Marywood to Hold Virtual MFA Info Session Marywood University will hold a virtual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Information Session on Thursday, May 23, at 4 p.m. This information session is free and open to anyone who is interested in pursuing a low-residency master of fine arts degree. To register, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Spr24MFA. Marywood’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program is the oldest and best low-residency program in the country, designed for educators, graphic designers, and illustrators who are working professionally anywhere in the world and are interested in earning a terminal degree. The virtual info session will cover what to expect during the three-year program that includes four, two-week residential summer sessions at Marywood’s campus; six study tours conducted in New York City and other major cities; and independent work. Former student thesis and class project examples will be shared. While production and technical skills are stressed, the thrust of the program is on creativity and conceptual thinking. By design, the program is structured for students to keep their day job while pursuing a terminal degree. While production and technical skills are stressed, the core of the program encompasses creativity and conceptual thinking. For more details about the MFA in Graphic Design and Illustration Degree program, visit marywood.edu/visual-arts-graphic-design-illustration-masters-degree. To register for the MFA Info Session, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Spr24MFA. For additional information about Marywood University’s MFA Information Session, please contact Steven Brower, MFA, director of the “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2569, or email sbrower@marywood.edu.
Johnson College Celebrates 105th Commencement The Johnson College Scranton campus was full of excitement as students and their families, staff, and faculty gathered to celebrate the College’s largest graduating class at its 105th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Graduates completed programs for Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees, academic certificates, and Readiness in Skilled Employment (RISE). Michele Bannon, Mayor of the City of Carbondale, gave the commencement address before degrees were presented by Katie Leonard, Ed.D., President & CEO of Johnson College, and Heather Bonker, General Education Director of Johnson College. Recipients of Johnson College’s Award for Academic Excellence, Devin Walsh, a Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology graduate, and Chase Notz, a Computer Information Technology graduate, served as student speakers. Nicole Nye ’22, Johnson College Electrical Construction Technology Instructor, gave the alumni address to the newly graduated Johnson College Class of 2024. The event was live-streamed on the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnsonCollegePA. Following is a list of the spring 2024 graduates: ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE PROGRAMS Computer Information Technology Michael Fordham, Greentown Luca Guasto, Avoca Aaron Hall, Pittston Kade Hapeman, Wilkes-Barre Anthony Jacobino, Carbondale Joshua Littlejohn, Blakely Joshua Heffernan, Greeley Sean McGeehan, Swoyersville Chase Notz, Scranton Jonathan O’Connor, Milford Noah Petty, Old Forge Ryan Reap, Avoca Jeremiyah Sandy, Scranton Brian Sworen, Hawley John Umbaugh, Moscow Nathaniel Warnack, Kingston Physical Therapist Assistant Josue Aguilar Miron, Scranton Michael Bennici Jr, Olyphant Natalie Buchinski, Dickson City Abbie Hessling, Hawley Kalpana Sharma, Sayre Bryce Shorten, Jessup Karolina Zdrok, Scranton Radiologic Technology April Best, Pittston Olivia Gries, Honesdale Tiahna Jackson, Peckville Kayla Jensen, Milford Joshua Kane, Old Forge Thomas Kubelus, Springbrook Twp. Susan Long, Swoyersville Sierra Matash, Bloomsburg Emily Ohme, Plymouth Trinaya Parker , Scranton Devon Porvaznik, Tunkhannock Alyssa Purpura, Milford Gina Simeone, Wyoming Nancy Wassef, Tobyhanna Veterinary Nursing Rianna Balliet, Nescopeck Juliana Deininger, Scranton Emma Faithfull, Honesdale Brooke Frable, Dunmore Elizabeth Friedrichs, Elizabethtown Aleeza Leary, Moscow Kaitlyn McDonald, Newfoundland Molly Nagle, Forest City Thayer Rogers, Hershey Stephanie Ropietski, Plymouth Adriana Ruiz, Reading Shana Souryavong, Old Forge ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE PROGRAMS Advanced Manufacturing Technology Seth Gruver, Palmerton Richard Reed, Lake Ariel Jason Skumanich, Olyphant Architectural Drafting & Design Technology Rachel Butler, Lake Ariel Daniel Dougherty, Scranton Tyler Mendicino, Clarks Summit Automotive Technology Laura Alleva-Cox, Archbald Michael Altieri, Archbald Dylan DeGroat, Shohola Joschua Perez, Scranton Danielle Reese, Scranton Mackenzie Snyder, Scranton Biomedical Equipment Technology Jacob DeManicor, Clifford Twp. Robert Jenkins, Moosic Evan Scarnecchia, Bushkill Brian Smith, Kingston Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Abby Bowen, Tunkhannock Brendan Jarosh, Eynon Aiden Martelli, Dickson City Patrick McLaine, Scranton Aaron Newhart, Dalton Austin Norris, Waymart Charles Santarsiero, Clarks Summit Kenneth Stucker, Lake Ariel Civil Design Technology Tristin Piazza, Clarks Summit Michael Sarno, Pittston Diesel Truck Technology Victoria Keller, Exeter Michael Naegele, Clarks Summit John Ozark, Pittston Twp. Troy Venesky, Clarks Summit Joshua Wiggins, Plymouth Peter Winowich, Clarks Summit Nicholas Youshock, Olyphant Electrical Construction Technology Evan Berretta, Old Forge John Bonilla, Bushkill Richard Bowen, Exeter Jacob Burke, Scranton Salvatore Caminiti, Moscow Tyler Cawley, Archbald Anthony Celona, Hawley Aleksander Chilson, Pittston Zachary Chilson, Pittston Cody Choyka, Throop Jeffrey Costello, Greenfield Twp. Alyssa Crawford, Jermyn Jacob Decker, Henryville Hezekiah Deitz, Hamlin Seth DePalma, Olyphant James Diaz, Scranton Bruno Ealo, Scott Twp. Korry Eisley, Clifton Twp. Michael Forrester, Willkes-Barre Shane Frank, Dunmore Ryan Freer, Milford Luke Galli, Yatesville David Giaimo, Scranton Luis Gonzalez, Scranton Brandon Griffiths, Scranton Marco Guerrero Alvanez, Forest City Liam Hetherson, Olyphant Wayne Jones, Dickson City Jacob Kelly, South Abington Twp. Imran Khan, Moosic Ian Koehler, Scranton Fantajah LaRoche, Simpson Brendan Lynott, South Abington Twp. Audrey Marrow, Dunmore Cyrus Morales, Bushkill Ethan Muha, Dickson City Matthew Mychayliw, Dunmore Carlos Orta, Carbondale Jack Patten, Beach Lake Hunter Pazzalia, Archbald Noah Perrotti, Moosic Preston Petts, Dunmore Blake Praschak, Archbald Zachary Racht, Simpson Elijan Roberts, Scranton David Romanski, Archbald Michael Romiti, Scranton Xariel Sanchez, Wilkes-Barre Erick Sanchez-Guzman, Scranton Alfredo Santiago, Scranton Brenden Scarantino, Dunmore Adam Schield, Roaring Brook Twp. Parker Smith, Scott Twp. Seth Sylvester, Pittston Brian Troutman, Moscow Jackson Valentin, Milford Kevin VanLuvanee, Nicholson Liam Walter, South Abington Twp. Electronic Engineering Technology Zebulon Chisdock, Harding Hershall Ferguson, Factoryville Guy Higdon, Carbondale Hope Hoanzl, Forest City Isaya Ortiz, Scranton Jacob Tighe, Forest City Kyle Williams, Greentown Jallen Wilks, Moscow Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology Jaron Bullick, Scott Twp. Jeffrey Bushinkski, Scranton Robert Castaldi, Moosic Joshua Cohen, Scranton Jared Craig, Clarks Summit Thomas Dougherty, Dunmore Damian House, Drums Jonathan Hunsberger, Canadensis James Lamberti, Roaring Brook Twp. Dustin McAllister, Scranton Richard McCabe, Scranton Cameron McCarthy, Mountain Top Blake Mullin, Nazareth Robert Murphy, Thompson Ryan Phillips, Luzerne Derek Segear, Wilkes-Barre Nathan Shaw, Carbondale Ryan Soignet, Mayfield Corey Sweeney, White Haven Conner Sweeney, Dupont Zackary Vojick, Childs Devin Walsh, Olyphant Kevin Williams, Eynon Heavy Equipment Technology Nicholas Lathrop, Greenfield Twp. Brian Talley, Lake Ariel Mechatronics Technology Adam Haines, Madison Twp. Ryan Reber, Clifton Twp. Andrew Sesso, Taylor Alex Ziemrowski, East Stroudsburg Welding Fabrication & Manufacturing Technology Luke Gyurkovic, Honesdale John Milewski, Jefferson Twp. Todd Varley, Milford David Yencho, Dickson City CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Welding Technology Christoper Evancho, Rock Glen William Fischer, Clarks Summit Steven Gallo, Milford Jadan Gomez, Hazleton Charity Keithline, Tunkhannock Tyler Kielty, Milford Zachary Menichello, Jessup Alex Michaylo, Old Forge Grace Rodriguez, Scranton Ethan Stankowski, Clarks Summit Logan Treat, Falls RISE (READINESS IN SKILLED EMPLOYMENT) PROGRAM Building & Property Maintenance Jai-li Camacho, Scranton Terrence Jefferson, Scranton Computer Support & Security Specialist Mark Lindsay, Simpson Daisy Smith, Carbondale Nicholas Snyder, Dunmore Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technology Anthony Rivera, Throop Medical Assistant Specialist Alicia Brown, Scranton Daniele Chatelain, Scranton Shauna Pace, Throop Kency Ramirez, Taylor Dulce Semedo, Peckville Welding Technology Scott Jaccarino, Wyoming Alexander Allen, Carbondale Aaron Carney, Carbondale Luciano Devine, Jefferson Twp.
Marywood Student Recognized on ALL IN Voting Honor Roll Marywood student Kelly Royer, Weatherly, has been named to the 2024 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll, which recognizes college students doing outstanding work to advance nonpartisan democratic engagement at participating campuses. Ms. Royer, who is pursuing her degree in Physician Assistant Studies, joins a group of 137 students recognized for their voter registration, education, and turnout efforts during the 2023 elections, which featured critical ballot measures and local and state races. “Whether it’s a presidential election year or one with critical state and local races on the ballot, students have a powerful role to play in fostering active and engaged campuses and getting their peers to participate in our democracy. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate 137 student leaders who model nonpartisan democratic engagement,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These honorees hosted candidate information sessions, created guides on polling location accessibility, registered their peers to vote and so much more. We know these students will continue to make a difference in our democracy.” Studies show that voting and democratic participation are habits that are built and strengthened over time. A recent survey from CIRCLE showed that 86 percent of under-35 youth who voted in 2022 and 72 percent of those who voted in 2020 consider themselves extremely likely to vote in 2024. Colleges and universities have an important role to play in encouraging their students to become active and engaged citizens at the ballot box and beyond. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge engages more than 1,000 institutions enrolling over 10 million students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. For more information on Marywood University’s nonpartisan democracy initiative, Pacers to the Polls, along with more information on the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, visit marywood.edu/life-at-mu/involvement/pacers-to-the-polls.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives $5,000 Donation Sherry Cross delivered a $5,000 check to the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore this afternoon. The check represents proceeds from the 2nd annual “Night to Remember” fundraiser in memory of Sherry’s sister, Tracy Gototweski. The event was held at the Back Mountain Brewery in Dallas. There were basket raffles, a 50/50 drawing, great food and drinks. “Please accept this donation of $5,000 as a token of our gratitude for all you do. It is an honor to have the opportunity to give back to your wonderful organization. We hope that our efforts will support patients and their families and keep Tracy’s star shining bright,” said Sherry Cross. The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through the end of life journey. Pictured l to r: Michael Catalano, Director of the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit, Sherry Cross and Diane Baldi, CEO of Hospice of the Sacred Heart
FNCB Bank Supports Veterans Treatment Court FNCB Bank, locally based for over 100 years, recently donated $15,000 through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Project Tax Credit Program, to the Treatment Court Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County to help local veterans in the rehabilitative program. The 18-month rehabilitative program addresses root behavioral problems that often afflict veterans, such as mental health and addiction concerns. The Lackawanna Veterans Treatment Court was the first of its kind in Pennsylvania when started in 2009 by Judge Michael Barrasse, who continues to oversee it. FNCB Bank’s donation will be used for essentials like clothing, rent, transportation, medical care, job counseling, therapy, and support for participating veterans and family members. Since 2014, FNCB Bank has donated $100,000 to the treatment court. The support of the Lackawanna County Veterans Treatment Court is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
The Wright Center Supports Distribution of Overdose-Reversing Medicine To help reduce opioid-related deaths in the region, The Wright Center for Community Health is participating in a state-led initiative to distribute free overdose-reversing medication and other harm-reduction supplies. Individuals can receive naloxone kits – a potentially life-saving medicine that is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration – and drug-checking strips by visiting The Wright Center for Community Health – Hawley, 103 Spruce St. The practice is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is not necessary to be a Wright Center patient or to provide ID. Similarly, people can get kits and supplies during business hours at the Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission office, 318 Tenth St., Honesdale. The commission has partnered with The Wright Center to assist in distributing the items and promoting training opportunities to ensure that people know how to properly use them. The Wright Center is one of many approved, community-based distribution sites, officially known as “recognized entities,” that will receive the supplies at no cost through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program (POPP). The program was launched in mid-2023 as a joint initiative between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. POPP offers multiple formulations of naloxone as well as drug-checking strips. The strips are designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl, potent substances that are sometimes mixed with other drugs and can increase the risk of overdose. “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Scott Constantini, associate vice president of primary care and recovery services integration at The Wright Center for Community Health. “At this phase of the ongoing epidemic, it makes sense for more people to have naloxone kits in the event of an emergency with a family member, friend, coworker, or stranger. You never know when you can save a life.” Jeffrey Zerechak, director of the Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission, noted the epidemic’s hard-hitting impact on the Northeast region, especially in rural areas where treatment options might be limited and stigma prevents some people from seeking care. “We encourage anyone in Wayne County who needs help to please stop by our office or call us. Don’t wait any longer. Addiction is an illness that only gets worse over time.” The opioid epidemic, which has claimed the lives of about 14,000 Pennsylvanians in the past three years, continues to ravage communities and families. By increasing access to harm-reduction supplies, state health officials and others hope to limit fatalities and link more people who use drugs to effective treatment programs. Evidence suggests that providing access to naloxone does not lead to more or riskier drug use. Rather, people revived by the medication might find that the near-death experience serves as a wake-up call, compelling them to seek help and maintain recovery. The Wright Center for Community Health, a Scranton-based provider of whole-person primary health services, is committed to helping individuals with substance use disorder. The Wright Center became a state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence in 2016. Since then, it has provided outpatient addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, to thousands of people in Northeast Pennsylvania. To learn more about the services available through its Center of Excellence, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org/services/coe. For more information about naloxone access at The Wright Center for Community Health’s locations and other regional distribution sites, go to TheWrightCenter.org/naloxone-access. To connect with the Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission, visit its website or call 570-253-6022.
The Wright Center’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program Receives National Recognition The Wright Center for Community Health’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) Program, based on the award-winning UCLA Program, is now listed in a national database of proven, effective dementia care programs. Best Programs for Caregiving, a partnership between the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and Family Caregiver Alliance, is 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. To see The Wright Center’s ADC Program listing, visit bpc.caregiver.org/caregivers/12/967. The Wright Center launched the ADC Program in 2020 to help patients and families navigate the medical, behavioral, and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases. Wright Center geriatricians, advanced practitioners, and dementia care specialists work closely with each patient’s primary care and referring physicians to develop a personalized care plan. The program also provides ongoing patient monitoring and round-the-clock access to assistance and advice so patients can avoid emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Go to TheWrightCenter.org/services/alzheimers-dementia or call 570-230-0019 for more information about the ADC Program. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, 6.7 million people 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s dementia in the United States, including over 280,000 in Pennsylvania. The report says there were an estimated 404,000 family caregivers in Pennsylvania in 2022. “The Wright Center is very proud of the care we provide to patients and caregivers in this program,” said Nicole Lipinski, director of the geriatric service line. “It’s an honor to be listed in this database, especially as we continue to grow the program and provide patient-centered care for all participants.” The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information about The Wright Center’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Outlines Better Health Outcomes for Women The Wright Center: One of the things we notice in health care is that far too often women neglect their own well-being because they’re so focused on the needs of their children, their spouse, or their aging parents. So, it’s important to promote awareness campaigns like Women’s Health Awareness Month in May, which provides us with a terrific opportunity to stress the importance of women taking a proactive approach to their overall health. National Women’s Health Week occurs every year beginning on Mother’s Day and is led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office on Women’s Health. The theme for this year’s observance is “Empowering Women, Cultivating Health: Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience,” and is focused on empowering women to be proactive in their health journeys. Each day of the campaign spotlights a relevant women’s health topic. They are: Day 1 – May 12: Empowering Women in their Health Journey Day 2 – May 13: Safe Sexual Health Day 3 – May 14: Shining a Light on Maternal Mental Health Day 4 – May 15: Talk About It—Reducing Women’s Health Stigma Day 5 – May 16: Understanding Care is There Day 6 – May 17: Reproductive Health from Puberty to Menopause and Beyond Day 7 – May 18: Women and Heart Health Here at The Wright Center, we offer a variety of services that allow women to balance their own wellness with their many daily responsibilities. Our local primary and preventive care community health centers provide integrated whole-person primary health services that give patients the convenience of going to a single location to access all their physical, dental and behavioral health care needs. That’s why our patients are encouraged to make us their medical home. Our women patients can access such health services as regular gynecological checkups, pelvic and breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, well-woman visits, bone density testing, age-appropriate immunizations, Pap smears and HPV testing, STI testing and treatment, and hormonal testing. And to spare women – really all patients – from the needless suffering associated with preventable illness and many of today’s leading causes of death (heart attack, stroke and certain cancers among them), The Wright Center is increasingly focused on preventive care through our Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine programs. Our dedicated team of dieticians, counselors, and other professionals can help patients adopt a personalized care plan to manage – or outright avoid – chronic diseases. We accept almost all insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), plus private plans. If you’re uninsured, our enrollment assisters can help to educate you about the options and the sign-up process, and our sliding-fee discount program ensures high-quality whole-person primary health services are affordable and accessible for everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. We’re proud to offer first-rate women’s health care, and we’ll continue to do all we can do to exceed that care in any way possible. Supriana Bhandol, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician, serves as the associate program director and physician faculty in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Bhandol is accepting patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave.
Dress For Success Celebrates 25th Anniversary This year marks Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary! We are excited to mark this occasion and reflect on the incredible impact we have made with your support, empowering women to achieve personal and professional success and economic self-reliance. We invite you to join us in commemorating this special milestone. The event will be held: Thursday, May 16th from 6pm-8pm at The Anthracite Center, 41 North Main Street, Carbondale. Our anniversary celebration will be a momentous occasion as we will recognize the honorees from our 2024 Women Making An Impact campaign, the achievements of the women we have served, showcase success stories, and highlight the transformative work of Dress for Success Lackawanna over the past 25 years. We have developed a range of sponsorship packages to offer you visibility and recognition for your support at our anniversary celebration. Raffle basket donations will also be appreciated. Your sponsorship for Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary celebration will not only demonstrate your commitment to empowering women but will also align your company with a cause that makes a tangible difference in the lives of women throughout Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne, Pike, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties. If you are interested in contributing, please contact us at 570-941-0339 or email lackawanna@dressforsuccess.org. Sponsorships should be made by Tuesday, April 30th, 2024. We appreciate your consideration and support in making Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary event a memorable and impactful occasion.
