Geisinger was recognized on April 13 for its efforts in advancing community health and improving patient access to essential resources. The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) 2026 Achievement Award honored Geisinger among twelve organizations for innovative approaches to healthcare and public health partnerships.
The award highlights the importance of addressing both medical needs and social factors that influence overall well-being. Allison Hess, Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Geisinger, said, “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. 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 recognized program features several components designed to address a wide range of social determinants of health. Through its Neighborly platform, Geisinger connects individuals with more than 11,000 organizations providing services such as food assistance, housing support, and transportation. Social needs screening tools help identify those requiring additional support based on insights from Community Health Needs Assessments.
Results from these efforts include connecting over 75,000 people with food resources—such as mobile pantries in rural areas—and supporting distribution of 3.5 million pounds of food across communities. Housing stability programs have helped more than 1,500 people secure rental assistance or shelter options. Additionally, Geisinger has arranged over 43,000 rides for clinical or social care appointments and enrolled more than 150 participants in GED training programs.
A key part of this approach is the Social Needs Resource Hub launched in August 2025. The hub provides virtual support using real-time data while bridging healthcare providers with social service agencies through a statewide directory.
Nicole Stallings, President and CEO of HAP said: “The 2026 HAP Achievement Awards highlight the innovative ways hospitals are delivering outstanding results for patients… Hospitals are vital to Pennsylvania, working inside and outside their walls to improve health and strengthen the communities they serve.”
Geisinger serves approximately 1.2 million people across central and northeastern Pennsylvania through value-based care models at multiple sites including ten hospital campuses.
