Weaving a Healthier Community

WovenWell Board Members Reflect on Evolution, Independence, and Impact

Reflections from Board Members: Angela Palumbo and Dr. George Garrow

Over the past six years, our organization serving Mercer County’s community well-being needs, has evolved, starting a new chapter and refining our mission. Now, that transformation takes on a new identity. The Buhl Regional Health Foundation has officially rebranded as WovenWell (or the WovenWell Foundation)—a change that reflects years of strategic growth, deeper local partnerships, and a clear, independent path forward.

From the perspective of the Board of Directors, this turning point is far more than a name change. It marks the culmination of an intentional journey toward organizational clarity, relationship-building, and an unyielding focus on well-being for those in and around Mercer County. Below, the Board shares what the vision behind WovenWell means to them, how the new identity honors years of dedicated investment, and what this next chapter means for the future of Mercer County.

Angela Palumbo, Board Chair:

“As Board Chair, a community leader, and a longtime Mercer County resident, launching WovenWell is a significant milestone. It clearly reflects who the foundation is, our independent strategic focus, and our dedication to the well-being of the people we serve.

“Having been involved since the foundation’s beginning, I have seen our evolution firsthand as we’ve moved away from outside influences to establish ourselves as a truly independent, private foundation whose values combine community, connection, empathy, understanding, support, service, growth, and learning. 

“WovenWell represents our unified effort to build a healthier community. We began by listening directly to our residents to guide our funding, and today we are actively weaving stronger partnerships across every level of our region—with community leaders, professionals of every level, and youth. WovenWell signals a clear, independent path forward and reinforces our commitment to improving Mercer County’s well-being by strategically investing in community-driven initiatives that make a lasting impact.”

Angela Palumbo is a passionate advocate for community well-being. She is a retired state employee, who served as Administrator of the Pennsylvania CareerLink Mercer County. Angela has served on many boards and agencies in the Shenango Valley. 

Dr. George Garrow, Board Member:

“I really see the process by which we’ve arrived at the WovenWell name as a significant investment in the future of health and resilience in our community. Achieving true health involves so much more than traditional healthcare delivery. It requires leaning into the Rippel Foundation’s 7 Vital Conditions that shape daily life—including housing, opportunity, connection, and access. This new WovenWell name and new chapter reflects our commitment to a truly transformational approach to well-being.

“I’ve served on the foundation’s board since its inception, I was in the room when it happened. Over the years, I’ve watched a deep maturation and evolution take place. It’s been a lot of hard work, an investment of time in working alongside the staff and, most importantly, getting to know our Mercer County community. Today, it feels like we are hitting our stride. It’s extremely gratifying to see that investment paying off so significantly for everyone in Mercer County.

“The Mercer County area is uniquely positioned as compared to similar communities nationwide. Across the country, many regions, especially rural communities, face identical health challenges without the dedicated assets and local talent available in our area. For WovenWell, those resources serve as a catalyst for deeper, broad-based collaboration and opportunities for impact.

“Clinical well-being is vital, but that is only part of the equation. Leaning into the 7 Vital Conditions opens things up even further. By partnering with local nonprofits and community-based organizations that are already doing exceptional work, WovenWell can enable them to do what they do best. Collectively, we achieve far greater outcomes than any single entity could alone.

“It’s always valuable to pause and reflect—not just on where we’ve been, but where we want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. What do we want for our community? What do we want from the WovenWell Foundation? Everyone (board and staff) serving here shares a core belief: we want to leave this world in a better place than we inherited it. Every decision we make at WovenWell puts those words into action.” 

Dr. George Garrow, CEO of Primary Health Network, is a dedicated leader in rural health and has been instrumental in improving care across Pennsylvania. His commitment to Mercer County is reflected through his service on the WovenWell Foundation Board of Directors and the County Health Task Force. Through his leadership and involvement, Dr. Garrow has helped shape policies and initiatives that continue to improve health outcomes and strengthen the well-being in Western Pennsylvania. 

To learn more about WovenWell, see this link and visit wovenwellfoundation.org. Join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn, and sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, created to keep our community connected and informed: Sign Up Now