Pitchford named to Pa. Rural Health Assn.

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital CEO Ed Pitchford has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association.

Pitchford has been active in promoting rural health issues as a member of the executive committee of the hospital and other professional organizations.

"Citizens who chose to live in rural areas should have access to the same level and quality of basic health care services as those who are in urban or metropolitan areas," Pitchford said. "Obviously there will be differences in availability when it comes to specialized care that is only provided in certain cities. This raises the importance of patient transportation in rural areas such as Coudersport."