Geisinger recognized for championing community health

DANVILLE, Pa.  – Geisinger has earned statewide recognition for its work in championing community health and helping patients access resources that can keep them healthier. 
The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) 2026 Achievement Award recognizes hospitals and health systems that take innovative approaches to strengthening safe, quality care and partnering with their communities to address public health needs. HAP honored 12 organizations this year.

"This recognition reflects our deep commitment to addressing not just the medical needs of our patients, but also the social factors that profoundly impact their health and well-being," said Allison Hess, VP of Population Health and Quality. "By partnering with community organizations and leveraging data to help guide intervention decisions, we're breaking down barriers to health and creating sustainable pathways to better health for the communities we serve."

Geisinger's award-winning, multi-faceted program includes:

An expansive community network: Through its Neighborly platform Geisinger helps individuals, members and patients access more than 11,000 organizations that address social needs like food, housing, and transportation.

Social needs screening: Geisinger uses social needs screening responses and insights from Community Health Needs Assessments and other data sources, to identify and respond to social needs.

This structured approach has delivered measurable results across key areas:

• Food is Health: Geisinger connects patients and members to food access resources including mobile food pantries in rural PA, SNAP application assistance, and connection to local pantries- helping over 75,000 individuals in need and directly supported 3.5 million pounds of food for our communities.
• Housing stability: Through statewide partnerships, Geisinger has connected over 1,500 people with rental assistance, utility support and shelters.
• Transportation access: Geisinger has coordinated more than 43,000 rides to clinical or social care appointments  
• Workforce development: Geisinger connects people to employment opportunities and educational resources, including GED training and testing. More than 150 people have enrolled in Geisinger's GED support program.

A foundation of Geisinger's success is its Social Needs Resource Hub, which launched in August 2025 

• Provides virtual, personalized support using real-time data and trusted community partnerships.
• Bridges health care and social services by leveraging a statewide resource directory and routine social needs screening.
• Connects patients and members with clinical and care teams to close resource gaps and reduce health disparities.

“The 2026 HAP Achievement Awards highlight the innovative ways hospitals are delivering outstanding results for patients,” said HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings. “Hospitals are vital to Pennsylvania, working inside and outside their walls to improve health and strengthen the communities they serve."

More information about the awards program and detailed descriptions of the winning projects are available online.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in rural and urban communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 130 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with 509,000+ enrollees in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 600 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,600 clinical research studies. With 28,000 employees, including 1,900 employed physicians and 5,400 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $18 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country.  Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.