Allied Services Awards Employee Humanity Award

Representatives from Allied Services Integrated Health System and the Lackawanna-Susquehanna Counties Behavioral Health Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention (BHIDEI) Program joined together to celebrate Heroes for Humanity award recipient, Erin Young, Assistant Director of Vocational Services, Allied Services Scranton. 

The Lackawanna-Susquehanna Counties BHIDEI Heroes for Humanity Campaign was initiated in June 2022 for the prevention of abuse and neglect by acknowledging exemplary staff for their contributions to the field and the services and supports they provide to the individuals they work with. 

“Erin is a fierce advocate. A defender of human rights and strong supporter of people with intellectual disabilities” noted Miki Drutchal, Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Counties BHIDEI.  “She is a tremendous human being and we are truly grateful to have her as part of our collective team and happy that we are able to honor her in such a manner.” 

Allied Services President & CEO, Atty. Bill Conaboy commented, “At our core, this is who we are. This is what we do. We care for those who are most vulnerable and to see one of our next-generation leaders honored as a ‘Hero for Humanity’ gives me great pride in our people, and the quality care they provide.” 

Young has been with Allied Services Integrated Health System since 2013 and has served as a Program Specialist, Lead Program Specialist, and as Clinical Coordinator. She is the Incident Management Lead contact, part of the team involved in the Quality Assessment Improvement Process (QAI), an Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Certified Investigator, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) trainer for the Vocational Services Division.PHOTO ID: Miki Drutchal, Director of ID Services, Lackawanna- Susquehanna Counties; Taryn Dean, Quality Coordinator, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Counties; Erin Young, Assistant Director of Vocational Services, Allied Services; Margy Fiscus, Director of Vocational Services, Allied Services; Atty. Bill Conaboy, President & CEO, Allied Services

Allied Services Welcomes New Employees

Brenda Reibson, MDiv: Allied Services Integrated Health System proudly announced Brenda Reibson, MDiv, as the new Bereavement Coordinator for their Hospice program. Reibson holds a Master of Divinity and a Certificate in Counseling from Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary). In her role, Brenda will provide support services and spiritual care to bereaved families and individuals after the passing of a loved one. She brings more than 6 years of pastoral experience to her new role at Allied Services. 

Alysha Suley, MM, MT-BC: Allied Services Integrated Health System welcomed Alysha Suley, MM, MT-BC, as a new Music Therapist for their Wilkes-Barre Hospice Center. Suley holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music Therapy from Colorado State University. In her role, Alysha will provide music support services to patients and families receiving care at the inpatient center in Luzerne County. She brings more than 10 years of music therapy experience to her new role at Allied Services.

Allied Services Palliative Care Team Brings on Added Support

Palliative care is a growing level of specialized medical care for people living with serious chronic illness. The care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress that the illness can cause. The main goal – improve the quality of life for the patient and their family.   

Allied Services Palliative Care team is the region’s only community-based certified palliative program due to the nurse practitioners’ expertise, and the fact that the team’s medical director is a board-certified Palliative practitioner.  

With two nurse practitioners – Kara Mohan, MSN, CRNP, and Danielle Riggi, FNP, DNP, CCRN – the Palliative Care program at Allied Services is helping provide palliative care to a broader community base.   

Kara Mohan has been with Allied Services Hospice and Palliative Care since 2019. She received her bachelor, master, and post-masters degrees from Binghamton University.   

Danielle Riggi joined the team in early 2022 to help the growing program serve more patients. Riggi earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Russell Sage College -followed by her Doctor of Nurse Practice from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  

Through their patient-centered approach, Kara and Danielle work alongside their patient’s other physicians to provide an extra layer of support. This team approach helps to address each individual’s specific needs and preferences, along with helping to prevent and/or relieve suffering through early assessment and correct treatment of issues – whether medical, social, or spiritual.   

Allied Services Hospice Earns Five-star Rating

In a move designed to help consumers make better-informed healthcare decisions, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released new star ratings for Hospices throughout the country. Allied Services Hospice was recognized as a five-star hospice, an achievement that places the organization among the top 10% of all hospices in the country. Only 195 hospices out of 2,026 hospices in the United States were awarded five stars, which is the highest quality rating available from CMS. It is the only Hospice provider in Northeastern Pennsylvania to receive a five-star rating.

In August 2022, CMS released its first annual star ratings for Hospice providers based on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospice Family Caregiver Survey. The surveys, which are handled by an independent vendor, assess family satisfaction with the hospice, timeliness of receiving assistance, respectful treatment while in hospice care, receipt of emotional and spiritual support, management of pain and other symptoms, and willingness to recommend the hospice to others.

“We cannot be more proud of the five-star rating we’ve achieved. This is a wonderful recognition of our team’s efforts in providing person-centered, family-centered, holistic care in all that we do,” commented Laura Marion, Assistant Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care at Allied Services.

“We are honored to care for the patients and families in our community, at a time we consider to be incredibly special, and sacred. Whether we are providing care to patients in their homes, in a facility, or in one of our inpatient units, we strive to focus solely on the needs of the patients and families.”

Allied Services Receive Donation

Allied Services Integrated Health System | Scranton Physical Therapy

Local business, TOPP Business Solutions, recently presented Allied Services with a donation of $6,500 in support of the Team Allied Services and You. This annual charity campaign raises awareness and funds for children and adults with disabilities, life-changing injuries, and chronic illness served by Allied Services.

TOPP Business Solutions is headquartered in Scranton and is a provider of printing equipment, document management solutions, IT services, and other support services to businesses throughout Northeast, Central, and the Leigh Valley of Pennsylvania. They are long-time supporters of Allied Services, regularly supporting the non-profit’s vocational training and employment programs for individuals with disabilities.

“Allied Services is an asset to the communities it serves. You don’t realize the true scope of what it does for our area until you or a member of your family needs to utilize their support. TOPP is proud to be part of Team Allied Services and You,” says Chris Falzett, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Topp Business Solutions.

The charity campaign will culminate on November 6, 2022, when a team of more than 70 runners will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon. Among them will be Michael Cummings of Cummings Insurance in Scranton. Michael and the other runners are raising funds for patients and residents at Allied Services.

FNCB Bank Donates $15,000 To Allied Services

FNCB Bank recently presented Allied Services with a generous $15,000 donation as part of Team Allied Services & You. FNCB Bank is a proud major sponsor of Team Allied Services & You, the annual charity campaign formerly known as Ryan’s Run. The bank’s donation and proceeds from fundraising events, appeals, and the efforts the team’s 73 marathon runners will benefit patients and residents at Allied Services. 

FNCB Bank is a long-time supporter of Allied Services, contributing to various health and vocational programs run by the non-profit health system. This November, FNCB Bank team member Theresa Verdon will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon while raising funds for patients at Allied Services. 

“We are excited to partner with Allied Services to help change the lives of children and adults in our area,” commented Jerry Champi, President & Chief Executive Officer, FNCB Bank. “We will be rooting for Theresa and encourage everyone to support her run with a donation to Allied.”  In recent years, proceeds from the charity campaign have enabled Allied Services to invest in cutting-edge rehab technology not available anywhere else locally. One example is the Exoskeleton from Parker Indego. The device assists individuals with spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions and other injuries to stand and walk as part of physical therapy treatments at Allied Services.

People on the Move – Allied Services Integrated Health System

Patrick Quinn: Allied Services Integrated Health System announced Patrick Quinn as Director of the Developmental Services Division. Quinn has been the Assistant Director of the division since 2021, but has worked exclusively in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 38 years. He is an accomplished lecturer on a local, state, and national level advocating for persons with disabilities. Quinn is a graduate of the University of Scranton and holds certificates from the University of Delaware National Institute on Developmental Disabilities and the University of Scranton Non-Profit Leadership Program. 

Kindra Digwood, CCC-SLP: Allied Services Integrated Health System welcomed Kindra Digwood, CCC-SLP to the Allied Services Home Health team. She is an accomplished speech-language pathologist with experience in home health and hospice care in Pennsylvania. Digwood earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from Temple University and a Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders from West Chester University. She has also earned certification for and has and experience in the use of the Vital Stim for swallowing disorders.

Laura Harding, MS, OTR/L: Allied Services Integrated Health System recently welcomed Laura Harding, MS, OTR/L as occupational therapist for the health systems Home Health division. Harding earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Widener University, followed by a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008 from Thomas Jefferson University. Since 2009, Harding has been a valued member of the Allied Services Skilled Nursing team in Scranton, serving most recently as a Senior Occupational Therapist. In the Home Health division, Harding joins an award-winning team; Allied Services Home Health has earned the Top Performing ranking from HomeCare Elite for more than 9 consecutive years.

Eileen Marzolino, BS, PCHA: Allied Services Integrated Health System welcomed Eileen Marzolino, BS, PCHA as Administrator for The Terrace; the health systems personal care home in Scranton. Marzolino earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Administration from East Stroudsburg University in 2016 followed by her certification as a Personal Care Home Administrator in 2022. Over her career, Marzolino has served in many aspects of senior care from activities and admissions, to marketing and administration. Marzolino also serves as Vice President for the NEPA Aging Network Alliance (NANA).

Allied Services Receives Donations

FNCB Bank Donates $5,000 to Support Allied Services

FNCB Bank announced its support for Allied Services with a $5,000 donation to the Vocational Services Division. FNCB will serve as returning co-presenting sponsors of Allied Services Vocational Services Golf Classic. The charity tournament is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2022, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, Pa.  

Now in its 29th year, the tournament benefits individuals with disabilities participating in training and employment programs provided by the non-profit health system. Allied Services Vocational Services Division serves over 500 individuals with disabilities each year. Individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program receive specialized training, development of work-related skills, and supervision and guidance in the workplace as needed. The goal of the program is to support and empower individuals with disabilities as members of the workforce.     The Vocational Services Golf Classic features a shotgun start, lunch, cocktail hour, and an awards program.  To learn more about sponsoring or participating in the tournament visit alliedservices.org/vsdgolf or call 570.348.1407.  

Scanlon, Howley, & Doherty, P.C., Donate $5,000 to Support Allied Services  

Representations from Scanlon, Howley, & Doherty, P.C. recently visited the Vocational Training Center at Allied Services in Scranton. They joined a tour of the facility to learn more about training and employment programs for individuals with disabilities at Allied Services. The non-profit health system has provided vocational support for individuals with disabilities since the 1950s and continues to offer programs at 2 centers in Scranton and Stroudsburg, and at workplaces throughout the community.  

Following the tour Grace Doherty Hillebrand, Esq and Matt Butler, Esq presented a donation of $5,000 on behalf of Scanlon, Howley, & Doherty, P.C. The local law firm is a returning 

co-presenting sponsor of Allied Services 2022 Vocational Services Golf Classic.  

Scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2022, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, Pa, the Vocational Services Golf Classic will feature a shotgun start, lunch, cocktail hour, and an awards program.   

To learn more about sponsoring or participating in the tournament visit alliedservices.org/vsdgolf or call 570.348.1407 

Staff and Patients at Allied Services Prepare for Stroke Miracle Lap

Staff and patients at Allied Services are busily preparing for the 2022 Stroke Miracle Lap. The walk will take place as part of the Northeast PA Heart Walk on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at PNC Field in Moosic, PA. Allied Services is a proud sponsor of this event, and a member of its leadership team is chairing the 2022 Northeast PA Heart Walk. 

“As stroke rehab specialists, we know what an impact stroke and heart disease can have on individuals and families in the communities we live and work in,” said Jim Brogna, Vice President of Strategic Business Partnership at Allied Services and Chair of the 2022 Northeast PA Heart Walk. “We’re proud to support the American Heart and Stroke Association’s work to raise awareness of and prevent heart attacks and stroke.” 

Following the opening ceremonies at 9:00 a.m., stroke survivors, stroke rehab specialists, family, and community members will take to the field for the Allied Services Stroke Miracle Lap. This is the fourth year of the Stroke Miracle Lap. 

“For us, it’s an opportunity to honor and remember those we have lost to stroke and to celebrate the milestones of stroke survivors,” said Jim Brogna. “Stroke recovery can be a lifelong journey. Allied Services is committed to giving stroke patients access to the latest rehab technology, the best clinicians, and the ongoing support for their continuing recovery.” 

Participants in the walk on May 21 will be wearing their signature blue Stroke Miracle Lap. In readiness for the walk, staff throughout Allied Services took part in a stroke awareness dress-down day on Friday, May 13, wearing the Stroke Miracle Lap shirts. Allied Services doubled the contributions of its employees and will be presenting a donation for $3,300 to the American Stroke Association at the Stroke Miracle Lap on May 21. 

The Allied Services Stroke Miracle Lap is free and open to all ages. You can learn more by calling 570.348.1275 or visiting alliedservices.org/strokewalk