Women’s Health Visionary Receives State Rural Health Leader of the Year Award

Linda D. Snyder, DrPH, vice president of family planning programs at Adagio Health, Inc., received the 2025 Pennsylvania State Rural Health Leader of the Year Award, presented by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH). The award was given during a ceremony on November 19, 2025, at Adagio Health’s offices in Pittsburgh, PA, by Lisa Davis, director of PORH and outreach associate professor of health policy and administration at Penn State.

The Pennsylvania State Rural Health Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding leader who has organized, led, developed or expanded an exemplary multidimensional state rural health program or initiative that benefits rural Pennsylvanians; demonstrates and provides leadership to a state health initiative; uses comprehensive, unique approaches to address a specific rural health issue; and works with relevant organizations to develop or expand a program that addresses health concerns affecting rural Pennsylvanians.

The award was presented in honor of the governor-proclaimed 2025 Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, November 17-21. The week encompassed November 20, which was National Rural Health Day, established in 2011 by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. Both celebrated “The Power of Rural” by honoring rural American residents, health care providers, and communities.

The nomination, submitted by Elizabeth Heft, chief of program operations at Adagio Health, lauded Snyder for being instrumental in the launch of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Women’s Service Program. Twenty out of 24 counties under Snyder’s purview are classified as rural, encompassing 32 partner sites.

In the first 18 months of the program, significant impact was achieved.

• 8,716 women received menstrual hygiene products, with 18% under the age of 19. More than 6,700 of these women were rural residents.
• 5,221 referrals for care navigation were requested, and 2,236 women have received community resources and support.
• 6,808 rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests and 1,602 chronic disease screening tests have been provided.
• 229 at-home blood pressure cuffs have been received by women living in rural counties of western Pennsylvania to address hypertension, blood pressure monitoring, and cardiovascular disease.
• 55% of women served are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.

Snyder’s extensive knowledge and long-term tenure with Adagio Health have contributed significantly to the Women’s Service Program’s success in the western region of Pennsylvania and across the state. When providing updates and reports to state funding officials during the initial program start-up period, her reporting and policy templates were so exceptional that they were made mandatory for use by program grantees across the state. A brilliant, open, and hands-on leader, she works closely with partners, listening to and learning what works for their communities and what may need to be refined. Snyder’s work has continually kept rural communities as a top priority in the Women’s Service Program in western Pennsylvania, providing support often not available in rural communities, such as menstrual health products and education, transportation, health care, and direct access to community resource referrals.

“Dr. Snyder has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers to care, especially in rural communities where access can mean the difference between early prevention and crisis,” said Alicia Schisler, President & CEO of Adagio Health. “Her leadership reminds us why Adagio Health’s mission matters now more than ever: to ensure that care stays, no matter where you live.”

PORH was formed in 1991 as a joint partnership between the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Penn State. The office is one of 50 state offices of rural health in the nation and is charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, networking, and partnership development.

PORH provides expertise in the areas of rural health, population health, quality improvement, oral health, and agricultural health and safety. PORH is administratively located in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University Park.

Each year, PORH presents awards to recognize rural health programs and individuals who have made substantial contributions to rural health in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, visit porh.psu.edu.