Psychology Professor to Receive Distinguished Service Award David Palmiter David Palmiter, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology at Marywood University, was recently notified that he will receive the 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA). This award, given annually to a member of the PPA for outstanding service to the association, will be presented at the PPA Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 19, 2022, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA. Cited for his leadership within the discipline, Dr. Palmiter has served in many capacities with PPA, including as a member of numerous committees and presidential task forces, as APA public education coordinator, and as the president of PPA from 2011-2012. While PPA President, he developed an inter-organization task force on children’s mental health that involved both PPA and the Pennsylvania Academy of Pediatricians. Dr. Palmiter has been recognized by both PPA and national organizations for his skill in media psychology, and he has shown many psychologists how to effectively give psychology away to the public. He has conducted many continuing education programs for PPA on multiculturalism, media presentations, media and ethics, children’s mental health, and resilience. In addition to his service within and on behalf of PPA, Dr. Palmiter is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, an author, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology and PPA. He has more than 30 years of experience as a psychologist and has been a professor at Marywood University for 24 years. Dr. Palmiter specializes in childhood, adolescent, and family issues and also maintains a private practice in Clarks Summit.
Geisinger Orthopaedic Surgeon Given Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Highest Honor John H. Doherty Jr., M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon who practices at Geisinger Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine in Scranton, was named the 2021 recipient of the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s (PAMED) Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award is considered the highest honor a member can receive from PAMED. Its first recipient in 1956 was Jonas E. Salk, M.D., who was recognized for his achievements in developing the anti-polio vaccine. A Lackawanna County resident, Dr. Doherty has been a practicing orthopaedic surgeon in Scranton since 1980. Before joining Geisinger in January of 2018, he was a partner in Professional Orthopaedic Associates Ltd. Over his career, he has cared for thousands of patients and their families. “We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Doherty. He is a valuable member of the Geisinger family, and this award reiterates that further. Dr. Doherty is the perfect example of service above self. He never turns away anyone who needs his help. His complete dedication to his practice and to the community is admirable. We celebrate his success and are honored to be associated with him,” said Michael Suk, M.D., chair of Geisinger’s Musculoskeletal Institute. Dr. Doherty is a beloved figure in the Scranton community. For more than 30 years, he’s made quarterly house calls to St. Joseph’s Center so the residents don’t have to make a trip by van to be seen in the office. Dr. Doherty has also served on and volunteered for multiple local nonprofit organizations, including helping to build and maintain a hospital in Haiti. Since 2010, Dr. Doherty has worked in collaboration with Fr. Rick Frechette, an American priest who is also a physician, to build and maintain a state-of-the-art operating room for the people of Port-au-Prince. To that end, he visits the island every year and works tirelessly to supply the hospital and bring patients to America when the care they need is not available in Haiti.
