USDA Rural Development Announces $127,543 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant to Lewistown Hospital

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4, 2011 – Thomas P. Williams, USDA Rural Development State Director, announced that Lewistown Hospital received a $127,543 grant award to add teleradiology equipment at the hospital’s Belleville office so that readings can be done remotely at the Lewistown Hospital. Equipment will also be added at the Lewistown site to accommodate the additional equipment at Belleville. In addition, the project will give medical professionals in Belleville remote access to current and historic case images on file in Lewistown.

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program provides access to education, training and health care resources in rural areas. “This funding is critical to connecting rural hospitals in Pennsylvania to new technology and educational resources and will ultimately improve health care services for residents,” said Williams.

Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

USDA, through its national Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

For more information on programs offered by USDA Rural Development, contact the Pennsylvania State Office at (717) 237-2299 or visit its website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa.