Preserving Rural Health Services in Central New York

Lack of access to health services in remote areas of New York State is a problem facing many upstate, rural communities.

Rural Health Network of South Central New York, Inc., (Rural Health Network) is a private, nonprofit organization that works to advance the health and wellbeing of rural residents and communities in Broome, Delaware, and Tioga counties. Rural Health Network partners with nonprofit organizations in the Southern Tier region to help them establish more efficient models for administrative services, as well as preserve and expand emergency and health services. Two of its key partners, Tioga County Neighbors Helping Neighbors (TCNHN) and Susquehanna Emergency Medical Services Corps (SEMS Corps), depend on a network of volunteers to help provide services for the communities they serve. TCNHN and SEMS Corps both expended significant effort and resources on recruiting, organizing, deploying, and reimbursing volunteers.

In 2011, NYHealth awarded a grant to Rural Health Network to provide centralized administrative and management services to TCNHN and SEMS Corps to help them build their capacity and operate in a more efficient and cost-effective way.