.
  As a founding Pennsylvania member and president of the Pennsylvania 
Mountains Healthcare Alliance, a collaboration of 18 rural hospitals, 
Mr. Blough's leadership served to strengthen clinical outcomes for 
residents throughout the region.
  Additionally, the Total HEALTH Program at the Dickinson Center, 
Incorporated, in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, which is also located in the 
Fifth District, received the 2014 Rural Health Program of the Year 
Award.
  The Total HEALTH Program, a regional collaboration of health service 
providers encompassing Penn Highlands-Elk, Dickinson Center, 
Incorporated, and an independent physician in Elk County, aims to 
provide primary and behavioral health care services to individuals with 
physical, mental, and behavioral health needs.
  Total HEALTH received the recognition for innovative programming in 
Elk, Cameron, and McKean Counties that resulted in both improved 
patient coordination and clinical outcomes.
  Madam Speaker, I offer my thanks, my congratulations, and my praise 
to Mr. Daniel Blough of the Punxsutawney Area Hospital and the 
professionals and the staff represented through the Total HEALTH 
Program for their commitment to strengthening and improving the quality 
of care in the communities of our region.

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