Munley Law Announces $4 Million Settlement with Incompetent Trucking Company Munley Law won a $4 million settlement for a client from a shipping company that selected an incompetent trucking company to transport its goods. Munley Law represented a couple that was severely injured in a multi-vehicle accident caused by one of the trucking company’s tractor trailers. According to the complaint, the accident occurred in a construction zone when a tractor trailer was unable to stop because its brakes were not properly adjusted. The truck rear ended the couple, causing a multiple vehicle collision. The accident left the couple with life-altering injuries, including paraplegia and severe back injuries. According to the complaint, the truck carried the mandatory minimum insurance of $750,000. “This settlement will go a long way to help our clients recover from such a horrific accident,” said Marion Munley, lead counsel on the case. “It also sends a clear message to shipping companies to do their due diligence before selecting a carrier.” For more than 60 years, the truck accident lawyers at Munley Law have been recognized nationwide as industry experts. Their attorneys have helped to create many of the laws that protect truck accident victims today. They have won groundbreaking settlements and verdicts for their clients.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Cuts Ribbon at New Location The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the new office space and feature their new logo on Thursday, August 26, 2021. The new office is located at 312 Adams Ave, Scranton. After the ribbon cutting, office tours were available. 2021 marks the Cancer Institute’s 30th anniversary year. Back row, from left to right: Adam Basalyga, Bedrock Technology, Frank Suraci, Bedrock Technology, Michael Frigoletto, DeLuca Frigoletto Advertising, Robert Durkin, President, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Holly Carron, NRCI Board Member, Dr. Samuel Lesko, Medical Director, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Brian Doughton, District Director for Senator Marty Flynn, and Bill Davis, Chief of Staff for Pennsylvania State Representative Kyle Mullins. Front row, from left to right: Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Ann Crisanti, Chief Financial Officer, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Susan Belin, NRCI Board member and NRCI founder, Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Mayor Paige Cognetti, Representative Bridget Kosierowski, Laura Toole, Executive Vice President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Karen Ryczak, Director of Surveillance and Navigation Programs, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, and Jennifer Manganello, District Staff for Congressman Matt Cartwright.
Swift Kennedy Helps Employers Stay Compliant As if high inflation and Covid issues were not enough to deal with, local business owners must now also grapple with a slew of new federal government regulations. “Whether we’re talking about OSHA, DOL, or other regulations, employers are struggling to stay compliant in order to avoid time-consuming audits and high penalties,” said Jerry Calistri, President and CEO of the insurance brokerage firm Swift Kennedy & Associates. Compliance Guidance That is why Swift Kennedy offers business owners access to virtual tools to help answer the pressing compliance questions they often have when faced with new regulations. These tools inform employers when laws change and advise them about compliance with the revised rules. The resources also enable them to stay ahead of legislative deadlines and access timely information about the latest industry trends. Benefit Notices Swift Kennedy not only provides business owners with compliance guidance, but also generates many government-mandated benefit notices to help them avoid violating ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and other laws. These documents include Wrap Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Wrap Plan Documents, which wrap around the companies’ certificates of insurance and benefit plan booklets. The agency also provides clients with detailed information about the distribution requirements of these notices. These requirements are important, because when employers who are plan administrators fail to maintain and distribute certain documents like SPDs to plan participants within a set timeframe, their companies may be faced with audits and/or stiff penalties. ACA Monitoring and Reporting Many large businesses also need help complying with the Affordable Care Act’s tax regulations, such as its employer shared responsibility provisions. Swift Kennedy offers these clients strategic planning, as well as the digital tools needed for plan implementation, monitoring of hourly activity, and generation of monthly reports in order to prepare for annual IRS reporting and audits. COBRA Administration For businesses with employees who choose to continue their company health insurance coverage after leaving employment, Swift Kennedy offers COBRA administration, which includes providing HIPAA certificates and required letters, as well as employer reporting. Companies using this service rather than in-house COBRA administration usually see substantial savings. So, what is the best way for business owners to ensure that their companies comply with the tangled web of federal government regulations? “I advise employers to meet with an experienced insurance broker, who can help them analyze their benefit plans for compliance and set up a roadmap to prevent any violations in the future,” said Calistri, who is a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist.
Geisinger Receives Grant to Develop Diagnostic Tool for Genetic Disorders A team of Geisinger researchers has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Human Genome Research Institute to develop a tool that will allow healthcare providers to diagnose a genetic basis for select medical conditions in real time. Determining that a medical condition has a genetic basis can have a significant impact on the course of treatment. The proposed High Impact Phenotype Identification System (HIPIS) will shorten the time between onset of symptoms and discovery of a genetic basis for 13 medical conditions, improving patient care and outcomes. “Complex diseases frustrate patients and create a burden on healthcare systems through multiple hospitalizations and frequent testing,” said Marc Williams, M.D., professor at Geisinger’s Genomic Medicine Institute and principal investigator for the project. “Enabling physicians to access genetic information in real time could prevent much of this burden by eliminating the gap between onset of symptoms and genetic diagnosis.” The research team has identified 13 “high-impact” conditions with a high likelihood of having a genetic basis or for which a genetic diagnosis would significantly affect or alter management of the condition. These include pediatric epilepsy, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and congenital kidney disease, among others. An analysis of Geisinger’s electronic health records showed that the average time from symptom onset for one of these conditions to diagnosis as a genetic condition is 3.5 years, and in some cases can take up to 12 years. This delay in genetic diagnosis can affect the patient’s treatment and overall health outcomes. Working alongside experts in each specialty, researchers will develop models that can identify patients with documented clinical signs and symptoms of these high-impact conditions and allow healthcare providers to screen for and diagnose a genetic basis in real time. The team will also analyze clinical workflow to determine the best points at which to present genetic information to providers. “This project is a compelling example of something we do well at Geisinger – using robust genomic and clinical data to help make better health easy for our patients,” said Adam Buchanan, M.S., M.P.H., associate professor and director of Geisinger’s Genomic Medicine Institute. Geisinger has an exciting research environment with more than 50 full-time research faculty and more than 30 clinician scientists. Areas of expertise include precision health, genomics, informatics, data science, implementation science, outcomes research, health services research, bioethics and clinical trials.
Marywood University to Host Annual Lackawanna County College Fair Marywood University will host the Annual Lackawanna County College Fair on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, from 7-8:30 p.m., in the Center for Athletics and Wellness on the University’s Campus. Prior to the College Fair, a Higher Education Presentation will take place at 6:15 p.m., and a Financial Aid Presentation will take place at 7:15 p.m., both at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life in the McGowan Community Room. This event and the presentations are free and open to the public. Representatives of more than 50 colleges and universities, from both in and out of state, will attend the Annual Lackawanna County College Fair and will be available to offer information and answer questions. High School juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend. For additional information about the Annual Lackawanna County College Fair held at Marywood University, please call the Office of Admissions at Marywood, at (570) 348-6234, or email Sarah Polinchak, senior admissions counselor, at scpolinchak@marywood.edu.
PennDOT Data Shows PA Roundabouts Reduce Fatalities, Injuries, Crashes The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that fatalities, injuries, and crashes decreased overall at 26 roundabouts at 23 locations in the time since they were built, according to department data. “The modern roundabout is simply safer than the traditional intersection,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Though not the right option for every intersection, data shows that when installed, roundabouts save lives and reduce crash severity.” PennDOT recently reviewed data for 26 roundabouts on state routes at intersections that were previously stop or signal controlled. These roundabouts were selected based on having at least three years of crash data available before and after the roundabouts were built. Department data based on police-submitted crash reports spanning the years 2000 through 2020 shows that fatalities at these locations were reduced by 100 percent and the total number of crashes decreased by 22 percent. Additionally: Suspected serious injuries were reduced by 81 percent;Suspected minor injuries were reduced by 36 percent;Possible/unknown severity injuries were reduced by 76 percent; andProperty damage-only crashes increased by 13 percent. In addition to the 26 roundabouts meeting the selection criteria, 36 other roundabouts have been built on state routes with 19 more in construction and 20 in final design. The roundabouts included in the review are at the following intersections: Allegheny County: Route 3070 (Ewing Road) and Business Route 0376 Ramp, opened in 2011;Beaver County: Route 0068 (Adams Street), Route 1034 (Brighton Avenue) and Route 6018 (Brighton Ave./Rhode Island Ave.), opened in 2011;Bucks County:Route 2043 (Trevose Road) and Somerton Road, opened in 2012,Route 213 (Bridgetown Pike/Maple Avenue) and Route 2010 (Bridgetown Pike), opened in 2016;Butler County: Route 3024 (Glen Eden Road), Powell Road and Freshcorn Road, opened in 2015;Chester County:Route 0082 (Doe Run Road) and Unionville Road, opened in 2005,Route 52 (Lenape Road), S. Wawaset Road and Lenape Unionville Road, opened in 2014,Route 3062 (Strasburg Road), Romansville Road and Shadyside Road, Opened in 2017;Crawford County:Route 6/19 (Main Street) and Route 0198 (South Street), opened in 2017;Route 6/19 (Main Street) and Route 0198, opened in 2017;Cumberland County: Route 0034 (Spring Road), Route 1007 (Sunnyside Drive) and Mountain Road, opened in 2014;Dauphin County:Route 0039 (Linglestown Road) and Route 3019 (Mountain Road), opened in 2011,Route 322 (Governor Road) and Homestead Lane, opened in 2016,Route 322 (Governor Road) and Meadow Lane, opened in 2016;Delaware County:Route 1023 (N. Newtown Street) and Route 1046 (St. Davids Road), opened in 2008;Route 0320 (Chester Road), Rutgers Avenue and Fieldhouse Lane, opened in 2014;Erie County: Route 19 (High Street) and Route 97, opened in 2014;Luzerne County: I-81 Exit 178 (three roundabouts), opened in 2015Route 315 (Airport Road) and Williams Street and SB Ramp,Route 315 (Airport Road) and NB Ramps and Terminal Road and Navy Way Road,Williams Street and SB ramp;Luzerne County: Route 2008 (Middle Road) and Espy Street, opened in 2017;Montgomery County: Route 0029 (Gravel Pike) and Route 0073 (Big Road), opened in 2009;Washington County: Route 519 (two connected roundabouts) – Route 0519 and Brownlee Road, and Route 519 and Thompson Eighty Four Road, opened in 2015;York County:Route 116 (Main Street) and Hanover St. and Roths Church Road, opened in 2007;Route 74 (Delta Road) and Bryansville Road, opened in 2008. Roundabouts are frequently installed to address intersections with safety issues but may also be installed to improve traffic flow as well as other reasons such as traffic calming, and to facilitate pedestrian mobility. Although roundabouts are safer and typically more efficient than traditional signalized intersections, they may not always be the best option due to topography or other reasons, such as property impacts, capacity issues and proximity to other intersections. Roundabouts are recognized by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) as an innovation that has become standard practice within the transportation community. The Pennsylvania STIC facilitates the rapid implementation of proven, well-researched and documented state, regional, national and international technologies, tactics, techniques and other innovations that are new to Pennsylvania. The STIC also supports the implementation of the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts (EDC) Initiatives. To educate Pennsylvanians on how to navigate a roundabout, the department created a video on how to use both single and multi-lane roundabouts whether in a vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot. The video can be accessed by visiting the roundabout page on www.penndot.gov or by visiting the department’s YouTube channel.
Tribute to The Beatles at Scranton Cultural Center It’s time to GET BACK to where you once belonged with the return of live shows at the Scranton Cultural Center. RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES opens its 2021 Tour in Scranton on Wednesday, October 6. Tickets, priced at $35, $45, $55, and $65, are on sale NOW at BroadwayInScranton.com and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office (M-F 10A-2P). A $3.00 facility fee is added to each ticket and additional handling charges apply to online and phone orders. For group rates, call the Broadway Theatre League office at 570.342.7784. This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press). Experience the world’s most iconic band and come celebrate The Best of Abbey Road Live with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES. In addition to the updated sets that include state of the art LED, high-definition screens and multimedia content, RAIN will bring the Abbey Road album to life with the launch of the 2021 Tour. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. Let RAIN take you back with all of the greatest hits along with all of your other Beatles favorites! This adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends! Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.BroadwayInScranton.com Join the conversation with RAIN on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RainTribute, follow RAIN on Twitter @raintribute, Instagram: @RainTribute and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RainTribute For additional information and electronic images, contact Ali Basalyga (ali@nacentertainment.com).
New President and Dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Dr. Julie Byerly, M.D., M.P.H Geisinger announced that Julie Byerley, M.D., M.P.H., will serve as the new president and dean of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), executive vice president and chief academic officer, effective January 1, 2022. She succeeds Steven Scheinman, M.D., who has served as the president and dean of the college since 2012. Scheinman is set to retire at the end of this year. “I am thrilled to announce Julie Byerley as our school’s next president and dean,” said Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. “In addition to being a highly respected leader in education and her many career accomplishments, Dr. Byerley’s passion for academic excellence, research, and teaching will be critical to helping us realize our vision: to make better health easier for the communities we serve. We couldn’t be more excited to have her join our team and lead GCSOM into the future.” “We’re confident Dr. Byerley will work to assure the quality of GCSOM’s educational programs and accreditation that will not only ground students with the very best in healthcare education, research and innovation, but will instill her passion for patient outcomes that will ultimately benefit our communities for generations to follow,” said Virginia McGregor, chair of the GCSOM board. “We want to thank Dr. Scheinman for his leadership throughout the years and vision in growing GCSOM from a small community institution into the nationally respected medical school it is today. We look forward to working with Dr. Byerley to continue this tradition of excellence at GCSOM and to build upon the foundation that Dr. Scheinman helped us establish.” “I’m honored and ecstatic to be joining as the new president and dean of GCSOM and Geisinger’s chief academic officer,” said Dr. Byerley. “The school has a well-known national reputation for being innovative, community centric and patient focused while providing hands-on education and training that prepares students for careers in healthcare. And our research institution has long been recognized as one of the most groundbreaking teams in medicine utilizing population and patient-based data. I am eager to serve and work closely with students, staff, researchers and faculty to further the success of the school, our research environment and all of the academic and training programs that we offer to make better health easier for everyone our students, alumni and researchers will impact throughout their careers.” As the new dean, Byerley will provide visionary leadership for GCSOM, assuring excellence, innovation, and a focus on learners, patients, and the promotion of health. She will continue to establish GCSOM as a leader in the industry and model the community service mission of the organization. In addition to her GCSOM responsibilities, as chief academic officer, Dr. Byerley will leverage her experience from a world-class academic and research institution at the University of North Carolina (UNC) to also oversee the management of educational experiences for learners throughout Geisinger, including graduate medical education, nursing, pharmacy, advanced practitioners and other health professions. She will also be responsible for overseeing Geisinger’s world-renowned research environment that includes more than 50 full-time research faculty and more than 30 clinician investigators responsible for groundbreaking medical advancements like the MyCode Precision Health Initiative and more. Geisinger’s areas of research expertise span precision health, genomics, informatics, data science, implementation science, outcomes research, health services research, bioethics and participation in hundreds of clinical trials each year. Byerley has been with the UNC School of Medicine since 2002, serving recently as vice dean for academic affairs where she oversaw the school’s educational enterprise and the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development. Since January 2021 she has served as interim dean of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. Byerley earned her bachelor’s degree in physics and a teaching certificate from Rhodes College and attended medical school at Duke University. She completed her pediatrics residency and chief residency at UNC-Chapel Hill where she also earned a master’s degree in public health with a focus on maternal and child health.
NET Credit Union Receives Philanthropic Award NET Credit Union is the 2021 recipient of the Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy. Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO of NET Credit Union, accepted the award on behalf of NET at their annual fundraiser, Mix and Mingle at Glenn Oak Country Club. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA provides daily delivered nutritional services to the elderly and disabled individuals in Lackawanna County. The volunteers who deliver these meals daily may be the only human interaction their clients see. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meals on Wheels of NEPA has continued to provide uninterrupted daily services to their clients with an unwavering commitment to quality and service – due largely to the dedication of staff and volunteers, strict adherence to public health protocols and financial support from our wonderful community. Today, Meals on Wheels prepares up to 2,000 hot meals per day. Pictured L to R: Phil Zvirblis, Branch Manager, and Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO.
