Geisinger Breaks Ground on Next Cancer Center in Dickson City

Geisinger broke ground on a state-of-the art cancer center today, expanding services in Lackawanna County. The center will offer more appointments in the community while keeping world-class cancer care closer to home.

The need for cancer care continues to grow in Lackawanna County and is expected to increase over the next four years. Currently, one-in-five patients leave the county to receive care. The planned 55,000-square-foot facility will provide a broader spectrum of services while opening up Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton for the hospital to explore more acute care options. 

“The expansion of cancer care into Lackawanna County allows us to provide more world-class cancer services and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “We have served northeastern Pennsylvania for 40 years, and this investment is further proof that we intend to care for and grow with our communities for many years to come.”

When the center opens in late 2023, it will be home to 22 infusion bays, three multidisciplinary spaces and a hematology and oncology clinic with 17 exam rooms. The Dickson City facility will also provide radiation oncology — a first for Geisinger in Lackawanna County — a pharmacy, laboratory services and palliative medicine. It will also be home to a variety of patient amenities including food services and a coffee bar, a specialty boutique and a courtyard with lush gardens and natural views.

The new cancer center will complement the care already offered at the recently expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and its capacity for inpatient care. It will give our patients and caregivers the option of staying in the area to receive the level of care found in any major hub city. At the Henry Cancer Center, patients can receive inpatient treatment for complex blood cancers like leukemia and aggressive lymphoma. Together, the centers house a regional cancer program that offers everything a patient needs right in NEPA.

“Adding this new facility is another step toward making sure patients never have to leave the region for outstanding care,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “The cancer program at Geisinger features top-tier providers and comprehensive care teams, and allows for leading-edge treatment, advanced technologies and clinical trials.”

To learn more about cancer care in Lackawanna County, visit geisinger.org/cancercare.

Grow Your Small Business with a Fall Internship

For existing small businesses located in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties: 

Could hosting an internship this fall propel your business forward? Join The University of Scranton SBDC, Small Business Internship Initiative, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce in one of two, quick 30-minute sessions to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid or virtual!), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this Fall and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. Hear from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce about their Small Business Internship Fund resource, too!

7/13/22; 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. registration link:https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29569
7/20/22; 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. registration link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29570

How can internships help your business? Watch our videos.

Healthy MOMS Case Manager Presents at U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Conference

Marcella Garvin, a case manager of the Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support program (MOMS) at The Wright Center for Community Health, recently made the presentation, “It Takes a Village: Utilizing a Collaborative Approach to Promote Breastfeeding Among Women with Substance Use Disorder,” at the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Conference in June.

Garvin’s presentation focused on how the novel program educates mothers in recovery early in their pregnancies about the importance of breastfeeding their newborns. “Breastfeeding is strongly recommended for any new baby. However, women with substance use disorder have lower rates of breastfeeding. When a mother in recovery is utilizing medication as part of their treatment, babies can sometimes experience withdrawal symptoms,” said Garvin.

The Healthy MOMS program aims to reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms through intensive case management. Part of the collaborative approach includes providing mothers with education about the importance of breastfeeding early in their pregnancy. “We have seen excellent results, improving our breastfeeding rate nearly 40% from the inception of the program. We have also seen that educating and providing mothers with support early in their pregnancy has resulted in better outcomes for their babies,” said Garvin.

Data from the program shows a lower incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in mothers who join the program more than 30 days prior to delivery and lower incidences or severity in mothers who are breastfeeding. NAS is a withdrawal syndrome that can occur in newborns exposed to certain substances, including opioids, during pregnancy.

Garvin joined The Wright Center for Community Health as a case manager for the Healthy MOMs Program in 2020.  In her role, she works closely with mothers working to overcome substance use disorder through recovery. 

Launched in 2018, the Healthy MOMS program has 140 mothers active in the program and has had 177 children born into the program, as of June 2022. The program takes a collaborative, holistic approach to treating mothers with substance use disorder. It aims to help pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace a life in recovery. Participants are offered blanket services that include medication-assisted treatment and addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB/GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice and a range of other support.

The program promotes the well-being of both mom and newborn, ideally engaging them in wrap-around services until the child turns two years old.

The Healthy MOMS program has served mothers as young as 14, but most are in their late 20s and 30s. Named after a program of the same name in Ohio, it was introduced in this region as a pilot program in two counties, with initial grant funding secured by the Lackawanna/ Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Today, it assists women in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. 

The nonprofit Maternal and Family Health Services Inc. and multiple area hospitals are among the many health care, social service and government agencies that power the program’s ongoing success.

For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, call 570-955-7821 or visit HealthyMOMS.org. 

5k to Honor Fastenal Founder

The BK5K Road Race is held to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal and lifelong supporter of youth programs. All proceeds go to various  area youth organizations/programs demonstrating financial need. Funding grants will be evaluated for merit and dispersed by the BK5K Youth Fund Award Committee. ​​

Cancer Institute Announces New Board Member

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors appointed James Pettinato, RN-HP, MHSA to the Board of Directors.  

James Pettinato, RN-HP, MHSA, is the Chief Executive Officer at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was previously the Director of Patient Care Services at Wayne Memorial before taking over in January 2022 as the Chief Executive Officer. 

James has a Master’s in Health Services Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marywood University. He started his career as an EMS captain and from there held positions as Director of Clinical Management, Registered Nurse- Intensive Care Unit, Case Manager- Associate Director of Professional Services/IV Program Manager, Critical Care Nurse Manager, Head Nurse II, and Director of Critical Care for a variety of healthcare organizations. James has experience on the administrative side of health care as well as firsthand experience collaborating with patients as a registered nurse at the bedside. 

Johnson College News

Johnson College $5 Million Comprehensive Capital Campaign for Campus Enhancements

Johnson College publicly launched its new, $5 million comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” during a community kickoff event on Wednesday, June 8, where it revealed plans for major campus-wide projects.

The “Innovation at Work” campaign consists of four components that will create an environment for growth and success: the construction of a new gateway building, which will become the official entrance to the campus and include new lab and classroom space; the expansion of Woolworth Hall which houses on-campus lab space for programs including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Electrical Construction Technology; the creation of a Transportation Education Center; and support of the College’s Annual Fund and student scholarships.

A crucial catalyst for the “Innovation at Work” campaign is a $1 million contribution from Ideal T. Saldi, a Johnson College alum from the class of 1949, and his wife, Frances Saldi, alongside other funders who have invested in the College. The Saldis’ gift, announced in April before the college community, is the largest gift from a Johnson College alum to date and will have a lasting impact on the school, and its students. To honor this gift, the new, state-of-the-art gateway building will be named Ideal Saldi Hall.

“At the heart of this campaign is our students. It is focused on helping them be successful,” President and CEO, Dr. Katie Leonard said. “We strive to carry forward Orlando S. Johnson’s vision of providing a trade school to the region where young men and women can learn useful trades that will enable them to make an honorable living and become contributing members of society.”

As the world of technology continues to change rapidly, Johnson College must change with it. The College’s facilities must remain in sync with industry as new technologies, emerging fields of study, and more sophisticated equipment modernize how the world does business. 

Dave Boniello, president of Simplex Homes, Johnson College Alum from the class of 1984, former Johnson College Chair of the Board of Directors, and chair of the “Innovation at Work” Capital Campaign, announced that during the campaign’s silent phase, the College has already raised 75% of its $5 million-dollar goal thanks to loyal and generous donors from the community. After noting his personal pledge to support the campaign, Boniello asked the Johnson College community to join him in participating in the school’s most comprehensive capital campaign thus far.

“If you have an opportunity to support Johnson College and its students, through the “Innovation at Work” campaign, your gift will have a tremendous and lasting impact on our students, employers, and the region. Together, We Work!” said Boniello.  

For more information about Johnson College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” visit Johnson.edu/innovationatwork.

Johnson College Enrolling Students in OBDII Emissions Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education department is enrolling students into its next OBDII Emissions Training. The class will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton on Monday, June 27, Tuesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The class fee to be paid to Johnson College is $180, and a study material and testing fee of $39.99 is paid directly to the PA Training Portal. For more details, visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation, call 570-702-8979, or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Team Enrolling Students in Two Different Welding Classes

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in a Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate MIG Welding starting June 21, 2022, and Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Stick Welding beginning June 30, 2022. Both classes will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton. To learn more or enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. 

Both classes will teach the basics of the major welding processes and then focus on either Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick).

Johnson College Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The cost of the course is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum the cost is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.

Johnson College Receives EITC Contribution in Support of STEM Outreach and Industry Fast Track Programs

Recently, Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Pride Mobility in support of the College’s STEM Outreach and Industry Fast Track Programs.

Pride Mobility’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers businesses a tax credit for supporting state-approved educational improvement programs. Johnson College is approved to accept EITC contributions in support of its STEM outreach and Industry Fast Track programs.

Through its STEM Outreach, Johnson College utilizes its experience in providing industry-focused, hands-on technical education to expand its outreach to elementary, middle, and high school students. The outreach raises awareness of the benefits of STEM education and the possibilities of achieving economic independence through employment in a STEM career field.

Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students from participating area school districts an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing college-level courses. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College.

Women’s Resource Center to Host Great Chefs

After two very long years, Great Chefs is returning “in person” and will be held on July 20th at Constantino’s Catering in Clarks Summit. This special dessert edition of Great Chefs will be emceed by WNEP-TV 16’s Jackie Lewandowski. Attendees will enjoy a variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, raffles, music – and of course – dessert tastings!

Funds raised at Great Chefs support the WRC Safe Housing Program. The Program prioritizes emergency housing options for adults and children who are in immediate danger, are in a potentially lethal situation due to intimate partner violence, and/or are homeless due to that violence.

Schedule:
5:30 pm – Passed Hors D’oeuvres / Raffle Baskets / Music / Cash Bar
7:00 pm – Program
7:30 pm – Dessert Tastings & Coffee
8:00 pm – Basket Winners Announcement
Thank you to our Media Partners: WNEP-TV 16 & Lamar Advertising

To get tickets visit https://wrcnepa.org/great-chefs-2022/ or call (570) 346-4460 ext. 143.

Drucker & Scaccetti Merges with Armanino

Armanino LLP, one of the 20 largest accounting and business consulting firms in the U.S., announced that the partners and employees of Philadelphia-based tax firm Drucker & Scaccetti will join Armanino effective July 1, 2022. Drucker & Scaccetti will carry the Armanino LLP name and will be adding its downtown Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania offices to Armanino as the firm continues to expand its presence nationally and on the East Coast. Armanino opened its New York office in 2021 and this expansion represents a commitment to continue investment across the country.

“Drucker & Scaccetti has its finger on the pulse of the market, understands the importance of being ahead of trends and has a 30-year track record of bringing strategy to all their engagements, demonstrating both the curiosity and tenacity anyone would want from an accounting partner,” said Matt Armanino, CEO of Armanino LLP. “They share our values when it comes to putting clients and people first and finding the best solutions to help organizations, making them the perfect fit to expand Armanino’s presence into the region.”

Complementing Drucker & Scaccetti’s extensive tax consulting services, Armanino brings a plethora of specialty tax practices, including state and local tax, use tax, R&D tax credits, international tax and more. Clients will also have access to Armanino’s robust audit and risk assurance services that includes everything from financial statements and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance audits to SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, data privacy and cybersecurity.

“Since our founding, we’ve prided ourselves on our passionate advocacy on behalf of our clients, and they are who inspire us to constantly ask how we can find better ways to do things and bring forward the best solutions,” said Geoffrey Mesko, partner and board chair at Drucker & Scaccetti. “Armanino shares our drive and vision and has the capabilities to help us best serve our clients with a comprehensive suite of services backed by deep industry knowledge and a focus on client goals.”

With the addition of Armanino’s wide-ranging capabilities in consulting, Drucker & Scaccetti clients will have access to a new range of transformative capabilities and software addressing business challenges ranging from outsourced accounting to digital transformation.

“Whether we’re helping a client with accounting, human resources or CFO-specific challenges, or whether we’re helping them evolve their technology systems and software, we want to take that journey together with clients and bring them more power and depth. That’s why we’re excited about what Armanino means for us and for the businesses we serve,” said Rosalind Sutch, chief growth officer and partner at Drucker & Scaccetti.

Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised both firms on the combination, commented: “Armanino is one of the country’s most admired and respected firms. Their innovation, technology, passion for client excellence, leadership, talent and culture are the ‘gold standard’ that other firms try to emulate. Drucker & Scaccetti is known as Philadelphia’s ‘go-to’ firm when it comes to sophisticated high net worth tax clients and owner operated businesses. They have become a ‘melting pot’ for young, entrepreneurial talent and are known in the marketplace for the brilliant tax and business advice they provide to their clients, making them a perfect fit to help drive Armanino’s continued national expansion.”

Armanino’s strong growth is anchored in its pursuit of expanded solutions, technology focus and specialized expertise. The firm has been listed on Inside Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Managed Firms list for 19 out of the last 20 years and is regularly featured in best places to work lists. Armanino is a Certified B Corporation®, committed to balancing people and purpose with profits and helping other organizations do the same.

This transaction is scheduled to close on July 1, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.