Quandel Construction Group Announces Executive Leadership Promotions Quandel Construction Group proudly announces two executive leadership promotions. Sarah Knehr has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, while Nicholas Bagdonis has been promoted to Vice President of Quandel Energy Solutions and Strategic Projects. Quandel Energy Solutions is a division of Quandel Construction Group, LLC. “As key contributors to our growth, Sarah and Nick have demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and vision, making them the perfect leaders for these new roles. Their leadership will enhance our organization’s scalability and strengthen our team’s ability to uphold and advance our legacy of excellence. ,” said Greg Quandel, President and CEO of Quandel Enterprises. “We are confident that their strategic insights and commitment to innovation will propel our continued success as we expand our impact in the communities we serve.” About Sarah Knehr, CHC: Knehr’s journey at Quandel began with a high school internship, a pivotal experience that ignited her passion for construction. Rising through the ranks from Assistant Project Manager to Project Executive, she has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a commitment to excellence, and a deep dedication to the communities Quandel serves. “Over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for building facilities that truly support our communities. I look forward to using my experience and expertise to help shape our organization and the communities we serve,” said Knehr. About Nicholas Bagdonis, MBA, CCM: Bagdonis joined Quandel in 2022, bringing over 15 years of construction industry experience, with a proven track record in managing large-scale, complex construction and energy efficiency projects across the United States. Known for his ability to develop high-performing teams and embrace innovation, he is committed to leading with integrity and advancing sustainable solutions. “Stepping into this role is both an honor and an opportunity—to lead with integrity, drive innovation, and build a future where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. In construction and energy services, every project is a chance to create lasting impact, and I’m excited to help shape that future,” said Bagdonis. These promotions underscore Quandel’s long-standing commitment to developing exceptional talent and fostering leadership from within. “The history of the Quandel organization has been built on the strength of our people. Seeing Sarah and Nick step into these leadership roles is a testament to their excellent work, expertise, and dedication. Their leadership will contribute to the continued growth of our company, ensuring our customers receive exceptional quality and service,” said Noble (Bud) Quandel, Executive Board Chairman. With these expanded responsibilities, Knehr and Bagdonis will play a pivotal role in shaping Quandel’s future, ensuring continued success, and delivering exceptional value to clients and partners.
The Dime Bank and PA Bankers Warn of Uptick in Phishing Scams The Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) announced today that banks across the commonwealth are seeing an uptick in phishing scams targeting their customers via phone, email and text messages. These phishing scams are communications designed to trick consumers into providing confidential information (like account numbers, passwords or PINS) either online or over the phone to someone impersonating a bank employee. Victims of phishing scams can lose hundreds, even thousands of dollars. The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Phishing attacks can appear very convincing, so it’s crucial to remain vigilant and question any suspicious requests for your information. The Dime Bank will never ask you to click on unfamiliar links or provide sensitive details. Your online security depends on your awareness. The Dime Bank is continually educating our communities and implementing safeguards to protect our customer account information from ever-changing scams.” The association and The Dime Bank urge consumers to remember the following: • Banks will never ask for your personal information via phone, text or email. You may be asked to verify confidential information if you call your bank, but banks will never call you to ask for this information. If you receive an incoming call from someone claiming to be your bank, the safest thing you can do is hang up and call your bank’s publicly listed customer service number. • If you receive a suspicious email or text, do not download any attachments, click on any links or reply to the sender. Report the email or text by forwarding emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org and text messages to SPAM (7726). Finally, report the phishing attack to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. • If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up or end the call and do not respond to the caller’s requests. • If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam and may have provided personal or important financial information, contact The Dime Bank and your other financial institutions immediately via a publicly listed customer service number. Often, this is found on the back of your bank card. Be sure to include any relevant details, such as whether the suspicious caller attempted to impersonate your bank and whether any personal or financial information was provided to the suspicious caller. “PA Bankers and its member banks take consumers’ financial well-being seriously,” said Duncan Campbell, PA Bankers’ president and CEO. “Banks are constantly working hard to protect their customers’ money through a variety of safeguards, but one of the most effective ways to prevent consumers from falling victim to phishing scams is through continued education.” In October, the American Bankers Association (ABA) launched its annual #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, which seeks to turn the table on fraudsters by empowering consumers to spot bogus bank phishing scams by using attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content. Consumers are encouraged to visit banksneveraskthat.com for an interactive game, a quiz and tips to help them learn more about these scams. “The easiest way to spot a phishing scam is to remember that ‘Banks Never Ask That.’ When something looks or sounds suspicious, it likely is,” said Campbell.
Geisinger to Host Free Community Shred Events Across Pennsylvania In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger will host free community shred events across northeastern and central Pennsylvania throughout the month of April. Employees and members of the public are invited to bring any personal or professional confidential documents — such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms — to be securely shredded on-site and recycled. Each person is limited to three boxes. Do not use bins for non-paper waste or garbage. For more information, call 570-271-6030. Community shred events: Monday, April 7 – Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8 – Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 11 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 14 – Geisinger Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 15 – Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St., Jersey Shore, 7 – 11 a.m. Thursday, April 17 – Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 18 – Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 21 – Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220, Muncy, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22 – Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 25 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Noon – 4 p.m. Monday, April 28 – Geisinger Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, Noon – 4 p.m.
The Wright Center Celebrates Doctors Day – Highlights Dr. Simran Bhimani Internal Medicine resident following in parents’ footsteps takes on new leadership role at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education As a child, Dr. Simran Bhimani had a bird’s-eye view of her parents’ medical clinic in their small village near Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Bhimani’s childhood home doubled as a medical clinic, where her mother, an obstetrician-gynecologist, and her father, a pediatrician, cared for patients on the first floor. Some of her earliest memories include her mother tending to her between patient visits. “Becoming a doctor is something that was ingrained in me from an early age,” said Dr. Bhimani, a second-year Internal Medicine resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (TWCGME) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. “Training in the United States was my mother’s dream, so it’s special to me to be able to come here and train.” Now, as the resident physician follows her parents’ path, she’s taken on a unique leadership role at The Wright Center: Participatory Citizenship Chief Resident. The post serves as a bridge between resident and fellow physicians and TWCGME’s leadership. Participatory citizenship is an international concept that is gaining in popularity. It seeks to improve decision-making and enhance accountability by emphasizing the involvement of ordinary citizens in the overall process of building a better society. “The position was created to ensure that the voices of the residents and fellows are heard,” said Dr. Bhimani. “Some residents may feel hesitant to voice concerns or give feedback to faculty or Graduate Medical Education Committee members, but as a colleague and friend, I hope they feel comfortable speaking with me.” Dr. Bhimani’s primary goal is to boost resident and fellow physician participation in TWCGME surveys. These surveys gather feedback on various topics, including faculty engagement and learning environments. In her first email to residents and fellows, she praised the strong response rate to a recent clinical climate survey and highlighted the steps Wright Center officials are taking based on the feedback they received. “As we strive for excellence, one key area for improvement emerged: enhancing the patient-centered continuity experience. We have enhanced our team-based continuity model in our primary clinics to address this concern,” she wrote in the message. “While this initiative is still in its early stages, we are committed to refining and expanding it in the coming months.” Dr. Bhimani emphasized that informing residents and fellows about how their feedback contributes to improving and refining training programs is essential for boosting survey participation. “When I was a first-year student, I didn’t understand the importance of filling out a survey,” she said. “Now I know that responding to a survey is a chance to make my mark on the program and contribute to making it better for all stakeholders – the residents and fellows, TWCGME leadership, the patients, and most importantly, future learners.” Coming from a family of physicians – including her brother, Dr. Sameer Bhimani, a first-year Internal Medicine resident physician at The Wright Center – she understands the importance of open communication in medical training. This trait was recognized by TWCGME leadership, who praised her enthusiasm for the new role. “Together with Dr. Bhimani and our resident and fellow physicians, we are demonstrating the value of participatory citizenship, sharing opportunities to contribute, and offering a venue for action plans,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president of education and designated institutional official at TWCGME. “We look forward to working with her to develop and define this role as we continue our efforts to improve the graduate medical education experience.” Dr. Bhimani views the new role as another valuable opportunity to develop skills for her future career as a primary care physician. Inspired by her parents’ dedication to whole-person care in Pakistan, she is committed to providing the same level of compassionate treatment. Along her journey, she has drawn inspiration from leadership at The Wright Center, including President and CEO Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Erin McFadden, and Dr. Barooah. “I connect to the type of care offered here because my parents also took a whole-person approach to treating their patients,” Dr. Bhimani said. “The doctors I’ve worked with take the time to listen and understand their patients. The whole sum of The Wright Center’s program is community care and community outreach. That’s what I want to provide as a doctor, too.” For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Welcomes 47 New Resident Physicians on Match Day The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 47 new resident physicians into residency programs on National Match Day for aspiring doctors on March 21. The National Resident Matching Program’s Match Day is held annually on the third Friday of March. Medical students nation- and worldwide simultaneously learn at which U.S. residency program they will train for the next three to seven years. It is one of the most important and competitive processes in the medical school experience. On March 21, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education staff celebrated National Match Day, marking the exciting moment when medical students discover their residency placements. Joining the festivities were Michelle Grochowski, Eileen Howells, Lisa Mann, Russell Day, Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Meagan Coleman-Derenick, Dr. Jumee Barooah, Brian Ebersole, Najla Figueroa, and Xiomara Smith, who shared in the excitement of welcoming the incoming residents. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education looks forward to Match Day each year as it learns which medical school graduates will continue their training in its Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited residency programs. The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Consortiums in the country, with more than 190 physicians in training. The Wright Center matched residents in the following regional programs: Internal Medicine Residency (32) and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency (9). Two resident physicians were also welcomed into the new Internal Medicine-Geriatrics Integrated Residency and Fellowship Pathway, commonly known as the Combined Med-Geri Pathway, and four residents will join the new Family Medicine – HealthSource of Ohio Residency Program, a collaboration between The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education and HealthSource of Ohio in Hillsboro. The Wright Center is one of 14 training sites across the country approved by ACGME to offer the unique Med-Geri Pathway Program, which provides an alternative route for training geriatricians by integrating the clinical experiences and competencies required of a geriatrics fellowship across the internal medicine residency. The innovative Family Medicine – HealthSource of Ohio Residency Program focuses on training family medicine physicians in rural settings with an emphasis on caring for underserved populations. Residents will gain hands-on experience in patient care at Ohio’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, which serves more than 85,000 patients annually. Through this immersive training, the program aims to strengthen the rural health care workforce and improve access to high-quality whole-person primary health services. The Wright Center will also retain three physicians in training who will complete the Geriatrics Fellowship Program in June. They will join the Internal Medicine Residency Program. The new resident physicians will begin their program on July 1. All together, incoming residents hail from 12 countries: 15 from the United States, 15 from Pakistan, four from Egypt, four from India, two from Canada, and one each from Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The Wright Center received 5,835 applications and interviewed 433 candidates, or about 7.42% of the applicants. The National Resident Matching Program makes residency matches, using a mathematical algorithm to pair graduating medical students with open training positions at teaching health centers, educational consortia, hospitals, and other institutions across the U.S. The model considers the top choices of both students and residency programs. “Match Day is one of the most exciting days of the academic year and a celebration to welcome our new residents,” said Jumee Barooah, M.D., senior vice president and designated institutional official at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “For the residents, the day represents the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance that began at an early age. “For The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, it marks another milestone in meeting our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is one of the nation’s largest HRSA-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to provide whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To date, The Wright Center has trained 1,056 graduates. The Wright Center offers ACGME-accredited residencies in four disciplines – internal medicine, family medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and the combined med-geri pathway – as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Urban Co-Works Expands Out of State Urban Co-Works, a premier coworking space provider, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location at 98 Lower Westfield Road in Holyoke, Massachusetts. This expansion marks the third location for Urban Co-Works, which began in 2017 in Schenectady, NY, and opened its second location in downtown Scranton, PA, in 2023. “Holyoke is a vibrant city with a growing community of professionals and entrepreneurs in need of flexible, collaborative spaces to work and thrive,” said Jeff Goronkin, CEO of Urban Co-Works. “Our team is excited to bring the Urban Co-Works experience to Massachusetts. We look forward to contributing to the city’s economic development and offering a space that inspires creativity and connection.” The new Holyoke facility offers a state-of-the-art coworking environment featuring 55 private offices, three meeting rooms, an expansive event area with a fully equipped kitchen, and a coworking section with 20 workstations. Members will enjoy 24/7 access with a keyless entry system, free onsite parking, printing services, and complimentary beverages including coffee and tea. Conveniently located near some of Holyoke’s best shopping and dining options, the space is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. Goronkin shared his vision for the new location: “Our goal is to create an environment in Holyoke that mirrors the success we’ve had in Schenectady and Scranton. We want to be a hub for business development, networking, and professional events. Urban Co-Works has always been about building strong communities, and we’re excited to bring that mission to Holyoke.” Ned Barowski, owner of the building at 98 Lower Westfield Road, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We’re thrilled to welcome Urban Co-Works to our space. Their presence will foster a vibrant professional community in the region, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll have on Holyoke’s business ecosystem.”
The University of Scranton to Host Graduate Open House Those considering graduate school and current undergraduate students can learn about the career advancement opportunities offered through The University of Scranton’s 40-plus advanced-degree programs at its Graduate Open House on Wednesday, Apr. 9. Participants will meet with Scranton alumni, faculty, admissions representatives and current graduate students and learn about flexible on-campus and online program formats offered by the nationally-recognized, Jesuit university. Scranton provides the highest-quality graduate education, with programs meeting the most rigorous state or national accreditations available within their professional fields. Graduate programs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, health care management, clinical rehabilitation counseling, business analytics and MBAs in several concentrations and other business disciplines. In recent years, Scranton has added graduate programs in high in-demand fields, such as an online master’s degree program in cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity, and a synchronous remote master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Scranton also offers a synchronous and asynchronous graduate program in psychiatric mental health nursing. Scranton’s graduate programs are offered in formats that include on-campus and online options. Video Tease: Achieve more with a graduate degree from The University of Scranton. Learn more at Scranton’s Graduate Open House. The Graduate Open House begins on Apr. 9 with registration at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the DeNaples Center, followed by an alumni panel presentation at 6 p.m. Program-specific information sessions will run from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Optional campus tours are available from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event is offered free of charge. For more information or to make reservations, visit the Graduate Open House webpage or email gradadmissions@scranton.edu.
The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum Features Literature, Culture, Music, and Wine The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will offer Collaborate Programs featuring fascinating topics in the areas of literature, culture, music and wine education during the spring semester. This spring, The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will offer Collaborate Programs featuring fascinating topics in the areas of literature, culture, music and wine education. Presenters include, from left: Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director of Weill Cornell Music and Medicine; wine writer David Falchek; George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., dean and professor, Weinberg Memorial Library; Virgina Picchietti, Ph.D., professor of Italian at Scranton; and Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre at Scranton. On Monday, March 31, the Schemel Forum will partner with Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library for an evening celebrating the legacy of Umberto Eco with the premiere of “Umberto Eco: A Library of the World.” This engaging documentary explores Eco’s life as a scholar, novelist and philosopher, highlighting his insatiable curiosity and deep connection to libraries. Following the screening, a panel of University of Scranton faculty members will delve into Eco’s influence on literature, philosophy and culture, examining his interdisciplinary approach and the enduring relevance of his work in a rapidly changing world. Panelists will be George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., dean and professor, Weinberg Memorial Library, Virgina Picchietti, Ph.D., professor of Italian, and Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of English and Theatre. The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. in Brennan Hall Pearn Auditorium, is free and open to the public. On Thursday, April 10, the Schemel Forum and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) will present the concert lecture “Schumann: Music, Mood Swings & Madness.” Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director of Weill Cornell Music and Medicine, will discuss how creative artists are especially vulnerable to mental illness. The German composer Robert Schumann is one of the finest examples of the blurred boundary between genius and insanity. Dr. Kogan will explore how the racing thoughts, flight of ideas and sharpened imagination of Schumann’s hypomanic states induced prodigious bursts of creativity until the onset of psychosis led to his tragic final years in an insane asylum. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at GCSOM, 525 Pine St., Scranton. Admission to the event, which includes a reception, is $40 for the general public. The event is free for Schemel Forum members and University of Scranton and GCSOM employees and students. On Friday, June 6, the Schemel Forum will pilot a new program, “Vinho and Views: Exploring Portugal’s Wine Heritage.” This hands-on wine education event will feature a four-course wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, a presentation on Portuguese wines, and an interactive discussion led by wine writer David Falchek. Participants will discover the rich history and vibrant flavors of Portugal’s wine and will explore the unique challenges of indigenous grape varieties, the connection between Madeira and the Founding Fathers, and how the Portuguese celebrate their wines. Falchek has been published in Beverage Media, Vineyard and Winery Management and others, and writes a drinks column for The Scranton Times. He is the former executive director of the American Wine Society. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The cost for the wine tasting, hors d’oeuvre and lecture is $60 per person, $100 per couple for non-Schemel Forum members. There is no additional fee for Schemel Forum Members, Angels, and Archangels to attend this event. University of Scranton and GCSOM students, staff, and faculty must purchase tickets for this event and participants must be 21 years or older. For additional information or registration information, contact Rose Merritt at 570-941-4740 or rose.merritt@scranton.edu Additional Schemel Forum events can be found on the Schemel Forum’s webpage.
