Allied Services Receives Patient Satisfaction Award for Second Consecutive Year

Allied Services has been recognized as a Superior Performer for achieving an overall family satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients. 

The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high-quality service to their patients and hospice providers that consistently provide high-quality service to families and caregivers of patients receiving hospice care. 

The 2022 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall HHCAHPS survey satisfaction score for more than 2,500 home health providers and the overall CAHPS Hospice survey satisfaction score for more than 1,000 hospice providers.  

Assistant Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care at Allied Services, Laura Marion, said, “These awards are so meaningful to our team because they are the result of feedback from our patients, caregivers, and families. To know that they see and value the quality and compassion of the care we deliver is the greatest reward.” 

Allied Services Hospice has served the community since 2015, providing care to more than 4,200 individuals and families in that time. Today, Allied Services’ hospice professionals provide compassionate end-of-life care in homes around Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, and at their Hospice Centers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. 

The Allied Services Hospice staff is very proud to achieve this honor for the second time. They were previously recognized as a ‘Premier Performer’ in 2021. 

With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark and CAHPS Hospice benchmarks in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize home health organizations that have made patient satisfaction a priority and hospice organizations that have made family and caregiver satisfaction a priority. 

Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and recipient lists at www.shpdata.com/hospice/shpbest-caps-hospice

Lackawanna College Named a “2023 Great College to Work For”

This honor places Lackawanna College as an elite company. Lackawanna College is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program.

The results, released today in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 194 colleges and universities. In all, 72 of those institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with Lackawanna College included among the small universities with 500 to 2,999 students.

Lackawanna College won honors in the following categories this year:

  • Professional Development
  • Mission & Pride
  • Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness
  • Faculty & Staff Well-being
  • Faculty Experience
  • Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Lackawanna College was also named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to only 42 colleges each year who are highlighted most across the recognition categories.

“This is a very proud moment for Lackawanna College. Our employees are changing lives every day and having a positive social and economic impact in our communities. In return, we strive to provide a supportive and collaborative work culture, that values their contributions and prioritizes their well-being. Our growth and successes have been a direct result of employee input, hard work and commitment. Thank you to everyone at Lackawanna College who help to make this a great place to work,” Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray said.

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

“This year we had our highest employee survey participation rate and knowing that makes this recognition even more rewarding,” said Renee Mundy, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP. “Our employees live our mission every day and are committed to improving the lives of our students and our surrounding communities. It takes a special group of individuals to do that, and we are thankful for their dedication and grateful they have chosen to be part of our team. They are the reason we are a Great College to Work For.”

The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.

Geisinger’s Young Doctors Receive Awards

Three Geisinger providers have been recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) for achievement early in their careers.

Interventional cardiologist Nicholas Ierovante, D.O., and family medicine physicians Joanna Kraynak-Appel, D.O., and Hans Zuckerman, D.O., are among PAMED’s Top Physicians Under 40 for 2023.

They were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of PAMED members who yearly honor the best of the best early-career physicians in the state.

“We had a lot of great nominations, but these candidates stood out among the rest,” said Kristen Sandel, M.D., PAMED president-elect and chair of the awards committee. “With their ambition and innovative ideas, they will shape and shine bright in the future of medicine.”

Dr. Ierovante practices at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and also serves as assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine for Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He specializes in interventional and structural heart procedures, and he is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, nuclear medicine and echocardiography.

His nominator said his “passion for patient care is unparalleled,” and that he “has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Pennsylvania and exemplifies the future of medicine.”

Dr. Kraynak-Appel is the associate director of Community Medicine in Columbia County and assists in managing Geisinger Primary Care clinics in Benton, Berwick, Buckhorn and Elysburg. She is a board-certified physician who specializes in family medicine, and she has clinical interests in women’s health and chronic disease management.

Her nominator called her an “incredible person” who “embodies and exceeds all the tenets anyone would want from their physician.”

Dr. Zuckerman practices at Geisinger Pottsville and serves as division chief of the Department of Community Medicine for Schuylkill County and Geisinger Kulpmont in Northumberland County. He is a board-certified physician who specializes in family medicine, and he has clinical interests in preventive care, infectious diseases, obesity and women’s health.

His nominator said, “as a leader, his patient-centric views and encouraging reminders on why we do what we do are contagious throughout his clinics” and that “he inspires everyone from the support staff to the providers to provide the best possible care to patients.”

Women’s Resource Center to Hold Golf Tournament

The Women’s Resource Center is pleased to announce its Annual Golf Outing this September. Industry partners Erie Materials and Simplex Homes are teaming up to plan the WRC golf tournament at Pine Hills Country Club on September 15, 2023. WRC provides comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. The tournament is sponsored by Seven D Wholesale & Windows. The returning honorary chair this year will be Kurt Aaron of WNEP-TV 16 and his dog Ranger! 

FORMAT

Captain & Crew

Registration 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Shotgun Start 10:00 AM

Furthermore, WRC has received the National Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Youth Initiative from DomesticShelters.org, Alliance for HOPE. The Safe Dates & Healthy Relationships program supported primarily through EITC funding and grants was recognized as the top program across the USA. Using an evidence-based dating abuse prevention curriculum, specially trained teen/youth educators teach students about healthy relationships, communication, calming techniques, identifying feelings, red flags, boundaries, and how to help friends.

The Women’s Resource Center started in 2018 with one educator in the Scranton Area School District, and today have grown to serve thousands of students across all grade levels. They are now in 7 Lackawanna School Districts, 4 Susquehanna County School Districts, and 6 private schools! They also now have a program manager and three educators, with a need for another one.

The Settlers Inn Earns Award

The Settlers Inn has been honored for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2023 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the world’s best restaurants for wine.

“In a time of technological innovation, restaurants offer the human experience diners are hungry for—listening to their customers and offering personalized experience,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “This annual issue celebrates the places where wine is at the top of that conversation. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,505 restaurants for their dedication to wine and wine-loving diners.”

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Wine Spectator as an acknowledgement of our continued commitment to providing the highest caliber wine service to guests of The Settlers Inn,” states CEO Justin Genzlinger. “It’s a privilege to be distinguished as one of only two restaurants in Northeast PA to receive this prestigious award. We are proud of our Sommelier, Claude Briere, and Director of Food and Beverage Steven Vennie, who have crafted an award-winning wine experience for our guests.”

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,001; 1,411; and 93 winners this year in each respective category.

The Settlers Inn has won the Best of Award of Excellence for a second consecutive year. Best of Award of Excellence recipients display excellent breadth across multiple winegrowing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top producers, along with superior presentation.

The Lodge at Woodloch Receives Three Prestigious Accolades

In recent weeks, The Lodge at Woodloch was honored with three noteworthy accolades — the AAA Four-Diamond Award, the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, and the 2023 Men’s Health Travel Award — further solidifying the spa resort’s status as a beacon of excellence.

  • On June 2nd, The Lodge at Woodloch welcomed Glenn Zumbach, President/CEO, and Nina Waskevich, VP of Brand & Membership, from AAA NorthPenn. Together, they presented the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award, a distinction reserved for a mere 7% of the 25,000 esteemed hotels across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Lodge at Woodloch has proudly maintained its Four-Diamond status since 2010.
  • Additionally, for the 13th consecutive year, The Lodge at Woodloch has won the Wine Spectator Award, a testament to its highly curated selection of over 175 wines. With a strong focus on wines produced in the Western United States complemented by those from around the globe, from local farm-to-bottle gems to limited classics, guests are guaranteed to find the perfect pairing.
  • Men’s Health is a renowned publication dedicated to empowering men to lead healthy fulfilling lives by providing valuable insights and expert advice on physical and mental well-being, fitness, nutrition, relationships, and lifestyle. Its Travel Awards recognize and celebrate exceptional destinations that cater to the diverse needs and desires of modern travelers. The awards are separated into three categories – active, relaxation, and recovery – with The Lodge at Woodloch falling into the final.  

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s serene Pocono Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is dedicated to providing guests with a transformative and all-inclusive wellness experience. With luxurious accommodations, delectable cuisine, and a plethora of mind, body, and soul activities, The Lodge at Woodloch is a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and personal growth.

Marion Munley Speaks on Women in Leadership

Munley Law is pleased to announce that Marion Munley recently spoke to the Connecticut Women Trial Lawyers Association on Women in Leadership: Empowering One Another. Marion spoke on “Authentic Leadership: Telling Your Story”.

A champion of victims’ rights and the civil justice system for over 25 years, Marion Munley is known for her compassionate approach to representing the catastrophically injured and her tireless devotion to her clients and their families. Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating.

A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justince (AAJ) and currently serves on the AAJ Board of Governors and on its Executive Committee. She was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ’s Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of todays top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system.

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 Top 10 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. She has been consistently recognized as one of the “top 50 Women Lawyers in Pennsylvania” in Super Lawyers Magazine. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton in 1983.

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC Named Finalist in WealthManagement.com Industry Awards

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC Named Finalist in WealthManagement.com Industry Awards acknowledges and celebrates the companies, individuals, and organizations who demonstrate outstanding achievement in support of financial advisor success. Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC was named a finalist in four categories this year: Corporate Social Responsibility, Transition Support, Technology, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Allied Services Recognized for Excellence in Rehabilitation

Allied Services Scranton Rehab Hospital recently received the Top Performer Award from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation. UDSMR is the most widely used system for documenting the severity of patient disabilities and medical rehabilitation outcomes. The Top Performer Award recognizes facilities that rank in the top 10 percent of more than 800 inpatient rehabilitation facilities nationwide. UDSMR ranks facilities according to data on several important patient outcomes, including functional improvement, length of stay, and how often patients return home after rehab. 

The Scranton Rehab Hospital ranked in the top 4 percent of inpatient rehabilitation facilities for patient outcomes. In addition, the facility ranked in the top 2 percent for the proportion of patients able to return to the community following discharge.  

The Scranton Rehab Hospital has earned the Top Performer Award for 15 consecutive years, an achievement that the hospital’s leadership attributes to several factors, including staff expertise, a multi-disciplinary approach, and advanced rehab technology. 

“Our inpatient rehabilitation hospitals serve a vital service to the region,” commented Karen Kearney, LCSW, Vice President of Inpatient Rehabilitation. “Patients come to us in the days following a serious illness, injury, or surgery in need of highly specialized care. Our sole focus is to support patients in achieving their full rehabilitation potential in the most expeditious manner, allowing them to return to independent living. This recognition exemplifies the success of the high-quality patient care our physicians and employees of the Scranton Rehab Hospital are delivering.”  

The data used to determine the latest ranking of 861 inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States is based on twelve months of data drawn from Medicare and non-Medicare patients. The rankings are determined by using UDSmr, LLC’s program evaluation model (PEM), a case-mix-adjusted and severity-adjusted tool that provides facilities with a composite performance score and percentile ranking drawn from over 80 percent of all IRFs in the country.  Allied Services Scranton Rehab Hospital provides intensive rehabilitation services and medical management for patients with various conditions. In addition, its specialty programs serve the post-acute needs of patients recovering from an amputation, brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions