Meet the Team

National Program Office (NPO) Information

The National Program Office is a part of the Rural Health Policy Center of The Penn State College of Medicine.

• Michael Beachler
  Director
• Curtis E. Holloman
  Deputy Director
• Jeannie Nye
  Program Coordinator
• Todd Hobe
  Staff Assistant

The NPO also enlists the services of a physician to assist with medical related aspects of the program.

• James M. Herman, MD - Associate Dean for Primary Care for The Penn State College of Medicine, serves as senior medical consultant and focus on rural leaders pipeline issues.

National Advisory Committee

The National Advisory Committee (NAC) is a diverse group of experts who advise the Foundation and National Program Office (NPO) on all aspects of the program. The NAC is appointed by the Foundation and reports to the Foundation. Its activities are coordinated by the NPO. The NAC is available to assist the NPO with the following:

• developing grantee selection criteria
• reviewing and rating grant applications
• making site visits to applicants
• making final recommendations to the Foundation for funding
• participating in the program’s annual conferences
• if appropriate serving as advisors to the NPO
• providing technical assistance to sites when requested
• assisting with dissemination of program activities and results

The majority of the NAC members for the Southern Rural Access Program are located in the eight program states.

• Members