The Wright Center Names Executive Vice President Higher education strategist and Luzerne County resident Scott Koerwer, Ph.D., Ed.D., has joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education in the role of executive vice president and chief administrative officer. In his new role, Koerwer will provide executive leadership oversight of The Wright Center’s human resources, information technology, facilities and marketing and communications departments, as well as contribute to the organization’s clinical delivery and educational missions. He also will guide the integration of the organization’s graduate and undergraduate interprofessional medical, behavioral and dental education activities. “I’m both pleased and honored to have Scott as a member of our executive leadership team,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Center. “He has a passionate commitment to building and empowering accountable, high-performing teams of employees with a shared understanding of goals and purpose.” Koerwer previously served as vice president for strategy and planning at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He also was founding dean of its Graduate School. Koerwer has more than 30 years of experience working at world-class institutions of higher education. At Newberry College, in Newberry, South Carolina, he served as the 21st president of the college and as professor in the department of business. He served as deputy dean and clinical professor of management at The Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina; associate dean of graduate and executive programs and services at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland; and as a director in the Executive Education Division of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Koerwer also has served in leadership and partner roles at private and early-stage companies. Active in the community, Koerwer has served on boards of organizations including the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership Advisory Board at Wilkes University, the Lehigh University Rossin School of Engineering, Keystone College Board of Trustees, the Abington YMCA Advisory Board and multiple chambers of commerce. A lifelong learner, Koerwer has a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College. He earned a master’s degree in government from Lehigh University, a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Thomas Jefferson University. Koerwer and his family reside in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
VIM to Host The Office 5k Valley in Motion is hosting The Office 5K. The road race passes sites featured on NBC’s “The Office.” Starting in the shadow of the Electric City sign in downtown Scranton, runners or walkers will pass the Penn Paper, Cooper’s, the Dwight mural, and more. Participants can dress up as their favorite Office character for fun and prizes. WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 1pmWHERE: Race starts and ends at the 500 Linden Street block in downtown ScrantonSIGN-UP: www.theoffice5K.comPRE-PARTY: Packet pickup and pre-race party at Cooper’s Seafood House on April 29 from 5-7pm. Office trivia, raffle baskets, and special Firkin Friday small-cask beer will be on tap. A fun promotional video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw3CnoeaIjs Race proceeds benefit Valley In Motion, a non-profit fostering community and quality of life in the Lackawanna Valley. More information about VIM at www.valleyinmotion.org.
Steamtown National Historic Site Announces 2022 Train Schedule Train rides are returning to Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) beginning Saturday, May 14, 2022 and coinciding with National Train Day. The Steamtown rail experience varies from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips through the Poconos. Short train rides, the Scranton Limited and Caboose Experience, will begin on Saturday, May 14th. The first excursion trip of the season will take place on Saturday, May 28th to Jessup, PA allowing visitors to experience the annual Saint Ubaldo Day “Running of the Saints” (La Corsa dei Ceri). New for the 2022 season, all ticket sales will be credit card only. Starting Tuesday, April 19th visitors will be able to purchase advance tickets online through recreation.gov for our summer excursions (May-Aug.); tickets for our autumn excursions (Sep.-Oct.) will be released later in the season on Friday, July 15th. Tickets for our short train rides, the Scranton Limited and Caboose Experience, will not be available for advance purchase online and must be purchased on-site at the Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. Beginning Saturday, May 14th: · The Scranton Limited or the Caboose Experience will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, as staffing permits. Departure times are: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. · Tickets are $6 for adults and kids over the age of 5; kids 5 and under are free. Tickets must be purchased on-site at the Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. On days we offer our longer excursion rides, the Caboose Experience will be offered in lieu of the Scranton Limited, as staffing permits. 2022 Summer Excursions: Tickets available for purchase online Tuesday, April 19th at 10:00am · Saturday, May 28th – Jessup: Saint Ubaldo Day “Running of the Saints” (La Corsa dei Ceri) · Sunday, June 12th – Gouldsboro: Special Railfest Excursion Saturday, June 18th – Carbondale: Outdoor Train (BIKE) · Saturday, June 18th – Archbald: Outdoor Train (HIKE) · Saturday, July 16th – Tobyhanna: Ice House Tour · Saturday, July 23rd – Archbald: Penn Division History · Sunday, July 31st – Cresco: Antique Cars and Live Music · Saturday, August 13th – East Stroudsburg: Lunch in the Park · Sunday, August 28th – Cresco: Antique Cars and Live Music 2022 Autumn Excursions: Tickets available for purchase online Friday, July 15th at 10:00am · Saturday, September 24th – Carbondale: Autumn Marketplace · Saturday, October 1st – East Stroudsburg: Pickle Me Poconos · Saturday, October 8th – Gouldsboro: Pumpkin Patch · Saturday, October 22nd – Tobyhanna: Fall Foliage and Town Tour · Saturday, October 29th – Gouldsboro: Ghoulsboro Halloween It’s never too early to start your trip planning! Specific event information can be found by visiting the event calendar on the park website anytime. Station information and ticket pricing can be found on recreation.gov by searching “Steamtown National Historic Site.” NOTICE: · The NPS has updated its masking guidance based on the CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Levels tool, which helps communities decide what prevention steps to take. Masking requirements in NPS buildings are based on local conditions, however masks are still required on all forms of public transportation, including trains operated at Steamtown NHS. · Train rides are subject to cancellation due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew availability. The following spaces and activities are available during regular visiting hours: · The Visitor Center; · The Park Store; · The 1902 Roundhouse including the “Cut-a-Way” display; · The 1937 Roundhouse; · The Theater; · The History Museum; · The Technology Museum; · Designated areas within the Railyard. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. While the listed areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, services may be limited. The CDC has offered guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, daily. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (President Biden Expressway, formerly known as Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5200, or by visiting the park website anytime: www.nps.gov/stea
South Side Farmers’ Market Moves Outdoors In its 14th year of operation, the South Side Farmers’ Market, run by United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (UNC), is Scranton’s only year-round farmers’ market. A local source for meats, eggs, breads, produce and more.The Summer Market will be open every Saturday from 10am –1pm at 529 Cedar Avenue, behind the former South Side Bank & Trust Building. The South Side Farmers’ Market offers local & organic produce including a variety of unique fresh greens, mushrooms, pasture-raised eggs, and a large variety off arm fresh meats and artisan cheeses at the market all season long. Bread and baked goods, cookies, desserts, roasted coffee beans, plants, natural skin care items, art, pottery, nuts & snacks, jewelry and other natural food products are available at the market. Returning this year is a fan-favorite and award winning Mexican restaurant selling hot food for customers to treat themselves to while they shop or sit at our brightly coloured café while they enjoy live music. Some featured vendors are Fullers Overlook Farm, Quails-R-Us, Twin Brook Farms, Calkin’s Creamery, Bet’a Bread Bakery, Funny Wine Girl Jeannine, Rylee Jade, KB Pottery, El Buen Amigo, Evil Sweets by Lulu, Christine Coligan Art, Kaizen Snacks,NEPA Micro Greens, Peaches Greens, NEPA Coffee Roasters and more. The market has guest vendors selling items from raw honey, succulents, gifts, spirits,and so much more! The market is also hosting a Summer Music Series, where live music will entertain customers. We begin with The South Side Five, sponsored by Notology on May 7th. June 18thwill be Frankie Gervasi of The Poets, sponsored by Kost Tire, and we fill in there maining 4 months outside with Charles Havira & Nick Driscoll on July 16th, War Ballad on August 20th, Satur Bae on September 17th(which will coincide with our Welcoming Scranton Celebration) and wrap up the season on October 8th(our final outdoor market day) with the Jacob Cole Trio. In addition to the music days, we will also have weekends scheduled with activities like a petting zoo, face-painting & balloon art, a gaming station and so much more. Watch the market newsletter and social media pages for updates and scheduling! The South Side Farmers Market is funded through a Neighborhood Partnership Program grant with Peoples Security Bank, PNC Bank and PPL Electric. For more information, please contact Kelly, South Side Farmers Market Manager at 570-866-2472.
Professor at The University of Scranton Receives Grant Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Scranton, received a $1.158 million National Science Foundation funded Noyce Scholars grant that will support future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) high school teachers in high-need school districts. The grant, which will be allocated over a five-year period beginning (this summer) (in the 2022-2023 academic year), will provide a scholarships and educational training support to 21 STEM students with a major or minor in secondary education. “There are many areas in the United States that are in need of great high school science and mathematics teachers in Pennsylvania – really across the country. We have advanced technologies in the U.S., yet many of our students lag behind those in other countries, especially with skills related to the sciences and mathematics. As educators, we are trying to train and build the work force of the future, and their high school exposure to the sciences and math is a key element to their – and our – future,” said Dr. Dumancas, a widely published analytical chemist, who considers himself to be “a teacher first.” Dr. Dumancas’s research on the development and application of novel spectroscopic and computational tools applied to chemical analysis of food and biomedical products has been published in multiple top-tier, peer-reviewed academic journals. Since coming to the University of Scranton, he has published four research articles and submitted four book chapters. “It takes a great deal of support to make a good science or mathematics teacher,” said Dr. Dumancas. The NSF grant provides a financial stipend to participants selected to become Noyce Scholars, in addition to affording them early field teaching experience and mentoring opportunities with practicing teachers in partner schools. Noyce Scholars will also participate in special courses to expose them to computational science methods, among other educational opportunities in the sciences. “The grant is geared to provide documented support to students to make them successful as high school STEM teachers,” said Dr. Dumancas, who said the success of the scholars is monitored and is part of the research collected through the grant. Programs that prove to be successful can receive additional support in the future. Mid Valley School District and Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) are partner schools for the grant. Students at these schools will have the opportunity to participate in special programing in the STEM fields at the University supported by the University faculty and Noyce Scholars. University students in their senior or junior year of studies, majoring or minoring in secondary education in the STEM field and meeting other academic and program requirements can apply to become a Noyce Scholar for the fall 2022 semester. LCCC students continuing their education at Scranton who meet the program requirements can also apply to the program for their junior and senior years. Students selected to the program are required to teach in a high-need school district anywhere in the United States for two years for each year of their participation as a Noyce Scholar. Applications for the program will become available in the coming weeks, but anyone interested could contact Dr. Dumancas by email at gerard.dumancas@scranton.edu. Dr. Dumancas joined the faculty at Scranton in the spring of 2022. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University. During his career, Dr. Dumancas has generated more than $2 million in external research grants and has published more than 40 manuscripts in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Boback’s Bill for Veterans Programs Approved by Committee Legislation that would create an instant Pennsylvania lottery ticket to fund veterans programs, sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), today was unanimously approved by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which she chairs. House Bill 1691 would help to fund an elderly veteran’s day care program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in addition to the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports other veterans’ programs and benefits. The committee also unanimously approved Boback’s legislation (House Bill 1972) that would establish the day care program. “We are looking for any way possible to fund programs that assist our veterans and creating a new instant lottery ticket appears to be a workable option. A similar ticket exists in Texas, which has contributed $177 million to veterans’ programs in that state since 2009, including more than $23 million last year,” said Boback. “The community-based program supported by ticket revenue would be a great help to families by providing a place where older veterans can go to receive quality day care services.” Other bills unanimously approved during the committee meeting include: House Bill 2086, sponsored by Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin/Schuylkill), which would provide for the authority of Pennsylvania National Guard members to operate vehicles owned or leased by the Commonwealth in response to an emergency.House Bill 2097, sponsored by Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Union), which would modify the staffing requirements for basic life support ambulances from the current three to two certified personnel.House Bill 2346, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence), which would modernize the statute governing the state Armory Board.House Bill 2361, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), which would establish June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Day” in Pennsylvania.House Bill 2412, sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), which would allow the Pennsylvania National Guard to provide functional support for cybersecurity needs across the Commonwealth. The bills will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.
Wright Center’s North Pocono Practice Hosts Open House An open house program and ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono Practice on Sunday, April 24 from noon-2 p.m. will introduce regional residents to the family medicine services available at the new community health center in Covington Township. The North Pocono Practice, 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, in the North Pocono 502 Professional Plaza, officially opens its doors to patients in Moscow Borough, Elmhurst, Jefferson, Roaring Brook, Thornhurst, Spring Brook, Clifton, Covington and Madison townships, and nearby communities on Monday, April 25. It will be open four days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will provide health care services to children and adults of all ages, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Services include sick visits for the entire family, routine examinations and screenings, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and the treatment of any illnesses or injuries that do not require a trip to the emergency room. The North Pocono Practice is the ninth community health center in The Wright Center for Community Health’s network that serves Northeast Pennsylvania. Together, they provide a safety net of comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved populations in rural and urban areas. Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for the sliding-fee discount program that allows The Wright Center to reduce fees for eligible patients depending on household size and family income. During the open house program, representatives from the region will join The Wright Center’s executive leadership team in the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome the primary health care practice to the community. The Wright Center for Community Health’s Driving Better Health mobile medical unit will offer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters during the open house program. In addition, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will distribute free masks, at-home COVID-19 test kits and care bags. Children can also address their creative side by participating in arts and crafts activities with Allison LaRussa, director of health humanities at The Wright Center. WKRZ-FM 98.5 will provide music and offer special giveaways, while tours of the primary care practice will be available to guests. The Wright Center for Community Health’s community practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties provide comprehensive health care services to more than 47,000 patients annually in Northeast Pennsylvania. To make an appointment at the North Pocono Practice, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org
Munley Law’s Caroline Munley Now a Certified Specialist Caroline Munley Munley Law is pleased to announce that Caroline Munley was certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Caroline had successfully completed the 2022 certification process by submitting a variety of documents showing that at least 50 percent of her legal practice is in the specialty field of workers’ compensation, that she has practiced in the field for more than five years, and that she actively participates in Mandatory Continuing Legal Education in workers’ compensation law and related fields. Caroline also passed the certification examination that focuses on workers’ compensation law and rules, and leading case law. In 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Law Section as the first bar association entity in Pennsylvania tocertify lawyers in the area of workers’ compensation law. Today, more than 200 lawyers earned certification and remain certified. As managing partner of Munley Law, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident,commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims. She has been named to the lists of Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in PA, Best Lawyers in America, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates. She was recently named as one of the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers Association.
Treasurer Garrity Urges Pennsylvanians to Search for Unclaimed Property With the Easter bunny’s annual visit just around the corner, Treasurer Stacy Garrity today urged Pennsylvanians to grab their baskets and hunt for some of the more than $4 billion worth of unclaimed property being safeguarded by Treasury. She also noted that more than $10 million is owed to Pennsylvanians with the words Easter, bunny, rabbit, egg, chick, chocolate, hop, candy or basket in their name or business name. “Searching for unclaimed property is like the ultimate Easter egg hunt,” Garrity said. “It is so simple to search for money that’s owed to you, a loved one, or a friend. With about one in ten Pennsylvanians owed unclaimed property, chances are pretty good that you’ll find something — and whether it’s a little extra cash or a long-lost family heirloom, we want to get it back to you.” The state’s unclaimed property law requires assets to be turned over to Treasury after certain periods of time. Unclaimed property can include things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, insurance policies, tangible property like the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, and more. Tangible items are auctioned by Treasury after about three years of storage in the vault to make room for incoming property. Auction proceeds are kept in perpetuity for a rightful owner to claim in the future. Military decorations and memorabilia are never auctioned, and Treasury works diligently to find veterans and their families to reunite these priceless symbols of service. The average unclaimed property claim is worth about $1,500. Last year, Treasury returned more than $135 million of unclaimed property to Pennsylvanians. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database to see if you have property waiting to be claimed at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
