Nominate Local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leaders For Diversity month, our chamber, in partnership with our regional chambers, are highlighting leaders locally who are involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion causes and initiatives in our community. We are currently accepting nominations for individuals to be a part of this campaign, which will include a blog post highlighting the individual, as well as a graphic piece of the individual to be shared across our social media platforms throughout the month of April. This campaign will begin on April 4th and run M-F until April 31st. Nominations will be open until March 29th. CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE
Peoples Financial Services Corp. Announces New Board Member Peoples Financial Services Corp., the holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elisa (Lisa) Zúñiga Ramirez to its Board of Directors. As a result of Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, the Board of Directors was increased from seven members to eight members. Ms. Ramirez brings more than 30 years of executive-level experience in institutional investing and capital markets with a proven track record of value creation. Until her retirement in 2020, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Principal at Segal Bryant and Hamill, an employee-owned money manager with more than $25 billion in assets under management. Prior to this, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Partner at Denver Investments LLC, which was acquired by Segal Bryant and Hamill in 2018. Currently, Ms. Ramirez is the President of Éxito Consulting, LLC, which advises boards, companies and individuals on corporate strategy, ESG and financial matters. Lisa is currently a corporate director for Bow River Capital, a $1.6 billion private equity firm and the Denver Employees Retirement Plan, a $2.7 billion public retirement system serving the city of Denver employees and retirees. She is also a director on these non-profits: National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Colorado Chapter; The Denver Foundation; Vuela for Health; and Latinas First Foundation, a scholarship and mentorship program supportive of Colorado Latinas. Ms. Ramirez earned her BSBA from the University of Colorado at Denver and an MBA from Regis University, Denver, CO. She’s a 2021 graduate of Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation, a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds the SASB FSA credential. She’s also an avid supporter of organizations that empower women and stimulate equality and representation in the workplace, as well as foster professional leadership development, including: The Athena Alliance; Latino Corporate Directors Association; Women Corporate Directors; NACD; and Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB). Ms. Ramirez commented, “I am excited to be joining the board of such a strong and well-run bank, and look forward to bringing a unique outside perspective to drive stakeholder value. I’m impressed by our bank, our leadership and I feel there is an incredible story to tell. I look forward to bringing my 30 years of investment experience to the table and collaborating with our other impressive and experienced board members.” Regarding Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, William Aubrey, Chairman of Peoples Financial Services Corp.’s board stated, “We are excited to have a person of Lisa’s qualifications and experience join our board. Her capital market experience in analyzing hundreds of small cap companies allows her to bring a long history of value creation to our board. I look forward to working with her to improve shareholder’s value.” Lisa resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Ron, and their twin boys, Román and Mason.
Jamie Shnipes Promoted to Branch Supervisor at HNB Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Jamie Shnipes has been promoted to Branch Supervisor of HNB’s Eynon Office. In making the announcement, Sheridan stated, “Jamie began her banking career at HNB with the opening of our Eynon Office.” He continued, “We are confident that her knowledge of the local community, and dedication to customer service, will insure success in her new position.” As Branch Supervisor, Shnipes will be responsible for building customer relationships to help customers with their specific banking needs, as well as supporting the everyday operations of the branch. Shnipes began her career in the financial industry in 2013 as a Part-time Teller/CSR at HNB. In 2018 she accepted a fulltime position at the bank. She will continue growing her Career as Branch Supervisor of our Eynon Office. In commenting on her time at the bank, Shnipes noted, “I feel like I have the confidence and the support to grow my career with HNB. I met a lot of great people over the years and I enjoy meeting new people and helping them with their banking needs.” Shnipes resides in Eynon, Pa. and is a graduate of Valley View High School. Outside of the bank, she enjoys being with family, either attending her children’s sports or spending time at their camper.
Dress for Success Lackawanna Women Making an Impact Campaign Dress for Success Lackawanna is celebrating Women’s History month with the “Your Hour Her Power” Women Making an Impact campaign. This is the inaugural year for the campaign which benefits Dress for Success Lackawanna. “The Your Hour Her Power campaign is built on lifting women up and recognizing their achievements,” said Mary Ann Iezzi, Executive Director. “Women play an important role in the economy there is a ripple effect that occurs when women are supported and have the ability to become active members of their community.” The “Your Hour Her Power” campaign continues through the month of March and will close with a special event in April honoring ten remarkable women throughout the organizations six county footprint. “We have some extraordinary women in our community and the event gives us the opportunity celebrate all the wonderful things they have accomplished along with the impact they have in their communities,” Iezzi said. All proceeds raised go to Dress for Success Lackawanna supporting the agencies programs helping women secure employment and achieve economic independence. Dress for Success Lackawanna is very grateful for all the community support and would like to acknowledge the sponsors of the campaign: Presenting Sponsor: NBT BankSponsors: Bluelefante, The Hawk Family Foundation, Weinberg Foundation, Lackawanna Medical Group, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women In Philanthropy, Wayne County Community FoundationHonoree Sponsors: NBT Bank, McGrail Merkel Quinn PC, FNCB Bank, LMG Cosmetics, NET Bank, AAA North Penn, Wayne Memorial Health System, The Honesdale National Bank, The University of Scranton, The Wright Center, Friends of Sandra LamannaMedia Sponsors: WNEP, Adams Outdoor, King Outdoor and Lamar Advertising The Woman Making an Impact Honorees: Amanda Grippo, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner: LMG Cosmetics Bethany Fine, Director of Human Resources: Wayne Memorial Health System Cindy Smaniotto, Chief Human Resources Officer: NBT Bank Dr. Sandra Lamanna: School Psychologist Julie Schumacher Cohen, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement & Government Affairs: The University of Scranton Kate Bryant, SVP, CFO: The Honesdale National Bank Margaret McCormick, Chief Financial Officer: AAA North Penn Mary Griffin Cummings, Executive Vice President and General Counsel: FNCB Bank Mary Rapach, Member Service Center Manager: NET Credit Union Stephanie Mihal, Partner: McGrail Merkel Quinn, PC Event Details: hybrid event (in-person & virtual option) More details on the event can be found at https://IMPACT22.givesmart.com.What: “Women Making an Impact”Location: Hilton Hotel & Conference CenterDate: Wednesday, April 6, 2022Time: 5:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.Ticket cost: $50.00
The Wright Center Achieves 100% Match for Regional Residencies The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 58 new resident physicians into its four regional residencies after achieving a 100% match on national Match Day for newly minted doctors. The National Resident Matching Program’s Match Day is one of the most important events and competitive processes in the medical school experience. On the third Friday of March each year, fourth-year medical students, as well as their graduate medical education programs, learn where they will complete the next stage of their medical training. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education matched residents in the following regional programs: Internal Medicine Residency (34); Regional Family Medicine Residency (12); Psychiatry Residency (7), and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5) – the newest training program. Resident physicians will begin their first-year residencies on July 1. The National Family Medicine Residency has filled its resident physician positions at the Tucson, Arizona (4); Auburn, Washington (4); Washington, D.C., and Hillsboro, Ohio (3) training sites. The incoming first-year residents for the five residencies hail from eight countries, including Canada (11), Egypt (1), India (12), Nepal (4), Pakistan (6), Philippines (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and the United States (39). Overall, The Wright Center received 5,744 applications and interviewed 877 candidates for the available slots in the five residencies. “It is with great excitement that I congratulate and welcome each of our new resident physicians to our learning and clinical communities. I look forward to working closely with each of you during your journey in postgraduate medical education,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, the designated institution official at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Your residency is a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience that only you and your peers can understand. You have plenty to be proud of as your persistence, passion and dedication to the field have earned you this opportunity.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was founded in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, it educates and trains more than 220 resident physicians and fellows annually through a unique Graduate Medical Education and Safety Net Consortium, which is funded by federal agencies and supported by multiple health care organizations that provide learning environments. The organization also offers fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and geriatrics. Last year, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education matched 69 resident physicians in the Internal Medicine (35), Regional Family Medicine (12), National Family Medicine (17) and Psychiatry (5) residencies.
Scranton Native Stephen Karam to Open Northeastern Pennsylvania Film Festival What happens when you put two national critically-acclaimed creatives (who happen to be from Scranton) on stage together? Find out on April 1 when the American Advertising Federation’s award-winning Helen Lavelle digs deep into conversation with Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, author, and filmmaker Stephen Karam. Join the conversation at opening night of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Film Festival Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road in Waverly. Join other filmmakers, community arts advocates, and your movie buff friends as Lavelle quizzes Karam to learn the following: How did a guy from Scranton take an idea that began at his kitchen table, turn it into a script, bring The Humans to Broadway, and win the coveted Tony Award for Best Play? And, if that fairy tale outcome wasn’t enough, what drove Stephen Karam to dig even deeper to adapt The Humans to a major motion picture? During COVID? That’s just the beginning of the conversation and a weekend that celebrates the arts and shines a light on NEPA filmmaking talent. Meet Stephen Karam at The Evolution of The Humans from Stage to Screen April 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road in Waverly. Following a cocktail reception and the conversation, the Festival will host a screening of The Humans, Karam’s first feature film. Lavelle said, “I am thrilled to welcome Stephen Karam back home. I’m excited to engage in a candid conversation, which is bound to inspire. Everyone needs to be here because this promises to be a night you won’t forget.” The evening is sponsored by Lackawanna County Arts and Culture, WVIA, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, O’Boyle Real Estate, Gails Cupboard, The River 105 FM & 103.5 FM, Toyota of Scranton, and F. Lammot Belin Arts Foundation. To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://nepafilmfestival.com/tickets/. For more information about the NEPA Film Festival, which will be held April 1-3 at the historic Ritz Theater on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton, visit https://nepafilmfestival.com.
Geisinger Receives Donation to Help Launch Innovative Programs A local woman with a passion for programs for improving children’s behavioral health services has donated $1 million to Geisinger’s department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health to help launch innovative programs for young people. Susan McDowell of Selinsgrove made the commitment to create a pediatric behavioral health catalyst fund that will support projects and programs to promote innovation in the behavioral health care of children and adolescents, something she has been personally invested in for more than 20 years. In 2009, McDowell developed House of Hope, a faith-based, residential treatment center for at-risk children that served a five-county area of Montour, Snyder, Columbia, Union and Northumberland. McDowell then partnered with Bloomsburg University to create the McDowell Institute in 2012. The mission is to train education students to deal with at-risk children, giving future teachers tools to handle students’ behavioral health issues. McDowell also has partnered with Geisinger for more than 20 years. Five years ago, through her philanthropy and advice, Geisinger began the Pediatric Primary Care Behavioral Health program and placed 11 pediatric psychologists in pediatric offices. The program has been tremendously successful and, McDowell hopes her recent gift will help Geisinger continue this mission and help recruit talented behavioral health providers to launch similarly innovative and impactful programs. “Compared to 20 years ago, we have more professionals in the field. We have better places to take care of patients, with the development of a pediatric emergency room and in-patient pediatric psychiatric care,” McDowell said. “Those are things I feel really good about contributing to.” Psychiatric caregivers are excited to have the catalyst funds to help address the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis. “It will be exciting to see what our friends and colleagues come up with to build new programs, bring new expertise and partner with the community in new ways to make better behavioral health for our young people,” said Justin Coffey, MD, chair of Geisinger’s department of psychiatry and behavioral health. “Young people are dying from suicide now more than any other cause besides accidents. It’s a crisis. Our children deserve better, our families deserve better, and our families deserve better. It’s time to think differently. Geisinger has a strong tradition of innovation, and we’re ready to bring that expertise and energy to the work of improving behavioral health for young people” Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Chair, Frank Maffei, MD, says the gift will have a huge impact for youth in the community. “We believe behavioral health care should begin in our general pediatrician’s office in close collaboration with our partners in pediatric psychology and psychiatry,” Dr. Maffei said. “Our partnership has improved access and allowed us to be innovative — seeking new ways to provide these vital services such as telehealth and advancing pediatric behavioral health education in our community. We’re on the precipice of significant change and progress in an area that truly has been in crisis.” Addressing the crisis requires more than just one person or one gift, but the entire community working together for prevention, according to McDowell. “Anyone considering a gift to behavioral health should know that it’s money well spent. Write the check, but bring your passion with it,” she said. “I encourage others to begin the conversations with people here. You will be inspired. You will be educated and better prepared to be out there fighting the good fight.”
Marywood University to Offer Professional Continuing Education Program on “Moving Beyond COVID-19” Marywood University is offering a full-day, in-person continuing education session for educators, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and addictions counselors on “Moving Beyond COVID-19” on Friday, April 1, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus. The program, presented by nationally renowned psychologist David Palmiter, Ph.D., ABPP, will address how to adjust and collectively move forward from the pandemic-induced anxiety and stress that have led to acute needs for mental health services. COVID’s long shadow has heightened the pandemic’s socioeconomic inequities, leading to additional psychological, economical, and social harm. This fast-paced, science-based, and practical training will focus on understanding the key concepts of what causes collective trauma, as well as what people can do to practice gratitude, promote resilience, cultivate hope, and restore happiness in their professional and personal missions. Dr. Palmiter, a full professor of psychology at Marywood University, is a board certified practicing psychologist and an examiner for the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA), and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, PPA, and the American Academy of Clinical Psychologists. Additionally, Dr. Palmiter has over three dozen professional publications, has delivered over 200 continuing education workshops across the country, and has over 350 media credits (e.g., The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post). He has won three national awards for his writing, a state award for his media work, and a university award for his work within psychology. The program fee is $125 and earns six continuing education credit hours. To register, go to marywood.edu/conted/professional-conted and click on the program link. For additional questions, please contact Jill Schroth, director of professional continuing education at Marywood University, at jscroth@marywood.edu, or call (570) 340-6061.
