Board of Directors
Debra Youngfelt, BS, MCHES®
President
Executive Director, Northeast PA Area Health Education Center
Debra received her B.S. in Health and Safety Education from Indiana University. She has worked for the PA Area Health Education Center (AHEC) for the past 22 years starting as a Health Educator/Planner for the Eastcentral PA AHEC from 2002-2017, then transitioned to the Executive Director for Northeast PA AHEC. Debra is currently the President of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association and serves on the Board of Directors for Pennsylvania Health Occupations Students of America and The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. Debra enjoys hiking, golfing, paddle boarding and reading in her free time. She has two daughters and a loving husband of 35 years.
Joseph Robare, DrPH, MS, RDN
Immediate Past President
Associate Professor and Masters of Public Health Program Director, Department of Public Health, Slippery Rock University
Dr. Robare is an Associate Professor and MPH Program Director at Slippery Rock University (SRU). Prior to SRU, Dr. Robare was a Social Science Research Analyst for the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support. Dr. Robare plans to continue his research in disease prevention/health promotion and financial wellness in rural communities. In his free time, he enjoys all outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.
Sharon Adams, RN, BA
Treasurer
Executive Director, Southcentral Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center
Prior to joining the Southcentral PA Area Health Education Center in 1999, Sharon worked in the nursing field. She began as an LPN in a long-term care facility and eventually obtained her registered nursing degree. Sharon has experience working as a registered nurse in home health, as well as in the office of a general surgeon. Sharon currently serves as the Executive Director of the Southcentral PA AHEC which she is focused on improving access to healthcare by nurturing the healthcare workforce. In her free time, Sharon enjoys gardening as well as spending time with her grandchildren and her Shih tzu, Hogan.
Jamie Hammond, MS, MPAS, PA-C
Secretary
Assistant Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Pittsburgh
Jamie obtained a baccalaureate degree in Biology, Pre-Med from Waynesburg University in 2004, a Master of Science in Biology in 2005, and Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2007 from Chatham University. She has been an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh since 2018 in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Her clinical experience is in neurosurgery, primary care, pulmonology, sleep medicine and she is currently practicing addiction medicine. Jamie has a background in service with the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) and is the current secretary for the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association. She also served in the National Health Service Corps providing primary care in rural NC and PA from 2008-2013. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga and spending time with family and friends.
Lisa Davis, MHA
Board Member
Director, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and Outreach Associate Professor of Health Policy and Administration, Penn State
In her role as the Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, Lisa is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of the office. On the national, state, and university levels, Lisa serves on a wide range of boards of directors, advisory committees, and task forces focused on rural health policy, rural health research, economic development, outreach and education, and vulnerable populations and specific health issues such as oral health and cancer. She is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and the James D. Bernstein Mentoring Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association, and the 2024 Pennsylvania Equity Champion Award from the Pennsylvania Office of Health Equity. Lisa holds a graduate degree in Health Administration from Penn State and lives in Boalsburg, PA, the birthplace of Memorial Day, with her husband and college-aged daughter.
Tori Baker
Board Member
Public Health Administrator, Allegheny County Health Department
Tori is currently the Public Health Policy Specialist at the Allegheny County Health Department. She received an MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health from Slippery Rock University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Tori developed a passion for rural health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, and reading.
Justin Beaupré, Ed.D., MHA, LAT, ATC
Board Member
Assistant Professor, Graduate Healthcare Administration Program, William G. McGowan School of Business, King's College
Dr. Beaupre holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, and Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership. He is an Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management in the Graduate Healthcare Administration program at the William G. McGowan School of Business at Kings College where he teaches courses focused on community health, health policy and justice, social epidemiology, and population health. Justin also holds a faculty research appointment with The Thomas Jefferson University College of Population Health. His research work focuses on health disparities and inequities in social and economically disadvantaged communities. When not working, Justin loves being outdoors, camping and hiking with his family and his black lab, Millie.
Daniel Champigny, MPAS, PA-C
Board Member
Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Medicine, Frostburg State University
Daniel Champigny MPAS, PA-C graduated from Penn State College of Medicine in 2016 and has practiced in rural primary care for over 5 years. He has seen first-hand the negative health outcomes that relate to being from a rural area and firmly believes a patient's zip code should not dictate the level of health care available to them. Currently, he works as an assistant professor of medicine at the Frostburg State University Physician Assistant Program in Hagerstown, MD, training the next wave of health care providers to give back to rural and medically underserved communities. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, exercising, and hiking.
Helen Hawkey, RDH
Vice President
Executive Director, PA Coalition for Oral Health
Helen Hawkey serves as the Executive Director for the PA Coalition for Oral Health, a statewide and community non-profit coalition. She previously worked as a research coordinator with the Centers for Oral Health Research in Appalachia on a childhood caries study through the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to 2013, Helen worked full-time as a clinician in a family dental practice for 12 years. Helen's other leadership roles include serving as the 2021-2023 Board Chair of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions and three dental hygiene advisory boards across the state. In her free time, Helen enjoys traveling with her family and attending her daughters' softball games.
Ronald Mezick, Jr., PA-C
Board Member
Pennsylvania Society of Physicians Assistants
Ron entered the Johns Hopkins School of Health Services after working as a volunteer fireman and EMT in rural Maryland. After graduation in 1975 and passing his state boards as a Physician Assistant, he helped develop one of the most profitable rural health centers in Pennsylvania and has remained in family practice in the nearby community for 49 years. He continues to enjoy camping and the outdoors with his wife and dogs. When he's not on the soccer field as a referee, he spends time with his 4 grandchildren. He has participated in the PRHA since its inception and has previously served as president of the board. Ron is also the past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) as well as the organization’s current liaison to PRHA.
Diane Spokus, M.Ed., PhD, MCHES®
Board Member
Teaching Professor of Health Policy and Administration and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Professional Development, Penn State
Diane is a Teaching Professor and Associate Director of Health Policy and Administration (HPA) for the UG Professional Development program in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and faculty advisor for the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA) Club. Diane has contributed to research projects, published works on healthcare management and workforce topics, coordinated a Hartford Foundation nursing project, and held a multitude of leadership roles in a variety of healthcare organizations and professional associations.
Diane is passionate about improving healthcare quality and workforce development. Her current research interests encompass human resource management, healthcare worker retention, recruitment, training, job satisfaction, and quality of work life. Diane has four children. She loves dogs, musicals, line dancing, and playing the piano.
Jennifer Whittaker
Board Member
Research Scientist, PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Dr. Whittaker is a research scientist at PolicyLab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She has over a decade of experience conducting qualitative and mixed-method research, with a particular focus on community-engaged research. At PolicyLab, Jenny is a member of the maternal health research team where her work focuses on the role of place and public systems in supporting maternal and child health. She serves as the staff lead for the Family and Community Health Portfolio and is an advisory board member for the Community Partnerships in Research program. She completed her PhD in city planning at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where her research led to Our Rural Pennsylvania, an atlas created by mothers and caregivers to record the everyday places that influence their health. She enjoys making art, baking, gardening, and exploring with her husband and two children.
Kathy Wonderly, RN, MS.Ed.
Board Member
Performance Improvement Consultant, Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania
Kathy is a retired registered nurse with a B.S. in Hospital and Healthcare Administration and a M.S. in Adult Education and Training. During her many years in the healthcare field, she held positions as a staff nurse, department manager, house supervisor, infection preventionist, performance improvement director, and vice president in several facilities. Since 2014, Kathy has worked as a consultant for a variety of healthcare settings.
Kathy has both personal and professional interest in rural health care, as she and her family live and receive their healthcare in rural Pennsylvania. Her work throughout the years has provided her with first-hand experience with the workings of the Healthcare systems in Pennsylvania. She is especially fortunate to live on a small farm which she shares with her loving family, as well as a few horses, dogs, and cats.
Hope Wormuth, MHL
Board Member
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director, Lackawanna College
Hope currently works as the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program Director with Lackawanna College. She has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry in both clinical and administrative roles. Hope attended Penn State University for her associate degree in Occupational Therapy, Bloomsburg University for her Bachelor of Science in Adult Health, and Western Governors University for her master’s in healthcare leadership. She is committed to bringing personal and professional resources to the rural community at large but has a distinct passion for teaching and motivating the next generation of healthcare professionals. In her spare time, she consults with local nonprofits for grant writing and business development needs, serves on the board for the PRHA and NEPA Long Term Care Association, and loves to travel with her family.
Faria Taheem Momo
Board Member
Ph.D. Candidate in Health Policy and Administration and Graduate Teaching Assistant
Faria is a Ph.D. candidate in Health Policy and Administration at The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Health Economics. With a strong background in health services research, particularly in rural health and the impacts of hospital closures, Faria’s work is dedicated to advancing healthcare access and outcomes. She is currently conducting a study on the effects of FQHC closures on substance abuse treatment. Her work addresses a key PRHA priority—ensuring that rural communities maintain access to critical healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations dealing with addiction. Outside of academia, Faria enjoys spending time with her Shiba dog and calico cat, who ensure her days are never dull with their constant demands for attention and creative mischief, as she finds new ways to keep up with their antics.
Kirstie Herb Neff, PhD
Board Member
Staff Scientist, Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Health System
Dr. Kirstie Herb Neff earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and completed her graduate training in clinical psychology at Eastern Michigan University. She is currently employed as a staff scientist and psychologist at Geisinger Health System where her research and clinical practice focuses on eating disorders and weight-related concerns. She is a native of rural central Pennsylvania and feels strongly about improving access to quality care for rural underserved communities. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dogs and being outdoors.
Melissa Patti
Board Member
Director of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives, Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey March of Dimes
Melissa earned degrees from Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh and has been supporting families for over 15 years through advocacy, programming, and community engagement. She is passionate about health equity and improving care access for all moms, pregnant people, and babies. She proudly serves on the PA Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the Pennsylvania Doula Commission Advisory Board, PA Perinatal Quality Collaborative Advisory Group, and The Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative. In addition to her role at March of Dimes, Melissa is a Perinatal Psychotherapist, trained Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator and a mother of two.
Student Board Members
Michael Clark
Student Board Member
MHA Candidate, Penn State University
Michael is a proud graduate of Penn State University where he holds a B.S. degree in Health Policy and Administration. Michael has since remained at Penn State and has enrolled as an MHA Student where he is expected to graduate in May 2025. Michael’s experiences include serving in the United States Army, internships at Geisinger, and most recently as an administrative resident at St. Clair Health. Michael’s connection to PRHA stems from his interest in serving rural populations and the unique health concerns facing these communities. Specifically, Michael hopes to work on collaborating with local community leaders to increase access and education in rural communities. In his free time, Michael enjoys reading, exercising, listening to music, and watching movies. He especially loves hiking and taking walks during Fall, his favorite season.
Colleen Gieringer
Student Board Member
University of Pittsburgh
Colleen holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently enrolled in the PITT residential physician assistant program (MSPAS). Outside of classes, she serves as the Vice President of the Physician Assistant Student Society. Colleen’s passion for expanding care comes from volunteer work with local organizations to expand maternal-fetal care to patients in rural communities. In her free time, Colleen enjoys music, walking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Laura Pert
Student Board Member
Lackawanna College
Laura Pert is a second-year occupational therapy assistant student at Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA. She holds a B.S. in Culinary Arts & Hotel & Lodging Management from Johnson & Wales University, RI. In addition to being a full-time student, Laura works for her local township as the secretary/treasurer and is the student delegate for Lackawanna’s SOTA club. Laura was raised and remains a current resident of rural Susquehanna County, PA. She and her husband live on a 233-acre farm in a farmhouse they are renovating! Laura hopes to pursue a career in OT as a pediatric therapist, and sees a great need for expanding education and access to health services in her area!
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