The Dime Bank Transitions to ‘.Bank’ The Dime Bank recently transitioned their website from thedimebank.com to thedime.bank domain to provide customers with an even more secure banking experience. This change provides another layer of enhanced security and verification requirements to reduce the risk of cyber threats and enable The Dime Bank to provide a greater level of digital security. The American Bankers Association (ABA) reports that banking has consistently been one of the most targeted industries for phishing for over a decade. The accessibility of publicly available, unregulated, and affordable domains like .com and .net allow malicious entities to acquire similar-looking domains effortlessly for conducting business email compromises, phishing, and spoofing attacks, resulting in data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. The Dime Bank’s email addresses and website URL will now use ‘.bank’ as their ending. Thedime.bank has enhanced security requirements which help mitigate the risk for fraud. There is an extensive vetting process in place so that only legitimate banking institutions can utilize ‘.bank’, thereby preventing bad actors from creating imposter domains. To verify the authenticity of The Dime Bank’s emails and website, customers can easily spot the ‘.bank’. With the ‘.bank’ in place, consumers can quickly confirm emails and websites are real, and avoid interactions that could lead to identity theft and financial fraud. This authentication is also an additional layer of protection for internal and vendor communications, helping to further secure against potential breaches. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Customer security is a paramount concern at The Dime Bank, encompassing both personal and financial information. The ‘.bank’ domain is a gated domain, like .gov, and is exclusive for verified banks. Providing cutting-edge technology that caters to customers’ need for high-speed convenience along with security remains a key consideration in all our choices. By transitioning our domain name to ‘thedime.bank’ from ‘thedimebank.com’, customers can interact with confidence when they see the ‘.bank’ at the end of The Dime Bank’s email address and website URL.” Emails from thedimebank.com will be forwarded to the new thedime.bank addresses, and the website previously ending in ‘.com’ will now redirect to the new ‘.bank’ site. Customers are advised to update their address books and bookmarks for thedime.bank.
Geisinger Doctor Discusses Remission By: Geisinger Doctor Sorab Gupta, MD, hematologist-oncologist What does it mean to be in remission?It doesn’t mean “cured,” but remission marks a major turning point in cancer treatment — because your body shows little or no sign of the disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, no doubt you’re looking forward to the day your doctor uses the word remission. Getting to remission is the goal of any cancer treatment. But what does it mean? Remission is a period when tumors or cancer cells in your body have diminished, symptoms have lessened (or disappeared entirely) and you may even get negative results for cancer on medical tests. Once you’re in remission, you can reduce or even stop treatment, because it’s been successful. Remission can last for months, years or even the rest of your life. Decreasing signs or the absence of cancer that lasts for at least a month indicate that a person is in remission. Remission does not mean, though, that you are cured of cancer. Types of cancer remission You can achieve cancer remission through an effective treatment plan. Depending on the type and stage of cancer you have, treatment may include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy or a combination. It’s more likely for a person to achieve remission with early-stage cancer that remains local than with advanced stages that have spread throughout the body. There are two types of cancer remission: partial and complete. While the goal is to reach complete remission, many people live healthy lives in partial remission. Partial remission In partial remission, many signs and symptoms of cancer have significantly improved, but not all have disappeared. In this phase, the disease is under control and it’s a positive step forward in recovery. Complete remission If you’ve achieved complete remission, all symptoms of cancer have disappeared. Medical tests, such as body scans, biopsies, physical exams or blood tests, show no detectable evidence of cancer. Complete remission could mean that all of your cancer cells have been destroyed, or that cancer cells are still in your body, but they aren’t showing up on tests. That’s why complete remission doesn’t mean you’re cured — there is no way for doctors to know for sure that all cancer cells in your body are gone. Remission vs. cure While the terms are often used interchangeably, being in remission is different from being cured of cancer. Remission means the cancer has become inactive, while a cure is total eradication of the disease, with no cancer remaining in the body. Doctors consider patients to be cured of cancer if they have no signs or symptoms for at least five years after completing treatment. A recurrence can occur during remission — even complete remission — because cancer cells may still be present in your body. The cancer can become active again in the same area it was first diagnosed or elsewhere in your body. Cancer doesn’t always recur, but it’s more likely to if the cancer is fast-growing, more advanced, or initially widespread. Maintaining cancer remission Staying in cancer remission means having regular checkups with your care team, along with routine screenings, such as physical exams, blood and imaging tests specific to your type of cancer. Cultivating healthy lifestyle habits can also lower your risk of recurrence. Regular checkups, especially in the first few years following remission, are crucial to monitor symptoms and detect any signs the cancer has become active again. Your doctor may recommend maintenance therapy, such as taking lower doses of cancer drugs or hormones, to help you stay in remission for as long as possible. Tips for adopting healthy lifestyle habits: Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats. A nutritionist can help you create a food plan tailored to your needs. Exercising regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (hiking, biking, water aerobics) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (running, swimming laps) each week. Maintaining a healthy weight. Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Limiting alcohol consumption. Men should consume no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one per day. Quitting smoking. Managing stress through techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga or meditation. Whether you’re going through treatment or on the other side, reaching remission is great news for anyone diagnosed with cancer. It may not be a cure, but it signifies a substantial advancement in the quest for one, and it’s a time to celebrate an important turning point in your cancer journey. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Johnson College to Hold Instant Enrollment Decision Day Johnson College is hosting an Instant Decision Day for prospective students on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both the College’s Scranton and Hazleton campuses. To register to attend, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision event, Johnson College will provide prospective students with an immediate enrollment decision. Students must supply their high school and/or college transcripts. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes a Johnson College application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
UNC to Hold Pine Brook NPP Community Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites the public to our Pine Brook NPP Community Celebration. This event celebrates the significant contributions of our Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) investors: Cottera Energy, FNCB Bank, and Peoples Security Bank & Trust. The celebration is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2024, from 2 PM to 4 PM, at the Capouse Corner Green Space, 1371 Capouse Avenue at New York Street in Scranton. The event will feature food, games, a plant giveaway, and fun activities for the community to enjoy. We ask attendees to bring a book to donate to the Little Free Library located in the space. This celebration highlights the generous $50,000 annual contributions from Cottera Energy, FNCB Bank, and Peoples Security Bank & Trust through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). These contributions, totaling a $900,000 investment over six years, are instrumental in our ongoing efforts to rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook community, a designated Elm Street Community through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program. Anyone interested in attending this celebration, please RSVP to Chrissy Manuel at cmanuel@uncnepa.org or call her at 570.878.5643.
Waverly Community House Tennis Camp and Lessons Waverly Comm Children and Youth Clinics: June 17 – August 2 If you are participating in extended Comm Camp, tennis can be included. Please contact Diane at (570) 586-8191 to register. If you are not participating in extended Comm Camp, you may still register. The fee is $70. Beginner: 1-2PM Intermediate: 2-3PM Private and Semi-Private Lessons: Private and semi-private lessons are available, please contact Diane at (570) 586-8191 to register. Private: $40/Hour; $25/30 Min SEMI: $30/Hour/Person
The Wright Center and NE PA AHEC Workshop Collaboration Nevena Barjaktarovic, M.D., a dually board-certified physician in internal medicine and rheumatology at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, will present a free educational session on lupus for Northeast Pennsylvania primary care and emergency room doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NE PA AHEC) is sponsoring the internal medicine didactic session, which will be held from 8-10 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, in The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton Auditorium, 501 S. Washington Ave. Participation is limited and registration is required by Friday, July 19. To register, visit bit.ly/3QRJqTf. Participants may join in person or virtually through Webex video conferencing. The video conferencing link will be provided after registration. The session is a part of the American College of Rheumatology Rural Health Outreach Project, aimed at improving lupus referral, diagnosis, and treatment in underserved communities. It also will help raise awareness among health care providers of lupus signs and symptoms, what to do if lupus is suspected, and when to consider lupus in the differential diagnosis for individuals at high risk. About 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus, 90% of whom are women, with about 16,000 new cases annually, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among Black, Hispanic/Latina, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander women than white women. Those with lupus can experience significant symptoms, including pain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues, and physical impairments that affect every facet of their lives. Many suffer from cardiovascular disease, strokes, disfiguring rashes, and painful joints. For others, there may be no visible symptoms. Dr. Barjaktarovic specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of rheumatic and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia, gout, joint pain, osteoporosis, psoriasis, and lupus. She also serves as a physician-faculty member at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, where she mentors residents and fellows. A Clarks Summit resident, Dr. Barjaktarovic joined The Wright Centers in 2020 and earned her medical degree from the Medical School of Belgrade University, Serbia. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and her rheumatology fellowship training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, also in the Bronx.
Geisinger-led Study on Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs A recent Geisinger-led study has determined that GLP-1s, a popular class of weight loss and diabetes drugs, may make it unsafe for patients to undergo a common gastroenterology procedure. Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine collected data from 2019 to 2023 on 35,183 patients who had esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedures. An EGD, or upper endoscopy, is one of the most common diagnostic procedures to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. Among 756 patients with diabetes who took GLP-1s and had an EGD, those patients were: Four times more likely to have retained food in their stomach during the procedure About three times more likely to have aborted procedures Twice as likely to need a repeat EGD Among 166 patients without diabetes who took GLP-1s and had an EGD, those patients were: About five times more likely to have retained food in their stomach Five times more likely to have aborted procedures As likely as nonusers to need another EGD GLP-1s, such as the popular Ozempic medication, decreases how fast the stomach empties, regardless of a patient’s diabetes status, the study found. “Having food in the stomach during one of these procedures can increase the risk as well as decrease the ability of your doctor to perform a complete examination,” said Amitpal S. Johal, M.D., Geisinger chair of gastroenterology and one of the co-authors of the study. The researchers cautioned that clinicians responsible for scheduling and performing EGDs on patients taking GLP-1s, should carefully assess the impact of the medication on the procedure’s safe completion, stating “healthcare providers must consider the implications of delayed gastric emptying when planning an EGD for GLP-1 patients.” “If you are taking a medication for weight loss, please let you doctor know before scheduling a procedure,” Dr. Johal said.
The Wright Center Announces Fellowship Dr. Kristina Tanovic, a board-certified internal medicine hospitalist at The Wright Center for Community Health, has been elected a fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the society of internists. The distinction recognizes achievements in internal medicine, the specialty of adult medical care. Dr. Tanovic was elected upon the recommendation of peers and the review of ACP’s Credentials Subcommittee. She may now use the letters “FACP” after her name in recognition of this honor. Dr. Tanovic see patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton Counseling Center, 329 Cherry St., where she is accepting new patients. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Obesity Medicine, Dr. Tanovic is also a core faculty member of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency, where she trains the physicians of tomorrow. The Wright Center’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A graduate of the University of Belgrade School of Medicine in Serbia, Dr. Tanovic completed her internal medicine residency at Icahn School of Medicine at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, a Mount Sinai School of Medicine-affiliated facility in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Tanovic and her husband, Dr. Ivan Cvorovic, live in Scranton, with their daughter Iskra Cvorovic. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 community health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer affordable, high-quality, indiscriminate whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. ACP is the largest medical specialty organization and the second physician group in the United States. ACP members include 143,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physician are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. For more information about ACP, go to acponline.org.
Marywood University’s Psy.D. Program Reaccredited Marywood University’s doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) was recently notified of its 10-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association. The next accreditation site visit is scheduled for 2033. The CoA recognized the quality of training provided by Marywood’s Psy.D. Program and deemed it “in substantial compliance with the Standards of Accreditation.” Also noted in the reaffirmation letter was the alignment of the Psy.D. Program’s mission with the overall mission of Marywood University and the mission of Marywood’s College of Health Sciences, which houses the program. Additional positive citations included instilling discipline-specific knowledge through focused courses and the attainment of profession-wide competencies through required coursework, research, and clinical training experiences, as well as the monitoring of student progress to achieve proximal outcomes. Jeffrey Rutter, Psy.D., Director of Marywood’s Psy.D. Program, noted that a 10-year reaccreditation is “a significant achievement” that demonstrates the quality and rigor of Marywood University’s doctoral program in clinical psychology. Marywood Psy.D. students develop competencies in nine areas, including: research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, and consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills. For the past five years, Marywood’s Psy.D. Program also has been ranked #30 among the top 50 respected Psy.D. programs in the nation by PsyDPrograms.org, a leading online social community for graduate-level psychology students.
