The Wright Center to Host Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group

The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., will host a Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group program on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Family and friends are invited and light refreshments will be served. Special guests include Julie Rutkowski of the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation and Tiffany Carroll and Kaitlyn Carroll of The Salted Pixie. Dolly Woody, the former director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania, will serve as the keynote speaker. The program is free, but you must RSVP by calling Holly Przasnyski at 570-209-3275 or emailing her at przasnyskih@TheWrightCenter.org.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.

Mohegan Digital Names Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing

Mohegan, the world-renowned entertainment and gaming brand formally know as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, has named Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing for its iGaming division, Mohegan Digital.  As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will drive the overall marketing strategies that support the expanding footprint of Mohegan Digital’s online gaming products, which include MoheganSunCasino.com in Connecticut and PlayFallsViewCasino.com in Ontario, Canada.

“Guy Greene has a wealth of Marketing knowledge and experience in the gaming industry and Mohegan is thrilled to have him lead our Online Marketing team,” -said Rich Roberts, President of Mohegan Digital. “Our iGaming business has seen tremendous success and to carry that success forward, and to further evolve and meet new demands in this fast-growing industry, a proven leader like Greene will be vital.”

Guy Greene will lead a dedicated Online Marketing team as they continue to develop brand positioning, unique advertising campaigns, guest acquisition efforts and product management for Mohegan’s iGaming and online sports betting offerings. Prior to taking on the VP of Online Marketing position, Greene served as the Director of Loyalty Digital Marketing for Mohegan where he was a crucial part of merging the brand’s Momentum loyalty program to its iGaming platforms like MoheganSunCasino.com and associated Android and iOS apps. This role also allowed Greene to work collaboratively with various high-level Mohegan Digital partners.  As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will also lead new product launches, assist in CRM growth, and oversee promotion and incentive programs for Mohegan Digital.

Greene’s career started at Mohegan Sun when it opened in 1996, where he was hired as Player’s Club Manager. Greene would soon be promoted to various director-level marketing positions for Mohegan Sun before being named the Strategic Account & Program Director for OverAbove Marketing & Advertising Agency, where he remained through 2020.

Greene is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University and has professional certifications from the Project Management Institute and Six Sigma Global Institute. He resides in Old Lyme with his wife, Vimala Greene, who is the Executive Assistant for the Mohegan Tribe.

For more information on Mohegan, please visit mohegangaming.com.  

Wright Center Employee Receives Statewide Honor

Kara Seitzinger, executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s president and CEO, was named by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers as the recipient of a 2023 Award for Primary Care Excellence (APEX) in recognition of her work as a community ambassador.

The association annually bestows its APEX awards in 10 categories to recognize the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work or volunteer for Pennsylvania’s community health centers. An APEX represents the pinnacle of service, quality, innovation, and achievement in primary health care. The association awarded two Community Ambassador Awards this year.

A Scranton resident, Seitzinger received the award on Oct. 11 at the association’s Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“Kara is truly worthy of this prestigious award. I cannot think of anyone who is a stronger advocate for the patients, families, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “She embodies the mission of The Wright Center to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.

“Thanks to her efforts, our patients and families struggling with food insecurity receive nutritious foods; community members who need warm clothing are given winter garments; and those who need transportation to doctor’s appointments receive travel vouchers. Her monumental public service efforts are honestly hard to quantify, but our communities are healthier and safer because of her reliable and tireless efforts.”

The Community Ambassador Award is “presented to an individual who champions the community health center mission through a steadfast commitment to build relationships, enact change, and promote awareness and bring positive attention to their health center,” according to the association.

Seitzinger works to expand The Wright Center’s visibility and public health impact throughout the region, often identifying and joining forces with mission-aligned community partners to conduct outreach programs that support vulnerable populations and medically underserved communities.

As part of a collaboration with the CDC Foundation, she coordinated with government, business, and nonprofit leaders at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to launch a public health campaign in the Hazleton area to expand access to COVID-19 education, testing, vaccines, and treatment. Later, the campaign also succeeded in delivering CDC-recommended childhood vaccinations to more than 700 school-aged children, enabling their uninterrupted participation in the classroom.

Seitzinger has also played a key role in the planning and execution of fundraising events that allow The Wright Center to provide goods and services to patients and community members in need. For example, the “Road to Recovery” car show in Scranton helps to offset transportation costs for certain individuals who are served by The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence and Healthy MOMs program so they can get to and from their medical appointments.

Seitzinger often serves as the health center’s point person for high-profile community impact projects, such as sponsoring the region’s annual PrideFest Parade, most recently held in Wilkes-Barre. The Wright Center’s participation in the event helps to raise awareness of its Ryan White HIV Clinic and to reach community members who might otherwise not have the resources needed to seek care.

The Wright Center currently operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. It accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP, noting that no patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.

To learn more about The Wright Center’s mission and many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.

Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Flood Relief Grant Program to Lackawanna County Residents

In response to the severe storms that struck Lackawanna County in September, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is in the process of establishing a flood relief grants program aimed at supporting individuals and community organizations directly affected by these recent flood events and which are experiencing hardship as a result.  

There will be two grant programs aimed at flood relief hardship issues—the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund and a grants program in partnership with the City of Scranton. Specific eligibility and application process parameters for the flood relief grants programs will be provided when the process opens the week of October 23rd. 

The first program, The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund, has been established by the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support community organizations and small businesses in the Lackawanna County area experiencing hardship from being directly affected by flood events. 

The second grants program, developed in partnership with the City of Scranton, will support individuals residing in the City of Scranton experiencing hardship from having been affected by flood events. This flood relief grants program will provide support to eligible recipients through resources available from Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Additional details on both grant programs, which will be forthcoming, will include eligibility information, areas covered under the grant programs, and how to apply.

The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund was created with seed money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Generous individual donors, foundations, and organizations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation, Pennsylvania American Water, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and PS Bank, have provided additional support to the Fund. These donations will directly support grants made from the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund as funds are available. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will continue soliciting additional charitable donations from other organizations and individuals to respond effectively to the incoming needs. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County.

“In critical situations like this, we know the needs are great, so as a Community Foundation, we are preparing for how best to serve those who need assistance. We understand the importance of listening to the communities we serve and responding to these needs,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are fortunate to have a very generous community, who we believe will continue to step up and support this very important cause.” 

The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund is currently accepting charitable donations, 100% of which will go toward supporting those affected in Lackawanna County. Contributions to the Fund can be made online at https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4598. Donations can also be mailed via check to The Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510, and made payable to “Scranton Area Foundation” with “LC Flood Fund” in the memo line. 

For more information about the flood relief grant programs, please contact Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator at the Scranton Area Community Foundation at grants@safdn.org.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021: ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton received $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents. 

Marywood Offers Students Academic Program Exploration Days

Marywood University is hosting upcoming on-campus experiences to help prospective students explore several academic program areas, set to take place throughout the fall semester.

Programs holding special exploration days include:

  • Dietitian Day, October 27:  This is a great opportunity to allow students interested in the field to gain hands-on experience in several practice areas including sports, clinical and community nutrition, food science, and food service. Meet with admissions staff, faculty, current students, tour campus, and enjoy lunch prepared as part of one of the activities. Registration is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/DietitianFall23
  • Criminal Justice Day,  October 30: Students interested in the field of criminal justice can meet with current students, recent alumnus and guest speaker Master Trooper David Peters, and learn more about Marywood’s program. Event includes light breakfast and tours of campus. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23CJ
  • Music, Theatre, and Dance Day,  November 2: Interested students will meet with faculty and current students, and choose from sessions focusing on music therapy, music education, theatre, instrumental music, and vocal/choral music. Attendees also will learn more about the various student organizations available within the department. Optional campus tour. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/MTDFall23
  • Art Day, November 6: Marywood’s Art Department Visit Day offers the perfect blend for the student eager to learn more about everything Marywood has to offer. Attendees will get a closer look at the department’s programs, meet faculty and students, tour the facilities, and participate in activities. Space is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23ArtDay
  • Exercise Science Day, November 15: This is a day of immersive and hands-on learning in topic areas including sports performance and sports rehabilitation. The event also includes a program overview, meetings with faculty, a Q&A student panel, and breakout sessions. Breakfast and campus tour included.  Registration closes on November 10. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/ExerciseScience23

Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. Earns 2023 Great Place to Work Certification

Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. (BBLCA) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the first time. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at BBLCA. This year, 90% of employees responded, saying it’s a Great Place To Work.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that BBLCA stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

We are thrilled to become Great Place To Work-Certified™ as we consider employee experience a top priority every day,” said General Manager & Chief Operating Officer Neil Bresnahan. “We owe our continued success to our team of dedicated employees at BBLCA. We celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition.”

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.