Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) Collaboration

PACHC is the statewide Primary Care Association established in 1981 which represents and supports the largest network of primary healthcare providers in the state. This network of safety-net providers includes community health centers that serve over one million patients annually across the Commonwealth.

What We've Accomplished Together

PACHC and Penn State CTSI have been collaborating since 2018, including sharing opportunities across PACHC’s membership for over 70 programs addressing diseases and conditions impacting our rural communities. More than 200 of their providers have been active participants in these series.

PACHC is working closely with Penn State to increase research participation across the state. We are looking to lower barriers for health centers, foster collaboration, and build the infrastructure needed to support broader research engagement—particularly in rural and resource-limited communities where the impact of this work is most needed. We have completed a comprehensive literature review to support our partnership priorities and have developed a statewide community health needs assessment survey to:

• Identify current research engagement levels among health centers in Pennsylvania.

• Understand motivators and perceived benefits to inform capacity-building.

• Document barriers and differences in research readiness.

• Explore governance and partnership models that support community health center-led or co-led research.

Vision for Future Collaboration

This collaboration, known as the Pennsylvania Alliance for Research Excellence, will help identify, recruit, and support health centers in participating in research projects, including those focused on healthcare access, chronic disease prevention, behavioral health, and maternal-child health. These efforts are enhanced by PACHC’s connection with Pennsylvania’s Community Health Worker (CHW) organizations, which provide vital links between academic researchers and community residents, especially those who have historically lacked access to research and care. PACHC is proud to serve as a bridge between community health centers and the university research enterprise.