CEO Update: July 17, 2026

Pathways to Care: Making a Difference

We continue to make steady progress with the Pathways to Care (PTC) program as Southern Tier Health Care System and Trans Am work together to strengthen this innovative model of care. Leadership recently met to review operations and discuss staff feedback as we continue refining and improving the program.

I want to sincerely thank everyone involved in PTC. I appreciate those who took the time to share their ideas and feedback—your input is valued and plays an important role in helping us grow. I also want to recognize the outstanding work being done every day. Every time we help someone remain safely at home, connect them with needed resources, or potentially prevent an unnecessary emergency department visit, we are making a meaningful difference in our communities.

Thank you to our Trans Am partners and every member of the Pathways to Care team for your flexibility, professionalism, and commitment to building a stronger, more connected healthcare system for the people we serve.

Building the Rural EMS Workforce Pipeline

This week, I had the opportunity to present Southern Tier Health Care System’s Building the Rural EMS Workforce Pipeline proposal to the Appalachian Regional Commission. It was an honor to highlight the incredible work our team and partners are doing to address one of the most significant challenges facing rural healthcare—developing and sustaining a strong EMS workforce.

The presentation focused on our vision for creating a sustainable workforce pipeline that recruits, trains, certifies, and connects individuals to careers in EMS while strengthening healthcare access throughout the Southern Tier. It also showcased STHCS’s more than 30 years of leadership in EMS education, workforce development, and regional collaboration.

I am incredibly proud of the work our staff, instructors, and community partners do every day to support EMS and rural healthcare. Opportunities like this allow us to share the impact of that work and reinforce STHCS’s commitment to building a stronger healthcare workforce for the communities we serve. We now look forward to the next phase of the ARC review process.

Update Link