Pitt-Bradford Center for Rural Health Practice asks community for help to receive grant

BRADFORD, PA – The Center for Rural Health Practice at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is asking community members to go online and vote for a proposed project that is competing against other semi-finalists for a $100,000 grant.

The grant is one of three being offered by the Pitt Innovation Challenge (PINCH) for projects that “empower individuals to take control of their own health outcomes.”

The center has taken advantage of the grant opportunity to pursue something the staff has been thinking about for a while, said Dr. Lisa Fiorentino, director of the center. The center’s Blazing New Trails proposal is to build on an existing smartphone application created by Pitt-Bradford students to enhance the experience of walking on the Tuna Valley Trail Association’s Richard E. McDowell Community Trail and the Community Parks Trail.

Anyone can help support the Blazing New Trails program by taking part in the People's Choice voting for the challenge. To do so, visit www.pinch.pitt.edu/voting.aspx, view the Blazing New Trails video and scroll to the bottom of the page to vote.

The last day to vote is April 14.

Several representatives of community partners like the YMCA, Bradford Family Medicine and the TVTA appear in the video to support the proposal.

In addition to the community benefiting by having a greater incentive to walk, Fiorentino said there would be numerous opportunities for Pitt-Bradford students to work on the app, coach people through a fitness trail on the application, organize community walks and help market the program.