IUP, IRMC Continue Season Four of “Rural Health Pulse” Podcast with Episode on Connections Between Rural Health and Local Farming and Conservation

Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Indiana Regional Medical Center’s joint podcast, Rural Health Pulse, continues season four with a conversation focused on the connection between agriculture, conservation, and rural health.

Rural Health Pulse is part of a continued collaboration between IUP and IRMC to address challenges facing rural healthcare.

The Rural Health Pulse podcast is available for free on Spotify and from the IUP and IRMC websites. It is recorded by students in the IUP Department of Communications Media under the direction of communications faculty member Mark Piwinsky and is produced by IUP Director of Strategic Partnerships Christina Koren.

IRMC Chief Operating Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer for Mountains Health Jim Kinneer serves as the host for the shows.

Season four episode three features Indiana County Conservation District Conservation Program Specialist Special Projects Alexis (Lexi) Shank. She will discuss how healthy soils, sustainable farming practices, and local conservation initiatives contribute to healthier communities, while highlighting programs and projects led by the Indiana County Conservation District that support both farmers and residents.

Shank, an Indiana County native, earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Pittsburgh and brings nearly a decade of farming experience to her work. For the past seven years, she has owned and operated an organic, no-till, diversified vegetable farm in Commodore. Her expertise includes plant and soil science, bio-intensive cropping systems, cover cropping, integrated pest management, and high tunnel crop production.

Season four of Rural Health Pulse launched on November 20, 2025, in conjunction with National Rural Health Day and the Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference.

• Season four episode one covers “Seconds Matter: IRMC Advancing Stroke Care in Rural Communities.” IRMC Stroke/STEMI Program Coordinator Sarah George explains the role of a primary stroke center, the different types of strokes, and how coordinated care among emergency medical services, hospital teams, and rehabilitation specialists can improve outcomes and recovery for patients in rural communities.
• Season four episode two is “Building the Lab Workforce: The IRMC School of Medical Technology.” It highlights a powerful example of rural innovation: the creation of the IRMC School of Medical Technology. With medical laboratory scientists in critically short supply nationwide, IRMC partnered with IUP to build a local pipeline of highly skilled clinical laboratory professionals. The Medical Technology bachelor’s degree program is part of IUP’s Department of Allied Health; students complete classwork and a clinical year of study. Students who successfully complete the program and clinical training at IRMC could receive loan forgiveness if offered a position and agree to sign a three-year contract to work at IRMC as medical laboratory scientists.

For this episode, host Kinneer is joined by four guests—IRMC Medical Laboratory Director Jackie Sansig, IRMC Medical Laboratory Assistant Director Connie Zitterbart, IRMC medical laboratory professional Chris Baum, and recent program graduate Rebecca Hollobaugh—who share the story behind the program’s development, the evolving role of laboratory science professionals, and the impact this initiative is already having on the community and the healthcare workforce.

Season three of Rural Health Pulse launched on November 21, 2024, in conjunction with National Rural Health Day and the third annual Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference with “A Conversation with Dr. Miko Rose, the Founding Dean of the IUP Proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine.”

• Season three episode two of the podcast features Tammy Calderone, administrator for the Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral and Developmental Health Program.
• Season three episode three of the podcast features Byron Stauffer, executive director of the Indiana County Center for Economic Operations, for a discussion about the intersection of economic and workforce development with rural health in Indiana County.
• Season three episode four of the podcast is a conversation with Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess: “Revitalizing Rural Communities: A Conversation with Commissioner Sherene Hess.”
• Season three episode five of the podcast is a conversation with President and CEO of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania Nicole Stallings, “Inside Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Pulse: A Conversation with HAP President Nicole Stallings.”
• Season three episode six is an episode featuring IRMC Trauma Program Manager Emilea Rippin for “Lifelines in the Region: Inside the IRMC Trauma Program.”
• Season three episode seven features members of the first graduating class of the IRMC Family Medicine Residency: “Full Circle: Reflections from the First Graduating Class of the IRMC Family Medicine Residency.” The residents are featured on season one episode five of the podcast.

Season two of the podcasts was launched November 16, 2023, as part of IUP and IRMC’s 2023 National Rural Health Day events.

• In episode one of season two, Kinneer discusses “Promoting Integrative Wellness in a Rural Community” with IUP Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Nick Jacobs, of Windber, cofounder and president of the Windber Research Institute (now The Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Molecular Medicine in Windber) and founder of the Clinical and Translational Genome Research Institute, a research institute that is now part of Southern California University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles.
• Season two episode two features IRMC Director of Ambulatory Social Services Rachel Grove and Clinical Care Coordinator at IRMC Physician Group Jonathan Hunte, discussing how they work on a daily basis to help break down barriers to enable patients to overcome challenges in order that they can access services and resources in the local community. 
• Season two episode three focuses on the challenges and opportunities of rural healthcare with Lou Pesci, director of IUP’s Institute for Rural Health and Safety. 
• Season two episode four features Hilliary Creely, interim dean of IUP’s College of Health Sciences and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, with Kinneer discussing the vital role of research at IUP within the context of rural healthcare, exploring how research initiatives at IUP are shaping the landscape of healthcare in rural communities.
• Podcast season two episode five is “Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases” with IUP biology professor Thomas Simmons.
• In season two episode six, Kinneer and Jacobs discuss genomics research and rural health.
• Season two episode seven is “Critical Support: Addressing Rural EMS Funding and Workforce Challenges and Solutions.” B. J. Pino and Reba Johnson of Citizens’ Ambulance discuss Pennsylvania’s evolution and current state of emergency medical services (EMS).
• Episode eight of season two features IUP biology faculty member David Janetski discussing the critical role that freshwater ecosystems play in every community.
• Season two, episode nine, is a three-part episode featuring presentations from the second annual Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference in 2023.

The first season of the Rural Health Pulse podcast was launched in November 2022 in celebration of National Rural Health Day.

• Amanda Vaglia, family medicine physician and director of the IRMC Residency Program, is featured on the first episode of season one of the series, discussing the residency program.
• Season one episode two of the podcast is an interview with Narayanaswamy Bharathan, chair, IUP Department of Biology, and Jackie Sansig, IRMC director of Laboratory and Respiratory Services, discussing the evolution of the same-day COVID-19 testing process at IRMC by Bharathan and the difference it made in patient care.
• Season one episode three features Rick Adkins, professor of mathematics in the IUP Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, discussing the community wastewater surveillance system.
• Season one episode four has IRMC’s Dan Clark, director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery and director of IRMC’s Comprehensive Breast Center, discussing robotics in surgery.
• IRMC’s inaugural family medicine residents are featured on season one episode five of the podcast.
• Season one episode six interviews Clark presenting an overview of breast cancer medical education and care from IRMC.
• Season one episode seven features Steve Hovan, dean of IUP’s John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and IUP Distinguished University Professor, discussing IUP’s John J. and Char Kopchick Hall, home to the Kopchick College.
• Season one episode eight is an interview with Wendy Haislip, IRMC vice president and chief nursing officer, discussing Pennsylvania’s rural health model and workforce challenges.
• Season one episode nine features Erin Clark, director of IUP’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and assistant professor in the IUP Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services.
• Season one concludes with a discussion with Katie Donald, marketing and public relations specialist at Punxsutawney Area Hospital, discussing rural healthcare models and challenges, in episode 10.

Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. IUP’s Impact 150 comprehensive campaign is designed to honor a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, public service, and leadership in healthcare education, including the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the commonwealth.

Indiana Regional Medical Center, a Mountains Health partner, has been serving Indiana County and surrounding communities since 1914. As a nationally recognized employer, IRMC continues to meet the needs of patients and employees alike. IRMC maintains its commitment to serving the region by continually reinvesting in its facilities, technology, and people in order to provide the highest levels of care possible. IRMC’s vision to be the best community healthcare system in the country is the cornerstone of its commitment to caring.