The Wright Center for Community Health Expands Access to Primary Health Care with Opening of North Pocono Practice Amanda Turoni The Wright Center for Community Health is working to improve access to high-quality health care by opening a new community health center in Covington Township on Monday, April 25 that will provide primary and pediatric care to patients of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. Conveniently located in the North Pocono 502 Professional Plaza, 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono Practice will provide family medicine services to residents in Moscow Borough, Elmhurst, Jefferson, Roaring Brook, Thornhurst, Spring Brook, Clifton, Covington and Madison townships and nearby communities. The office will be open four days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering health care services to children and adults of all ages, including sick visits for the whole family, routine examinations and screenings, behavioral health and substance abuse services and the treatment of any illnesses or injuries that do not require a trip to the emergency room. Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will be available for individuals ages 18 years and older, while coronavirus testing will be offered for patients and members of the community. “The Wright Center for Community Health has been serving the medically underserved and economically disadvantaged areas of Northeast Pennsylvania for more than 45 years,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, the chief medical officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “Our network of community health centers and providers are proud to be able to reduce barriers to equitable health care for regional residents and improve their health and well-being.” The North Pocono Practice is the ninth community health center in The Wright Center for Community Health’s network. Together, they provide a safety net to comprehensive primary and preventive care to medically underserved populations in rural and urban areas regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. Patients who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for the sliding-fee discount program that allows The Wright Center to reduce fees for eligible patients depending on household size and family income. “This mission-driven expansion allows us to address a vital community need by bringing essential health care services to this underserved region,” said Amanda Turoni, the advanced practitioner for the primary care site, who is a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner. “I am especially proud of this opportunity to ensure quality care for my neighbors, friends and family since I am also a resident of our new service area.” The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono Practice will begin accepting appointments for office visits on Monday, April 11. Please go online to TheWrightCenter.org to make an appointment for COVID-19 services or a doctor’s appointment.
Casey Ferranti Promoted to Branch Manager at HNB Bank Casey Ferranti Thomas E. Sheridan, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Casey Ferranti promoted to Branch Manager overseeing the HNB Lake Wallenpaupack Office. In making the statement, Sheridan noted, “Casey is an experienced and well-respected member of the HNB team. We are eager to see her take on this new role and very confident she will do an outstanding job. Her extensive knowledge of our systems and operations will be a valuable asset in her ability to provide excellent customer service at the branch”. In her current role as Deposit Operations Representative, Ferranti focuses on the maintenance of the deposit database as well as tracking documentation for new accounts. Ferranti has a variety of experience in the financial industry from positions including Teller, Head Teller/CSR, Front Desk Receptionist/Greeter, a Representative in Data Processing for seven years and has spent the last four years in Deposit Operations. In mentioning her role at HNB, Ferranti said, “Working for HNB has allowed me to advance in my career. I have always believed in working hard and gaining as much knowledge as I could in any position I held, from being a teller or working in the back office.” She continued, “Every position gives you opportunity for growth, and not just advancing in your career, but allowing you to obtain the knowledge and experience you need to excel and move forward.” Originally from Honesdale, Ferranti is a graduate of Wayne Highlands School District. Outside of the bank, her spare time is spent with her daughter Adrianna and three dogs. She enjoys the outdoors by hiking, tubing, swimming, fishing, skiing, and ice skating. She has been a member at NEPA Fit club in Blakely for six years. She loves to watch football, whether it’s Friday nights under the lights, or on TV. She is also on the Board of The Dessin Animal Shelter.
Marywood University Receives the Robert H. Spitz Foundation 2021 Grant Marywood University received a 2021 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $12,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program, an after-school mentoring program. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation has made a positive impact on Scranton’s Latinx population through its grant support of the University’s S.T.A.R.S. program.Pictured from left to right are: Frank Caputo, Grants and Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Foundation; Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants and Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Foundation; Patricia Rosetti, Leadership Annual Giving Officer, Marywood University, and Jenny Gonzalez, S.T.A.R.S. Program Director, Marywood University. Marywood University is the recent recipient of a 2021 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $12,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program, an after-school mentoring program. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation has made a positive impact on Scranton’s Latinx population through its grant support of the University’s S.T.A.R.S. program. Established in 2018, S.T.A.R.S. has provided weekly academic tutoring and mentoring to 20-25 middle and high school Latinx students. Marywood students serve as tutors and mentors to the youth. In addition to academic assistance, the students participate in career exploration activities and workshops related to secondary and post-secondary academic options. Monthly workshops, in English and Spanish, provide families with similar information about potential opportunities for their children. Additionally, Marywood University academic departments host students on campus 4-5 times a year, providing information and experiential activities that are focused on various majors. This includes small-group and individual mentorship for students using a career and college readiness curriculum, as well as individual tutoring sessions via zoom or in-person with a Marywood student. Student and family workshops are also provided.
Marywood University Ranks as Best Value Among Northeast PA Colleges in Ranking Marywood University offers the “Best Value” among Northeast Pennsylvania Universities, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking. Marywood was also the highest ranked of only two local institutions included in U.S. News “Best Colleges for Veterans” category and the highest-ranked local institution for the “Top Performers in Social Media” category. At #25 of the regional universities (North) ranked for “Best Value,” Marywood ranked the highest of the three local four-year private colleges included in this category. According to U.S. News, the “Best Value” ranking considers a school’s academic quality. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included, because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically. Marywood University, which ranked #44 overall on the “Best Regional Universities North” list, also was the highest-ranked local university in the “Top Performers in Social Media” category at #72. Additionally, at #39, Marywood was the highest ranked of only two local universities on the “Best Colleges for Veterans” (Regional Universities North). According to U.S. News, these are the top-ranked schools in the 2022 Best Colleges rankings that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees. For additional information about Marywood University, please visit www.marywood.edu, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For additional information about Marywood’s rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, please visit www.usnews.com/best-colleges/marywood-university-3296.
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Adds to its Team of Experts To better assist manufacturers in capitalizing on growth opportunities, addressing workforce challenges and implementing new technologies, NEPIRC continues to add to its team of experts. Steven Goul recently joined the firm as a Mechanical Engineer. Mr. Goul brings with him an impressive resume, which includes ownership of two patents and more than 20 years of engineering experience with companies like Sanofi Pasteur, Honeywell Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. Within those companies, and through ongoing professional education, Mr. Goul received Six Sigma Black Belt, ISO9001, AS9100 and Lean Manufacturing designations and certificates. Additionally, Steve has been an active member of the U.S. Navy for 31 years, including deployment to Afghanistan. Mr. Goul still proudly serves one weekend a month at the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center in Norfolk, VA. Mr. Goul’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin, where his thesis focused on teamwork and conflict resolution. In addition, NEPIRC added Brandon Henrie as the organization’s newest Business Advisor. Mr. Henrie possesses 14 years’ experience in the medical sales industry. Throughout that tenure, Mr. Henrie obtained numerous recognition awards for exceptional client service and territory development. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kutztown University. Through continuing education and personal development, Mr. Henrie was a contributing author to “Job’s Analysis of the Range of the ‘Dalton Syringe Rocket.,’” which appeared in the Journal of Chemical Education, and obtained his Lean Specialist certification. Brandon is also an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and teaches evening and weekend youth classes at Phoenix Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Nescopeck. In his role at NEPIRC, Brandon will maintain and cultivate valued client relationships throughout Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.
