Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Celebrates 40th Anniversary In 1981, three local hospitals merged to create one hospital that would modernize the delivery of health care in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2021, that hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, is celebrating four decades of dedicated service to the community. Originally NPW Medical Center, a consolidation of Nanticoke, Pittston and Wyoming Valley hospitals, the health care facility was renamed Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center shortly after opening, as Geisinger joined the collaboration after Nanticoke’s withdrawal. What began as a standalone community hospital on East Mountain is now a regional medical center and destination for care with a mission to make better health easier for patients and members in Luzerne County and beyond. Recently, Geisinger Wyoming Valley received 5-Star status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the highest quality and patient safety score bestowed by the organization, putting the medical center among the top 14 percent of hospitals in the country. “As the only CMS 5-Star hospital in northeastern Pennsylvania, we are proud to provide care of unsurpassed quality to residents of the region,” said Karlyn Paglia, M.D., chief medical officer at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. “With a full spectrum of services available to our patients and members, we look forward to caring for our community for many more years to come.” Complemented by a network of primary care and outpatient specialty clinics that provide world-class care close to home for residents of the region, Geisinger Wyoming Valley is as community-focused as ever, continually building upon and improving programs and services for northeastern Pennsylvanians. In 1992, the hospital added the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center, which is now home to a comprehensive team of fellowship-trained cancer specialists and advanced treatment options like CyberKnife targeted radiation therapy, which was only previously available in major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York. An $80 million renovation of Geisinger Wyoming Valley and the Henry Cancer Center began in spring 2020, which will double the center’s capacity for infusion services, create an 18-bed inpatient unit for treatment of complex blood cancers, and make more appointments available to patients. In 2001, Geisinger Wyoming Valley established the Richard and Marion Pearsall Heart Hospital, which is recognized by the American Heart Association for its ability to treat the most severe heart attacks and offers advanced treatment in cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery. In 2008, the then-new Critical Care Building became home to the Emergency Department and Level II Trauma Center. And in 2011, the Tambur Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) opened. Still the only NICU in Luzerne County, the Level III unit cares for infants as young as 28 weeks gestation. Throughout the decades, program expansions and advancements in care have been designed to offer everything a patient might need in northeastern Pennsylvania. Those strides have continued in recent years. Since April 2019, Geisinger Wyoming Valley has received Magnet® Recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, and become a Comprehensive Stroke Center, a hospital capable of treating the most complex types of stokes and neurovascular complications. The stroke program is the most advanced in the region, even treating patients who are flown in from New York. The medical center’s CMS 5-Star ranking is the latest in these quality-of-care achievements and is a testament to the hard work providers put in daily to care for their friends and neighbors. Noreen Diaco took her first full-time job at NPW in July 1981, and 40 years later, she’s celebrating her work anniversary along with Geisinger Wyoming Valley. Now an executive assistant to Dr. Paglia and other leaders, she remembers her experience as one of strong community. “I grew up with Geisinger Wyoming Valley,” Diaco said. “The people I’ve met and worked with have become family to me. Through the 40 years, I have watched NPW change names and develop from a small-town hospital to a well-known institution. Through all the changes, the small-town, personalized service can still be felt.”
HNB Montdale and Forest City Offices Celebrate 25 Year Anniversary As The Honesdale National Bank celebrates 185 years of service this year, June 17 marks the Bank’s 25Year Anniversary of the opening of its Forest City and Montdale and Office Locations. HNB President & CEO, David Raven, stated, “HNB has been proud to serve the Forest City and Montdale areas and be partners in their rich sense of community and livelihood,” he said. “Our aim is to support and provide the resources that support the needs and goals of their residents and businesses well into the future.” The Bank acquired these offices from a local competitor in 1996, enabling it the ability to provide improved access to the benefits of HNB’s community banking service philosophy and commitment to the local area. The locations offer full banking services under the direction of Melissa Rushworth is AVP, Branch Manager at the Forest City Office and Paulette Straka is AVP, Branch Manager/Loan Officer of the Montdale Office. Forest City Staff The Honesdale National Bank Forest City Office is located at 619 Main Street Forest City, PA. The Montdale Office is located at 13 Chapman Lake Road Scott Township, PA. Montdale Staff The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. HNB is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender with NMLS ID # 446237. Visit hnbbank.bank for more information.
Geisinger Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Child Life Department The Child Life Department at Geisinger is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month coinciding with Child Life Month. It is a time to celebrate child life specialists at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital (JWCH) who support pediatric patients and their families through play, education and emotional support. “Child Life’s presence at Geisinger has been long standing and incredibly impactful,” said Dr. Frank Maffei, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “Their 40 years at Geisinger predates the construction of our JWCH and the services they provide to our children are indeed foundational and essential.” In the program’s early days, specialists focused on playroom activities that encouraged socialization and self-expression, normalizing the hospital environment, providing support for patients and family members of chronically ill patients, supervising volunteers in the inpatient setting and event planning to gather donations for funding. The team also offers medical play to work through feelings and understanding of medical experiences, preparation for tests and procedures, pet therapy, and serve as liaison to the CSIU Hospital School Teacher Program so children don’t fall behind in their academics while hospitalized and more. 15-year-old patient, Leah Williams and her family have had a positive experience with a child life specialist at JWCH. Leah was officially diagnosed with “ALG 13 mutation” in 2014. This condition is a rare disorder and disease-causing variants in ALG13 have been reported in fewer than 20 individuals. Leah’s diagnosis means that she has a seizure disorder, a severe developmental delay, and hypotonia. “Child Life has helped Leah cope and feel comfortable while being at the hospital. Our child life specialist Rose Lauck noticed that Leah responds well to physical touch and enjoys having her arms, feet, and hair rubbed. Rose also makes sure there are things for Leah to look at or listen too while being seen. When it’s time for Leah to have a procedure, she stays with us and provides continuous reassurance. The support has been tremendous, and we are grateful for it,” said Krista Williams, Leah’s mom. Today, the Child Life team has grown to 12 certified child life specialists who support patients admitted to the JWCH inpatient setting, both at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley, and children visiting various pediatric outpatient subspeciality clinics. This includes hematology and oncology, gastroenterology, cystic fibrosis and orthopedics clinics, same day surgery, sedation services and the emergency department. “The 40th anniversary of our Child Life Department is a celebration of our past, present and future. The continued growth of our department is a result of both the hard work the team has invested over the years and the strong working relationships they have built with members of the multidisciplinary team,” said Rebecca Drumheller, Geisinger’s Child Life Program manager. “Our programming continues to expand as these creative, flexible, out-of-the-box thinkers take the initiative to improve upon the services we provide for our patients and families,” she added. To learn more about Geisinger’s Child Life services, special events or how to make a donation, click here.
One Point Celebrates Fortieth Anniversary One Point, a printing and office supply company located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its fortieth year in business. Since the business was founded in 1980, it has experienced significant change and has supported its community through philanthropy and volunteerism. In 1980, Chief Executive Officer Patrick McMahon cofounded Forms Plus, Inc. with his partner Alan Cunningham. At the time it was a forms and printing company. Since then, Forms Plus grew both organically and through the acquisition of companies whose services and products would advance strategic growth. After the acquisition of the Luzerne County office supply company, Deemers, in 2005, Forms Plus re-branded as One Point, Inc. Under Mr. McMahon’s leadership, One Point has added promotional products, online company stores, print on demand, direct mail programs, commercial furniture and Jansan products. Most recently, in response to COVID-19 concerns, the company expanded its product offerings to include health and safety products. In 1997, the One Point of Light charitable committee was formed. Since then, One Point has contributed to its community through volunteer hours and philanthropic giving. Patrick McMahon, the company’s chief executive officer, commended his employees on reaching the 40-year milestone. “Our employees are dedicated to customer service and high standards of excellence in everything they do,” he said. “It’s their hard work that has made our company’s strategic vision a reality. I speak for myself and for all of them when I say that we look forward to serving our clients for the next 40 years.” In 2019, Patrick’s son, Adam, joined the organization after spending seven years as a commercial lender in the Arlington, Va. market. Adam’s current position is general manager of the commercial furniture division, Corporate Environments, headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa. Adam becomes the third generation working in this industry as his grandfather, Henry McMahon, started Anthracite Business forms in 1955.
