10/15/2026
WELLSBORO, PA – In the spirit of community cooperation and in celebration of all that Tioga County has to offer, the Tioga County Partnership for Community Health hosted their annual meeting at the Tokishi Training Center, recently.
Chairperson Kristin Hamilton encouraged the board as she called the meeting to order to reflect on past accomplishments and tackle the current slate of business.
Founded in 1993, the Partnership is a not-for-profit entity under the UPMC umbrella. Executive Director Susan Sticklin spoke about the programs that we offer and engaged the board in discussion of potential opportunities. Under her direction, the Partnership serves as fiscal sponsors for community programs, engages in drug and alcohol prevention programs, after-school programs and the Youth Leadership Program and hosts a resource directory to help community members locate needed resources.
Each year, the Partnership recognizes individuals who have given their time to these programs, but who are also active in the communities of Tioga County.
This year’s Outstanding Volunteer was Deborah Rudy. Legislative Aide to Senator Yaw, Rudy has served on the Partnership board since 2015. During meetings, she seeks to understand programs, actively looks for positive solutions to the challenges presented. She also volunteers her time to make our communities healthier places to live and work.
Susan Gage serves as the Executive Director of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Tioga County. An active and engaged board member, she has offered to help facilitate Partnership programs and has been a big supporter of our mission to make Tioga County a healthy place to live, work, and play. She has been a member of the Partnership’s board since 2018. Her “can-do” attitude has opened doors to other programs and opportunities, earning her the Board Member of Distinction designation.
The Ron Butler Community Service Award was given to Tonya McNamara, a 40-year Blossburg resident, business owner, and active community volunteer. She has served on the Blossburg Borough Council, where she was a founding member of Blossburg Visions in Business and Entertainment (VIBE), a local nonprofit chamber. In addition, McNamara serves as a member of Visit Potter Tioga, Mansfield and Wellsboro Chambers, Develop Tioga, Pennsylvania Wilds, The Pennsylvania RT 6 Alliance, and is a board member for the Blossburg Library.
