Primary Health Network Collaboration
Primary Health Network (PHN) has been a CTSI collaborator since 2021 and was founded in 1984, beginning with one small primary care site and a part-time provider. Since then, PHN has grown to become the largest FQHC in Pennsylvania, with approximately 40 sites spanning 17 counties throughout PA and northeastern Ohio. In 2024, PHN provided services to over 75,000 patients. Guided by a strong leadership team and a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from the rural communities it serves, PHN offers medical, dental, behavioral health, and specialty care services.
What We've Accomplished Together
Community-Driven Research Days
As a community partner, PHN has played an important role in co-designing and co-leading Community-Driven Research Days hosted over the past several years. Participating in these events has offered PHN the opportunity to connect directly with Penn State researchers and clinicians to discuss pressing health and community issues. These events have fostered meaningful discussions, ensuring that local needs and perspectives shape research priorities, and have helped to drive research efforts that leads to actionable improvements in community health. Through these events, we have been able to share insights, build strategic partnerships, and work collectively on health challenges.
Buhl Regional Health Foundation-CTSI Collaboration
As a direct result of a Community-Driven Research Day, CTSI partnered with PHN and the Buhl Regional Health Foundation to create and implement a local survey. The survey aimed to gather information from local organizations about interest in the creation of a regional hub. This effort incorporated feedback from over 100 community organizations, supporting a successful foundational grant to form the online regional hub. The hub, now in operation, aims to serve as a way for local health systems and social service agencies to connect patients to community resources, streamlining efforts and advancing health throughout the rural community.
Project ECHO for Rural Physicians
This program was developed in partnership with PHN as a direct response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Together we launched a case-based learning collaborative on best practices that meet social, emotional and physical health needs of communities with limited healthcare access. The series brought together 80 clinical providers from over 26 counties, representing 35 healthcare organizations. In this way, the CTSI is having real-world impact on both workforce development and in advancing rural health.
Pilot to Improve Evidence Based Programs in Rural Communities
The focus of this collaboration is strengthening community coalitions and upskilling health professionals for translational and implementation science.
Maternal Mortality PA Department of Health (DOH) Grant
This new program, led by a CTSI-affiliated researcher at the Penn State College of Medicine, is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and addresses maternal mortality across the state.
Vision for Future Collaboration
We have an opportunity through our collaborations to create a blueprint for advancing rural health that can be disseminated beyond Pennsylvania. PHN provides Penn State CTSI with valuable feedback on innovative research collaborations, methods, and improving the integration of clinical research into healthcare practice across the Commonwealth, particularly central and western rural parts of the state. As a frontline healthcare organization, PHN’s insight and input leads to the co-creation of research efforts that address the true needs of the communities we serve.