DANVILLE -- More than 100 doctors, administrators, and community partners gathered Friday at the Pine Barn Inn for Geisinger's Rural Healthcare Summit. The event focused challenges and solutions for improving care across five Central Pennsylvania counties, and the state.

Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health, was among a dozen featured speakers emphasizing collaboration and data-driven strategies, "We recognize the importance of rural health care and the need to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access."

Dr. Bogen highlighted disparities between neighboring counties and the value of using local data to design targeted interventions. Attendees discussed issues including behavioral health, transportation, maternal care, and workforce shortages, identifying actionable steps to strengthen rural healthcare systems across the region.