Penn State Health boosts community support with $205M investment

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Seeking to support health and well-being in their communities, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine of Hershey invested over $205.8 million during fiscal year 2024. 

In addition, their community health programs reached more than 1.3 million people in fiscal year 2025. 

“Our commitment to improving community health continues to grow stronger each year,” Penn State Health CEO Dr. Michael Kupferman said in a statement. “The total community benefit we provide grew 21% over the previous year and the number of people we served surpassed last year’s record by 30%. Together, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are building stronger, healthier communities where everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.” 

The organizations’ efforts to improve mental health, health equity, and wellness and disease prevention are highlighted in its 2025 Community Benefit Report, “Health Equity in Action”. 

According to a release, Penn State Health’s total community benefit, which the IRS requires to maintain nonprofit status, includes financial assistance and uncompensated hospital care for Medicaid patients, health professions education, community health initiatives and subsidized health services.  

Penn State Health conducts a community health needs assessment every three years to identify and prioritize the most pressing health needs in its service area, per the release. The 2021 assessment pointed to three key health issues: mental health, health equity, and wellness/disease prevention. 

The 2025 Community Benefit Report features the following: 

• Penn State Health doctors, nurses and other employees who volunteer at Beacon Clinic, a free primary health care clinic in Harrisburg. 

• Healthy Corner Store Initiative that offers free health screenings and nutrition education in downtown Reading. 

• Penn State Health’s partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police Academy to equip cadets with skills for responding to mental health and addiction calls. 

• Walk With a Doc and StoryWalk programs that help people move their bodies while connecting with others. 

• Veggie Rx program, which offers free nutrition education and vouchers for fresh produce. 

“Alongside our partners, we are actively addressing these issues by connecting low-income individuals to health care services, equipping law enforcement officers with skills to support those with mental illness, transforming corner stores into community health hubs, providing free nutrition education, and creating more opportunities for physical activity and social connection,” said Kupferman.