UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Amanda Adams, a student in the Integrated Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration/Master of Health Administration program within the Penn State Department of Health Policy and Administration, recently received the 2024 Jennifer S. Cwynar Community Achievement Award. The award was presented as part of an awards ceremony during the 26th Annual Stanley P. Mayers Endowed Lecture on April 2. Adams will graduate from Penn State in May 2024.
The award, from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH), recognizes community achievement by a Penn State student majoring in Health Policy and Administration (HPA) who has demonstrated service and commitment to a community or an underserved population, preferably, but not exclusively, in a rural area of Pennsylvania. The award was established in memory of Jennifer S. Cwynar, a 2008 HPA graduate and a 2008 undergraduate intern at PORH.
Adams was nominated by Penn State faculty members Diane Spokus, teaching professor of health policy and administration and associate director of undergraduate professional development, and Chris Calkins, teaching professor of health policy and administration and professor-in-charge of the Master of Health Administration programs.
Adams was recognized for the tremendous commitment to rural health care and rural communities demonstrated during her undergraduate and graduate career. She currently serves as a graduate research assistant at PORH, and is continuing her projects at Penn Highlands Tyrone, where she completed her residency. She is also assisting the organization with opening a new micro-hospital in State College, Pennsylvania.
“We are delighted to present this award to Amanda Adams and to honor the legacy of Jennifer Cwynar, who was an exceptional student and intern with our office,” said Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration. “This is one way in which we can encourage excellence in those who will become leaders in advocating for the health of vulnerable populations.”
PORH was formed in 1991 as a joint partnership between the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Penn State. The office is one of 50 state offices of rural health in the nation and is charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, networking and partnership development.
PORH provides expertise in the areas of rural health, population health, quality improvement, oral health and agricultural health and safety. PORH is administratively located in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University Park.
To learn more about the Jennifer S. Cwynar Community Achievement Award or the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu.
For additional information, please contact Karen Burke, outreach coordinator for the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at 814-865-3647 or klb520@psu.edu.