The Wright Centers’ Doctor Earns State Award Chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers named 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City and State Pennsylvania Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was selected as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City and State Pennsylvania. The multimedia news organization acknowledged Dr. Sheth’s visionary leadership, strategic planning, research, and meticulous attention to detail in transforming 10 buildings across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties into The Wright Centers’ welcoming and comprehensive community health centers. These centers provide responsive and inclusive, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay, and have significantly enhanced care delivery and overall well-being for underserved populations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. “I’m honored to be recognized as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure,” said Dr. Sheth, who is dual board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated team, who share a commitment to creating spaces that truly serve our communities’ needs. Our goal has always been to ensure that our health centers are not just functional but also welcoming environments where patients feel valued and cared for. This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration, thoughtful design, and a patient-centered approach in transforming health care delivery.” City and State also highlighted Dr. Sheth’s focus on blueprints and designs, such as selecting the soothing color schemes of waiting and examination rooms, fiscal responsibility, and contractor coordination, as well as how he oversaw the projects while continuing to provide care to his own patients and ensuring that The Wright Centers’ community health centers maintained uninterrupted services despite the extensive construction. Dr. Sheth sees adult patients at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley location in Jermyn. The Wright Centers’ latest construction project, in Wilkes-Barre, reached a significant milestone in early August with the completion of the third phase of renovations at its community health center located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. This phase of the ongoing transformation of the 34,460-square-foot former office building, just blocks from the downtown, added about 7,700 square feet of new space. The expansion includes 10 dental operatories, a dedicated dental clinician room, 15 new behavioral health and clinician rooms, and a second reception desk that doubles the center’s check-in capacity to better serve patients. Dr. Sheth earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honors in biochemistry, medicine, and public health in 2004 from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, India. He later received a Master of Public Health with a specialization in health promotion in 2006 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. After completing his internal medicine residency in 2009 through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Sheth joined The Wright Center as an internal medicine primary care physician and lead physician for population management and reporting. Over the years, Dr. Sheth has pioneered innovative approaches that have significantly improved patient wellness and health care delivery. His contributions earned him several promotions at The Wright Center, including vice president for patient safety and quality in 2013, culminating in his current role as senior vice president and chief medical and information officer, a position he has held since 2018. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently presented the 2024 Innovative Research in Primary Care Award to Dr. Sheth. The award, which honors a health center clinician who has been active in primary care research or evaluation in community practice, prevention, public health, care coordination, or the clinical practice of medical services, was presented during NACHC’s 2024 Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo Conference held Aug. 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Sheth and his wife, Hetal Sheth, live in Clarks Summit with their children, Zian, 9, and Jiaa, 5. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves vulnerable and medically underserved populations, regardless of age, ethnic background, ZIP code, insurance status, or ability to pay. It accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program based on federal poverty guidelines that consider family size and income. No patient is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center operates 11 primary and preventive care community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, as well as a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums in the nation. 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 improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information, visit our website or call 570-866-3017.
Spot the Early Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer Knowing what to look for can help you catch ovarian cancer when it’s easier to treat. Scott Purinton, MD, PhD, Geisinger gynecologic oncologist Unlike other types of cancer with more obvious symptoms, ovarian cancer is sneaky. It tends to stay under the radar, showing few symptoms — or sometimes none — until it reaches an advanced stage. Typically, ovarian cancer is discovered in its later stages after the symptoms become more pronounced. What often happens is the cancer starts to affect other parts of the body, like the bladder or rectum, and that’s when a woman will visit her doctor. Because it’s tough to spot it in earlier stages when it’s easier to treat, arm yourself with knowledge so you can recognize the subtle signs of ovarian cancer. So what are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer? These minor changes in your body could be mistaken for another less-serious health issue. But if they don’t go away, don’t ignore them. Bloating Feeling like you’re about to burst out of your jeans every day isn’t always a sign you’ve had too much pasta. Bloating could be due to an issue with your diet, but if you make some changes and the bloating persists, talk to your doctor. If your bloating sticks around for more than a few weeks, it’s time to schedule an exam. Urgent bathroom breaks If you find yourself running to the bathroom more often than usual, it might be more than just your morning coffee at play. An increased need to urinate or feeling a sudden, desperate need to go could indicate a tumor pushing on your bladder. Eating less, feeling full Have you been feeling full faster than usual or having persistent indigestion or nausea? These could be subtle hints from your body that something’s going on. What’s common among all of these symptoms is their duration. If you notice that any of these symptoms last longer than a few weeks, you should see your doctor. Aches and pains Persistent lower abdominal and pelvic pain, especially if it’s outside your normal menstrual cycle, could be a red flag. And if you’re also having fatigue, back pain or discomfort during sex, these are other signs to watch for. Knowing these early signs of ovarian cancer can make a huge difference. Early detection can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment. And while these symptoms can be related to many different conditions, when they occur together with other signs, make sure you take them more seriously. If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for more than a few weeks, or any other changes in your body that last more than a few days, make that doctor’s appointment. Any physician will agree: It’s smart to play it safe and get checked out. For more health and wellness topics, visit Geisinger.org/balance.
Festival of Wood and National Public Lands Day at Grey Towers This one-day celebration is to be held on September 28, 2024, on National Public Lands Day at Grey Towers National Historic Site. The festival will run from 10am to 5pm. This family friendly festival is going back to the roots of conservation by highlighting goods from the woods. In lieu of a mansion fee on Saturday, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the local food pantry. Activities to enjoy on the grounds include: Free shuttle and parking Children’s activities in the Pool Terrace Smokey and Woodsy appearances at 11am & 2pm Free three floor museum and mansion open house 10am-4pm Wood vendors with demo’s (ongoing throughout the day) Educational exhibits Free visitor films Our educational exhibitors include the International Wood Collector Society, American Chestnut Society, Penn State Master Gardeners, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC),Delaware Highlands Conservancy, A Touch of Health (bees/honey), Forest Service entomologists from the Morgantown field office(invasive insects), The Gifford Pinchot chapter of the Audubon Society, The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Friends of the Delaware Water Gap. New for our 2024 museum tour season, come and visit our temporary exhibits Gifford Bryce “A playful Past for Gifford Byrce Pinchot” and the Cornelia exhibit “Elegance, Power and Change” during our first-floor open house. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds and extend your stay. Coupons have been provided by restaurant owners to be used September 28, 2024, at local food establishments. Coupons can be found by visiting the Grey Towers Heritage Associations hospitality tent. Entry to the grounds is free and the festival is rain or shine. For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers. A map and list of event times can be found at www.greytowers.org.
Tobyhanna Business Intelligence Leader Honored for Supervisory Excellence A focus on customer and employee experience resulted in a major award for one Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) leader. Dr. Matthew Raup was recently named Supervisor of the Quarter by TYAD’s headquarters, the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). The accolade honors supervisors across the command who embrace the Army values, drive innovation, and lead by example. CECOM personnel nominated Raup for the award based upon his leadership of TYAD’s Business Intelligence Division (BID) and efforts to create data collaboration across the organization and the Army overall. In addition, Raup earned praise for spearheading the Army Materiel Command Data & Analytics Summit. The July event, attended by more than 300 personnel worldwide, explored how data can enhance the readiness and efficiency of the joint warfighter. Raup said he never expected a leadership award – especially one from TYAD’s headquarters. “It surprised me because not a lot of my work is directly with CECOM,” he noted. “I thought it was really neat because I got a much greater feeling of pride in the organization.” Raup started his depot career in 2020 as the Chief of the Resource Management Directorate’s Customer Service Branch, which provides direct information technology (IT) support to the workforce. Under his leadership, the branch implemented a highly successful walk-in help center where depot personnel could receive immediate IT support and gain assistance with submitting help tickets – an endeavor focused on making life easier for Team Tobyhanna. Prior to working at Tobyhanna, Dr. Raup managed IT functions at the Pennsylvania State University and at a K-12 school district – roles that align with his personal values and pushed him towards federal service. “I’ve always had a drive to help other people. So, the idea of working for the Army and Tobyhanna really meshed well with my perspective of wanting to serve and help people,” said Raup. Raup’s personal leadership philosophy was largely shaped through his service in the Army National Guard, where he learned to empower others through respect and honesty. A self-described “employee engager,” he sees leadership as a service. “I’ve always believed that your job as a leader is to find people smarter than you and to support them in whatever they need,” he said, adding that his success has only been possible because of others. “I attribute all that I have achieved to the teams I have led here at Tobyhanna. I am proud of their accomplishments,” he said. Those who work with Raup celebrate him as an innovative leader who encourages continuous improvement. “Matt empowers us to think critically, take calculated risks, and deliver solutions that have a tangible impact on the business. His ability to bridge the gap between IT and operations has been crucial in aligning our business intelligence efforts with the depot’s overarching mission and priorities,” said Joseph Bilotta, program analyst in the BID. Fellow program analyst Edward Gliniecki agreed. “Matt’s leadership inspires the entire team, serving as a model for how to cultivate a scalable, sustainable, and impactful supervisory approach. Under Matt’s direction, the team has achieved remarkable outcomes, demonstrating the benefits of his exceptional leadership abilities. Matt’s leadership not only guides our direct team, but also drives positive change across the wider organization. “ Employee recognition programs are a key tenet of TOBY2035, TYAD’s long-range strategic plan. The plan, which has four focus areas – Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications, aims to posture the depot to meet the future needs of the joint warfighter on a multidomain battlefield. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,300 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need
U.K. Architect Addresses Tangible Spirituality/Sustainable Architecture at Marywood Dr. Iliona Outram Khalili, a U.K licensed architect, spoke on “Tangible Spirituality: The Mason’s Methods, Analogy, and Sustainable Architecture” on Tuesday, September 10, at 7 p.m., in the Center for Architectural Studies at Marywood University. The event, which was an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Center for the Living City and Marywood University’s School of Architecture, School of Humanities, and Centers of Excellence (Center for Urban Studies, Mother Theresa Maxis IHM Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, and Center for Law, Justice, and Policy), was free and open to the public. In her presentation, Dr. Khalili proposes a sustainable 21st century architecture that inherits methods and figures developed by masons thousands of years ago. Using these ancient practical analogies, a theological meditation emerges that is not limited by cultural or religious symbolism, but brings perennial archetypes together in conscious combinations during design and construction. Dr. Iliona Outram Khalili is a U.K licensed architect and graduate of the Architectural Association School in London. She has been a recent lecturer and course lead at Manchester Metropolitan University and currently teaches “Advanced Earth Architecture Design” with New Earth UK. Her childhood was filled with the architecture of her renowned father, John Outram, and with the diaspora Greek culture of her mother Rima’s family. Later, she learned “earth and ceramic architecture” from humanitarian architect Nader Khalili, who designated her a “Master Builder in Earth Architecture.” She trained by designing and building hands-on to develop Khalili’s innovations on traditional earth architecture, which were inspired by the Sufi mystical poetry of Rumi in his native Persian language. As a widow, she continued her spiritual education with Sufi healers Murshid Shaykh Taner Ansari and Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari, designing and building for their sustainable living project in New York State, and, most recently, the memorial vault of Shaykh Taner.For details on Marywood’s School of Architecture, visit: marywood.edu/architecture. To learn more about Marywood University’s School of Humanities, go to: marywood.edu/humanities. For information about the Center for the Living City, visit: centerforthelivingcity.org
Lackawanna College’s Sporting Clay Tournament Benefits Petroleum and Natural Gas Program Lackawanna College is set to host its annual Sporting Clay Tournament, a pivotal event supporting the Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) program and its students. Originating from an initiative by Coterra, the tournament has been organized by Lackawanna College since 2018. It continues to provide crucial financial support to students in the PNG program. 100% of the proceeds from the Sporting Clay Tournament are allocated to the PNG program, funding scholarships, equipment, and materials that reflect the tools and technologies used in the natural gas industry. “We try to provide our students with hands-on experience with the equipment PNG companies use in the industry. Investments from the tournament allow us to purchase smaller, industry-specific equipment,” Vice President of External/Government Affairs Brian Costanzo said. “The dollars from this tournament not only help purchase equipment but also provide students with scholarships and grants for the PNG program.” While the Lackawanna College School of PNG and the College Advancement team present this event, the tournament couldn’t achieve the same levels of past success without the direct support of numerous natural gas companies from across the region. This partnership emphasizes the mutual benefit of connecting education with industry needs. Students actively participate in the tournament by volunteering to staff the event and meet some of the companies who sponsor it. “The PNG students have the unique opportunity to interact with the managers of the companies during the tournament,” Costanzo said. “These interactions serve as an early introduction to potential future employers, enhancing their professional network.” The Lackawanna College Sporting Clay Tournament has become a significant annual event, offering students unique opportunities for both educational advancement and career preparation. The tournament will be on Thursday, September 19, at Hausmann’s Hidden Hollow in Friendsville, PA. Those interested in attending can find more information or register online at the Sporting Clay Tournament page on Lackawanna.edu. Parties interested in sponsoring the event can also find additional information on sponsorship packages and ways to get involved
Scranton Cultural Center Announces The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions will present The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas on November 30 at 7:30 PM. Comprised of Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly, the performance will take place in the SCC’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. The Irish Tenors have been the acknowledged Celtic music kings since they burst upon the scene during a 1998 special. With ten best-selling CD’s to their credit, they share company with the likes of The Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli as the biggest money makers PBS has presented. The Irish Tenors rekindled the love of all things Irish in America and opened the door for countless Irish music groups to hit the United States, but The Irish Tenors cannot be duplicated; The Irish Tenors have stood the test of time and appeal to audiences of all ages. The Irish Tenors have performed all over the world, including the best venues in America including Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Gardens, Carnegie Hall in New York and The Hollywood Bowl in California. They have blazed the trail from coast to coast stopping in nearly every city in between, thrilling audiences at every single stop with their enchanting Irish repertoire, sweeping secular selections and dynamic holiday fare. The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 6:30 PM. Tickets start at $46.65 (includes fees), and will be available for purchase beginning August 23 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2024-2025 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Matt McGloin, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Allied Services, Audacy, Lamar Advertising and MAC Signs.
Everhart Museum and Lackawanna County Library System Host Free Jazz Concerts Join us for a free summer concert series with Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars! The Everhart Museum is teaming up with the Lackawanna County Library System to bring music throughout the county, supported by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The series includes programs for all ages, and some for children, each with multiple dates, inviting all to enjoy the spirited sound of Dixieland Jazz and learn about its rich history. During the children’s program, participants will even get a chance to play some instruments themselves! To attend, please contact your local library. September 12 @ 6:00 p.m. Valley Community Library All Ages/Adult Program September 16 @ 5:00 p.m. Valley Community Library Children’s Program September 18 @ 6:00 p.m. North Pocono Public Library All Ages/Adult Program September 19 @ 6:00 p.m. Abington Community Library All Ages/Adult Program September 23 @ 6:00 p.m. Taylor Community Library All Ages/Adult Program
Geisinger hosts March for Babies on Sept. 22 Walk supports March of Dimes helping to prevent preterm births and defects Get ready to take steps, whether big or small, to join the fight for the health of local parents and babies. Geisinger is hosting the March of Dimes’ March for Babies at noon on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Henry Hood Center, which is on Center Street next to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The event will include a superhero sprint for children at 11:45 a.m. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and opening remarks will be made before the walk. Money raised during the March for Babies helps to fund the NICU Family Support programs in Geisinger’s Danville and Wilkes-Barre hospitals. NICU Family Support provides educational and supportive activities to help local families through the NICU journey and prepares them to take their baby home. Geisinger has partnered with the March of Dimes since 2006. The organization plays critical roles in raising awareness and funds to help prevent preterm birth, birth defects, and deaths. Register or donate at marchforbabies.org/event/geisinger and join the movement on Sept. 22.
