Lackawanna College Brings Medical Students to NEPA Today, Lackawanna College proudly announces its partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the City of Scranton and several regional healthcare organizations to launch the Northeast Pennsylvania Clinical Education Consortium (NEPCEC). The first group of nine medical students from two different Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine began their clinical rotations in Scranton on July 1, 2024. Next year’s group is already projected to increase to 20 students. “This is a unique opportunity, not just for the students, but for our school and community,” said Jill Murray, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Lackawanna College. “Our long-term hope for the osteopathic medical students is for them to establish ties to the community, to also pursue a residency here with the Wright Center and to eventually practice in the region.” Lackawanna College, along with members of the Scranton community, including strong support from the mayor’s office approached AACOM to identify member colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) willing and able to participate. In this inaugural year, students came from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. Next year, students from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine will begin participating. “We are extremely proud to be a part of this innovative and game-changing project,” said Robert A, Cain, DO, President and CEO of AACOM. “Finding high quality clinical opportunities is a challenge for every medical school, and here the community has come together to create a complete experience for our students. In turn, our students will help bolster the health care network in the region and establish ties that could lead to residencies and professional practices there down the road. This win-win scenario has great potential for communities across the country. Particularly those with health care access equity issues.” About the NEPCEC The Consortium is a group of five clinical partners and other community groups, led by Lackawanna College in Scranton, that have assembled a clinical education consortium specifically designed for osteopathic medical students. Students will be provided with living and dining options, academic and logistical support, as well as having the clinical rotation spots created and reserved specifically for them. Along with providing housing and opportunities for the students, the Consortium has worked hard to create quality clinical rotations as well as finding preceptors in all clinical specialties from the area. Both are challenges that are only getting harder for medical schools as the number of medical schools, particularly DO schools, continue to grow. This holistic approach to clinical rotations is only made possible through a collaborative effort of the entire community. “Allied Services is proud to play a role in Lackawanna College’s physician development initiative,” said William P. Conaboy, President and CEO, Allied Services. “The partnership with Lackawanna and our other collaborators is essential to advance the pipeline of doctors for our region and fits nicely with our new physician residency program.” Key Consortium partners include: Lackawanna College is an accredited degree-granting undergraduate college with 2000 degree-seeking students in more than 30 majors. Lackawanna has engaged in a community-wide convening role to develop innovative partners to support osteopathic medical students in Scranton. Allied Services Healthcare is a system consisting of Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities and outpatient clinics and rehabilitation. Allied Rehabilitation hospital has an ACGME-accredited PM&R residency program with whom students will rotate as an elective. Commonwealth Health includes two large hospitals in Scranton as well as Wilkes-Barre General Hospital nearby. Commonwealth will be providing the majority of the teaching rotations to students. Scranton Primary Health Care Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Scranton and surrounding areas that provides primary care, dental care and behavioral healthcare. SPHCC has rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and psychiatry. The Wright Center, an FQHC Look-Alike, is now the largest Teaching Health Center in the nation, with nearly 250 residents and fellows trained in each of the eight Wright Center locations around Eastern Pennsylvania. The Wright Center will provide primary care rotations and OMM training by its faculty. “It’s been a pleasure to work with our partnering physicians and healthcare providers to help build an osteopathic physician training network in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Frank Kolucki, M.D., Commonwealth Health System Physician & NEPCEC Medical Director. “The students we have from PCOM and Touro Medical Schools have been eagerly engaged in their training and have brought an excitement and enthusiasm that is very refreshing and exciting to witness.”
Lackawanna College Receives Grant to Support Adult Literacy Lackawanna College was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) to support adult literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s more than $10.6 million donated to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates. With today’s grants, the DGLF also surpasses helping more than 20 million individuals achieve their educational dreams since its inception in 1993. The Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) will provide free ESL classes to benefit the residents of Hazleton, PA. The LLA will offer three, 10-week ESL classes that will occur in Summer and Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Experienced ESL Instructors will provide responsive, individualized, in-person instruction of literacy skills. Additionally, take-home lessons will assist Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by at least 2 proficiency levels to attain Adult Basic English proficiency. Lackawanna College also offers Continuing Education Certifications for the Workforce and an English Proficiency college certificate in an 18-credit program that advances English learning and prepares learners for college-level work. “We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals. We hope these funds provide resources needed to positively change students’ lives, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.” The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
Lackawanna College Announces Police Academy Cadet Graduation The Lackawanna College Police Academy will graduate the full-time Class 261 of Hazleton during the ceremony. The graduating classes includes 29 total cadets, who will begin their careers in law enforcement. Director of Police Academy Operations Kevin Mahoney will welcome those attending and present certifications to the cadets during the ceremony. Guest speaker Jenny Roberts, Esq. Assistant U.S. Attorney, will attend the ceremony to speak to the cadets. Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Lackawanna College Peoples Security Bank Theater, Angeli Hall, 501 Vine St., Scranton, Pa. Media are requested to RSVP prior to attending the event. Contact Eric Eiden, media relations coordinator eidene@lackawanna.edu or 570-961-7807.
Lackawanna College Awarded $150,000 Grant to Further Assist Parenting Students Lackawanna College received the Parent Pathways Grant for $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education. The funds from this grant will expand existing resources for parenting students to directly impact the persistence of parenting students with tuition assistance, emergency funding, and support services. “We are thrilled to receive the Parent Pathways Grant, allowing us to grow our support services for parenting students,” Brian Costanzo, vice president for government affairs & special projects said. “At Lackawanna, we are dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of their family responsibilities, have the resources and support they need to succeed academically and personally.” The Parent Pathways grant aims to provide essential resources directly tailored to the needs of parenting students, ensuring their success in academic endeavors. Initiatives in the grant include childcare costs, scholarships, emergency funds for parenting students who require assistance with an academic or basic need affecting their education. These enhanced support services will benefit approximately 21% of Lackawanna’s parenting learners, providing them with the necessary assistance to navigate the demands of both parenthood and higher education. “We strive to offer as much support as possible to our students, and initiatives like the Parent Pathways Grant help further our mission to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better the communities in which they live,” Costanzo said. For more information about Lackawanna College and its support services for parenting students, please visit Lackawanna.edu.
Lackawanna College and University of Scranton Form 30+ Program Articulation Agreement Lackawanna College and The University of Scranton collaborate to establish over 30 program articulation agreements, offering pathways for Lackawanna College graduates to transition to The University of Scranton to complete their bachelor’s degrees. “The formation of more than 30 program articulation agreements between Lackawanna College and The University of Scranton stands as a groundbreaking initiative, reflecting our mission to offer affordable educational opportunities for our students,” Provost of Lackawanna College Erica Barone Pricci, Ph.D., said. “By streamlining credit transfers and offering diverse academic pathways, these agreements allow our students to engage with a large range of bachelor’s programs. This collaborative endeavor underscores our joint dedication to fostering educational accessibility and elevating the academic landscape for our student community.” These agreements cover 33 bachelor’s degree programs, including majors like accounting, finance and operations management. To be eligible, Lackawanna College students must earn their associate’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and enroll at Scranton within a year of graduation. Students who meet the criteria can complete their bachelor’s degree at the University within four regular semesters. They also have the opportunity to earn nine credits at Scranton while attending Lackawanna at half of the University of Scranton’s tuition rate. Additionally, Lackawanna College graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher accepted into a degree program at Scranton through an articulation agreement qualify for a University of Scranton merit scholarship, starting at a minimum award of $20,000 per academic year for full-time students. For more information about these articulation agreements, visit Lackawanna.edu or contact Lackawanna College at 570-961-7898 or The University of Scranton at 888-SCRANTON.
Celebrating Success with Lackawanna College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Alumni Mixer Lackawanna College will host a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Alumni Mixer event on Thursday May 9, in the lobby of Angeli Hall following the current PTA senior cohort pinning ceremony. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, reconnect with former classmates and engage with Lackawanna College clinical education partners. Clinical partners include Saber Healthcare Group and AccessPT. “An event like this benefits our graduates because they have the opportunity to communicate and network with our local clinical partners and possibly get interviews and job placements,” Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Dr. Ashley Reedy said. Date and Time: Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM Location: Angeli Hall, 501 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18509 In addition to creating professional connections, the event will offer refreshments, basket raffles and giveaways. Tickets are free, and alumni attendees are encouraged to bring guests, with each guest receiving two raffle basket tickets plus a special giveaway. Join us for an evening of networking and celebrating the accomplishments of our students at the PTA Alumni Mixer event. “We want our graduates to leave with pride in their future profession, themselves and personally I hope they leave being proud of what they’ve accomplished,” Dr. Reedy said. Those interested in attending can register online at no cost here: https://shorturl.at/joJW5.
Lackawanna College Hosts Annual Golf Tournament for 2024 The Lackawanna College Athletics Department announces the return of the Lackawanna College Annual Golf Tournament. The 2024 tournament will be on Monday, June 3, at Elmhurst Country Club in Moscow, PA. Attendees are invited to a day of camaraderie and competition featuring activities like hole sponsors, closest-to-the-pin contests, longest drive competitions door prizes and raffles. The tournament starts with registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the club house, followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. At 5:30 p.m., dinner will be in the club house, with prizes awarded and raffle items drawn. “Lackawanna College distinguishes itself by offering higher education opportunities to students who seek to excel, both in the classroom and on the field,” Erik Larson, Director of Athletics at the College said. “The goal of this event is to gather Lackawanna College Athletics supporters, friends, coaches, and community members to raise funds for the Lackawanna College Athletics Department.” The tournament is open to teams of four and individual golfers, starting at $200 for single golfer registration, and $800 for a team. Proceeds from this event will support the needs of our student-athletes through various athletic department programming. Golfers and their teams interested in participating are encouraged to go to register early online. Parties interested in sponsoring the event can also find additional information on sponsorship packages and ways to get involved.
Lackawanna College to Host Spring Pop-up Lackawanna College’s 409 on Adams has transformed again! Welcome to Wisteria, our Spring Semester dining experience! Wisteria is an amazing, built from scratch concept in collaboration with Marywood University School of Architecture. Wisteria, a storybook come to life, where reality dissolves and magic blossoms, will feature a full bar and menu. There will be heated outdoor patio seating, as well as indoor seating with many magical spaces to see and explore. Dining Options are available from April 4th through May 9th on Wednesdays and Thursdays Wisteria’s gates open at 5pm Dinner and food service until 9pm Drinks and fun until the dragon sleeps While reservations are encouraged, walk ins are always welcome. Please click the link below and fill out the form to submit your reservation request. https://forms.gle/sPKzVqNGcyueE8AX9
Lackawanna College Receives Donation from Fidelity Bank for Dual Enrollment Program Lackawanna College received a donation of $25,000 from Fidelity Bank. This contribution will support the Dual Enrollment Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, allowing high school students to enroll in college-level courses and earn credits while attending high school. “We know Lackawanna College will take these dollars and put it to work in the programs that benefit our community the most,” President and CEO of Fidelity Bank, Dan Santaniello said. “This is an investment to the future and the future leaders of northeastern Pennsylvania, to get these young students college credits and experience in college level courses.” By making this donation, Fidelity Bank reaffirms its dedication to education, resonating with Lackawanna College’s mission to foster accessible and affordable education to the communities it serves. About the Lackawanna College Dual Enrollment Program Lackawanna College allows local high school students the opportunity to gain a head start on their college careers through Dual Enrollment courses offered within the hours and confines of their high school. Courses are also available through Lackawanna College’s online program, at our main campus in Scranton, or at our satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, and Tunkhannock. This program is offered to high schools throughout northeastern Pennsylvania on a contractual basis and a reduced cost. About the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program The EITC program is a Pennsylvania tax credit for businesses who donate to an approved nonprofit organization. Lackawanna College is an approved Educational Improvement Organization. Companies contributing to Lackawanna College through EITC can receive significant tax benefits. Approved corporations can receive tax credits equal to 75% of its contribution up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. In photo from left to right: Vice President & Investment Officer William Fennie III, Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray, President & CEO of Fidelity Bank Dan Santaniello and Director of College Advancement Amber Riedinger.
Scranton Resident Joins Lackawanna College Faculty Brianna Florovito was born and raised in Archbald and currently lives in Scranton. She is a new instructor in Lackawanna College’s business division. Her first day in the classroom will be Monday, January 22. “I am excited for this new opportunity,” said Florovito. “I am passionate about helping people figure out what they truly want to pursue in life.”Florovito is a graduate of Valley View High School, Rutgers University, and Wilkes University, Wilkes University. During her education, she spent time studying at Budapest Hungary Central European University.
