Campus News

AmeriCorps VISTA Project Expands Oral Health Access in Huntingdon County

(Posted October 3, 2025)

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HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College alum Anna Dill ’25 is serving in a year-long community health position funded by AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) through PCCE (Partners for Campus-Community Engagement) and hosted by the College. 

This VISTA project is currently in the first year of its three-year effort focused on oral health in Huntingdon County, with Broad Top Area Medical Center as the primary community partner. 

Dill, from Ebensburg, Pa., is serving as a dental health coordinator supervised by Sarah Worley, director of community-engaged teaching and learning at Juniata. 

“Going to college here and being more involved in the community that surrounds it has been really great. I think I have a better understanding of the people around here—everybody’s so nice and it’s such a great community that’s very passionate about helping each other,” Dill said. “One of my main roles is to promote oral health initiatives, like myths versus facts about fluoride or how to floss properly. Those things might seem intuitive, but even I’ve learned new things through my research. Part of medicine is to prevent bad things from happening. Cavities and gum disease are all preventable, so trying to get resources into the community is important.” 

Barriers to care include a decrease in the number of local providers over the course of the past decade and access to transportation. 

“Distance, transportation, and financial situations are the biggest challenges. I’ve been helping Broad Top Area Medical Center with researching and writing grants to provide dental healthcare to people who have Medicaid, Medicare, or who are uninsured,” Dill said. “My role in this first year is to get a feel for what the community needs, communicate with members of the community, and see what people feel is the most pressing issue.” 

Dill has been accepted to medical school and will pursue a career as a physician following the conclusion of her service year. 

AmeriCorps is a program supported by the federal government, private donors, organizations, and businesses which aims to engage adults to help others while meeting critical needs in the community through public service. 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.