Solving the Rural Health Care Workforce Shortage

February 27, 2025

Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals are improving the health of their communities, but they need support to thrive.

On Thursday, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital hosted an event with Governor Shapiro and other state and local leaders to discuss the value of rural health care and the need for investments to grow the rural workforce.

Geographic barriers and financial constraints can make it difficult to attract and retain talent to rural areas.

Dr. Ed Sabanegh, president and CEO of the Guthrie Clinic, outlined innovative solutions that have helped address these challenges. He cited Guthrie’s Pulse Center—a virtual care center staffed by the system’s highly trained professionals—as an example of innovation.

“Our commitment to quality, safety, and experience drives us to be a national model for rural health care and providing the highest quality of care centered on the patient,” Sabanegh said.

Shapiro discussed initiatives in his 2025–2026 budget proposal to expand loan repayment programs for behavioral health and rural providers. He also noted opportunities to strengthen partnerships between hospitals and nurse education programs to place students into jobs after graduation.

“We are proud to be fostering the next generation of nurses and laying groundwork for clinical excellence and leadership at Guthrie,” said Deb Raupers, MSN, RN, chief nurse executive for Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital.

Pennsylvania’s annual budget deadline is June 30. Budget hearings across departments are  underway. HAP is focused on advocacy to ensure that rural hospitals can sustainably serve their communities. Learn more about HAP’s agenda to ensure all Pennsylvanians can access high-quality care.