Misericordia University announced today that renovation and construction has begun on a 38,000 square foot state-of-the-art facilty to house its popular Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) programs. The new education and health care space will be within a renovated section of the former Mercy Center which is immediately adjacent to campus. The university and the Sisters of Mercy recently completed discussions for a long-term lease on the property, which formerly housed a skilled nursing facility that ceased operations in 2022.

The renovated building will feature separate and specially designed space for both the occupational therapy and physical therepy programs. Among the many features, the new facility will offer observation rooms and labs, state-of-the-art lecture rooms with interactive video capibilities, a home health lab, acute care lab, student lounges and flexible study rooms, capstone centers, and faculty offices, as well as clinic spaces where students and faculty will engage the community. .

“Our occupational and physical therapy programs have a long track record of preparing excellent clinical practicioners who care deeply about their patients,” says Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., president. “This is a very special opportunity to utilize an existing building that is essentially on our campus to enhance both programs’ physical space. We appreciate the Sisters of Mercy working so closely with us on this opportunity following their decision to change the use of that facility.”

The $8.5 million dollar renovation started on March 16 with demolition of the interior walls, ceilings and mechanical systems. OT will be on the first and second floors while PT will occupy the third floor. Work will also be done on the entrance area to establish the building as a Misericordia University entity and create appropriate and secure access to adjoining housing for Sisters of Mercy. Twenty-five Sisters of Mercy still reside in an attached residential wing of the former Mercy Center. It is expected that work will be complete by December 2023 and ready for use by students in January 2024.

“Perhaps the most distinguishing charastics of our OT and PT programs, and what makes them the region’s premier programs, are the quality of our faculty and the quality of the student-faculty interactions,” says Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Science and Education. “We had adequate space before, but this upgrade will add needed space to facilitate those excellent, existing student faculty interactions as well as keep up with cutting-edge technology and the demands of delivering a premier program.”

The Misericordia University Occupational Therapy department was first accredited in 1985 by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, full-time, traditional students who successfuly complete the Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Science (OS) degree, continue into the Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree track or the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree track. The program also offers a weekend entry-level master’s program for adult learners wishing to enter the field or occupational therapy assistants wishing to earn their master’s. A post-professional OTD program is also available for OT master’s holders looking to move to the doctoral level.

Misericordia University’s Physical Therapy Department a features a six-and-a-half year professional program resulting in a bachelor’s degree and a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. Students can choose from a variety of disciplines for undergraduate study (pre-DPT). Students accepted into the pre-DPT program as freshmen are guaranteed progression into the DPT program as long as academic criteria are met; there is no need to re-apply to the graduate phase of the program.

The OT and PT programs are currently housed in the university’s Passan Hall, on lower campus at 100 Lake Street. Passan was the former Commonwealth Telephone headquarters and was repurposed in 2011 to house many of the unviersity’s health science progams, including Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. The relocation of OT and PT to the former Mercy Center will afford new opportunities to utilze the space they leave behind. A campus review is underway to determine the best use of that space.

Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year institution. The university offers dozes of academic programs on the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels in both full- and part-time formats from the College of Health Science and Educatoin, The College of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information about Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu.

Mohegan Pennsylvania has launched an Enhanced Gift Card Program, powered by eGIFTIFY. Through this program, guests will be able to order and send customizable digital and traditional gift cards that can be used for shopping, dining, entertainment, the hotel at Mohegan Pennsylvania and the spa.

“We are very excited about this partnership with eGIFTIFY, and to be the first gaming destination in Northeast Pennsylvania to offer digital gift cards to our guests,” said Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania. “This innovative way of sending gift cards to friends and family is not only convenient, but it’s timely and secure.”

Digital gift cards can be purchased directly at moheganpa.com/giftcards and can be sent to recipients via email, SMS, Facebook or by printing a copy of the order. Traditional gift cards are also available for purchase via the Enhanced Gift Card Program and can be shipped to recipients. Gift cards cannot be used towards gaming and cannot be purchased with Momentum Dollars.

Offering the right mix of benefits to employees is a daunting task for almost any company.  Yet most business owners understand the importance and value a strong employee benefit portfolio has on their company’s growth and overall success.  But choosing the best benefits is only part of the story.  Choosing the right insurance carriers to provide those benefits is not only the other part of the story, but an often undervalued aspect as well.

When evaluating different carriers for benefit plans, there are several things employers should consider prior to making a decision.  While working with a benefits broker or consultant will greatly simplify this process, it is ultimately up to the business owner to assure the carrier selection is the best fit for their company.  Here are a few points to consider:

Carrier Credentials…In addition to checking that carriers are licensed to do business in any state(s) with client locations, decision makers should also seek assurance that the carrier is financially sound and meets all state requirements such as those involving required premium reserve levels. 

Diversity of Products and Services…Most companies today, especially those with more than a few employees, tend to offer multiples plan options for their employees to choose from.  The right carrier should have a wide portfolio of plans available for any group.  Which of those plans should be in the company benefit package?  That should be based on the specific demographics of each business, the health care needs of that population and the company budget.

Provider Networks…Prior to including a plan in the company’s benefit portfolio, the decision maker should be assured that employees and their families will be comfortable choosing from the physicians and hospitals within the provider’s network.

Cost Competitiveness…This is obvious, but with all other factors being equal, the plan premiums for both the company and it’s employees are a major factor in any decision to choose or bypass a carrier.

Level of Technology…Online access to health information, digital tools and monitoring and other technology can assist in the management of health issues, taking stress away from employees seeking enhanced well-being and providing employers utilization based savings in the process.

Customer Service Experience…Research the level of personalized customer service that the provider offers members.  Especially in smaller businesses, where there are fewer if any human resource personnel for employees to turn to for help with claim issues, a friendly, responsive and effective call center can make or break the employee experience.

The The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Dawn Card at (800) 377-3539.

Pennsylvania American Water announced today that 14 watershed-related projects across the Commonwealth will receive financial support through the company’s annual Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling more than $75,000 for their community-based projects that improve, restore, or protect watersheds.

A panel of judges selected the grant recipients from 50 applications, which were evaluated on environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability.

“Each year, we are so impressed by the commitment of organizations in our communities to restore and protect our watersheds,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “It is inspiring to see so many opportunities to bring our diverse communities together to work toward creating a better environment, and we are very proud to support these worthy projects.”

The 2023 grant recipients are:

Allegheny Cleanways, Allegheny County – Monongahela River Cleanup Series
With the funding, community volunteers will conduct cleanups of riverbanks along the Monongahela River from Donora to Point State Park.

Annville Free Library, Lebanon County – Annville Free Library Rain Garden
Funding will support an educational rain garden to help manage runoff and educate the public on the benefits of rain gardens.

Borough of Camp Hill, Cumberland County – Clock Courtyard Pollinator Garden
Partnering with local watershed groups, the borough will plant a pollinator garden with native plants and shrubs, educating the public on gardening with native plants and preserving pollinators.

Borough of Steelton, Dauphin County – Watershed Education Programming and Clairton Community Garden Improvements
With the grant, the borough plans to construct several rain gardens and community food gardens to reduce stormwater runoff and address limited access to affordable and healthy food.

Coatesville Youth Initiative, Chester County – Camp Quiet Thunder
Coatesville Youth Initiative will hold a summer camp for underserved youth to learn about their watershed while developing critical life and leadership skills. The campers will also hold a watershed cleanup and install rain gardens in Coatesville.

Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE) – Ohio River Sweep 2023
Funding will support the annual volunteer cleanup along the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers.

Indiana County Conservation District – First Waves Indiana
First Waves Indiana plans to engage underserved youth in meaningful outdoor experiences, including tree planting, stream biology, paddleboarding, and fly fishing, with a resulting video of the program.

Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County – Pollinator Garden Installation and Turf Grass Conversion
With the grant, the township will convert two community areas from turf grass to native pollinator meadows to promote reduction of non-point source pollution runoff to Yellow Breeches Creek and Cedar Run.

Marywood University, Lackawanna County – Environmental Stewardship Camp
Funding will support a camp for students ages 10-14 in the Scranton School District, exposing students to water quality topics while exploring the Lackawanna River.

Pennsbury School District, Bucks County – Rain Garden & Outdoor Educational Classroom
The grant will fund the construction of a rain garden in the courtyard of the William Penn Middle School. Students will learn about stormwater and watershed management, as well as pollinators.

Pike County Conservation District – Pike County Guide to Clean Drinking WaterThe grant will support the development of an educational brochure and web page educating the public on local drinking water sources and how to protect those sources from non-point source pollution from their properties.

Stroud Water Research Center, Chester County – Providing Meaningful and Accessible Watershed Education to Underserved Audiences
Stroud Water will utilize its Watershed Education Mobile Lab to visit schools, communities, and summer camps to provide watershed education and skills for watershed protection.

Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Allegheny County – Community-Based Water Stewardship
The project will expand watershed and source water protection along the Monongahela River, as well as train community stewards to detect and report pollution along the waterways.

Watersheds of South Pittsburgh, Allegheny County – Watershed Education Programming and Clairton Community Garden Improvements
The organization plans to revitalize a community garden and conduct watershed educational workshops to highlight the importance of land use and green space on water quality.

Pennsylvania American Water initiated its Environmental Grant Program in 2005 to support projects that protect or restore drinking water sources and surrounding watersheds. Since then, American Water has expanded the annual program to many of its state subsidiaries across the nation. To date, Pennsylvania American Water has donated more than $725,000 to fund nearly 150 projects.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are partnering with MyTV WQMY once again to broadcast seven games in 2023 on local television in NEPA. The RailRiders are thrilled to continue their partnership with MyTV WQMY and return to the airwaves this Saturday.

In addition to rivals like Buffalo, Lehigh Valley, Rochester and Worcester, games against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals affiliate) and Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) will be televised. Omaha has not played in Moosic since the 1990 season, while Norfolk returns to PNC Field for the second straight season and currently boasts one of the top teams in Triple-A.

Adam Marco, the “Voice of the RailRiders,” will call the action alongside DJ Eberle. Airtime is slated for five minutes prior to first pitch.

RailRiders 2023 MyTV WQMY Broadcast Schedule

Thursday, 6/08 vs Norfolk- 6:35 first pitch
Tuesday, 6/20 vs Buffalo- 6:35 first pitch
Thursday, 7/06 vs Lehigh Valley- 6:35 first pitch
Thursday, 7/20 vs Worcester- 6:35 first pitch
Thursday, 8/03 vs Rochester- 6:35 first pitch
Thursday, 8/24 vs Lehigh Valley- 6:35 first pitch

For more information, visit www.swbrailriders.com.

After its launch in the fall of 2022, the partnership between The Lodge at Woodloch and the Massage Therapy Certificate Program at Lackawanna College’s Lake Region Center is thriving, with the inaugural class having just graduated, current students hard at work, and new opportunities available for enrollment. The strategic partnership couples comprehensive academic coursework with hands-on expertise at an award-winning destination spa resort to create a top-notch certificate program.
The curriculum instructs students on an array of subjects including anatomy, physiology, massage theory and research, kinesiology, and more. Concurrently, students receive firsthand training in providing high levels of service and massage techniques at a world-renowned property, which offers quite the resume boost at the beginning of one’s career.

The program attracts candidates from all over the state, though a handful of current employees at Woodloch took advantage of the new opportunity. Woodloch provides full scholarships to staff members who enroll in the program. The application process involves a series of screenings and paperwork as well as interviews with both The Lodge at Woodloch and the Lackawanna College teams. Classes run Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM for six months, but many students hold full or part-time jobs outside the program.

Two such students, Tara Hedden and Morgan McKean, were eager to apply as soon as they learned about the opportunity. McKean is a prep attendant at The Lodge at Woodloch, assisting the spa treatments staff with their service needs. Hedden is a dining room server at Woodloch Pines, the all-inclusive family resort two miles down the road from The Lodge at Woodloch. Both women were excited to try something new and advance their careers.

McKean, a 2020 graduate of Wallenpaupack High School, began working at The Lodge at Woodloch as a prep attendant in January 2021. She is a “people person who took a leap of faith” after her supervisor at the spa, Amanda Clabaugh, encouraged her to apply to the program. Clabaugh is the treatments manager at The Lodge at Woodloch who leads students through their experiential education.

McKean was one of the first students to apply and be accepted into the program. She began in October of last year and will graduate this May. Her favorite parts of the program include the hands-on training she receives at such an incredible facility as well as the academic components, realizing just how much knowledge it requires to correctly massage different parts of the body. Perhaps most importantly, she feels “incredibly grateful to be a part of this community of healers. It is such a welcoming and positive group. Taking this path has helped me recognize the importance of the energy we surround ourselves with and the importance of being at peace with oneself.”

Tara Hedden found herself drawn to the program for similar reasons. Having worked in the food service industry for over a decade, Hedden took that same leap of faith in applying after seeing a flyer posted on the staff bulletin board at Woodloch Pines. Facing a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis at 15 years old, she began traditional pharmaceutical treatments, but unfortunately never saw much success with them. This sparked her interest in holistic healing methods and applying to the program gave her “that feeling, like this is the right next step I’m supposed to be taking.” She hopes to eventually become a naturopathic doctor.

Hedden began the program last November and will graduate this June. “I am so grateful and happy that I made this decision. I can’t imagine where I would be mentally and emotionally without it. It’s brought so much to my life. I can’t believe the amount of knowledge I’ve gained from my instructors, classmates, and the therapists at The Lodge at Woodloch. There are so many people that have so much knowledge to share. It’s also amazing what close knit bonds you form with your classmates. Everyone is willing to help; it’s a very supportive atmosphere.”

Admissions are rolling, and those interested are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional information can be found at https://www.lackawanna.edu/certificates/massage-therapist/.

NEPA RISE: Readiness In Skilled Employment just graduated its second cohort. 13 graduates walked across the stage at Johnson College’s Commencement on Saturday, March 13th. Graduates of NEPA RISE complete the technical and academic courses in their field of study, as well as professional development instruction to executive function skills. The RISE program provides participants with traditional case management and fiscal support, executive skills coaching and goaling, as well as academic tutoring and professional mentoring. All graduates are residents of Lackawanna or Luzerne County and all plan to either start their careers in their field of study, or use this foundation as a stepping stone to higher education.

NEPA RISE is currently accepting applications for their third cohort, set to begin in July of 2023. Interested applicants must be 18 years of age or older, reside within either Lackawanna or Luzerne Counties and currently have a Household Income within 250% of the Federal Poverty Line. Eligibility will be confirmed after an applicant applies online at RISENEPA.org. Interviews will be scheduled now through June 2023, and the program will begin in July 2023.

NEPA RISE is a unique workforce development program partnership formed through The William G.
McGowan Charitable Fund, The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, Johnson College, and United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania. NEPA RISE is an innovative model that integrates sector-based occupational skills training with executive skills coaching and support services. By integrating demand-driven training with coaching and services designed to support the development of executive function skills, resilience, and grit, we expect to lift participants out of poverty and into living-wage jobs with benefits.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the  class of Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy Fellows. Selected through a rigorous application process, Fellows will work to improve local economic mobility and workforce development efforts and present innovative solutions to the challenges faced by workers and businesses.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy, a yearlong Fellowship developed through a partnership with the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, engages nonprofit, government, academic, and business leaders in a series of retreats and workshops as they work together to advance an innovative and equitable workforce ecosystem.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy is the first in Pennsylvania, and one of eight launched this year through the support of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and Walmart. This Academy is the latest in a series of several Workforce Leadership Academies hosted in communities across the United States and Canada.

The 22 Fellows of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy Class of 2023-24 represent a range that include nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, institutes of higher education, and health care institutions. The Academy launched in March and will culminate with a collaborative capstone project presentation in December 2023.

Fellows selected for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy are:

Vicki Austin
Senior Director of Grants and Education
WVIA

Jill Avery-Stoss, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
The Institute

Cathy Colangelo, PHR
Executive Director
Greater Hazleton Partners in Education

Brian Coulthard
Assistant Administrator
Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab

Robert DeLuca, MEd
Director of Leadership and Accountability
Scranton School District

Janna Genzlinger, MEd
Senior Director of Human Resources
Settlers Hospitality Group

Tamear Henegain
Heartwood Coordinator
Willow Foundation

Serena Howarth, MPA
Executive Director
Dress for Success Lackawanna

Tiffany Jackson, MSM, SHRM-CP
Organizational Development Manager
The Wright Center for Community Health

Meghan Loftus, DPA
President & CEO
Friends of the Poor

Linda Loop
Founder and CEO
Dress for Success Luzerne County

Heather MacLennan, MBA
Workforce Development Specialist
Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board

Alejandra Marroquin, MSW
Community Organizer
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Shanie Mohamed
Director of Economic Development
Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce

Krista Murray
Executive Director
Catherine McAuley Center

Judy Oprisko
Vice President of Human Resources/Compliance Officer
Allied Services

Michelle Ostroski, EdD, LSW
School Social Work Consultant
Soliant Health

Jennifer Shoemaker
Program Manager
Outreach

Kirsten Smith, MEd
Director of Career Services
Fortis Institute

Susan Spry
Associate Vice President Academic Affairs
Luzerne County Community College

Don Webster
Executive Director
tecBRIDGE, LLC

Keshia Williams, CNA
Human Relations Commissioner
Scranton Human Relations Commission

“I recently had the chance to spend time with the Leadership Academy Fellows, and I found them to be a group of intelligent, dedicated and energetic individuals who share a strong commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania and the workforce sector in our region,” said Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “When you bring exceptional individuals like this together and give them time, encouragement and guidance – as the Workforce Leadership Academy does – real, long-lasting change at a systemic level becomes possible. I am excited about the important work the Fellows are doing together, and I look forward to seeing the results of this work in our communities.”

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy is guided by an Advisory Council:

Karla Carlucci     
Director
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County

Lori Chaffers
Executive Director
Outreach

Eileen Cipriani   
Director
Office of Economic and Community Development
City of Scranton

Bob Durkin         
President & CEO
Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Yosara Gonzalez              
Executive Director
Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress

Lindsay Griffin-Boylan   
President & CEO
Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce

Christine Jensen
Administrator
PA CareerLink, Luzerne County

Rashida Lovely 
Director of Operations
NEPA Black Chamber of Commerce

Jill Murray
President
Lackawanna College

Teri Ooms
Executive Director
The Institute

Carolyn Quinn  
Executive Director
Educational Opportunity Centers of PA

Drew Simpson
Regional Manager
Eastern Atlantic States
Regional Council of Carpenters

Jocelyn Sterenchock
Director of Economic Development
CAN-DO Greater Hazleton

Virginia Turano
Executive Director
Lackawanna County Workforce Development Board

Debra Youngfelt
Executive Director
Northeast PA Area Health Education Center

“Collaboration grows at the speed of trust, and today’s workforce development leaders are increasingly being asked to devise solutions through collaboration,” said Sheila Maguire, senior fellow at the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program. “This Academy is a rare opportunity for these local leaders to step back with colleagues from Northeastern Pennsylvania, reflect on their own organizational challenges, hear from leading practitioners from around the country, and develop the network and trust so essential for success.”

Biographical information on the Fellows and Facilitators is available at https://www.aspeninstitute.org/of-interest/northeastern-pennsylvania-workforce-leadership-academy-2023-fellows/

The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White Clinic will be the presenting sponsor for the Rainbow Alliance’s annual PrideFest Parade and Celebration in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, June 25. The parade begins at noon, with the celebration to follow on Public Square until 4 p.m.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance provides education, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and families while working to advance fairness and equality. The Rainbow Alliance envisions a future where all people in the region can live openly and free from fear, and where individuals, organizations, and businesses work collaboratively to build an equal, inclusive community. The nonprofit organization works to educate and empower its volunteers to create strategic, peer-driven, sustainable programming that is overseen by volunteer leadership.

The formation for the parade begins at 11 a.m. More information is available at RainbowAlliance.org/ PrideFest. The program includes more than 75 vendors, drag performances, and more.

For nearly 25 years, The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White Clinic has been providing medical and other health care related services to people living with HIV from a seven-county area in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The first in the region, the Ryan White Clinic has been a critical resource to thousands of people living with HIV and recognized as a community leader in efforts to prevent the spread of the infection. The Wright Center for Community Health is the only agency in the area to provide a full continuum of HIV care, including confidential testing services and linkage to coordinated medical care for patients diagnosed with HIV. Behavioral medicine and nutritional counseling are also available. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensive medical care, the clinic also offers support groups and social engagement activities.

The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White Clinic’s case managers supplement medical care for patients with HIV, providing services that include accessing insurance and assisting with paperwork, finding transportation to and from medical appointments, and connecting patients to community and government resources. Case managers also collaborate with agencies to aid patients in obtaining stable housing and work to ensure their basic needs are met. For more information about the Ryan White Clinic, please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-941-0630