The Jennifer S. Cwynar
Rural Health Undergraduate
Summer Internship Program

The Jennifer S. Cwynar Rural Health Undergraduate Summer Internship Program is named in memory of Jennifer S. Cwynar, a 2008 graduate of the undergraduate program in health policy and administration at The Pennsylvania State University, who served as PORH’s intern in the summer of 2008. Cwynar died on January 6, 2010. The Jennifer S. Cwynar Rural Health Undergraduate Internship Program exposes Penn State undergraduate students to the unique health care access, affordability, and quality issues facing rural Pennsylvanians. The internship gives students the opportunity to research rural health policy and legislation; assist with the planning of statewide continuing education events; participate in meetings with key state, regional, and national rural health policymakers and stakeholders; and pursue self-directed interests that further their educational and professional goals. Because of a generous financial contribution given by the Cwynar family, PORH offers an “externship experience” to the office’s intern.

PORH accepts application for the internship program in January-February of each year. To inquire about an internship opportunity, please forward during that timeframe a cover letter and resume to Lisa Davis, Director, at lad3@psu.edu. Interviews for selected candidates are held in March and April of each year and the successful applicant selected by April. The internship commences in May and continues for eight weeks.

Jennifer S. Cwynar Community Achievement Award

The Jennifer S. Cwynar Community Achievement Award recognizes community achievement by a Department of Health Policy and Administration student in the College of Health and Human Development who has demonstrated service and commitment to a community or an underserved population(s), preferably, but not exclusively, in a rural area of Pennsylvania.

The award is established in memory of Jennifer S. Cwynar, a 2008 graduate of Health Policy and Administration and a 2008 undergraduate intern at the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. The award is given in recognition of Jennifer’s commitment to community service, advocacy for underserved and rural populations, and focus on public health and is awarded to a senior undergraduate Health Policy and Administration student who has advanced those commitments and to encourage and foster personal and professional development.

For more information, contact Lisa Davis, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, at 814-863-8214 or to lad3@psu.edu.