Johnson College Receives Grant from Robert H. Spitz Foundation Johnson College has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation’s 2023 grant cycle to support recycling and sustainability enhancements throughout its Scranton campus. The funding will be used to update the College’s current recycling receptacles with more user-friendly containers. The College displayed the new receptacles to the campus community during an Earth Day celebration on Monday, April 22, 2024. The event featured environmental-themed games and activities throughout campus including a scavenger hunt to introduce students to the locations where the new recycling containers will be located. The new, three-stream receptacles will be placed in heavily traveled areas of the Scranton campus. They will be more consistent in appearance than previous receptacles and feature vibrant, color-coded bins to improve recycling practices at Johnson College. The new recycling bins will support the College’s campus-wide recycling and sustainability plan reducing the College’s environmental footprint. Supported efforts include reducing the amount of recyclable material going to the landfill and dumpsters currently used on campus, and turning some of the College’s highly recyclable educational program materials like lumber, copper, and wiring back to the community for use where possible.
The Wright Center Explains Alzheimer’s and Dementia Complex The Wright Center states there’s a pretty good chance that someone close to you has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is indeed a devastating condition with profound impacts on those afflicted and their families. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million people 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s dementia in the United States, including more than 280,000 Pennsylvanians. The disease’s impact goes beyond those diagnosed, affecting their families significantly. In Pennsylvania, for example, there were an estimated 404,000 family caregivers statewide in 2022. These caregivers often provide extensive and demanding care, facing emotional, physical, and financial challenges as they support their loved ones through the progression of the disease. Medical progress on the disease has been frustratingly slow, but awareness campaigns like Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June certainly help the cause. The observance educates people about the disease’s risk factors, signs, and symptoms and the importance of early detection and diagnosis. It’s also a vehicle for raising funds geared toward much-needed Alzheimer’s research. The month is also known for the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day, the June 21 observance when people from around the world come together to “fight the darkness” of Alzheimer’s through a fundraising activity of their choice. The Wright Center is doing its part via their Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) Program, which is based on the award-winning model established at UCLA and designed to help patients and families with the complex medical, behavioral, and social needs of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. First launched in 2020, the program is led by a dedicated group of geriatricians, advanced practitioners, and dementia care specialists who collaborate closely with patients’ primary care physicians to ensure care is comprehensive and coordinated for both the patient and their caregivers. ADC has several core components, including a 90-minute in-person visit with a dementia care specialist; a personalized care plan developed with the primary/referring physician; follow-up phone calls and/or in-person visits to ensure the plan is implemented or modified as needed; 24/7, 365-day-a-year access to caregivers for assistance and advice in order to avoid emergency department visits and hospitalizations; and ongoing patient monitoring with at least one annual in-person visit to ensure that ongoing and emerging needs are being met. The Wright Center is proud to announce that the program recently received some major visibility when it was listed in Best Programs for Caregiving, a partnership between the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and Family Caregiver Alliance, a free, searchable, and interactive database that helps families and caregivers find the right program for their loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The website includes descriptions of the program, whether it is offered in-person or online, information on providers, eligibility criteria, how to enroll, languages offered, and more. ADC is part of the comprehensive list of services we provide under the Geriatric Care service line, geared to aging adults who may find themselves unfairly categorized as frail or not being listened to by other doctors. The Wright Center employs a holistic, whole-person approach to every patient at every age, giving them the tools and care to live a full and healthy life. The approach has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System Partner for providing a full spectrum of whole-person primary health and support services for our patients who are young at heart. The Wright Center is hopeful that as awareness increases and more families seek testing and treatment early, they may see some real breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s and dementia care treatment within the next few years. Nonetheless, they will continue to ensure that their patients are getting exemplary care and that caregivers are receiving the tools and support needed to get through this difficult experience. Tanureet Kochar, M.D., is a dual board-certified internal medicine and geriatric physician at The Wright Center for Community Health. She also serves as a core faculty member of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency and Geriatric Fellowship programs. In addition, Dr. Kochar is the regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona.
Keystone College Signs Letter of Intent for Strategic Alliance On May 24, 2024, Keystone College announced that it has signed a letter of intent with a strategic partner to form a new alliance that provides Keystone with a more secure roadmap for a long-term path forward. Both parties have agreed to keep the name of the partner and details of the agreement private at this time. The letter of intent creates the means for both parties to move expeditiously to a definitive agreement, which will require the approval of the College’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE has been notified of the parties’ intentions. Approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the United States Department of Education, as well as the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, will also be necessary. During the review period, which is expected to take up to a year, Keystone intends to continue operation of classes, as well as all other college activities and intercollegiate sports, and continues to accept and enroll freshman and transfer students for the Fall 2024 semester. The executed agreement stipulates that day-to-day operations of the College and its academic mission will remain essentially unchanged. Additional details of the agreement will be made available after reviews by the necessary accrediting and regulatory agencies. “Keystone College is very fortunate to have secured this letter of intent with a committed strategic partner as we navigate the future of the College in this highly competitive education marketplace together,” said Keystone President John F. Pullo, Sr. “The entire College community is grateful to our partner for the shared commitment to Keystone’s future. Over the past two months, our talks have solidified a collective determination to secure a path forward for Keystone, which will continue to offer a quality education at an affordable cost to our students while also seeking to expand opportunities for a diverse array of learners across the ever-changing landscape in higher education.” Pullo continued, “While this newly executed letter of intent creates a renewed path forward, there is still a significant effort ahead to create a more durable future for the College. At the same time, we are delighted and energized by this opportunity. We have shared these documents with Middle States and will work very closely with them on these items as well as the information required for submission at the beginning of August.” On May 15, the College submitted all of the necessary components of an “implementable teach-out plan” and a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) as requested by MSCHE. While both submissions are currently under review by MSCHE, Keystone did submit additional information to notify MSCHE of the secured letter of intent. “We are aware that there will be additional requirements to work through with Middle States as they review these documents and request additional information on the proposed alliance. We intend to be in frequent communication with them and to provide all of the necessary documentation,” Pullo added. The agreement brightens the future for the College. “While we understand the necessary work going forward, we are grateful for this commitment to continue the 156-year legacy of Keystone. The challenges that face many colleges and universities across the country are well-reported and are causing disruption within the industry. Keystone is extremely fortunate to be bolstered by this strategic alliance as we look forward to continuing to offer all of the opportunities and benefits of a Keystone education,” said Tim Pryle, Keystone’s Vice President of Enrollment, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing.
Black Scranton Project’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & 5th Birthday! In Black Scranton Project’s efforts to build tradition and community, they present, for the 5th consecutive year, the annual Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 12 PM-5 PM. Join all at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture (BSPCAC) for music, food, games, giveaways, and more, as we honor Black culture, tradition, and perseverance; observe Freedom Day; and celebrate BSP’s 5th birthday! This year’s Juneteenth celebration will feature free roller skating and skate rental, vendors, crafts, and activities for the whole family. At this free, family-friendly event, guests will enjoy a day of fun, community, and discovery for all ages. Black Scranton invites neighbors, businesses, community partners, and friends to participate in the Freedom Day celebration!
Mohegan Pennsylvania Presents Summer Fun Kick-Off featuring a Tribute to Queen At 7:30pm at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania, Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen takes the stage with a classic set guests won’t want to miss! They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports guests back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. This deliberate four-piece band is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. Almost Queen’s impressive tribute to Queen is nothing short of breathtaking. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision will leave music fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. Tickets to the Hot Summer Fun Kick-Off featuring Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen go on sale Friday, May 24th via ticketmaster.com. Guests looking to use Momentum Dollars and all other forms of payment to purchase tickets can visit the Box Office located at the Hotel Front Desk. For the safety and security of all Mohegan Pennsylvania guests and team members, all bags and persons are subject to search. Glass bottles, outside food & drink, portable chairs and weapons of any kind are prohibited in the event area. Bags and purses will not be allowed in the event area. Small 4×6 clutch purses with or without a strap will be permitted. All guests must be 21+ to attend. Valid identification required for entry. Additionally, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older, including the hotel, gaming areas, and several restaurants. Valid, unexpired photo identification is required (driver’s license, passport, military ID). Expired identification will not be accepted.
HNB Hamlin Office Promotes Jessica Gay to Branch Manager The Honesdale National Bank and Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO, announced Jessica Gay as Branch Manager of the Bank’s Hamlin Office. In making the statement, Sheridan noted, “Jess has been a thought leader as she has grown through our management trainee program.” He continued, “Her leadership skills will be providing a great foundation to connect our team and provide great service to our customers at our Hamlin Office.” Gay is a graduate of Honesdale High School and received an associate degree from Lackawanna College. Currently residing in Beach Lake, PA, she started her career at a local pharmacy as a pharmacy sales associate. She then started her now five-year banking career as a teller at another local financial institution. She was then promoted to Universal Banker in a few short years. In 2022, she accepted a position at HNB as a Management Trainee and is now promoted to Branch Manager. In this role, she is responsible for promoting and developing new customer relationships, managing new employees and customer expectations, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hamlin Office. In describing her time with HNB, Gay said, “Working at The Honesdale National Bank has given me so many opportunities to grow not only professionally, but also personally. The knowledge I have been able to gain from my time at HNB has been unmatched by anything I have ever experienced before.” She continued, “I am honored to be part of such a phenomenal community bank, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter of my career holds.” Gay is the secretary for The Beach Lake Fire Company’s Auxiliary. She is also a member of the Wayne County Business & Professional Women’s Club.
The Wright Center’s Internal Medicine Resident Wins Award for Case Study A Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education resident physician’s chance meeting with a patient at a local hospital led to the opportunity to present a winning scholarly abstract about a medical rarity at the American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Maimona Chaudhary, an Internal Medicine resident physician, first encountered the subject of the abstract, a 25-year-old woman, while on rotation at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The patient arrived at the emergency department with lesions on her legs. What medical personnel initially diagnosed as second-degree burns ended up being a rare symptom of biclonal multiple myeloma – a cancer that only affects people under the age of 40 in about 2% of cases. “Upon follow-up, the lesions were diagnosed as paraneoplastic pemphigus, which is rare in itself,” said Dr. Chaudhary. “But then they found she had multiple myeloma, without any of the usual symptoms, without any family history. There were a lot of oddities in this case.” Dr. Chaudhary, a first-year resident physician from Hamilton, Ontario, followed the patient’s case over the next several months and produced a case report with colleagues from The Wright Center, including Drs. Ali Shah and Lehka Yadukumar, Internal Medicine residency physicians; Dr. Milos Babic, associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency; and medical student Omaima Chaudhary, who received her medical degree from the University of Limerick School of Medicine and will join The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency in July. The researchers submitted the case report, “Paraneoplastic Pemphigus as the Presenting Sign of Biclonal Multiple Myeloma in a 25-Year Old Female: A Case Report,” to the ACP’s resident/fellow national abstract competition, which receives several hundred entries annually. The abstract was one of 20 awarded a certificate of merit by the ACP. Dr. Chaudhary delivered the five-minute presentation on the case. “It was difficult to cover everything in five minutes,” she said. “I think this case really stood out to the ACP judges because it was so unusual.” Dr. Chaudhary monitored the patient’s case, although she is not involved in her ongoing treatment. The woman’s cancer treatment was delayed for months as doctors worked to heal the skin lesions caused by paraneoplastic pemphigus, along with other complications. She recently began chemotherapy, and all signs point to a positive outcome. As for Dr. Chaudhary’s future, she’s still deciding what type of medicine to pursue. “I’m still exploring,” she said. “I want to do something I really enjoy. We get to pick electives in our second year, so I can start to see where I want to go from here.”
Penn State Football Head Coach to Visit Local Area Join Penn State football student-athletes, coaches and lettermen for evening of autographs, dinner and fun in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Held at the Fox Hill Country Club in Exeter, the event will provide Penn State fans in the region with opportunities to meet James Franklin as well as their favorite current and former Nittany Lions all while supporting the team’s NIL fund. Where: Fox Hill Country Club (454 Tunkhannock Ave, Exeter, PA 18643)When: June 6, 6–9PM Join Penn State football coaches, lettermen and current student-athletes for an autograph signing and reception benefitting the program’s NIL fund. The event will start with student-athlete autograph signing and continue with a Q & A session, auction, drink tastings and more! Each attendee may bring one outside item to be signed. Materials for autographs will be provided. A ticket also includes appetizers, drinks and open bar.
