Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Receive Recognition on National Rural Health Day

(Honesdale, PA, November 20, 2023)…Local rural health leaders from Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) along with other rural health representatives were present as the Wayne County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing today, November 20, 2025, as National Rural Health Day. They acknowledged the collaboration and many accomplishments of Wayne Memorial as well as The Wright Center (TWC) and the Himalayan Institute in providing health care to the residents here in rural Northeast Pennsylvania.

The designation highlights the unique health care challenges that people in rural areas face and shows how programs and policies along with the efforts of partners and stakeholders help address and reduce health care disparities in rural communities. The availability of quality health care providers and services is truly an asset for Wayne County. When out representing the county, “I’m proud to say I’m from Wayne” Commissioner Brian Smith said, and you’re one of the reasons why.”

Photo l to r, sitting: President & CEO of The Wright Center Dr. Linda Thomas Hemak, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Rural Primary Care and Integration Coordinator Kelly Braun, Himalayan Institute Director of Mission Programs Greg Capitolo, WMCHC Chief Quality Officer Kara Poremba, WMH Chief Nursing and Patient Care Officer Chandra Roberts, BSN, MHA, RN

Standing: Program Director at TWC Hawley, Allison Miller CRNP – FNP-C, Site Coordinator TWC Hawley Lida Kiefer, Executive Director of Public Affairs, TWC, Kara Seitzinger, Manager of Enterprise Trauma-Competent Wellness Initiatives Shannon Osborne, Wayne County Commissioners Jocelyn Cramer and Brian Smith, Chairman, WMH Chief of Professional and Ancillary Services Jim Hockenbury MHA, ACHE, and Wayne County Commissioner Jim Shook.