Ribbon-Cutting Held for The Wright Center’s New North Pocono Practice

An open house program and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, April 24 marked the debut of The Wright Center for Community Health’s new North Pocono Practice in Lackawanna County’s Covington Township, marking another milestone in the organization’s development and introducing area residents to the clinic’s many primary care services.

The practice, which began serving patients Monday, April 25 is located at 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, in the North Pocono 502 Professional Plaza. It is open four days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

To celebrate the clinic’s launch, The Wright Center invited the public to tour the facility and learn more about the expanding nonprofit health care organization that serves patients regardless of their income or insurance status.

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, and other employees and board members snipped a ribbon during the celebratory event, which featured local officials and dignitaries. Attendees included Covington Township Police Chief Robert Bastek, Lackawanna County Commissioner Jerry Notarianni and Lackawanna County Solicitor Frank J. Ruggiero.

“The Wright Center is proud and privileged to be able to offer this resource to the North Pocono community, making our nondiscriminatory primary health services accessible close to home for residents of Covington Township, Moscow Borough and all of the communities within the North Pocono School District,” Thomas-Hemak said before the ribbon cutting. “The Wright Center’s commitment to reaching traditionally underserved populations and to being responsive to community needs is what brought us here today.”

The practice will treat patients of all ages. Its newly renovated clinical space includes six exam rooms, as well as a separate treatment area for sick visits – a space designated for caring for individuals coping with COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Located southeast of Scranton, the new clinic will allow The Wright Center to better assist patients who live in the territory served by the North Pocono School District, including the communities of Moscow Borough and Clifton, Covington, Elmhurst, Jefferson, Madison, Roaring Brook, Spring Brook and Thornhurst townships.

To make an appointment at the North Pocono Practice, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5150.

CAC/NEPA to Host Annual Moonlight Walk/Run

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA) announces that the Annual Moonlight Walk/Run will be held at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, on Saturday May 7th, 2022.  This year the CAC/NEPA has partnered with AllOne Charities for this event presented by Geisinger. The event will offer a Kid’s Fun Run, as well as a 1.5-mile walk, 5K and 10K run! 

Awards will be presented to the Top 2 Male & Female Overall winners, the Top 2 Master Male & Female winners, the Top 2 Male & Female Finishers in each of the following age categories:  14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-59, and 60 and up. 

It is not too late to register for the Annual Moonlight Walk and Run.  Participants may pre-register online or register at the event.  Registration starts at 5:00 pm, the Kid’s Fun Run starts at 6:00 pm, the Walk start is set for 6:15 pm and Runner’s start will kick off at 7:00 pm.

For more information about the Annual Moonlight Walk and Run, please call 570-969-7313, or visit: https://cacnepa.org/moonlight-walk-run/. To directly register online, please visit:  https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Scranton/CACmoonlight5k10k.

“Our Northeast community never ceases to amaze me with its generosity when it comes to supporting the children who experienced abuse and neglect throughout the region. The Moonlight Walk/Run event has supported our mission and increased awareness of child abuse and neglect for over 16 years. I love the legacy of this event -it is strong proof of the dedication and commitment of our community to protecting children and giving them their best tomorrow. We are proud to announce that we will be back in person for the event this year.” said Marsha Pigga, CAC/NEPA Executive Director. 

Outreach Executive Director Presents at UNICO Scranton Meeting

Lori Chaffers, Executive Director, presented information about the services and programs Outreach delivers to the regional community at the UNICO Scranton meeting on April 12, 2022. Outreach is a non-profit organization serving thousands of people of all ages in northeastern Pennsylvania through a variety of programs supporting family stability and economic self-sufficiency.

Chaffers joined Outreach as the new Executive Director in January and she brings a wealth of experience in social services and advocacy to her new position, including a decade of service with Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services, where she fulfilled various roles. Most recently, she was the agency’s program director in the Office of Social Service Research and Development. Prior to that, she was a supervisor for its Independent Living Unit, an independent living coordinator, and a caseworker.

She holds a bachelor of social work degree from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and a master of social work degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Chaffers resides in Dickson City with her husband, Alexander (A.J.), and her two children, Angela, age 9, and Joseph, age 6.

Run for the Roses to Benefit NeighborWorks

This year, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is partnering with The Country Club of Scranton to be the benefiting organization of their Kentucky Derby Party – Run for the Roses. A portion of the event ticket and 50/50 raffle proceeds benefits NeighborWorks. It will be held on May 7, 2022 from 5-8pm at the Country Club of Scranton.

For over 14 years, Run for the Roses has emulated the festivities present at the Kentucky Derby. Complete with multiple areas to view the live broadcast of the horse race, passed hors d’oeuvres and an outdoor venue, it celebrates the 185-year-old race held at Churchill Downs racetrack. Event goers are encouraged to dress up in “Derby attire” complete with large hats, bow ties and colorful sun dresses and suits.

The event will feature food, an open bar, cigar lounge & bourbon bar, derby drink features and a 50/50 raffle.

Pre-registration is $85 per person, and non-members can pre-register with a credit card by May 2, 2022. To make a reservation, call 570-586-2311 by May 2, 2022. For more information on the event, please go to the country club’s website here.

Swift Kennedy’s Jerry Calistri Earns Self-Funding Specialist Certification

Jerry Calistri, President and CEO of the insurance brokerage firm Swift Kennedy & Associates, has been designated as a Certified Self-Funding Specialist by the Health Care Administrators Association.

To earn this certification, Calistri completed comprehensive courses about alternative funding and Third-Party Administration, which highlighted the advantages of using self-funded health care plans, such as level-funded policies.

Calistri is a Senatorial Member and PAC Board Member of Health Agents for America, a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and a member the National Association of Health Underwriters. In addition, he is a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist.

He has over 30 years of experience in the employee benefits industry, including working at the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund in Harrisburg and at Geisinger Health Plan as Regional Sales and Operations Manager for the Western Region.

Geisinger Hosts Free, Virtual Lung Cancer Screening Information Session

Geisinger will host a free, virtual lung cancer screening information session from noon to 1 p.m. May 10.

For at-risk patients, lung cancer screening is quick, easy and painless and just as important to the early detection and treatment of cancer as regular mammograms and colonoscopies.

Patients may be eligible for lung cancer screening if they are:

  • Between the ages of 50 and 80
  • Have a 20-pack-year smoking history
  • Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years

The event will be hosted by Matthew Facktor, M.D.,director of the lung cancer screening program and chair of Geisinger’s Department of Thoracic Surgery, and George Ruiz, M.D.,chair of Geisinger’s Department of Cardiology.

The session will cover:

  • An overview of lung cancer screening
  • Who is a good candidate for regular screening
  • How to calculate pack-year history
  • A question-and-answer session

Anyone interested in learning about lung cancer screening can register for the information session by visiting go.geisinger.org/lungcancerscreeningevent. During registration, participants can submit questions they’d like addressed during the session.

Meals on Wheels of NEPA Serves Smiles to Seniors

Local artist, Kathleen McHugh

Meals on Wheels of NEPA celebrated National Humor Month by delivering more than 700 sets of postcards depicting food puns to their home-bound clients. Local artist Kathleen McHugh designed the illustrations featured on the front of the cards. This project was made possible by a Humor Therapy Fund Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

“By creating these cards, the Agency’s goal was to improve the moods of the clients it serves and remind them they are not alone,” said Kristen Kosin, Executive Director. “Meals on Wheels of NEPA is often a primary source of contact for clients, and even the smallest bit of humor can brighten someone’s day.”

Meals on Wheels of NEPA supports the independent living of home-bound seniors and disabled persons through the delivery of nutrition and supportive services. Each day, the Agency’s clients, whose life circumstances make it difficult or impossible for them to prepare needed nourishment, receive a hot meal delivered by volunteers. In addition to keeping these seniors well-nourished, the Agency often provides the only human contact many home-bound individuals experience each day. Meals on Wheels of NEPA has been in existence since 1969, and to date, has served over 5 million meals.

Eventive Offers Business Event Planning Assistance

The weather is getting warmer and people are starting to come together again! As you bring your team back together in the office and/or at company meetings and events, we hope you keep us in mind for your team building and meeting planning needs. We have been working hard here at Eventive creating new programs and experiences for our clients.

We have team building programs to fit all of your goals and objectives! Take a look at our updated outline: https://www.eventiveproductions.com/team-building for In-Person – Hybrid – Virtual events.

Team Building Highlights:

  • Bring your team back together while giving back to the community. Our charity based events are a great way to do both.
  • Choose an activity that focuses on re-grouping and getting to know each other.
  • Host the event at your office or off-site! We bring everything to your venue.

Full-service meeting planning services are also available including site selection, audio-visual, catering, entertainment, registration, and more. We do all the legwork, leaving you time to focus on your job and actually attend the meeting with your co-workers.

The Wright Center Holds COVID-19 and Routine Vaccination Clinics

The Wright Center for Community Health is holding Driving Better Health Mobile COVID-19 and Routine Vaccination Clinics in Lackawanna County in April, May and June from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location.

Driving Better Health is a 34-foot mobile medical unit that brings high-quality health care services directly to the underserved communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. The mobile medical unit has been serving populations of special concern since 2020. It is regularly deployed to senior living centers, regional schools, homeless shelters and other community gathering spots.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available for anybody age 5 and up. A guardian must accompany patients who are younger than 17. Walk-up appointments are welcome depending on vaccine availability, but appointments are encouraged for the convenience of patients. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to schedule an appointment. The Wright Center for Community Health clinical staff will also offer COVID-19 testing and routine vaccines at the clinics.

The Wright Center for Community Health is offering the following vaccination clinics in Lackawanna County:

  • Thursday, April 28: The Recovery Bank, 120 Wyoming Ave., Scranton;
  • Friday, April 29: Scranton Healthy Aging Campus, 1004 Jackson St., Scranton, (10 a.m.-noon);
  • Thursday, May 12: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service, 441 Wyoming Ave., Scranton;
  • Thursday, May 19 and Thursday, June 16: St. Francis Commons, 504 Penn Ave., Scranton;
  • Friday, May 20 and Friday, June 17: Community Intervention Center, 445 N. 6th Ave., Scranton;
  • Friday, May 27 and Friday, June 24: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton;
  • Tuesday, June 14: Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St., Carbondale;

Guests are asked to observe public safety measures, including masking and social distancing, during the clinic and bring identification and insurance cards.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging

As the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) continues developing its plans for electric-vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure investments from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the public is encouraged to learn about planning and funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as submit questions during a webinar on Wednesday, April 27.

The webinar with PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian as well as PennDOT and state Department of Environmental Protection officials will be livestreamed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The public can register on the department’s EV web page under “National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.” The public can also register or submit feedback by emailing ra-pdevcorridors@pa.gov.

The webinar will build on outreach the department is conducting with lawmakers, planning partners, utilities, local government organizations, EV charging companies, and stakeholders with equity, labor, education, and environmental expertise. Additional public feedback will be gathered on the draft plan in June.

As part of the BIL’s nationwide investment in growing the EV charging network, over five years PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in formula funds for EV charging infrastructure. The department must outline and submit its plans to invest these funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation by August 1, 2022.

The funding supports the commonwealth goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (list) and Interstate lookalikes. Federal AFC criteria was updated earlier this year to require AFC designated corridors to have charging stations no more than 1 mile from an Interstate exit or highway intersection (previously 5 miles) and no more than 50 miles apart. The department has been reviewing all corridors to align all AFCs with the new criteria.

Pennsylvania has over 1,700 miles of AFCs. Per the guidance from USDOT, any EV charging infrastructure installed with NEVI formula funds shall be located along a designated AFC and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements. Should PennDOT determine, and U.S. DOT certifies, that the AFCs are fully built out, then Pennsylvania may use funds to build EV charging equipment on any public road or in any publicly accessible location, including but not limited to parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and parks.

Additionally, PennDOT – following guidance issued from U.S. DOT – will use its EV Equity Guiding Principles announced this year to help the department evaluate EV proposals in accordance with the federal guidance. The principles aim to increase accessibility to the infrastructure and maximize benefits for all Pennsylvanians and fall into five categories:

  • Make EVs more affordable;
  • Make EV charging more accessible;
  • Invest in fleet electrification;
  • Invest in traditionally underserved, low-income, persons of color and otherwise vulnerable population areas; and
  • Increase EV awareness, education, and technical capacity.

The commonwealth’s previous work and the new funding will support growing EV usage and industry transitions. There are more than 23,000 EVs registered in Pennsylvania, more than double the roughly 9,700 that were registered in March 2019. To enhance traveler information for the growing number of EV drivers, the state’s traveler information system – 511PA – now also includes EV charging station locations as an option on its traffic map. Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the map shows locations across the state by connector type, including CCS, J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla, and NEMA.

More information on PennDOT’s Alternative Fuel Corridors can be found on the department’s website. 

More information on Electric Vehicles in PA, including details on the DEP Alternative Fuel Rebate that provides higher rebates on the purchase of new or used EVs to income-eligible Pennsylvanians, can be found on DEP’s website.