Geisinger Opens New Kidney Specialty Clinic in Northeast PA With a mission to bring specialty kidney care to northeastern Pennsylvania, Geisinger has opened a brand-new kidney specialty clinic with three new physicians. Located on the second floor of 521 Mount Pleasant Drive, Geisinger Nephrology Scranton offers specialized kidney care to diagnose and treat a variety of kidney conditions. The clinic cares for conditions ranging from kidney stones to more complex kidney issues, including treatment for hypertension, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Three nephrologists will practice out of the new office. Mohammad Al Khateeb, M.D., and Badar U Din Shah, M.D., have begun seeing patients at the clinic. Mugda Kulkarni, M.D., recently completed her nephrology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) and will join the team in August. Dr. Al Khateeb graduated from Hashemite University School of Medicine in Jordan. He spent the last two years as a nephrology fellow at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he helped diagnose and treat acute and chronic kidney diseases and oversaw care for renal transplant patients. Dr. Shah is a graduate of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. During his fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center, Dr. Shah conducted comprehensive assessments and helped manage patients with various kidney disorders, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances and hypertension. Dr. Kulkarni earned her medical degree from Ashwini Rural Medical College in India. She treated patients with a wide spectrum of kidney disorders during her fellowship at UCMC, was involved with numerous research projects and also headed clinical case presentations. The team at Geisinger Nephrology Scranton will provide consultations and comprehensive kidney care. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To request a consultation, call 800- 275-6401.
Misericordia University Announces Emeritus Status for Occupational Therapy Professor Misericordia University’s (MU) Board of Trustees recently awarded the rank of professor emeritus to Joseph Cipriani Ed.D., OTR/L to recognize his 34 years of exceptional service in teaching, research, and contributions to the university. In addition to the contributions Cipriani has made to teaching, research and service, he helped shape the lives of numerous students as a teacher and mentor, demonstrating an impressive record of scholarly achievement, authoring papers—both presented and published—and providing extensive service to his discipline, to MU and to the larger community. During his tenure he served as chair of the Occupational Therapy Department for more than three years, and he received the Misericordia University Teaching Excellence Award, the Louis & Barbara Alesi Excellence in Scholarship Award, and the Pauly and Sidney Friedman Excellence in Service Award. Cipriani assumed multiple leadership roles during his tenure at MU and developed several courses and experiences for students to gain real-world experience while serving their community. He created an occupational therapy elective that included working with Ruth’s Place in Wilkes-Barre as well as an elective that incorporated service-learning in Jamaica, working in concert with Mustard Seed communities. Cipriani leaves an impressive legacy at Misericordia University, where his teaching portfolio included vital courses such as Applied Functional Anatomy, Geriatric Occupational Performance Intervention, Research Design, and Contemporary and Emerging Interventions. His extensive involvement in the field of occupational therapy is widely recognized. Cipriani’s work on topics such as horticulture therapy, occupational therapy interventions for mental health, and international service learning has garnered recognition and significantly advanced occupational therapy practice. He has presented extensively at national and international conferences and published numerous articles in esteemed journals, including serving as a reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Science, OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, and Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. He also served on the editorial board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics. Throughout his career, Cipriani has been an active member of leading professional organizations, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the Occupational Therapy Association, and the PA Occupational Therapy Association. His commitment to service extended to numerous university committees, including the Middle States Self-study Steering committees and the Mission and Values Committee, and he advised the student honor society. Cipriani shared his insights in the classroom from his clinical experience as an occupational therapist at Geisinger Health Care System and the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at Allied Services. Cipriani earned his Ed.D. in higher education from Nova Southeastern University. He holds a Master of Arts degree in community psychology from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from College Misericordia, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wilkes College.
Geisinger to Launch State-of-the-Art Disinfection Devices in Hospitals Geisinger is deploying advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices across its hospital campuses, enhancing infection prevention efforts in patient care areas. These cutting-edge devices use UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens. They improve safety by disinfecting patient rooms following manual cleaning, specifically if the room was occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread. “Bringing UV disinfection technology into our hospitals is a powerful step forward in protecting our patients,” said Mark Shelly, M.D., medical director of infection prevention. “It’s not just about adding new tools. It’s about strengthening our commitment to safety and quality and doing everything we can to prevent hospital-acquired infections. A visibly clean surface is just the beginning. Because germs are invisible, they’re susceptible to UV light. This technology helps us take another meaningful step toward becoming a high-reliability organization, where safety is at the center of everything we do.” How the technology works Fast and effective: Disinfects rooms in just 12 to 30 minutes, depending on room size. Smart technology: Tracks usage and automatically adjusts UV light levels to ensure thorough disinfection, even in shadowed or hard-to-reach areas. Safe and secure: Operated exclusively by trained Environmental Services technicians. Rooms are clearly marked during use to ensure safety. Targeted use: Used in patient rooms previously occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread. Tested, trusted and now everywhere Following successful trials at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where the devices were integrated without disrupting patient flow, 16 of the devices are now being introduced systemwide. Stopping germs in their tracks The UV disinfection devices are effective against a wide range of pathogens, including: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) Acinetobacter baumannii Klebsiella pneumoniae Influenza A Norovirus
Geisinger Expands 3D Mammography Systemwide deployment enhances diagnostic capabilities and access Geisinger now offers 3D mammography systemwide, providing patients across its service area with access to the latest, best technology for detecting breast cancer early. “Having 3D mammography across the system allows us to increase patient access and improve patient outcomes,” said Timothy Murphy, M.D., director of women’s imaging, Geisinger. “Our patients will no longer need to travel outside of the Geisinger service area to receive state-of-the-art breast imaging.” This advanced technology offers greater accuracy in detecting breast abnormalities, including small tumors that may be undetectable on 2D mammograms. By providing a more detailed and comprehensive view, 3D mammography reduces the need for additional imaging and minimizes false-positive results. 3D mammography is available at: Geisinger Healthplex Woodbine Lane Susquehanna Valley Imaging Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Geisinger Mt. Pleasant Geisinger Viewmont Imaging Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Geisinger Lewistown Clinic Geisinger Healthplex State College Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital Geisinger Medical Center Muncy Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Geisinger Philipsburg Multi-Specialty Clinic Patients can schedule an appointment through MyGeisinger or the MyChart mobile app or by calling 800-275-6401. Learn more at geisinger.org/breastimaging.
Geisinger Receives Funding to Enhance Cancer Patient Monitoring Geisinger has been approved for funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to implement electronic monitoring of patients’ self-reported symptoms during cancer treatment. Patients being treated for cancer often have symptoms such as fatigue, pain and nausea. Managing these symptoms, which can stem from both the disease and its treatment, is a key component of high-quality cancer care and can enhance patients’ well-being, decrease visits to the hospital and improve treatment adherence . Led by H. Lester Kirchner, Ph.D. and Christian Adonizio, M.D., this project will implement Epic’s Electronic Symptom Management (eSyM) module for Geisinger patients receiving systemic chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The work is based on findings from a PCORI- funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness (CCE) study demonstrating improved symptom control, physical function, health-related quality of life and overall survival among patients who completed electronic patient-reported outcome surveys, as compared with those who received usual care. Dr. Kirchner is professor and chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences in Geisinger’s Research Institute. He and Keith Boell, D.O., Geisinger’s chief quality officer, are project leads for Geisinger’s Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII) participation. Dr. Adonizio is a medical oncologist/hematologist, professor of medicine Geisinger College of Health Sciences, and the associate fellowship director for Geisinger’s Cancer Institute. Geisinger was selected to participate in the HSII through a PCORI opportunity recruiting healthcare institutions to promote evidence-based practice based on findings generated from PCORI-funded patient-centered CCE. HSII aims to reduce the estimated 17-year gap between evidence publication and clinical application. This initiative recognizes that health systems’ practical experience and real- world insights are crucial for sustainable, large-scale implementation of practice-changing findings in clinical care. The funding award has been approved pending completion of PCORI’s business and programmatic review and issuance of a formal award contract.
Geisinger, Wilkes University Extends Sports Medicine Contract Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Wilkes University have renewed their contract for Geisinger to provide athletic training services to the university’s athletic department. The contract extension, which runs through 2028, continues a 23-year partnership began in 2002. “I am very happy to have extended our partnership with Geisinger to provide all of our health care coverage, said Scott Musa, Wilkes University athletics director. “Our student-athletes very much value the care they receive from the athletic trainers, doctors and other health care professionals, and I have 100% confidence in their ability to help keep our student-athletes healthy.” Geisinger offers five athletic trainers for the university for all NCAA sports the school offers. Geisinger also provides physician services that includes coverage for football and ice hockey games as well as weekly training room visits. “The longstanding partnership between Geisinger and Wilkes University has been a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes,” said Geisinger athletic trainer Camille Dudinyak, who is the head athletic trainer for Wilkes University. “Their health and well-being are paramount, and the continued collaboration helps facilitate exceptional care both on and off the playing field.”
Geisinger Cuts Ribbon on New Cancer Center in Dickinson City Standalone facility expands care close to home for Lackawanna County Geisinger officials, employees and community partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 19, to celebrate the impending opening of a new state-of-the-art cancer center. Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City, expected to see its first patients on June 23, will expand cancer services, offer more appointments in the community and keep care closer to home for the residents of Lackawanna County. Planning for the cancer center was driven by research that showed cancer-related visits are expected to increase in Geisinger’s northeast region by 7% between 2022 and 2032, and demand for chemotherapy is expected to grow by more than 9% between 2022 and 2027. “Every program expansion we complete at Geisinger is driven by the needs of the communities we serve,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “Lackawanna County and surrounding communities deserve a cancer center of this caliber, where all of the specialty care and supportive care they need can be delivered in one modern facility.” Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City is 61,000 square feet and home to 22 infusion bays, a hematology and oncology clinic with 17 exam rooms, and dedicated spaces for multidisciplinary care and palliative care. It will also provide radiation oncology — a first for Geisinger in Lackawanna County — as well as a pharmacy and laboratory services. The campus features a variety of patient amenities, including food services, and a courtyard with gardens and natural views. The cancer center was designed with a focus on patient experience. The infusion area, for example, was built around a circular garden that provides a serene view for anyone receiving infusion therapy. “This facility is our commitment to making sure our patients never have to leave Lackawanna County to receive outstanding care during one of the most difficult times of their life,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “This new cancer center and our team of exceptional providers, in partnership with our comprehensive care teams, allow us to offer our patients leading-edge treatment, advanced technologies and access to a variety of clinical trials.” The opening of the cancer center reinforces Geisinger’s pledge to offer the best quality care to everyone it serves. It complements the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where there is also an inpatient unit for treatment of more complex cancers. “Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City continues our legacy of investing in our communities so their residents can live their best, healthiest lives, said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. Because we do more than treat patients — we treat people, families and communities. And we’ll continue to do so for decades to come.” Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City is at 703 Martin F. Gibbons Blvd., at the north end of Viewmont Drive, near Dickson City Crossings, Viewmont Mall and Interstate 81. To learn more about cancer care in Lackawanna County, visit geisinger.org/cancerinstitute.
The NEPA Philharmonic Kicks Off Summer with Independence Day Celebrations and Community Events The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic kicks off its 2025-26 Season, Presented by PNC, with a lineup of summer festivities, Independence Day celebrations, and three nights of music under the stars on July 3-5, 2025. With full-orchestra fireworks performances, patriotic favorites, community education and wellness events, and chamber music in the great outdoors, the NEPA Philharmonic presents outdoor large-ensemble concerts in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre on July 3rd and 4th; an outdoor chamber music concert at Harmony in the Woods in Hawley on July 5th; and community programs in Scranton, Peckville, and Carbondale. On Thursday, July 3, 7:30 PM, the full NEPA Philharmonic returns to Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton for a free concert as part of the Lackawanna County Scrantastic Spectacular. The performance – led by guest conductor Jeffrey Spenner, Assistant Director of the U.S. Coast Guard Band – features the full orchestra for the first time since 2019, with an array of patriotic classics capped by a fireworks display. For more details, visit https://www.scrantasticspectacular.com/. “I’m thrilled to celebrate the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s performance at our annual Scrantastic Spectacular on July 3rd,” says Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak. “Their vibrant orchestra will bring patriotic spirit to Courthouse Square, uniting our community in a joyful Independence Day celebration. We’re proud to support their artistry and look forward to an unforgettable evening of music and fireworks.” Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan also notes, “The Scrantastic Spectacular always is a great event and it will be even more so this year, with the full Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic bringing its extraordinarily talented musicians to the perfect setting of Courthouse Square. I can’t think of a better way for the whole community to come together to celebrate the nation’s 249th anniversary.” The celebration continues Friday, July 4, 9:00 AM, with the 12th Annual Yoga on the Roof atop the Marketplace at Steamtown’s parking garage. The NEPA Philharmonic string trio joins Jaya Yoga Clarks Summit for a unique sunrise yoga session with live music, highlighting powerful connections between arts and wellness. Registration is $20, online at www.nepaphil.org/tickets or at the door; proceeds benefit NEPA Philharmonic community and education programs. Maximum Zen Bakery of Clarks Summit provides light breakfast. On July 4, 8:00 PM, the NEPA Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble return with guest conductor Paul Bryan to Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Kirby Park. This free, festive event features music, food, games, and another evening of lighting up the sky with fireworks. The NEPA Philharmonic Brass also presents two all-ages educational events: Once Upon an Orchestra at Valley Community Library in Peckville on Thursday, July 3, 10:00 AM and Meet the Instruments outside at Memorial Park in Carbondale on Saturday, July 5, 11:00 AM. Once Upon an Orchestra blends music and storytelling, bringing to life Ben’s Trumpet by Rachel Isadora with a brass trio performing 1920s-style jazz, while Meet the Instruments features instrument demonstrations and short musical excerpts with brass quintet. Both events are free; registration for the July 3 library event is at https://lclshome.org/event/once-upon-an-orchestra/. The weekend concludes as the NEPA Philharmonic expands the Stoppini Chamber Series with a special concert in partnership with Harmony in the Woods, a premier outdoor performance venue in Hawley, PA. On Saturday, July 5, 6:00 PM, the NEPA Philharmonic Brass Quintet takes center stage with “Americana Brass in the Woods”. The performance will feature a dynamic mix of New Orleans jazz, lively ragtime, and classic film scores, alongside timeless works from Gershwin, Ellington, Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and more. Tickets ($50 for adults, $25 for children) are available at www.harmonyinthewoods.org. The Scrantastic Spectacular is sponsored in part by Lehigh Valley Health Network, Scranton Tomorrow, The Lackawanna County Commissioners, The City of Scranton, and Audacy Pennsylvania. Additional support for the NEPA Philharmonic at Scrantastic Spectacular is provided by PNC, Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, Fidelity, Geisinger, and Xfinity. Once Upon an Orchestra is presented by the Lackawanna County Library System. The NEPA Philharmonic Brass at Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July is presented by the City of Wilkes-Barre. Americana Brass is presented by Harmony in the Woods, with additional support for the Philharmonic from PNC and the Stoppini Foundation. In case of inclement weather, the July 3rd, 7:30PM Scrantastic Spectacular concert will go on as scheduled, with a rain location at Scranton High School; rain location announcements will be provided by Lackawanna County on the event website. The rain location for the July 5th, 11AM Meet the Instruments event in Carbondale will be at the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the NEPA Philharmonic’s summer programs and the upcoming 2025–2026 Season, Presented by PNC, visit nepaphil.org, or call (570) 270-4444.
Geisinger Pediatrician, Child Abuse Advocate Awarded Humanitarian Award A Geisinger pediatrician and former medical director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Central Susquehanna Valley in Sunbury was recently presented with an award in recognition of his commitment to improving the lives of others through personal sacrifice, and his leadership through his vocation. Pat Bruno, M.D., was presented with the Juniata College William E. Swigart Alumni Humanitarian Award for his selfless service to his community and beyond through his commitment to preventing child abuse and developing programs to evaluate and serve children who have been abused. “I am honored to receive this award. I have been fortunate to have a team that has worked with me for more than 20 years helping to advocate for children,” Dr. Bruno said. “Many thanks go to my team for the difficult work that they have done.” Despite the emotional and practical challenges that come with treating child abuse and neglect cases, after so many years of specializing in the topic, Dr. Bruno understands its complexities. “Child maltreatment is a preventable multidisciplinary, multigenerational community problem,” he said. Until 2024, Dr. Bruno served as medical director and child abuse pediatrician at the Children’s Advocacy Center and was the director of the Division of Child Safety and Advocacy at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. He continues to work in general pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics while serving as associate professor of pediatrics at Geisinger School of Medicine. During his career, Dr. Bruno has evaluated and treated more than 6,000 children referred for child maltreatment evaluations and has testified in many counties in the state on behalf of child victims. As a certified member and fellow of the American Board of General Pediatrics, Dr. Bruno is board certified in child abuse pediatrics. He has lectured on child abuse prevention to medical students and residents, and is the author of “How Can I Not?: Reflections on a Life Evaluating and Treating Victims of Child Maltreatment.” Dr. Bruno has been twice recognized with the Thomas Paine Award for Journalism from the Central Susquehanna ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in 2013 and 2019, and the Dr. Chuck Fasano Memorial Red Cross Award for Medical Heroes in 2014. Dr. Bruno was named Sunbury Citizen of the Year by the Sunbury Rotary Club in 2016.
Geisinger’s 2025 Cooking Classes -Registration Now Open Geisinger is offering free in-person and virtual cooking classes to community members this summer.Registration is now open for the 2025 culinary medicine classes, which combine the art and skill of cooking with the science of nutrition. The classes offer an evidence-based approach to health that incorporates food and cooking with nutrition education.The classes are led by a registered dietitian nutritionist and cover topics including healthy meals, portion sizes, label reading, snacking, eating behaviors, kitchen safety and good shopping habits.The classes are free and can be taken in person at Geisinger’s teaching kitchen in Selinsgrove or virtually online. Register by visiting geisinger.org/cooking. Email culinarymedicine@geisinger.edu if you have questions.
