University of Scranton to Reopen Clinic Thanks to a new partnership with Geisinger, The University of Scranton’s Edward R Leahy, Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured will reopen to the public in January 2024 with enhanced learning opportunities for area undergraduate and medical students. A Master Affiliation Agreement signed today between the University and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine adopts a “student-run” model for the clinic that provides “high quality care in a welcoming, respectful, and compassionate environment” for the region’s uninsured patients and expands opportunities for practical experience in patient care, clinic management and other aspects of healthcare for students. The clinic’s teaching and learning opportunities began with reimagining the clinic itself, with students from both The University of Scranton and Geisinger involved in every aspect of planning. “Since October 2022 as a senior at The University of Scranton and now as a first-year student in the M.D. program at GCSOM, I have had the unique opportunity to participate in the reimagining of The Leahy Clinic,” said Olivia A. Zehel, a 2023 graduate of The University of Scranton and current first-year GCSOM medical student and Abigail Geisinger Scholar. “As a member of the last undergraduate class to experience the University ’s campus before the pandemic, I felt how passionate my classmates were about serving in such a capacity – and shared in their disappointment when the clinic was forced to close. Simultaneously, as a resident of the broader NEPA community, I recognized that access to quality care became even more of a privilege. I am thrilled that our work for the last 10 months – and the work both institutions will continue to do – will allow us to reinvent and reinforce medical learning and healing in our region.” Third-year GCSOM medical student clinic planner, Madison Gladfelter, said, “During our first and second year of medical school, we spent a lot of time hitting the books and trying to understand each disease and its treatment. However, behind every disease there is a patient. A student-run clinic never lets medical students forget they are not treating the disease, but a patient.” The Leahy Medical Clinic, located in the lower level of McGurrin Hall with a Kressler Court entrance, will operate under a substantially different model of care compared to the original Leahy Medical Clinic, founded in 2008, which ceased operation in 2020 because of the pandemic. The new medical clinic will provide longitudinal care to patients, replacing the former acute care approach of the original clinic. The medical clinic will provide routine physical examinations, primary care, pre-work physical examinations, adult pre-education physical examinations, and sick visits. Susan Russell, M.D., family physician for Geisinger and assistant professor at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, will serve as the medical director for the clinic. Dr. Russell and other volunteer physicians will routinely be on site precepting and supervising student volunteers at the free clinic. “Among the things that make Geisinger’s education unique is our emphasis on accountability to the community,” said Julie Byerley, M.D., M.P.H., president, Geisinger College of Health Sciences; dean, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; and executive vice president and chief academic officer, Geisinger. “The Leahy Clinic incorporates that as well as another aspect we value, teamwork among interdisciplinary professionals. This clinic will serve the long-term needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors, while also offering invaluable opportunities for residents and medical students to work with a variety of other learners to deliver quality primary care. This truly is making better health easy for our communities.” “At Scranton, we not only want our students to be prepared well within their chosen disciplines – but also want them to be leaders who serve others. That is exactly the role our students – and the medical students – have played in moving this project forward,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “The groundwork laid here will benefit, serve and inspire future physicians, nurses, other health care providers and students from other disciplines for generations to come. By addressing the health needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, our students are demonstrating the Jesuit ideal of being ‘men and women for and with others.’” Demonstrating a commitment to inter-professional education, the University’s Leahy Clinic continues to offer several areas of care in addition to the medical clinic, including a counseling clinic, low vision clinic and physical therapy clinic. The Counseling Clinic will offer free clinical mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling and is conducted by graduate-level counseling students under the direction and supervision of faculty in the University’s Counseling and Human Services Department. The Low-Vision Occupational Therapy Clinic provides free services to uninsured or underinsured residents of Lackawanna County, and offers opportunities for teaching and learning to University faculty and occupational therapy students. The Physical Therapy Clinic provides screening, examinations/evaluations and interventions to the uninsured and underinsured members of the community at no cost. The management of the clinic is run by a team of students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and treatment of patients is conducted by DPT students through collaboration, peer-mentorship, and evidence-based practice. Supervision is provided by DPT program faculty and licensed physical therapy clinicians from the community. The medical Leahy Medical Clinic, which will serve uninsured people primarily in Lackawanna County, will begin operating for the public in January.
ConvenientCare+ Now Open at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Better health is easier for those in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding communities now that there’s a new option for care. A first-of-its-kind Geisinger ConvenientCare+ is now open on the Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre campus. Geisinger ConvenientCare+ is a new type of advanced outpatient clinic. The “plus” means there are additional resources and staffing, so you can see a physician who has access to laboratory and imaging services, intravenous treatments, nebulizer therapies and other higher-level services that are not typically offered in a primary care or a walk-in clinic. Patients can be referred to ConvenientCare+ by their family physician or walk in, so it’s ideal for those having difficulty with current treatments or a sudden worsening of a chronic condition. ConvenientCare+ is here when you need urgent care but can’t see your primary care doctor or specialist on the same day. “We’ve designed this space for people to receive outpatient treatments and monitoring in a more comfortable setting,” said Bradley Brocious, D.O., medical director of Geisinger ConvenientCare+. “This location is here for those who need treatment their primary care doctor can’t provide at their office, but don’t require the level of care an emergency room provides. We work together with a patient’s doctor or specialist to address any health needs and take care of possible health problems sooner. We also help to coordinate next steps for follow up care.” The Geisinger ConvenientCare+ replaces the Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Urgent Care walk-in clinic. It offers the same level of walk-in care previously offered, plus additional services for more serious conditions that aren’t emergencies. You can also visit ConvenientCare+ for common health issues like infections, abdominal pain, migraines, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, earaches, tick removal, sprains, minor cuts, sinus infections and more. “We want to help people receive care in the most appropriate, easily accessible and affordable setting, all of which becomes easier with ConvenientCare+,” said Dan Landesberg, associate vice president of operations, Geisinger Northeast. “This location expands the adult urgent care services previously offered at Geisinger South-Wilkes Barre, and our investment in this type of model fills a gap for patients in accessing the right health care services in the right place.” The Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre ConvenientCare+ is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about Geisinger ConvenientCare+, visit geisinger.org/plus.
Marywood University Announces Its Summer Athletic Camps and Clinics Marywood University announces its summer athletics camps and clinics. Those interested can, “Pick Your Passion this Summer,” from more than ten camps and clinics featuring an array of sports activities. Our camps will follow CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines. Additional guidelines pertaining to individual camps will be sent after registration. To register, please visit marywood.edu/camps/index.html. Stroke Technique Clinic will take place on Friday, May 21, for ages 7-12, from 3:30 – 5 p.m.; ages 13-18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, May 22, 23, for ages 7-12, at 10:30 a.m., and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness. Girls Lacrosse Camp will take place from Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24, from 9 a.m. – noon, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for athletes in grades 5-9. The cost of the camp is $100, and registration can be made by June 10. This camp will focus on lacrosse skills with lots of fun activities woven in. Boys Basketball Instructional Camps will be held the week of Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, and from Monday, July 26 – Friday, July 30, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., each week, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The instructional camp is for ages 7-15, and the cost $190 per week. Early bird cost is $160 until June 7 for both camps. Campers will be divided into groups based on age and ability. Each day, campers will go through a dynamic stretch, ball handling workout, six stations, and one game set each morning, and more. Volleyball Summer Camp will take place from Tuesday, July 6 – Thursday, July 8, from 9 am. – 4 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is offered to girls in grades 9 – 12. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and lunch will be provided. The cost is $150. Esports Virtual Coed Summer Camp will take place from Monday, July 12 – Thursday, July 15, from 12-4 p.m., each day. This camp is for high school aged students in grades 9-12. The cost of the camp is $159, but campers can register by June 14 for the early bird cost of $129. This four-day virtual camp will give attendees the opportunity to learn about esports in a variety of capacities. At the end of the camp week, matches will be broadcast for parents to watch live or following as recordings. Family Basketball Camp will take place from on Saturday, July 24, from 5-9 p.m., and Sunday, July 25, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The minimum age for campers is 5, and the cost of the camp is $120, with an early bird option of $100 for those who register by June 26. The skill work for this camp is designed to give both parents and children useful drills and techniques to take home and continue working on together. Boys and Girls Soccer Camp will take place from Monday, July 26 – Wednesday, July 28, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for ages 8-12, and the cost is $200, with an early bird option of $180 if registered by June 28. The camp will provide soccer-based and other fun activities to all campers. Instruction will be for all levels and based on the ability of each camper. Girls Basketball Day Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., each day. This day camp is open to grades 3-8, and the cost is $150, with an early bird option of $125 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided based on age and skill, and the camp will be composed of individual competitions as well as team competition, stations, guest speakers, and fun.Girls Basketball Elite Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 6 – 9 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is recommended for high school athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $100, with an early bird option of $85 if registered by July 5. Players will be placed on teams where they will compete against other players in a competitive setting. Attendees will work on the skills needed to succeed in high school and college basketball. Men’s Lacrosse Camp and ID Clinic will take place from Wednesday, August 4 – Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. The camp and ID clinic is suggested to athletes in grades 7-12, and cost $150, with an early bird option of $100 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided by age and will work on basic skills as well as advanced concepts unique to college play. Saturday will be used as a prospect day, and players will have the option to sign up for this day only. Girls Field Hockey Jr. High/High School Preseason Prep Camp will take place from Monday, August 9 – Thursday, August 12, from 9 a.m. – noon, each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is suggested for athletes in grades 7-12, and costs $150. Athletes will be divided into junior high and high school groups to keep skill and ages appropriate. The day camp will consist of team warm up, preseason fitness, skill instruction, small sided games, and scrimmaging. Pre-Season Prep Swim Clinic will take place from Monday, August 16 – Friday, August 20, from 3:30 – 5 p.m., each day for ages 7-12; and 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., each day for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The cost for one session is $55, two sessions is $100, three sessions is $160; and four sessions is $175 per week. Softball Summer Prospect Clinic will take place on Sunday, August 29, from noon 12 – 4 p.m., on the Softball Field. This clinic is for athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $75, with an early bird option of $65 with registration by August 1. This one-day clinic will offer instruction and help athletes’ skills in offense, defense, pitching, base running, and more. Athletes will be instructed by Marywood’s coaching staff and team, and a tour of campus will also be provided. For additional information about Marywood University’s “Pick Your Passion” Athletic Camps and Clinics, please visit www.marywood.edu/camps/index.html.
Marywood University Announces Summer Academic Camps and Clinics Marywood University announces its academic summer camps and clinics. Those interested can choose their passion from more than ten professional, environmental, health, and creative camps and clinics. Marywood University’s camps will follow CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health Guidelines. Additional guidelines pertaining to individual camps will be sent following registration. To register, visit marywood.edu/camps/index.html. The Environmental Stewardship Summer Camp will be offered from Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24, from 8:30 a.m. – noon, each day, at the IHM Center’s Land Restoration Site. The cost of the camp is $75, and is appropriate for ages 10-14. This summer camp will educate students to be better environmental stewards, allowing them to explore some of the sustainability initiatives underway on Marywood’s campus. Attendees will learn about watersheds and mitigating stormwater, learning the importance of planting native plants, current sustainability initiatives, and more.Pottery and Sculpture Camp will take place from Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, from 9 a.m. – noon, each day, at the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. This camp is open to all high school students. The cost of the camp is $300. Attendees will use the pottery wheels, as well as learn hand building techniques like slab building and creating coil pots. They will also learn how to construct figurative and abstract sculptures while they explore various hand building techniques.Comic Book Camp will take place from Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., each day, at the Shields Center for Visual Arts. This camp is open to all high school aged students. The cost is $375. Attendees will learn to speak in progressive art, the visual language of comics, and will create entire universes with nothing more than a pencil, paper, and inc. During the weeklong Comic Book Camp, attendees will focus on character creation and design, narrative structure and pacing, viewpoint and focus, visual cues, choosing the style of rendering to best compliment the narrative, and much more.Digital Photography Camp will take place on Monday, June 28, – Friday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., each day, at the Shields Center for Visual Arts. This camp is open to all interested high school students and the cost is $375. Attendees will learn digital photography basics using either their smartphone camera or digital SLR, as well as Adobe Photoshop. Attendees will explore digital photography techniques including shooting modes, aperture, shutter speeds, ISO, white balance, and composition. Projects include portraits, editorial, fine art, image editing techniques, animated GIFs, photo compositing, and more.Healthcare Discovery: An Interprofessional Camp will take place from Tuesday, June 29 – Thursday, July 1, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., each day. The camp will take place at various locations, and is recommended for 7th – 12thgrade students The cost is $160. This camp offers attendees the opportunity to interact with others who are also interested in pursuing a career in healthcare to learn more about the field, gain pre-professional hands-on experience in each of the disciplines, work collaboratively, and learn from experts in the field in modern facilities.Design Your Future Online Camp will take place from Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 16. This online camp is recommended for junior and senior high school students, and the cost of the DYF online camp is $1,200, with an option to gain 3 hours of college credit for an additional fee. Attendees will be offered a significant first experience in architectural and interiors education. In this two-week online program, attendees will engage in the process of design and develop the basic tools of imagination and expression.Biotechnology Camp will take place from Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, at the Center for Natural and Health Sciences, Lab 106. This camp is recommended to high school students who are enrolled in AP or honors biology, chemistry, or physics courses. The cost of the camp is $150. Attendees will be exposed to a variety of different techniques related to DNA and proteins to gain an understanding of the structure and function of the molecules. In addition, students will gain knowledge of applications used in medicine and the biotechnology industry regarding how DNA and proteins can be used to diagnose and treat disease.Marywood’s Summer Musical Arts Academy will take place from Sunday, July 18 – Saturday, July, 24, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The academy is recommended to grades 7-12, and the cost is $375. An exciting, week-long band, orchestra, choral, and theater day camp, attendees will be engaging with exceptional faculty, artists, and other student musicians from our region in classes, rehearsals, sectionals, and performances throughout the experience.Design Your Future (DYF) two-week overnight program will take place from Sunday, July 18, at noon – Saturday, July 31, at noon. Designed for rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates, the DYF camp offers students a significant first experience in architectural and interiors education. This two-week overnight program will help students engage in the process of design and develop the basic tools of imagination and expression. The cost of the camp is $2,100.Design Your Future Day (DYF) Camp will take place from Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., each day, at the Center for Architectural Studies. The cost of the week-long camp is $450, and is recommended for students in grades 8-10. The DYF camp will help attendees engage in the process of design and to develop the basic tools of imagination and expression.Cryptology Summer Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Friday, August 5, 2021, from 9 a.m. – noon, each day, in the Comerford Auditorium, at the Center for Natural and Health Sciences. Marywood’s Cryptology Summer Camp is recommended for high school students who are enrolled in AP or honors mathematics. The cost of the camp is $75. This camp will introduce students to cryptology, the study of encryption and decryption techniques that are in common use today. Cryptology is used by specialists in Information Security, a highly lucrative and fulfilling career and one in great demand today. By the end of the week, students will leave with their own program to help them write their own secret messages. For additional information about Marywood University’s “Pick Your Passion” Camps and Clinics, please visit marywood.edu/camps/index.html.
Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Opens New Cardiology Clinic Geisinger has opened a new cardiology clinic on the campus of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre to make heart-care services more accessible to the community and better health easier for patients in northeastern Pennsylvania. The newly renovated space at 50 Roosevelt Terrace offers pediatric and adult cardiology services, providing care for adult patients with congenital heart disease, and featuring noninvasive diagnostics like echocardiography and electrocardiography. Pediatric spaces were specifically designed to calm the youngest congenital-heart patients. Staffed daily with cardiologists, advanced practitioners, sonographers and technicians to accommodate both pediatric and adult patients, the refinished clinic features a new echocardiography bed, electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) machine, and high-end blanketwarmingcabinet. “We know patients have wanted a cardiology practice to come back to the South Wilkes-Barre community for some time, and we wanted to provide that service again,” said Kelly Austin, RN,operations manager for the clinic. “This practice will increase appointments available to cardiology patients in Luzerne County and bring cardiology services closer to home for patients in or near South Wilkes-Barre.” Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Karen Lurito will lead pediatric cardiology services at the clinic, and she is passionate about expanding heart care in the northeast. “In one place, you get a full spectrum of care. We have the ability to treat children with cardiovascular disease and continue that specialized care as they mature,” Lurito said, noting the importance of lifelong care for the growing number of patients who now live longer with congenital heart disease due to advancements in treatment. Patients who need additional heart-care services can take advantage of the robust cardiology and congenital heart disease programs at Geisinger. For example, services in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, pediatric stress testing and metabolic stress testing are all available in the northeast at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. And pediatric and congenital heart surgery services are offered at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Systemwide, the congenital heart team has been strengthened recently with the addition of a surgeon with 30 years of experience to lead pediatric and adult congenital heart surgery and a certified registered nurse practitioner well-versed in building adult congenital heart disease programs. The team also features cardiologists who have achieved Adult Congenital Heart Disease board certification and can care for patients throughout their lives. Care even extends to the maternal and fetal medicine clinic, where pediatric cardiologists will do echocardiography on fetuses. “We will care for you from your prenatal days all the way through adulthood,” Lurito said.
Geisinger Uses Virtual Consult at Orthopaedic Urgent Care Clinics Patients can connect with an orthopaedic provider on a real-time video consultation through the virtual consult service at Geisinger Orthopaedic Urgent Care clinics. The virtual consult expands the service and offers more convenience to patients as they have their injuries assessed on a video call and find out next steps. Last May, Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine opened five orthopaedic urgent care clinics, giving people with bone, joint and muscle injuries a convenient alternative to the emergency room or urgent care clinics with no appointment necessary. Now, the virtual consult offers adults and children immediate access to specialized orthopaedic care for common injuries like a strain, a sprain or a simple fracture that occurred in the last 72 hours. Virtual consultations are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The team at each facility has the capability to evaluate and treat injuries, perform X-rays, apply splints and casts and schedule follow-up appointments. “This virtual consult allows orthopaedic providers to help decide the best treatment care plan for minor injuries, thus avoiding the inconvenience of an emergency room visit and making health easier for our communities. It improves access not only for orthopaedic patients but for all other Geisinger patients — especially now, when many facilities are overwhelmed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Michael Suk, chair of Geisinger’s Musculoskeletal Institute. Once a patient is seen by an orthopaedic provider, they are scheduled for follow-up care as needed. The five orthopaedic urgent care clinics are in Danville, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Lewistown and Port Matilda. All locations offer weekday hours, and most offer weekend hours as well. To access the virtual consult, visit https://www.geisinger.org/patient-care/conditions-treatments-specialty/ortho-urgent-care or call any of the sites below for more information: Geisinger Woodbine Lane16 Woodbine Lane, Danville570-271-7430Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine3 W. Olive St. Suite 118, Scranton570-961- 3823Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre570-808-1093Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon Geisinger Electric Avenue Medical Center310 Electric Ave. Suite 240, Lewistown717-242-8124Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Geisinger Gray’s Woods132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda814-272-6754Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon
