Geisinger Announces Plans for Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center

Officials from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center today announced the next step in a multi-phase strategic plan to make better health easier in northeastern Pennsylvania by unveiling plans for an expansion and modernization project that will nearly double the size of the campus.

The proposed $900 million expansion plan will begin with preliminary work this year. It comes on the heels of several notable investments Geisinger has made in Luzerne County, including: a major expansion of the Henry Cancer Center in 2022; the construction of a 160,000 square-foot Medical Office Building; opening Geisinger HealthPlex CenterPoint in Pittston; service expansions at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre; and significant program growth in downtown Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton. With this latest investment at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Geisinger has invested approximately $1.4 billion into better and more accessible care for people in Luzerne County and the surrounding area since 2008.

These investments come at a time when the need for expanded healthcare access is growing in Pennsylvania – and nationally. Specifically in northeastern Pennsylvania, the 65 and older population, which generally require more healthcare resources, is expected to grow 11% over the next five years.

“Everything we do at Geisinger is about making better health easier for the communities we serve,” said Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., Geisinger’s president and CEO. “This investment not only represents our commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of our community, but further demonstrates our desire to deliver access to high-quality care in the region for generations to come. By investing in advanced infrastructure, expanding our facilities and acquiring the latest technology, we’re assuring that no one needs to leave northeastern Pennsylvania to get the care they need and deserve.”

Expansion plans at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center include constructing an 11-story bed tower that will transition the hospital to a 100% private-room facility and expand surgical capabilities while growing the emergency department and advanced cardiac care programs. Between new construction and renovation of more than 100,000 square feet in the existing hospital, the project will encompass about 600,000 square feet and nearly double the size of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

When complete, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center will have capabilities on par with most major academic medical centers, including those in large metropolitan areas. These expanded programs and services in and around Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center will create hundreds of new jobs for nurses, physicians, advanced practice professionals and staff in various ancillary, support and diagnostic departments.

In addition to increasing the number of operating rooms and emergency room and intensive care beds, the project will also include the modernization of the Richard and Marion Pearsall Heart Hospital, which opened on the campus in 2001, increasing Heart and Vascular inpatient and surgical capacity as well as additional spaces for advanced cardiac interventional procedures.

“Through this expansion, we are not only creating a larger physical footprint but also fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration and compassion,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “Creating a fully private room facility, which has tangible quality and patient satisfaction benefits, embodies our goal to foster a welcoming and healing environment. This approach, in tandem with equipping our hospitals with the latest advancements, allows us to maintain a patient-centered model that prioritizes the individual needs of every patient who comes through our doors.”

The project will also advance Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center’s long-standing commitment as a major teaching hospital. It is nationally recognized for providing an exceptional educational experience and was named number 9 on Fortune’s list of the top 25 teaching hospitals in the country last year. The expansion will improve accommodations for medical residents and learners in areas like the operating rooms, procedure rooms and inpatient units.

The expansion will occur in phases with the new tower slated to open by 2028. Additional renovations on the existing campus will continue through 2030.

Global Leadership Summit Special Offer for Chamber Members

For any team that registers 5 or more people for the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) at LCBC Church in Dickson City, the leader of that group will get their ticket free!

GLS is the largest leadership experience in the world which partners with local churches, ministries, and organizations to help leaders grow and become a catalyst for change.

Voice Your Vision for a Better Future

You and those around you are facing burnout, broken relationships, a divided culture, seemingly endless conflicts, emotionally exhausted teams, and an undefined path ahead. The future is waiting for your vision, your ideas, your action, and your leadership. The future is listening. The future is now.

Gathering with a global community of change-driven, growth-minded, hope-filled people like you, discover how to voice your vision for a better future.

On Thursday & Friday, August 3-4, 2023, join tens of thousands of curious, growth-minded, change-driven people like you for 2023’s Global Leadership Summit.

Whether you attend online or in-person at one of our locations, register for the 2023 Global Leadership Summit and be a part of the following:

  • Experience two days of rich, high-impact, inspiring sessions
  • Learn from the diverse 2023 faculty who will share their wisdom and practical perspective
  • Gain support in your leadership growth and leverage the Summit as a resource to transform yourself and your community

Marywood University Outdoor Concert Series

Marywood University has set an outdoor concert series for two Sundays in July. Shows will be held at the Calabro Delfino Amphitheatre, behind the Learning Commons in the center of Marywood’s campus. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating.

Each show starts at 6 p.m. Rain location is the Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, on Adams Avenue. The Fidelity Bank Sweets & Treats Van will be on site during the July 23rd show.

July 23, 2023: Chosen Few is a world-class trio of musicians, showcasing vocals, saxes, bass & guitar. George Barron, Vernon Jones, and Jonathan Williams will perform a diverse repertoire that spans the decades, presented in an engaging & entertaining way!

Image ID: George Barron, Vernon Jones, and Jonathan Williams are the Chosen Few.

July 30, 2023:  Erin Malloy and Friends, featuring Erin Malloy, Jimmy Waltich, Doug Smith, and Tyler Dempsey – The music of Erin Malloy and Friends features something for everyone, including a mix of pop, R&B, jazz, rock, and more.

LCCC Opens Trendy Trailblazer Student Clothing Closet

The Luzerne County Community College Peter J. Lello Student Food Bank has expanded its services to include a new clothing closet, the Trendy Trailblazer.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new clothing closet will be held on Tuesday, June 20, at noon, at the College’s Main Campus.

The new clothing closet features casual to formal, interview and professional attire, all free of charge to LCCC students.  The new clothing closet expands on the original closet started by the College’s BASIC (Brother and Sister in Christ) Club.  The newly-expanded clothing closet will provide a wrap-around service coupled with the Peter J. Lello Student Food Bank which works to fight hunger and food insecurity among students of LCCC.

RailRiders Add to Summer Fun at PNC Field

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have updated and added to their 2023 promotional schedule as the second half of the season has now begun. A classic 90’s musical act, fireworks news and a rescheduled giveaway have been added to the updated slate.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is home all week, hosting the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at PNC Field for the first time this season. The fireworks show on Friday, July 7, is presented by Shur Save. The game on Saturday, July 8, features a commemorative poster honoring Aaron Judge’s historic 2022 season when he set a new American League record with 62 home runs. Gates open at 5 P.M. The first 2,000 fans will receive this great poster courtesy of the Times Leader Media Group.


The RailRiders have added fireworks on July 22 after the game against the Worcester Red Sox, making up for a rained-out show in June. That night also features the second bobblehead giveaway of the season; an Anthony Volpe bobblehead presented by Geisinger on Retro Video Game Night.

The Jackie Robinson RailRiders jersey giveaway, originally slated for April, has been rescheduled for August 11. The first 2,000 fans will receive a replica SWB “42” home jersey honoring the great who broke baseball’s color barrier.

PARTY PEOPLE! On August 26, we’re kickin’ the flow as TAG TEAM joins the 90s Night celebration. DC The Brain Supreme and Steve Roll’n head to PNC Field for a plush bucket hat giveaway, a game against Lehigh Valley, custom jerseys to be auctioned off and a 90s post game dance party bash.

Promotions are subject to change. Stay up to date by following the RailRiders on their social media channels.


To purchase tickets, including single-game, Flex Plans and the Sunsational Summer Six Pack, or for more information, visit www.swbrailriders.com.

The Lodge at Woodloch Receives Three Prestigious Accolades

In recent weeks, The Lodge at Woodloch was honored with three noteworthy accolades — the AAA Four-Diamond Award, the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, and the 2023 Men’s Health Travel Award — further solidifying the spa resort’s status as a beacon of excellence.

  • On June 2nd, The Lodge at Woodloch welcomed Glenn Zumbach, President/CEO, and Nina Waskevich, VP of Brand & Membership, from AAA NorthPenn. Together, they presented the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award, a distinction reserved for a mere 7% of the 25,000 esteemed hotels across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Lodge at Woodloch has proudly maintained its Four-Diamond status since 2010.
  • Additionally, for the 13th consecutive year, The Lodge at Woodloch has won the Wine Spectator Award, a testament to its highly curated selection of over 175 wines. With a strong focus on wines produced in the Western United States complemented by those from around the globe, from local farm-to-bottle gems to limited classics, guests are guaranteed to find the perfect pairing.
  • Men’s Health is a renowned publication dedicated to empowering men to lead healthy fulfilling lives by providing valuable insights and expert advice on physical and mental well-being, fitness, nutrition, relationships, and lifestyle. Its Travel Awards recognize and celebrate exceptional destinations that cater to the diverse needs and desires of modern travelers. The awards are separated into three categories – active, relaxation, and recovery – with The Lodge at Woodloch falling into the final.  

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s serene Pocono Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is dedicated to providing guests with a transformative and all-inclusive wellness experience. With luxurious accommodations, delectable cuisine, and a plethora of mind, body, and soul activities, The Lodge at Woodloch is a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and personal growth.

Dean Appointed at Marywood University

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently announced that Shelby W. Yeager, MEd, LAT, ATC, CSCS, was appointed as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Marywood University, effective July 1, 2023. She had been serving as the college’s Interim Dean since March 2022.

Prior to this role, Dean Yeager was a long-term faculty member and department chair within the College of Health and Human Services. She began her academic career at Marywood in 2004. Before that, she was an Athletic Trainer at Wilkes University, then assumed clinical and administration roles at John Heinz Rehabilitation Institute and Keystone College. Additionally, Dean Yeager worked as part of the Sports Injury Prevention Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City.

Dean Yeager earned her bachelor of kinesiology and sports medicine degree from Temple University and a master’s in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. She is a licensed athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach with an emphasis on movement assessment, injury reduction, and corrective exercises. She also holds multiple specialty certifications from the USA-Weightlifting, National Academy of Sports Medicine and Functional Movement Screening.