Masking Remains Mandatory at All Geisinger Properties

To continue ensuring the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, wearing a mask is still required on all Geisinger properties, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated mask-wearing guidelines for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC outlined certain locations, including hospitals and health care settings, as places where masks should still be worn. In alignment with this guidance, wearing a mask is still required in all Geisinger hospitals, clinics and office buildings.

Masking is one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of COVID-19, and Geisinger has had a mandatory masking policy in effect since early April of 2020. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

The CDC guidelines state fully vaccinated individuals can choose to not wear a mask while outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Geisinger continues to offer COVID-19 vaccine appointments for anyone age 12 and over at its four vaccine centers in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Vaccine appointments can be made through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information on newly eligible children, is available at geisinger.org/COVIDVax.

Garcia Honored by Triple-A East for Week of May 10-16

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders pitcher Deivi Garcia has been selected as Triple-A East’s Pitcher-of-the-Week for May 10-16. Garcia is the number two prospect in the New York Yankees organization according to Baseball America. The right-hander went 1-0 with a spotless ERA over two starts against Lehigh Valley during the week, striking our a total of 16 batters and walking just two.

Garcia, 21, got the nod for the RailRiders home opener against the IronPigs on May 11 and started the series finale on Sunday as well. He worked five innings in each start, striking out seven and walking one on May 11 before striking out nine and walking one on Sunday. Garcia allowed a total of five hits, one earned run over his pair of starts and earned the win on Opening Night.

This is the third Pitcher-of-the-Week honor for the Banao, Dominican Republic, native. He was named the Florida State League’s Pitcher-of-the-Week for August 6-12 in 2018 and earned the Eastern League’s top weekly honor for June 17-23 in 2019.

Garcia is the first RailRiders pitcher to be tabbed by the league for a weekly award since Jonathan Holder in August of 2016 (August 22-28).

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre begins a six-game road trip in Rochester on Tuesday night. The RailRiders return to PNC Field on May 25 for a 12-game homestand, hosting Buffalo and Lehigh Valley. Single-game tickets for the month of May, as well as Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships, are on sale now. For more information on the 2021 season, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact the club by calling (570) 969-2255.

Dr. Jill Murray Named an Editorial Board Member for Esports Journal

A recent press release announced on May 18, 2021, Lackawanna College President, Dr. Jill Murray has been named as an Editorial Board Member for the new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER).

Read the Annals of Esports Research (AER) press release below.

We pleased to announce a new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER).   AER is the first North American Esports journal and is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to expanding the scientific basis and qualitative and quantitative knowledge of Esports by publishing quality articles concerning the field.

AER publishes innovative original research, opinion, and educational information related to Esports.   All disciplines and approaches to understanding Esports are encouraged with a special interest in the health, performance, and experience, and well-being of players, fans, and coaches and industry practices and outlooks and the teaching, management, and research of Esports. 

 Our goal is to advance academic and industry discussions and research in Esports.  We welcome empirical, conceptual, and qualitative research and industry-driven manuscripts.  As Annals, we are interdisciplinary and cross the barriers between industry, the academy, and medicine. 

AER is a gold-standard open access journal published through Harrisburg University.  It is a no-fee journal and all published articles will be freely accessible. We are an Emerging Sources Citation Index Journal.  

The journal welcomes submissions from international contributors and researchers of all specialties.

Our Editorial Board includes academic and industry partners.

  • Eric Darr, Ph.D. – President, Harrisburg University
  • Mark Candella – Director of Student and Education Programs, Twitch
  • Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D.  – Program Director, Associate Professor of Esports, Shenandoah University
  • Wayne Kimmel – Chairman of the Board, Managing Partner, SeventySix Capital
  • Lindsey Migliore D.O.  – Esports Physician, Founder, GamerDoc, Faculty associate for NYIT Center for Sports Medicine.
  • Glenn Mitchell, M.D., MPH  – Professor of Healthcare Informatics, Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness,  Harrisburg University
  • Jill Murray, Ph.D. – President, Lackawanna University
  • Charles Palmer – Associate Professor of Esports, Director C.A.R.E, Harrisburg University
  • Wim Stocks – EVP Partnerships & Commercial, Belong Gaming & Vindex
     

Categories of Interests:  Clinical Topics, Esports and Medicine, Esports and Health, Analytics/Modeling, Bio-Medical, Business, Marketing, Economics, Esports Management, AR/VR, AI, Finance, Education/Pedagogy, and Esports, Sociology, Psychology, Communications, Media, Cultural Studies, Statistics, Prose and Other.

Please visit our website: Annals of Esports Research (harrisburgu.edu)

To submit a manuscript to AER, please visit:  https://harrisburguniversity.submittable.com/submit Please direct manuscript inquiries and general journal questions to Jennifer L. Metz, Ph.D., at  AnnalsofEsports@harrisburgu.edu or jmetz@harrisburgu.edu

PennDOT, PSP Focus On Traffic Safety With ‘Click It or Ticket’ Mobilization

With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approaching, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are urging drivers to keep traffic safety top of mind when behind the wheel. The agencies will work with municipal police departments and other safety partners across the commonwealth to participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt education and enforcement initiative from May 17 through June 6, 2021.

“‘Click it or Ticket’ isn’t about citations, it’s about saving lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones in a crash.”

Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday.

In addition to adopting a zero-tolerance approach toward violators, troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians will offer car seat fittings and inspections throughout Pennsylvania, helping ensure that car seats are in good working condition, installed properly, and free from recalls.

“State police child passenger safety technicians look forward to hosting dozens of events across the commonwealth to highlight child passenger safety,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “We hope everyone who drives with children in their vehicles will take advantage of this free resource to keep their youngest passengers safe while traveling.”

A complete list of child passenger seat fitting stations is available at psp.pa.gov.

As part of the enforcement efforts, state and local police, along with agencies across the United States, will participate in a one day Border-to-Border initiative on May 24 to provide increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, reinforcing the states’ focus on safety.

PennDOT data shows there were 11,265 crashes in 2020 where at least one occupant was not wearing a seat belt, resulting in 348 fatalities.

As the summer driving period kicks off, we encourage Pennsylvanians to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles in Pennsylvania by visiting www.511PA.com. The service, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Motorists can also see active construction projects at www.511PA.com.

For more information on seat belt safety visit, www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.

Johnson College Now Enrolling Students in its Computer Numerical Control Training

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is now enrolling students in its next 285-hour Computer Numerical Control Operator training scheduled to begin this June on the Johnson College campus in Scranton. Total cost of the 285-hour training is $3,950 and payment options are available. For more information or to register, please contact Johnson College’s Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

This 285-hour Computer Numerical Control Operator certificate program is designed for individuals looking to enter the high-demand machining field. The training covers theory and hands-on practice of both conventional and computer machining operations.  The course also covers shop and machine safety, blueprint reading, measuring instrument care and use, as well as math.

For additional information on Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program, please call 570-702-8979, email continuinged@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation.

NEPA Gives Appeal Letter From the HRC

It goes without saying that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread and unforgiving.  While the health and wellbeing of both those we serve and those we work alongside are paramount, we must also face the financial impact the coronavirus has left in its wake.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of Diversity Rocks, HRF’s annual fundraising event, for two consecutive years.  Donations generated through Diversity Rocks fund both community-giving initiatives and HRC programs, all of which support individuals with disabilities.  For 2021, it was necessary to consider an alternate way to fundraise without risking the health and safety of our community.

Together, HRC and HRF have decided to partner with NEPA Gives for 2021:HRC as a participating organization, and HRF as a supporting foundation.  NEPA Gives is a multi-county, completely virtual fundraising opportunity.  Nonprofits seek to raise funds in a one-day-only event, hosted by several local community foundations.  This year, HRC and HRF will join this event occurring virtually on June 4th, 2021 at nepagives.org.

We ask once again for your help to continue serving and supporting individuals with disabilities in our community.  Thank you for your generous donation and assistance.

To donate, go to: www.nepagives.org/organizations/hrcinc and click “donate”.

Sincerely,

John J. Martin Esq.                                         Brian Wilken 

Board Chairman, HRC                                   Board President, HRF

Marywood University Receives Distinguished Chapter and Advisor Awards

Marywood University’s National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Chapter recently received the Distinguished Chapter Award. Additionally, Haleigh Zurek, assistant director for campus programming, received the Distinguished Advisor Award from the NSLS.

Marywood University’s NSLS Chapter was one of five from the more than 700 NSLS Chapters that received the Distinguished Chapter Award. The University’s NSLS Chapter will receive $700 and each executive board member of the chapter will receive $50.

Haleigh Zurek, winner of the Distinguished Advisor Award from NSLS, will receive $150.

NSLS Chapter Advisors are vital in the development, perpetuation, and strength of the NSLS mission. Not only are they mentors and leaders to the executive board and local chapter members, but they also serve as a liaison with the campus administration.

Marywood University’s Chapter of the NSLS is overseen and facilitated by the Office of Student Engagement. Inductees of Marywood’s NSLS Chapter Honor Society work with Marywood’s Office of Student Engagement to complete various steps prior to being inducted into the Society. These steps include Orientation, Leadership Training Day, meetings with Success Networking Teams, and Live Speaker Broadcasts. Marywood’s NSLS Chapter induction rating during the 2019-2020 academic year was among the Top 50 from the more than 700 NSLS chapters across the country.

NSLS is the nation’s largest leadership honor society. Students are selected by their college for membership based on either their academic standing or leadership potential. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. With more than 700 chapters, the NSLS currently has more than a million members nationwide.

For additional information about Marywood University’s NSLS Chapter, please visit The University’s Student Engagement office, at marywood.edu/studentactivities/index.html, or call (570) 340-6016.

ConvenientCare+ Now Open at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre

Better health is easier for those in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding communities now that there’s a new option for care. A first-of-its-kind Geisinger ConvenientCare+ is now open on the Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre campus.

Geisinger ConvenientCare+ is a new type of advanced outpatient clinic. The “plus” means there are additional resources and staffing, so you can see a physician who has access to laboratory and imaging services, intravenous treatments, nebulizer therapies and other higher-level services that are not typically offered in a primary care or a walk-in clinic.

Patients can be referred to ConvenientCare+ by their family physician or walk in, so it’s ideal for those having difficulty with current treatments or a sudden worsening of a chronic condition. ConvenientCare+ is here when you need urgent care but can’t see your primary care doctor or specialist on the same day.

“We’ve designed this space for people to receive outpatient treatments and monitoring in a more comfortable setting,” said Bradley Brocious, D.O., medical director of Geisinger ConvenientCare+. “This location is here for those who need treatment their primary care doctor can’t provide at their office, but don’t require the level of care an emergency room provides. We work together with a patient’s doctor or specialist to address any health needs and take care of possible health problems sooner. We also help to coordinate next steps for follow up care.”

The Geisinger ConvenientCare+ replaces the Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Urgent Care walk-in clinic. It offers the same level of walk-in care previously offered, plus additional services for more serious conditions that aren’t emergencies. You can also visit ConvenientCare+ for common health issues like infections, abdominal pain, migraines, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, earaches, tick removal, sprains, minor cuts, sinus infections and more.

“We want to help people receive care in the most appropriate, easily accessible and affordable setting, all of which becomes easier with ConvenientCare+,” said Dan Landesberg, associate vice president of operations, Geisinger Northeast. “This location expands the adult urgent care services previously offered at Geisinger South-Wilkes Barre, and our investment in this type of model fills a gap for patients in accessing the right health care services in the right place.”

The Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre ConvenientCare+ is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about Geisinger ConvenientCare+, visit geisinger.org/plus.

FNCB Bank Removes Masks on Dunmore Buck and Penn State Nittany Lion

FNCB Bank employees officially removed the masks that have been in place on the “Dunmore Buck” and Penn State Nittany Lion outside of their branch since the early stages of the pandemic.

“Both the Buck and Lion have been fully vaccinated and in accordance with the new CDC guidance, will no longer need to wear their masks as they enjoy many beautiful days at Dunmore Corners,” said Michael Cummings, Vice President, Marketing Manager.

Fidelity Bank Awards Over $1 Million in EITC Contributions

Fidelity Bank recently presented non-profit organizations and educational institutions with Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funds totaling over $1.054 million. Ranging from $1,000 to $141,000 per organization, the amount of financial support the Bank has been able to provide to organizations has nearly doubled since 2019.

“We are pleased to partner with Fidelity Bank through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program,” said Melissa Turlip, Director of Programming, Commonwealth Charitable Management, Inc. “Funds were provided to twelve high schools in northeastern Pennsylvania to support Dual Enrollment programs.  The funds offset the costs for participating students to earn college credits while in high school and are a huge benefit to hundreds of students.”

“As a community bank, Fidelity is proud to invest in the communities we serve,” said Daniel J. Santaniello, president and CEO, Fidelity Bank. “With so many families and school districts facing economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for funding is more important than ever. The local students who benefit from the enriched educational experiences provided by these funds are the future. We wish them great success as they pursue their educational goals and dreams.”

The EITC program provides tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to scholarship and educational improvement organizations. In keeping with Fidelity Bank’s commitment to support the communities it serves, the program benefits students in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. Through partnerships between local businesses, parents, and scholarship organizations, EITC funding gives local students opportunities for better educational outcomes.