Lackawanna County Commissioners’ Proclaim March 25 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day

March is both National Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day being observed on Thursday, March 25. Lackawanna County Commissioners’ issued an official proclamation declaring March 25 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, to coincide with UCP of NEPA’s GO GREEN Campaign to help raise awareness.

United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania was founded by families of those individuals with cerebral palsy, and over the years it has grown to support individuals with all different types of disabilities, including cerebral palsy. We increase awareness of those individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities by wearing the color green on March 25.

Participating is free and simple. Dress in green, take a photo and post it to UCP of NEPA’s social media channels, tagging #UCPNEPA #GOGREEN. Community support is imperative to the success of this event to help raise awareness of cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. It’s up to each of us to do our part and support each other in our local community. This is a perfect way for schools, businesses, community organizations, health providers, sports teams, etc. to show our support.

Everhart Museum Names Kathy Johnson Bowles as Executive Director

After a nationwide six-month search and with assistance from Arts Consulting Group, the Board of Trustees of the Everhart Museum is pleased to announce that Kathy “Johnson” Bowles has been selected as the new Executive Director. Ms. Johnson Bowles brings with her thirty-two years of experience in museum management and higher education, specializing in fundraising, strategic planning, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.

Ms. Johnson Bowles has worked extensively with educational and not-for-profit institutions creating
philanthropic and revenue-generating solutions as the CEO of Gordian Knot Consulting, as a senior
executive in higher education, and as a museum director. Her advice on management best practices has been published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Inside Higher Education, the National Association of University and College Business Officers, among others. As a museum director, she has organized more
than 120 exhibitions and has written numerous catalogs and essays for national publications.

” Ms. Johnson Bowles successfully led Longwood University’s Longwood Center for the Visual Art to national accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and received more than a dozen international, national, and regional awards for excellence in programs and publications. Her experience is extensive, and the Board of Trustees and I have much confidence in her ability to provide the guidance and leadership needed as we look to the future,” said Don Frederickson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Ms. Johnson Bowles has provided service to national, state, and regional boards, including an
appointment by the Governor of Virginia to The Library of Virginia Board, and was a Fellow with the
American Council on Education, the Harvard Management Institute, and the National Endowment for
the Arts.

“I am passionate about the role museums play in communities. Museums allow us to showcase our history, connect it to our lives today as we imagine the future. I hope to bring my experience to the Everhart, guiding and leading the team to achieve institutional excellence through focused innovation and shared responsibility as we serve the public,” said Ms. Johnson Bowles.

Kathy Johnson Bowles will relocate to the Scranton area from North Carolina. The move will bring her closer to her daughter, who resides in Philadelphia.

The Wright Center Moderates Remote Panel Discussion About Health Records

“Sharing Data, Saving Lives: The Healthcare Interoperability Agenda” will premiere Friday, March 19, at 7 p.m. on WVIA-TV. Additional air dates include Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 25, 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m. This is the second episode in a four-part special series that delves into the importance of partnerships and pathways needed for physicians, hospitals — and even patients themselves — to be able to access electronic health records containing crucial medical histories anywhere and any time.

Healthcare interoperability means patient health information can be safely exchanged between labs, hospitals, pharmacies, primary care offices, etc., in order to advance the effective delivery of care. Interoperability makes it easier for medical providers to share patient information with one another and in real time. For example, a patient who is on vacation and falls ill may not be able to provide all details of his medical history, which can make all the difference to the emergency room doctor charged with his care.

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, CEO of The Wright Center for Community Health and President of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, moderates a remote panel discussion that also includes:

  • Martin Ciccocioppo, Director of the Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Program in the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
  • Marty Lupinetti, President and CEO of HealthShare Exchange, a health data hub with more than 10 million patients throughout the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware Valley regions, including southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey
  • Kim Chaundry,  Operations Director for the Keystone Health Information Exchange, which serves more than 5.8 million patients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“The ability to safely exchange and access your health information between your doctor, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers in real time is extremely important, especially during a pandemic,” explained Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “It allows your primary care doctor to know, for example, that you tested positive for COVID-19, enabling your physician’s office to proactively reach out and provide appropriate care. 

“Interoperability also offers you easy access to your own health information, which is critical now that we have COVID vaccinations available,” Dr. Thomas-Hemak added. “It has the power to track vaccine administration, the type of vaccine administered, side effects, and to generate second-dose scheduling efforts. Without interoperability, patient care and safety are at risk, costs are higher and the transition to value-based care is jeopardized.”

NEPA Health Care Foundation Opens Careers in Care Nursing Scholarships

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation today announces the opening of its new Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship application, established through the Scranton Area Community Foundation.  This $700,000 competitive nursing scholarship program aims to support the growth and development of the nursing workforce in NEPA. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from students who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Interested students with demonstrated financial need can apply through the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s online portal found at safdn.org/nursing.

The deadline to apply for a nursing scholarship is Saturday, May 15, 2021.

To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals must show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships are available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN. Additionally, students may apply if they are in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. ‘Nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree may also apply. A registered nurse looking to obtain a Master’s degree may also qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Letters of recommendation are required when applying.

These scholarship opportunities offered by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation through its Careers in Care program, come during a time where the strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania have been significant. These scholarships aim to make an impact on the nursing workforce in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties.

“These scholarships will provide the much-needed financial support to students who may otherwise not have been able to further their education,” stated Director of Nursing and Associate Professor of Practice at Marywood University, Dr. Theresa Tulaney, Ph.D., MS, RN, GCNS. “In addition, it will allow students to focus on their education instead of having to work many hours to alleviate difficult financial situations,” she added.

“The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and,  through the Careers in Care initiative, strives to make an impact to address these critical issues,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “Over the past year, we have seen just how timely this really is.”

Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation will provide grant support totaling $830,000, to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, for its three-year plan to enhance the pipeline of local healthcare professionals and increase the number trained and retained in the region; United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA for its Upward Economic Mobility Program; and Saint Joseph’s Center for direct support professional wage increases. 

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.5 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023) focused on moving the needle on these critical areas.

The rollout of the Careers in Care initiative comes after the completion of a regional listening tour which the Foundation conducted from May through September of 2019.  The NEPA Health Care Foundation conducted 30 site visits across the region to determine the health workforce challenges from the perspective of multiple healthcare providers, colleges, universities, vocational schools, agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, and how the Foundation could best make an impact.

“It was clear from discussions during our listening tour that there is a great demand for nurses at all levels. Supply is just not able to meet demand,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. She continued, “It was also clear that the development of the regional health workforce pipeline needs to continue to start earlier with students.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation.

In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the seventh year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties.  The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.

The Fireside Martini Grill Patio Now Open

The Fireside Martini Grill patio is now open with three igloos set up and available for customers to dine in. The restaurant is featuring St. Patrick’s cocktails and will soon have spring cocktails for purchase.

Swift Kennedy Helps Companies with HR & Benefits Administration

The proliferation of vaccinations and recent easing of restrictions on some Pennsylvania businesses are giving hope to many local employers that they may soon be able to jumpstart their businesses and hire new employees or rehire old ones.

However, many business owners have learned a valuable lesson from this crisis – namely, that to operate successfully in a world of unpredictable lockdowns, they need to update their Human Resources and Benefits Administration systems.

That is one reason that so many companies are now turning to insurance brokerage firms like Swift Kennedy & Associates to help them streamline their systems and manage HR issues ranging from onboarding and employee education to terminations and COBRA administration.

Virtual HR/Benefits Administration

Swift Kennedy offers employers a virtual HR/Benefits platform that enables them to hold digital open enrollment meetings and to keep track of how far each employee has advanced in the enrollment process through an enrollment progress dashboard. 

This system also streamlines a company’s absence management and enhances both its benefit communications and employee education.  In addition, employers have access to Swift Kennedy’s benefit support team via webchat, video conference, phone, and email.

Employees appreciate the fact that this platform lets them use virtual plan comparison tools when selecting benefit packages and enrolling online.  They also like being able to view their benefits digitally 24/7 on both their computers and mobile devices.

Swift Kennedy’s other HR/Benefits services include day-to-day benefits administration (including claims assistance, billing support, enrollments, and terminations), COBRA administration, and access to a comprehensive digital library of HR and benefits information.

The agency also helps businesses find affordable medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans, as well as alternative funding options.  

“We pride ourselves on helping employers manage their HR and Benefit needs from start to finish,” said Jerry Calistri, Swift Kennedy’s President and CEO, who is a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist.

Swift Kennedy, which specializes in group employee benefits and senior insurance plans, works with all health insurance carriers in Pennsylvania and has offices in State College, Williamsport, Scranton, DuBois, Johnstown, and Virginia Beach.

PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Winter Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDWinter2021.

“PennDOT is proud of our winter operations and communications,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The results from this survey will help us measure public expectations and identify education opportunities.”

The survey is available through April 6 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

The 12-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.

Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions, and other services.

At any time, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, 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.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

As construction season begins, information on projects occurring or being bid this year is viewable at www.projects.PennDOT.gov. Visit the “Regional Offices” page at www.PennDOT.gov to sign up for travel alerts in a specific area. Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news at www.PennDOT.gov/news. 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.

Ideaworks Marketing Wins “Best in Show” at AAF NEPA’s 2021 Virtual Addys

Ideaworks Marketing is proud to announce that the agency won four awards at the American Advertising Federation – NEPA Chapter (AAF NEPA)’s 2021 Virtual American Advertising Awards on Friday, March 12, including the coveted Best in Show Award.

The agency captured the Best in Show and a Gold Award for its integrated branded content campaign, snacktiME. SnacktiME is a pop-up concept the agency created for Sodexo (an international contract management company) as part of its Universities segment’s resident dining promotion series. The program itself includes 12 pop-up “snack spots” that will satisfy students, no matter what they’re craving. Each pop-up station name and design pulls in the word “ME” from the snacktiME logomark (e.g. Treat ME; Give ME Global), demonstrating the highly personal, functional benefits of foods and how they augment a customized dining experience for today’s discerning college students. Campaign materials included poster artwork, social media graphics, an easy-to-follow implementation guide for dining teams and more.

Ideaworks also took home two Silver Awards: one for its “Hide and Reveal” Limited-Time Offer collateral for Sodexo’s K-12 Schools segment, and another in the self-promotion category for the agency’s 2021 Calendar, “Together As One,” which celebrates the beauty of diversity with an originally created set of calendar cards that form a mural.

Ideaworks is a proud member of AAF NEPA and is humbled to have achieved the top honor at its 2021 Virtual Advertising Awards, as the team always strives to produce award-winning work for its valued clients. The agency congratulates all winners and would like to extend special thanks to AAF NEPA for a great event.

Lackawanna College Environmental Center Announces Free Core Manufacturing Program

The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) will host a free Core Manufacturing Skills certificate program beginning April 6 with in-person and online classes. The free 200-hour program will provide participants with skills necessary for entry-level positions in advanced manufacturing through classroom, simulation-based and online skill-building lessons.

“We are excited to be able to incorporate principles of sustainably into the third and final session of this popular program,” said Sharon Yanik-Craig, Center Director for LCEEC. “Green jobs aren’t just in renewable energy— existing manufacturing jobs can be enhanced by green knowledge to minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources and maintain a safe working environment for employees”.

By completing the program and passing a final competency assessment, students will earn a Core Manufacturing Skills Certificate from Lackawanna College and NEPIRC, which is recognized by area manufacturing industry employers. The certificate will prepare graduates for positions in high-demand fields in environmental stewardship, maintenance, manufacturing, production, quality assurance and safety compliance.

For more information or to register, visit www.lackawanna.edu/enrichment.

Pennsylvania American Water Addresses Most Common Household Leaks During Fix a Leak Week

More than two in three Americans have experienced a leak at their home, according to a recent survey conducted by global research agency Opinium on behalf of Pennsylvania American Water in an effort to better understand Americans’ awareness of household leaks.

The results coincide with the annual recognition of Fix a Leak Week (March 15-21, 2021), a national campaign led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each year that helps raise awareness about leaks and other water issues that contribute to water waste within homes.

This year’s Fix a Leak Week comes as we approach the one-year mark of COVID-19, when many people began spending more time indoors and water usage increased. In fact, since the start of the public health emergency, about a quarter of Americans say they have been using more water, meaning it’s more important than ever to be aware of common issues and know how to spot them.

“By conducting our survey, we were able to take a comprehensive snapshot of where we stand when it comes to water leaks and water conservation during this unprecedented time,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “As part of our mission in helping to better serve customers, we are using this year’s Fix a Leak Week to help people understand where and how to spot common problematic leaks to help improve home safety and support water efficiency and conservation.”

  • More than half of Americans have experienced leaks in their bathroom (52%) and kitchen (50%). Here are some ways to keep track of some of those common leaks:
    • Test your toilet. Place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
    • Watch what you put down the drain. There are many things we put down the drain that don’t belong there. Check out our list of what should never go down your drain for items that may be hurting your pipes.
  • Up to 77% of Americans reported seeing signs of a potential water leak. Checking up on this can be as easy as doing the following:
    • Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings. Look for any water on the outside of the pipe to identify any leaks.
    • Check outside. Examine the exterior of your home if you think you have a leak. If hoses are left on even a little, they can drip, resulting in wasted water over time. Irrigation systems can leak underground, causing mushy sod and other above-ground indications of issues.
  • Nearly a quarter of Americans report using more water since the beginning of the pandemic. Here’s what you can do if you’re worried about your water usage:
    • Keep track of water usage, especially during cold winter months. If, during January or February, a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there might be a leak.

Pennsylvania American Water is committed to fixing leaks by replacing or upgrading water infrastructure in order to provide clean, safe, reliable water to customers. Over the next 10 years, American Water will be investing $22 to $25 billion to replace and upgrade pipes, pumps, treatment and storage. Visit here for more information about Fix a Leak Week.