Marion Munley Presents at Houston Trial Lawyers Association Workshop Marion Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys recently presented at the Houston Trial Lawyers Association’s CLE and Workshop: “Building and Bringing Home your Case Story: Openings/Closing.” The focus of her presentation was “What You Want to Look For in Trial to Use in Closing.” Widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and currently serves as its Treasurer. Marion was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has also been recognized as Best Lawyers® 2022 and 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania and 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury-Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers forthe last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from Scranton University in 1983.
Tobyhanna and USAMMA Cut the Ribbon on Modernized Medical Maintenance Operations Facility Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is now home to one of the most modernized Medical Maintenance Operations Division (MMOD) facilities in the United States. On Thursday, May 2, employees and Army leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of a brand-new United States Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) facility at TYAD with a ribbon cutting. The project was the result of a four year long, multi-million dollar effort that saw USAMMA transition their entire workspace to a newly renovated area. Keynote speakers at the event included TYAD Deputy Commander Robert Lantka and USAMMA Medical Maintenance Management Director CW4 (Ret.) Jorge Magana-Cortez. The repair and conversion of the new building, known as MMOD-PA, has been designed to meet the United States Army Medical Logistics Command’s (AMLC) requirements, which included complete renovations to an entire bay and half of another. Some specific renovations include a new roof, dock enclosures and ramps, structural steel mezzanine, overhead and personnel doors, lighting, sprinkler system and valve room, HVAC, X-ray room, conference room, offices, sterilizer testing pit, rack storage, and an open area with 40 workstations. In the end, 60,000 square feet of building area has been recapitalized. Magana-Cortez said that above all, the ribbon cutting is for the hard-working individuals who execute the mission on a daily basis. “In today’s audience is the very special staff who this was done for that execute the day-to-day operations. This ribbon cutting ceremony is for you,” said Magana-Cortez. “We appreciate all of the hard work that you’ve done and what you’re going to do in this building in the future.” This project builds upon an already strong working relationship between USAMMA and TYAD and represents a win-win for both parties. For USAMMA, they now have modernized facilities and furnishings. Additionally, the layout in their new area is more efficient and quality of life has been improved for their staff. For TYAD, the now unoccupied building has been returned to mission space and will be renovated with the goal of improving efficiency and quality of life for depot employees. Lantka lauded the teamwork that occurred between the teams at AMLC and TYAD saying that without it, this all wouldn’t have been possible. “The story of how we got here today is amazing. For over the last 12 to 14 years, Tobyhanna has been able to invest over $900 million into its facilities and this is just one successful program,” said Lantka. “The reason why this was successful is the excellent teamwork between the AMLC team and our Garrison Installation team. They ran the processes that ensure our modernization projects have the right justification, the right prioritization, and that barriers and obstacles got broken down to ensure success.” MMOD-PA Interim Director William Wall echoed Lantka’s sentiment, saying that the close collaboration allowed both parties to provide the very best to the warfighter. “This project was 4 years in the making. It wouldn’t have been successful without continued collaboration between AMLC, USAMMA, and TYAD. We all worked in concert to ensure the funds were secured and the project stayed on schedule,” said Wall. “The modernization of the facility has not only improved our capabilities to the Warfighter, but the infrastructure improvements have also improved the quality-of-life aspect for our team.” Additionally, Wall distributed 10 awards to USAMMA employees for their hard work and dedication during the renovation and moving process. Working with USAMMA to open this new facility is a TOBY2035 initiative aligned with the C5ISR Readiness and Shape the Future lines of effort. The plan, which has two additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Gala Raises More Than $100,000 for Student Scholarships Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine celebrated a monumental success with its annual Black Ties for White Coats Gala, raising more than $100,000 in support of student scholarships. Held at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 20, the event brought together esteemed guests, faculty, students, and community members for an evening of philanthropy and celebration. Geisinger Commonwealth would like to thank the Diamond Sponsor of this year’s event, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Service/Discover NEPA and the Gold Sponsor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. The annual gala serves as a cornerstone fundraising event for the school and is aimed at supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders. “We are thrilled by the overwhelming generosity and support shown at this year’s Gala”, said School President and Dean Julie Byerley, MD, MPH. “The funds raised will directly impact our students by enabling them to pursue their dreams of becoming a healthcare provider who will make a difference in the communities they serve.” The success of the Black Ties for White Coats event underscores Geisinger Commonwealth’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. By providing scholarships, the school aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical education and empower students to focus on their studies and clinical training. Each year Geisinger Commonwealth selects a Founders, Wel-lbeing and Community honoree. This year’s honorees include: Founders: Tom Churilla, MD Well-being: Shubhra Shetty, MD Community: The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children
Marywood Students Join AICUP Day on the Hill A group of six Marywood University students and one staff member recently participated in the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) Day on the Hill in Harrisburg, Pa. They were among 170 attendees from 23 different schools. The annual one-day event, which was held this year on April 9, brings students from AICUP schools across the Commonwealth together at the Harrisburg Capitol Building to advocate on behalf of their institutions and the Pennsylvania State Grant Programs. Participants get the opportunity to meet with legislators and see how the advocacy process works in Harrisburg. The six students, all members of the Student Government Association, met with Pennsylvania State Representatives from Lackawanna County, including Rep. Kyle Donahue, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, and Rep. Kyle Mullins, as well as Pennsylvania Senator Marty Flynn. Student Government Association (SGA) President-elect Scott Gartley was selected to speak at the event on behalf of Marywood University. Other Marywood student participants were: Ian Kovatch, Rosalyn Page, Aiyanna Jean, Kevin Budveit, and Kelly Royer. Dr. Ross Novak, Dean of Students, accompanied the students during the event. Image ID: Marywood University SGA President-elect Scott Gartley spoke at AICUP’s recent Day on the Hill event on the steps of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pa.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Community Event Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is hosting a community event: “Nobody’s Fool: Why We Get Taken in and What We Can Do About It” on May 14.
Lackawanna College Awarded $150,000 Grant to Further Assist Parenting Students Lackawanna College received the Parent Pathways Grant for $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education. The funds from this grant will expand existing resources for parenting students to directly impact the persistence of parenting students with tuition assistance, emergency funding, and support services. “We are thrilled to receive the Parent Pathways Grant, allowing us to grow our support services for parenting students,” Brian Costanzo, vice president for government affairs & special projects said. “At Lackawanna, we are dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of their family responsibilities, have the resources and support they need to succeed academically and personally.” The Parent Pathways grant aims to provide essential resources directly tailored to the needs of parenting students, ensuring their success in academic endeavors. Initiatives in the grant include childcare costs, scholarships, emergency funds for parenting students who require assistance with an academic or basic need affecting their education. These enhanced support services will benefit approximately 21% of Lackawanna’s parenting learners, providing them with the necessary assistance to navigate the demands of both parenthood and higher education. “We strive to offer as much support as possible to our students, and initiatives like the Parent Pathways Grant help further our mission to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better the communities in which they live,” Costanzo said. For more information about Lackawanna College and its support services for parenting students, please visit Lackawanna.edu.
The Dime Bank Donates to The Cooperage Project The Dime Bank is proud to support The Cooperage Project’s Pop-Up Club and Romping Radishes programs with a $10,000.00 donation. Both programs at The Cooperage are part of the Earned Income Tax Credit program as an Educational Improvement Organization. Romping Radishes is a hands-on learning experience for kindergarten through second grade focusing on health and community. Interactive activities introduce children to local food production, cultural diversity, social responsibility, and other healthy living and safety topics. The Pop-Up Club is a free after school program for middle school students teaching entrepreneurial skills, various work opportunities, and science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics subjects in a safe, interactive environment. “The Cooperage Project offers students a fun way to continue learning outside of the school environment. We are happy to support this creative community platform,” stated The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. Executive Director Arrah Fisher stated, “On behalf of us all at The Cooperage Project, we thank The Dime Bank for your continued support through the EITC program to support Pop-Up Club and Romping Radishes! We are so very grateful for your generosity.” Project Manager Amanda Masters added, “Thank you once again for the support to run the programs that led to these cute smiles!”The Cooperage Project serves students from Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack Area, Western Wayne Area School Districts and Cyber and Homeschool Students in Wayne and Pike Counties PA. For more information, contact info@thecooperageproject.org.
Crystal Window & Door Systems Expands Operations at Northeast PA Facility National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems has expanded operations at its Northeast Pennsylvania facility outside of Scranton with the addition of several Crystal products to the lineup of products fabricated there. The expansion allows the company to keep up with demand and keep lead times short. Crystal Windows’ new construction Series 300 and Series 400 vinyl windows and the Series 1500 and Series 1600 vinyl sliding patio doors are all now fully assembled at the Scranton factory. These products join the Series 100 vinyl window line, popular with distributor stock programs, and the Series 1240 and 1280 aluminum patio doors already assembled there. “Crystal Pennsylvania is continuing to grow despite the current industry challenges,” said Steve Chen, President of Crystal Windows. “With our 336,000 square foot facility, we’ve capitalized on the space to add product lines and allow other Crystal plants to focus production on new heavy commercial products for regional markets.” Crystal Pennsylvania (Crystal PA) also has expanded its insulated glass unit (IGU) fabrication capabilities. The facility now can produce IGUs with several spacer systems, including GED Intercept and Edgetech SuperSpacer. Production of triple-pane IGUs has also ramped up significantly with increased market demand for greater energy efficiency. Crystal PA’s automated glass line features highly efficient GED and Billco advanced production equipment which can handle large glass panels. Most of the products fabricated at Crystal PA are shipped directly to job sites and customers throughout the Northeast, MidAtlantic, Southeast, and central MidWest regions, including major developments in Crystal’s newest markets in Texas, saving shipping costs and time. Longer distance shipments are handled by Crystal’s logistics partner JB Hunt. Shipments in the northeast region are usually handled by Crystal’s own truck fleet. Crystal plans to add more new equipment this year, including vinyl saws, welders, and comer cleaners with associated tooling to handle additional C1ystal products. Building improvements, a new rooftop sign, and enhancements to employee break areas are also in the works. “The new equipment we have already added here recently has improved our operating efficiency and reduced lead times,” said Chen. ·”Further improvements this year will continue the trend, and it will allow us to satisfy demand even more effectively and improve deliveries to our customers.”
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education to Host Scholar’s Day The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education will host the annual Scholars Day poster competition on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the auditorium of The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton. The event brings together over40 medical students, residents, and fellows from The Wright Center, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), Geisinger’s Internal Medicine residency, and A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). The annual program recognizes and celebrates scientific inquiry through scholarly poster presentations on clinical case reports, quality improvement, and research. The Wright Center partners with ATSU-SOMA to serve as a training and educational site for medical school students and physician assistants. Dr. Simin Nasr, a faculty member in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Family Medicine Residency, will deliver open remarks and launch the first of three poster display sessions. Attendees can discuss projects with presenters and enjoy refreshments. Three judges – Dr. Milos Babic of The Wright Center, and Dr. Pragya Dhaubhadel and Dr. Qi Shi, both of Geisinger – will review each poster and discuss the work with the presenter before grading them. Dr. Tata Mbugua, a University of Scranton professor and director of the undergraduate programs, will give a keynote speech on governance and advocacy for best practices in pediatric care. Dr. Edwin Mogaka, The Wright Center’s Family Medicine resident leader for scholarly activity, will present awards for first, second, and third place for each poster session. Award recipients will give brief presentations on their work before claiming their prize. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 and today is one of the nation’s largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to provide whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. The Wright Center offers ACGME-accredited residencies in three disciplines: family medicine, internal medicine, and physical medicine & rehabilitation as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. For information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
Johnson College to Host 31st Annual Golf Tournament Johnson College will host its 31st Annual Johnson College Open on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top, PA. All proceeds from the annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Last year’s tournament raised over $50,000 to support the Presidential Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are presented each fall to full-time students demonstrating financial need to finish their educational journey. To learn more about this event, visit johnson.edu/golf.
