Lackawanna College Partners with CHOP for Pop-Up Food Pantry Lackawanna College Towanda Center students, faculty, and staff joined Child Hunger Outreach Partners (CHOP) for a pop-up food pantry at the Center to benefit individuals in need in Bradford County. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania— particularly Bradford county is seeing a rise in food insecurity,” said Brad Reid, director of the Lackawanna College Towanda Center. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with CHOP to help distribute much-needed food to members of our community.” Lackawanna College students, faculty, and staff helped CHOP volunteers unload, organize, and distribute food boxes. “Hunger doesn’t magically end the second someone graduates high school,” said Dani Ruhf, Founder and Executive Director of CHOP. “The prevalence of food insecurity at the college level is staggering, especially among off-campus students. We are here to help.” CHOP works to close the meal gap and end childhood hunger by collaborating with local food banks, schools, volunteers, and donors. The organization serves thousands of students weekly in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
Special Enrollment Period Provides Second Chance for Pennsylvanians Impacted by COVID-19 to Find Healthcare Coverage As COVID-19 continues to impact employment across the country, Pennsylvanians have a second chance to enroll in healthcare coverage through the state-based marketplace — Pennie. During this special enrollment period, anyone can enroll in a plan through Pennie until August 15. The recently passed American Rescue Plan also includes updates that result in significant additional savings for Pennsylvanians shopping for coverage and those already enrolled through Pennie. “Everyone should have access to healthcare, and many Pennsylvanians are unaware of all the coverage options that are available to them or that they may qualify for financial assistance,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “We can help you enroll in the right plan so you don’t have to go without coverage and have to pay for COVID-19 related treatment and services on your own.” It’s also smart to explore all options when it comes to coverage and financial assistance. That includes government programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which offers comprehensive coverage for children and teens up to age 19. According to a recent study, nearly half of all uninsured Americans did not consider all their options for healthcare coverage and financial assistance. Many uninsured adults were also aware of publicly subsidized coverage options, but assumed they didn’t qualify. However, nearly 9 out of 10 people covered by plans through Pennie receive financial assistance and their savings increased this year. GHP can help Pennsylvanians enroll in the right healthcare coverage and apply for financial assistance. Here’s how to find out about coverage options:• For marketplace coverage, call 866-325-8108 or visit go.geisinger.org/Marketplace• For CHIP, call 855-955-1441 or visit go.geisinger.org/GHPKids• For Medicare, call 855-605-1517 or visit go.geisinger.org/Gold
CANPACK Group to Host On-Site Job Fair at New Olyphant Facility The CANPACK Group will host its very first on-site job fair Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17, just outside its currently under-construction 908,000 square-foot facility at 1400 E. Lackawanna Ave. in Olyphant. With plant operations set to begin in September, CANPACK is offering more than 400 career opportunities in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment supplying a host of innovative products to some of the biggest brand names in the world. We are actively seeking individuals with previous experience in manufacturing, production, machine operation, electrical work, maintenance, mechanics, processing, or engineering. CANPACK is among the market leaders in the packaging industry, which is experiencing unprecedented growth, making this the perfect time to join us as we embark on our new and exciting journey. Whether you have years of experience in the industry or have never considered a career in manufacturing, CANPACK careers are uniquely rewarding because we create more than just packaging – we help brands grow, businesses thrive, and people get more enjoyment out of life.Come and start your new career with CANPACK, where you will feel empowered and be part of a team in an exciting, supportive workplace. Join us April 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and April 17 from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Facebook Link for Friday 4/16/2021: https://fb.me/e/2gC9WBvjAFacebook Link for Saturday 4/17/2021: https://fb.me/e/3izCEFKErLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6783228584157937664
Golden Technologies Voted Gold Winner as Best Mobility Manufacturer Golden Technologies is a Gold Winner in the Times Leader Media Group’s Best of the Best 2021 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Mobility Manufacturer. Readers of the Times Leader newspaper were invited to nominate their favorite local businesses in Northeast Pennsylvania in more than 100 categories. Top nominees advanced to the voting phase and Golden was selected by readers as the Gold Winner in the Best Mobility Manufacturer category. “Congratulations to all Golden Team members. This award is a total team effort. We should all be extremely proud of this recognition,” said Rich Golden, President & CEO. “We manufacture the highest quality and most innovative scooters and power wheelchairs in the industry and back them up with superior customer service. None of this is possible without the hard work, dedication and passion from every employee, as well as our vendors and fantastic retailers throughout the USA and abroad. Thank you to everyone who voted for us,” he added. Winners will be showcased in an upcoming video presentation hosted on timesleader.com. The Times Leader contest received a record breaking 180,000+ votes this year. Visit www.goldentech.com for more information.
Marywood University to Hold Virtual Spring Undergraduate Open House Marywood University will hold a virtual undergraduate open house on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 10 a.m. The virtual event is free and open to high school sophomores and juniors. Prospective students can register online at marywood.edu/openhouse. High school students and their parents can register for the live virtual event with staff, current students, faculty, and coaches. Students and parents can then participate at their convenience in additional online open house experiences. For more information about Marywood University’s virtual spring undergraduate open house event, please visit marywood.edu/admissions, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
Johnson College to Welcome More Students Back to Campus Johnson College will welcome more students back to campus for in-person classes and labs for the 2021-22 academic year starting with its summer session on June 28, 2021. Through its enhanced course offerings, the College is committed to delivering its mission of providing students with real-world, hands-on learning in a caring and safe environment. Students will be able to choose either in-person or virtual classes for their general education and program theory courses, which have only been offered virtually since March 2020. Labs and lab-related coursework will continue to be delivered in-person, on the Johnson College campus, or at one of our industry partner lab locations. CDC guidelines will be adhered to at all locations. Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, Johnson College will continue to: Divide campus by zones to ensure contact tracing. Masks will be provided and social distancing guidelines enforced.The Facilities Department is following all CDC cleaning guidelines for the campus.The student Café will not operate as normal. Students will be allowed to bring their food and use the dining area. Tables and chairs will be set up within social distancing guidelines. “Grab and go” items will be available to students as well.Congregating and events will be limited.Housing will not be available for the foreseeable future. Students who need housing should contact the Office of Student Engagement for other options. This plan is subject to change pending guidelines set forth by local, state, and national government officials and appropriate health agencies. “As we move forward from this past academic year, the Johnson College community is thrilled to be able to welcome our students, some for the first time, back on campus, with even more flexible options for their education,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO, Johnson College. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
The University of Scranton Plans for Return to Fully In-Person Classes in Fall The University of Scranton announced plans to return to fully in-person classes for the fall semester and will begin to open the campus to in-person camps and conferences beginning this summer. The University will adhere to capacity limits established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and will continue to follow other health and safety requirements, which include social distancing and mask wearing. The campus will remain closed to the general public through the summer. “Since the pandemic began, the University planned and adapted based on state and federal guidance and directives, the best available scientific advice, and circumstances within our campus and surrounding community,” said Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., acting president, noting the University’s planning placed “the health and safety of our community at the center of our decisions.” “We have succeeded thus far in responding to the pandemic because our care and concern for each other has inspired personal responsibility and sacrifice,” said Dr. Gingerich in an announcement sent to the University community announcing plans for the fall and summer. “I am confident that our love for each other and for the University will continue to inspire the best in us as we strive to remain Royals Safe Together.” The University plans to offer undergraduate and graduate classes fully in-person in the fall 2021 semester, which begins August 30. The University will continue to offer graduate programs online that have been traditionally offered in that format. An in-person Fall Welcome Weekend is being planned for Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, and in-person summer orientation sessions are being planned for the Class of 2025. This summer, the University will offer some in-person classes and laboratories, University-sponsored summer programs, and conferences and camps conducted by outside community groups and organizations. On-campus admissions tours will continue to be offered. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks, with more details about campus safety requirements as adaptions are made to the University’s Royals Safe Together Plan to follow updated guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Royals Safe Together plan will continue to updated in the months ahead as the situation related to the pandemic continues to develop.
Lackawanna College Plans for Return to In-Person Instruction for Fall 2021 After a year of adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual and hybrid courses, Lackawanna College is planning a return to normal, in-person classes for the Fall 2021 semester. “We are deciding to return to normal operations as soon as possible, based on the advice of state medical and public health experts, along with Lackawanna’s internal COVID-19 taskforce and with the support of our Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. “We are grateful to all of our students, faculty and staff who have worked together to ensure safety on our main campus and at all of our satellite centers.” During the 2020–2021 academic year, Lackawanna College implemented policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at all College locations. Ongoing mitigation efforts include daily self-assessments, contact tracing, masking requirements and the installation of air filtration systems and cleaning measures. Lackawanna College’s COVID-19 taskforce will continue to monitor the pandemic and maintain all existing health and safety precautions. Any future changes to the fall return plan will be dependent on the pandemic, vaccination distribution and state and local guideline recommendation changes. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation to Tempus in Collaboration With Geisinger Tempus, a leader in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company Breakthrough Device Designation for its ECG Analysis Platform. The platform, developed in collaboration with Geisinger, aids clinicians in identifying patients at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter. Breakthrough Designation entitles the platform to an expedited regulatory process. The platform was designated as a Breakthrough Device for use with patients 40 years of age and older, without pre-existing or concurrent AFib or atrial flutter, and who are at elevated risk of stroke based on a commonly used clinical stroke risk assessment tool (i.e., CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of ≥4). The device analyzes the results of a 12-lead ECG administered as part of routine care to provide clinicians with insight into a patient’s risk of future atrial fibrillation and/or atrial flutter events. When interpreted in conjunction with other available clinical information this can support clinicians in pursuing early and proactive diagnoses of AFib and atrial flutter with the goal of enabling improved clinical management of these conditions and their associated health risks. AFib, which is a leading cause of stroke, is frequently unrecognized and untreated. Currently, there are no available devices to help physicians identify asymptomatic patients without a known history of cardiac arrhythmia who are at increased risk of future AFib, which carries other health risks including stroke and death. The Tempus ECG Analysis Platform is tackling that challenge by analyzing results of a widely used clinical test, the 12-lead ECG, with software that identifies patients at increased risk of developing AFib or atrial flutter within the next 12 months. A team of Geisinger and Tempus scientists and clinicians recently published a related study in Circulation, which showed that artificial intelligence can predict risk of new AFib and AFib-related stroke. For this research study, the combined team of data scientists and medical researchers used 1.6 million ECGs to train a deep neural network to predict, among people without a previous history of AFib, who would develop it within the next 12 months. In people with no history of AFib that went on to have an AFib-related stroke, nearly two thirds would have been predicted to be at high-risk before the stroke. “In granting our request for Breakthrough Device designation, the FDA is helping bring the power of artificial intelligence to patients, with new, smarter tools that can support clinicians in predicting future clinical events,” said Joel Dudley, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Tempus. “Every year, hundreds of millions of ECGs are performed in the U.S. to detect cardiac abnormalities as part of routine clinical care. We are making ECGs smarter so that they can also identify the risk of future clinical events of interest, such as AFib, thus enabling clinicians to act earlier in the course of disease and improve patient outcomes.” “Much of what we do as clinicians relies on predicting the future. Geisinger and Tempus are working together to make smarter, more accurate predictions about future clinical events,” said Brandon Fornwalt, MD, Ph.D., Chair of Geisinger’s Department of Translational Data Science and Informatics. “This is ultimately about helping patients and fulfilling the promise of precision health by supporting clinical decision making with additional patient-specific information, and we are excited that the FDA recognizes the importance of this work.” The FDA’s Breakthrough Device Program was established to accelerate the availability of transformative medical devices to patients and healthcare providers by speeding up their development, assessment and review, while preserving the statutory standards for premarket review and authorization. Designation is awarded to innovative devices that provide more effective diagnosis or treatment of life-threatening conditions and that offer significant advantages over the existing standard of care, where no approved or cleared alternatives exist, and where early device availability is in patients’ best interests.
The Wright Center: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Webinar Join the Wright Center for Community Health for a webinar: “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia” on Wednesday April 14, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. In the United States alone, more than 5 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s and 16 million are serving as their unpaid caregivers. The disease is a global crisis that impacts numerous families right here in our community. However, no one has to face this disease alone or without information. The Alzheimer’s Association® has created an education program covering the basics of Alzheimer’s and dementia to provide a general overview for people who are facing a diagnosis as well as those who wish to be informed. The free one-hour Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia program: ● Explores the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia ● Examines what happens in a brain affected by Alzheimer’s ● Details the risk factors for and three general stages of the disease ● Identifies FDA-approved treatments available to treat some symptoms ● Looks ahead to what’s on the horizon for Alzheimer’s research ● Offers helpful Alzheimer’s Association resources The program is via Zoom and attendance is free but registration is required. Register below or call our 24/7 helpline for registration assistance 800-272-3900. Once you register, a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to your email a few days before the program. REGISTER
