The Wright Centers Celebrate National Doctors Day in Honor of Nation’s Medical Heroes The red carnation is a well-known symbol of National Doctors Day for good reason. It signifies the important qualities of sacrifice, empathy and bravery that are synonymous with successful physicians everywhere. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge our own physicians at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, and those in the region and around the world for the work they do for their patients, communities and medical profession. It is both a challenging and immensely rewarding career that is difficult to put into context. Years of study and perfecting your craft are followed by long hours and thought-provoking cases that can lead to heartbreak, enormous satisfaction and even exuberance. As you can see, health care is also an emotional rollercoaster filled with complex issues, medical advancements, new technology and information that all lead up to diagnosis and treatment of you – our patients. Healing people with their knowledge and insight, society has profoundly benefitted from the care of physicians. In both sickness and in health, they are there for us, as their commitment and investment in our care never wavers, no matter how dire the circumstances may be. As days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, the global pandemic extended into years and tested the best of us in the medical field. Our resolve to care for our regular patients and those infected with a mysterious and sometimes deadly virus did not wane, as we followed the science to treat symptoms and remained united for the overall good of humanity. Today, we have more tools in our toolbox to successfully fight COVID-19’s variants and we collectively talk to our patients and the public, educating them about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines which have undergone countless research studies that have proven their effectiveness in reducing serious illness, hospitalization and death. COVID-19 has not been eradicated, but normalcy is slowly returning, thanks to the sacrifices of many health care providers. I am truly inspired by the care and compassion our resident physicians, physician faculty and doctors show our Northeast Pennsylvania community. Together, we provide primary care and teach the next generation of physicians at The Wright Center. This national day of recognition is a special opportunity to personally thank our compassionate and trusted physicians who put their patients’ needs above their own by going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure our health care needs are their top priority. Many of these same physicians – an estimated 1,062,205 in the United States – have seen and treated generations of families and have become part of an extended family. On this Thursday, March 30, please reach out and say “thank you” to your family doctor or specialty physician or surgeon who has left a lasting impression on you, your family and your own health. After all, physicians respond to late-night calls, work holidays and provide reliable care with you in mind. Now more than ever, we know the value of good doctors who fight against disease and illness and put the health of their communities first – 365 days a year. Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., a primary care physician dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine, leads The Wright Center for Community Health as chief medical officer and as senior vice president of clinical operations, enterprise IT and education integrations for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. He sees patients at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn and lives with his family in Clarks Summit.
Marywood University’s “Dietitian for a Day” Program Marywood University is hosting a “Dietitian for a Day” program on Tuesday, March 29, from 9:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., in the O’Neill Center for Health Families on the University’s campus. The program is free and open to anyone considering a career in nutrition and dietetics. The program offers students an opportunity to learn what a dietitian is and about the different areas in which dietitians practice. Attendees will gain hands-on experience in several practice areas including sports, clinical and community nutrition, food science, and food service. The program also includes a session with admissions and financial aid counselors, a tour of Marywood’s campus, and lunch. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the nutrition and dietetics faculty as well as current students. Attendees will gain a clearer picture about the career opportunities for a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the types of classes, course material, and supervised practice involved in being a nutrition and dietetics major. Marywood’s Nutrition and Dietetics department provides coursework that prepares students to provide nutrition care in a variety of settings. Register at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/dietitian22 to attend “Dietitian for a Day.” For additional information about Marywood University’s nutrition and dietetics program, please visit marywood.edu/nutrition or call (570) 348-6277.
The Maslow Collection Celebrates Women Artists In honor of Women’s History Month, The Maslow Collection celebrates women artists within the collection in a study of the female gaze in relation to nature and organic imagery in its exhibition, Growing: From the Traditional to the Contemporary Female Gaze. The exhibit is on view at The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, located in the Shields Center for Visual Arts on Marywood University’s campus, through March 31. Curated by Olivia Bloskey, the exhibit features paintings, prints, and collages selected from women artists working primarily in the 1980s and 90s. The works highlight a variety of natural subject matter interpreted through the female gaze, with treatments ranging from traditional to modern and contemporary. The exhibition celebrates the talent and history of these women: Jennifer Bartlett, Charlotte Brown, Susan Hendrix, Lois Lane, Melissa Meyer, Pamela Moore, Joan Nelson, Ellen Phelan, Dorothea Rockburne, and Idelle Weber. Gallery hours for The Maslow Study Gallery are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, 2-4 p.m., and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. For additional information about art exhibits at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/galleries/exhibitions or call (570) 348-6278.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Announce 2022 Giveaways The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce their giveaways for the 2022 season. In addition to the great theme jerseys and nights already released, the RailRiders are excited to add 14 giveaways to the season-long fun coming to PNC Field. All giveaways are for the first 2,500 fans through the gates, with exceptions made for kids-only giveaways three times this year. Gates will once again open one hour before first pitch, though Scranton/Wilkes-Barre full and half-season ticket members get in 15 minutes prior to the general public. All giveaway items are limited to one item per ticket purchased. 2022 RailRiders Giveaways April 12- Magnetic Schedule Giveaway presented by Highmark April 16- SWB Fidget Popper April 30- Clear Fanny Pack courtesy of PNC Bank May 14- SWB Pop Socket May 28- RailRiders Camo Hat presented by MetLife June 4- Copa de la Diversión – Vejigantes Pint Glass June 19- Kid’s Arm Sleeve (First 500 children 12 & younger) July 15- SWB Hawaiian Shirt July 16- Copa de la Diversión- Replica Vejigantes jersey courtesy of La Tolteca July 17- Kid’s Selfie Stick (First 500 children 12 & younger) August 6- Thor Bobblehead presented by Geisinger August 7- CHAMP Toothbrush Holder (First 500 children 12 & younger) August 13- RailRiders Book Cover September 17- SWB Trapper Hat Additional promotions, theme nights and giveaways will be announced as the season approaches. All promotions and giveaways are subject to change. Ticket memberships, including full, half and partial season plans, as well as a wide range of mini-plans, are on sale now and single-game tickets are available online at swbrailriders.com beginning at 10 A.M. on March 8.
Lackawanna College Police Academy Hosts Inaugural Roundtable Event The Lackawanna College Police Academy hosted its inaugural roundtable event at the College’s Hazleton Center on March 1, 2022. The roundtable invited leaders in local law enforcement to share ideas, concerns and recommendations on top issues currently facing law enforcement.During the event moderator Kevin Mahoney, Assistant Director of Academy Operations for Lackawanna College and roundtable panelist discussed hiring efforts, the difficulty in attracting qualified candidates and creative practices that departments used to recruit and retain law enforcement officers.“Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation are in the middle of a recruitment and retention crisis,” said John Chilleri, Lackawanna College Director of Academy Operations. “It’s increasingly difficult to attract qualified applicants to the profession. This event provided a forum to discuss issues and offer creative ideas to help police departments in their recruitment efforts.”Chilleri provided opening remarks and introduced the panelists and was joined for the roundtable by: Guy Salerno- Chief of Blakely Police Department Joseph Coffay- Chief of Wilkes-Barre Police Department Brian Schoonmaker – Chief of Hazleton Police Department Lt. Richard Nesbitt – Commander of Recruitment Services, Pennsylvania State PoliceFounded in 1894, Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of northeastern Pennsylvania. With the main campus situated in downtown Scranton, Lackawanna’s expanding footprint also includes satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, Tunkhannock and the Environmental Education Center in Covington Township. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
Comcast Launches Xfinity Rewards Program Comcast today announced the launch of Xfinity Rewards, a rewards program for all customers across the country. Xfinity Rewards was built around a simple idea: to give back to customers, just for being a customer, through unique and unforgettable experiences that only Comcast NBCUniversal can deliver. The multi-faceted program spans media and entertainment, sports, music, and technology. Members enjoy special perks like $1 Movie Rentals, access to free content, discounts at Universal Parks & Resorts, early access to the latest Comcast technologies, products, features like the new xFi Advanced Gateway with Supersonic WiFi, and Xfinity Mobile benefits and savings. Customers can also redeem rewards for unforgettable experiences like exclusive live stream events, have a chance for a meet and greet with Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen, a trip to the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas, or tickets to be part of the live audience at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in New York, just to name a few. “The entire Xfinity Rewards experience has been shaped and inspired by our customers. They told us they wanted meaningful rewards rooted in unforgettable experiences, so we’ve brought together the best of Comcast NBCUniversal to deliver just that,” said Jason Wicht, Senior Vice President of Growth Operations. “Xfinity Rewards truly speaks to our mission to connect people to more of what they love, with the most innovative technology available anywhere, while giving back and saying thanks – just for being a customer.” How Xfinity Rewards Works Joining Xfinity Rewards is free for customers. Signing up only takes a minute through the Xfinity App or online at xfinity.com/rewards. Upon enrolling, members are placed in Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond tier based on how long they’ve been a customer, with access and the types of rewards based on tenure with Comcast. Rewards are available immediately upon signing up for the program so members can start exploring and enjoying them right away with new opportunities added frequently throughout the year. Launching Xfinity Rewards with Supersonic WiFi Xfinity Rewards is all about unlocking unforgettable experiences – and what better place to start than right at home. Beginning March 4, at 12:00 p.m. EST, Xfinity Rewards Diamond members who subscribe to Gigabit Internet will receive early access to Comcast’s most innovative and powerful device to date delivering reliable, supersonic WiFi. The next generation Gateway, only from Xfinity, is capable of multi-Gig speeds and can power a house full of hundreds of connected devices all at once. It won’t be available to the public until April 2022, but eligible Xfinity Rewards members can redeem this reward beginning March 4 through the Xfinity App or online at Xfinity.com/rewards while supplies last. Save Hundreds on Xfinity Mobile, Rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction Customers who sign up for Xfinity Rewards can access even more product discounts and perks as part of the program, including up to $150 towards a new Xfinity Mobile device and up to $100 towards new or existing service for Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile, rated number one in customer satisfaction by ASCI two years in a row, combines the best nationwide cellular 5G with more than 20 million WiFi hotspots to deliver fast speeds and a more flexible way to pay for cellular data. Customers can mix and match between Unlimited or By-the-Gig shared data and can switch back and forth on any line at any time. Xfinity Mobile offers Unlimited data for $30 a line per month when you get 4 lines with Xfinity Mobile. Discounts to Universal Parks & Resorts and Other Comcast NBCUniversal Brands Xfinity Rewards members can experience the action, thrills, and excitement of Universal Orlando’s three amazing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Island of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, at specially discounted prices. Enjoy a Universal Orlando Resort 3-day ticket for the price of a regular 2-day admission ticket or save on a 2 Park 1-Day VIP experience for a personally guided tour of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There’s also a sweepstakes for a 3-night trip for four people to Universal Orlando including roundtrip airfare, accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and admission to all three theme parks. In addition, Xfinity Rewards members get instant access to exclusive discounts across many popular Comcast NBCUniversal brands – including 20% off merchandise at NBC and Bravo stores, discounts on subscriptions to premium services like GolfPass, NBC Sports Edge, and CNBC Pro, and early access to TODAY’s Steals and Deals with Jill Martin. Unforgettable Sports, Music, and Entertainment Experiences Members also have access to experiences and events made possible through Xfinity’s wide array of sports, music, and entertainment partnerships – like a VIP experience to watch all the drama unfold live at NASCAR, tickets to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games, exclusive virtual cooking demonstrations with award-winning celebrity chefs like Bren Herrera, host of Cleo TV’s Culture Kitchen, and Chef G. Garvin of Aspire TV’s G. Garvin Live!, virtual meet and greets with Bravolebrities, tickets to top music events like the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas in April, and even a super VIP experience like the chance to meet Olympic gold medalist, Nathan Chen. Simple Delights like $1 Movies and Access to Free Content While there are tons of great experiences, discounts, and perks for being a member of Xfinity Rewards, sometimes the best moments are the simple everyday opportunities to connect with loved ones. In addition to offering tons of great movies for just $1, Xfinity Rewards members can also redeem rewards for movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Minions Movie, In the Heights, and It’s a Wonderful Life for free. And there’s tons of games and activity kits featuring hit characters from Boss Baby, The Minions Movie, Sing 2, and more to keep the whole family entertained for hours. There’s truly something for everyone with Xfinity Rewards. For more information about Xfinity Rewards, download the Xfinity App or visit xfinity.com/rewards.
NEPA Gives Business Fundraiser Meet & Greet Join us on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at the Scranton Chamber of Commerce Building for a meet & greet event in which we’ll show you how creating a Business Fundraiser page for NEPA Gives 2022 will benefit your business, employees, and the wider NEPA community. At this event, you will learn how setting up a Business Fundraiser page can benefit your business internally through boosting morale, engagement, and teamwork, and externally through showing community impact, and increasing the business’s visibility and reputation. We’ll take you through the steps to successfully prepare your Business Fundraising campaign from start to finish, including registration, preparation, and NEPA Gives Day. NEPA Gives Business Fundraiser Meet & GreetTuesday, March 22, 20228:00 – 9:30 AMScranton Chamber of Commerce Building REGISTER
LCEEC Beginner Beekeeping Certificate Program The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) in Covington Township is accepting applications for the Beginner Beekeeping certificate program. The program will run April 7-June 9, Thursday’s, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Twp. The $250 10-session course is for both beginner and seasoned beekeepers. After completing the course, participants will be certified to manage honeybee colonies for maximum bee health and honey production. Courses in the Beginner Beekeeping Certificate program include: History of BeekeepingHoneybee BiologyBehavioral Aspects of HoneybeesApiary Equipment and InstallationRules and RegulationsEnvironmental ChallengesPollinators and their BenefitsHive Check and Applied Care To enroll in the LCEEC Beginner Beekeeping Certificate Program, visit Lackawanna.edu/beekeeping, email lceec@lackawanna.edu or call (570)842-1506.
The University of Scranton’s Earth Day Essay Contest Area students in grades five to 12 can participate in The University of Scranton’s Earth Day Essay Contest 2022. The contest is offered free of charge and this year’s essay theme is “We Are All Connected.” Topics students can write about include conservation, recycling, healthy eating, agriculture, renewable energy, eliminating single use containers, bees, gardening or transportation, among other subjects. Essays for students in grades five and six must be between 200 to 400 words. Essays for students in grades seven and eight must be between 300 to 500 words. Essays for students in grades nine to 12 must be between 500 to 700 words. Electronic submissions must be sent to susan.falbo@scranton.edu on or before Monday, April 4. Mail-in entries must be postmarked on or by April 1 to be considered and can be sent to: The University of Scranton, Office of Sustainability, Smurfit Arts Center, 445 Madison Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, Attn: Earth Day Essay Contest. Visit the University’s Sustainability website for complete submission rules and details. Winners of the Earth Day Essay Contest will be announced by the University’s Sustainability Office and student Sustainability and Conservation Society at an Evening of Environmental Science program for participants and their families and teachers on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m., in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center on campus.
Geisinger Seeking Volunteers for Pet Therapy Program to Support Frontline Workers Geisinger is seeking additional volunteers for its pet therapy program to participate in support sessions for frontline staff as they continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. While the program continues to provide comfort to Geisinger patients in its hospitals throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, it also has increasingly served hospital staff through the pandemic over the past two years. Due to lower volunteer participation during the pandemic, Geisinger is recruiting new volunteers into its program. Volunteers are needed at all Geisinger campuses, including those in Danville, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Lewistown, among others. “Our pet therapy program brings a great benefit to patients and staff,” said Tina McDowell, director of Volunteer Services. “By volunteering, you can help decrease stress levels and provide a much-needed positive experience for our frontline staff who might be feeling overwhelmed by the effects of the ongoing pandemic. Just a few minutes of comfort and relief can improve overall mental wellbeing.” Dogs and their handlers must go through Geisinger volunteer training with the volunteer services department before serving. Only dogs certified by an American Kennel Club recognized program are eligible. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering in the health system’s pet therapy program, contact volunteer services at 570-271- 6230.
