As WellSpan continues to make strides in ensuring high quality health care is accessible to all, two of their team members were recognized by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.
Ann Kunkel, vice president of WellSpan’s community health, home care and hospice, and Blanca Nizama, community health worker, were honored for their outstanding work in providing health care access and equity in local communities.
The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health works to enhance the health status of rural Pennsylvanians and ensure rural residents have access to high-quality, affordable health care through advocacy, partnership development, outreach and more. In Pennsylvania, 26 percent of residents live in rural areas.
Ann Kunkel
Kunkel was awarded the 2024 Pennsylvania Rural Health Leader of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed or expanded a multidimensional state rural health program or initiative that benefits rural Pennsylvanians.
In one example, the health equity and community engagement team in Ann’s department offers a program consisting of discounts, bundled pricing and personalized navigational support to reduce barriers for care for more than 70,000 Plain community residents in central Pennsylvania.
Kunkel has empowered her team members to leverage community partnerships to offer mobile mammography services across the region, contributing to a 6 percent increase in breast cancer screening rates among people of color.
She also leads the Community Grants Program, which awarded more than $1.9 million in community grants to 60 programs and projects carried out by local non-profit community partners.
“I was so humbled to receive this award,” Kunkel said. “It gives our team an opportunity to showcase the work we’ve done across our system. The award may have my name on it, but I see it as a recognition of our entire team and all we have accomplished.”
Blanca Nizama
Nizama was awarded the 2024 Rural Health Hero of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding leader in rural health who goes above and beyond for their community.
Nizama is focused on working with the Franklin County Hispanic Community. Over the past four years in her role, she has helped more than 1,000 people by assisting patients with scheduling appointments, submitting applications for financial assistance or housing and connecting them to local resources. She has also established strong relationships with more than 50 local organizations to ensure that the needs of the community are met.
“Receiving this award means a lot to me and wouldn’t be possible without our stakeholders, partnerships and all of our community members,” Nizama said. “The award belongs to everyone in this community.”
