Marywood University to Offer Professional Continuing Education Nursing Home Administration Program Marywood University’s Professional Continuing Education department will offer a 120-Hour Long-Term Care Nursing Home Administration (NHA) and Refresher Program during the fall 2021/spring 2022 academic semesters. Each of the sixteen courses is approved for 7.5 continuing education hours by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. Also serving State of Pennsylvania licensing renewal requirements, interested individuals can register for courses as needed or register for the entire series. Dates, programs, and presenters planned for the fall 2021/spring 2021academic semesters include: September 30, 2021— Health Support Services: Pharmacy Medical Records and Diagnostic Services with Tom Snader and Stephanie Sakson.October 1, 2021 —Personnel Management and Labor Relations with Jim Silkworth.October 14, 2021 — Social Services, Family and Community Relationships, and Patient Rights with Maria Hastie and John R. O’Brien.October 15, 2021 – Understanding Regulations: Deficiencies, Plans of Correction, and Quality Assurance with James Miller, NHA.October 28, 2021— Strategic Planning: Marketing and Public Relations with William BachmanOctober 29, 2021 – Nursing Department and Patient Care Management with Karyn Hildebrand.November 11, 2021— Role of Government in Health Policy Regulation and Reimbursement with William Kammerer.November 12, 2021 – Nutrition and Dietary Needs of the Long-Term Care Resident with Sandy Gaul.December 2, 2021— Gerontology: Diseases of Aging Death and Dying with Peggy Steinberg.December 3, 2021 – Risk Management: Safety and Insurance with Matt Alfiero.December 16, 2021 – Facility Support Services: Building, Grounds, Housekeeping, Laundry, and Central Supply with Karyn Hildebrand.December 17, 2021 – Fiscal Management: Budgeting and Accounting with Michael P. Kelly, MPA, NHA and Kevin Noone.January 27, 2022 – General Administration and Organizational Management of Nursing Homes with Noelle Lyon-Kovaleskie.January 28, 2022 – Medicare PPS Case Mix & Third-Party Reimbursement with James Miller.February 10, 2022 – Rehabilitation Services and Special Care with Gary Duncan.February 11, 2022 – Preparing for Licensure: Certification Surveys and Meeting the Other Regulatory Requirements with Noelle Lyon-Kovaleskie. All courses will run on the dates listed from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, on Marywood University’s campus. Each course is $150. The NHA Refresher is only $525. For additional information, or to register, please visit Marywood Professional Continuing Education Opportunities, or call Jill Schroth, Director of Professional Continuing Education & Workforce Development, at (570) 340-6061.
Chamber Music Festival at Marywood University Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department will present a three-day Chamber Music Festival, September 24, 25,and 26. This festival, given by professional chamber musicians, is being presented as a “Welcome back to live performances festival” for the greater Scranton community. All concerts will be held in the Marian Chapel, Swartz Center, at Marywood University and are free and open to the public. The festival will include a weekend of outstanding chamber music, featuring Marywood music faculty and guest artists, including: Sophie Till and Jennifer Reuning Myers, violin; Christiane Appenheimner Vaida, cello; and Ron Stabinsky and Eun Sil Suh, piano. Sophie Till – ViolinJennifer Reuning Myers – ViolinChristiane Appenheimer Vaida – CelloRon Stabinsky – PianoEun Sil Sih – Piano The Chamber Music Festival’s featured concerts include: An Evening of Violin Duos (Friday, September 24, at 7 p.m.); An Evening of Trios by Women Composers (Saturday, September 25, at 7 p.m.); and Violin and Piano Duos (Sunday, September 26, at 1 p.m.). For additional about the Chamber Music Festival and other performances at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/mtd/events, or call (570) 348-6268.
Marywood Communication Sciences & Disorders Students Attend Career Day Students in Marywood University Communication Sciences and Disorders Program recently attended a Career Day at the Outreach Center for Community Resources. Highlighting various aspects of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions such as AAC, phonetics, language, and hearing, Marywood students engaged participants in hands-on learning activities during the event. Seated left to Right: Jackson LaBelle; Makenzie Reinhard; Marla Kovatch, Marywood University Assistant Professor of Practice; James Nehlig; and Katherine Yochim.
Marywood University Named a 2021-2022 College of Distinction Marywood University has been recognized nationally for its high-impact approach to education and its honorable commitment to engaged, experiential education by Colleges of Distinction, a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. As an institution whose primary goals are based on student success and satisfaction, Marywood confirms its honor as one of the renowned Colleges of Distinction. Colleges of Distinction boasts its longstanding support for student-centered schools that traditional rankings often overlook, advocating for schools whose undergraduate experiences are grounded in a philosophy of well-rounded, individualized engagement. Founder Wes Creel created Colleges of Distinction to draw more attention to schools like Marywood, whose student-centered education prevails in applying theory to practice while fostering a dynamic learning community. “Each school is different, just as every student is different,” said Creel. “There is no number-one college for everyone, so we never rank those in our cohort.” Marywood University’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. Marywood University also earned special recognition nationally among Catholic Universities and statewide among Pennsylvania Universities. Individual accolades include Colleges of Distinction’s national endorsements of Marywood’s academic programs in Business, Education, and Nursing, as well as its exceptional student support initiatives in Career Development and Military Support. These additional distinctions were borne out of a need for college curricula that are comprehensive not only in course material, but also in practical- and soft-skills development. Marywood University has met these needs with a blend of professional degrees, supported by a strong liberal arts education, program-specific training, and abundant opportunities for real-world application. Marywood also has excelled at having students graduate and enter the workforce with versatile skills; that’s why students attend Marywood—to discover their passion and realize their purpose. “We complete a thorough review of the programs in question before giving the awards,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction. “We’re looking for such qualities as accreditation, breadth of program, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how Marywood University really exemplifies these qualities.” He continued, “Marywood has created a welcoming environment for underserved students. It’s a tremendous opportunity to highlight the noteworthy support offered for students who might not otherwise study and thrive on a college campus.” To view Marywood University’s profile, or to find more information about the innovative learning experiences it offers, visit collegesofdistinction.com/school/marywood-university/.
Marywood’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department Notes 100 Percent Pass Rate & Gold Chapter Honors Marywood University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) recently garnered two noteworthy accolades, including a perfect pass rate on the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology by its recent graduates and Gold Chapter Honors by its campus chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). Both are repeat, multi-year accomplishments for program graduates and students. The 2021 graduating class from the Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) achieved 100 percent pass rate on the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, which is required for certification as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensure in all states. The CSD Department currently has a multi-year average of 100 percent for passing the National Examination of its SLP graduates within one year of graduation. The National NSSLHA Executive Council recently informed the Marywood NSSLHA Chapter that the chapter had once again earned Gold Chapter Honors, with this most recent honor occurring during the 2020-2021 academic year. Chapters who earn Gold Honors are credited for “increasing awareness of communication disorders among state and federal legislators and across communities; supporting clients, students, and organizations in their community; creating vibrant online conversations in the NSSLHA Community; providing monetary donations to support various organizations in the community and scholarships for students in CSD programs.” This past year, the Marywood NSSLHA Chapter provided monetary donations and community service to the Alzheimer’s Association. Donations were also made to the Pacer Pantry, and service was provided throughout the community. Andrea Novak, associate professor of practice in the CSD Department and faculty advisor for the Marywood NSSLHA Chapter, stated, “Our students go above and beyond to provide service, whether it be on Marywood’s campus or in the community. They are such a unique group of individuals who are always looking for ways to serve.” Marywood’s NSSLHA chapter consists of approximately 50 student members from the undergraduate CSD and graduate SLP programs. Officers for the 2020-2021 academic year were: Katelyn Gjini, President (Ramsey, NJ); Nicole Koestler, Vice-President (Hazlet, NJ); Hannah Longacre, Secretary (Chambersburg, PA); Alaina Brenneman, Treasurer (Scranton, PA).
Marywood University Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Esports Center Marywood University will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new state-of-the-art Esports Center on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 3 p.m., at the Esports Center, in the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus. This event is free and open to the media and invited guests. Light fare will be served. At the ribbon cutting, Marywood University dignitaries, including Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president; Lisa Lori, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees; and Paul Capoccia, director of the Esports program, will present the new NEPA premier Esports Center to the public. Sister Catherine Luxner, IHM, vice president for mission services, will offer a blessing, in the Marywood tradition, of the Esports Center. Marywood University’s Esports Center features 30 gaming stations, a workspace for broadcast (webcams, microphones), lounge area for team meetings and coaching sessions, coaching tools including smart tvs and white-board set-up, futuristic high-tech lighting, and a WOW factor that will entice all users of the facility. The Esports program at Marywood blends function and practicality into an exciting premier gaming center. With function at its highest level, Marywood will also establish a welcoming culture in which students can interact and be supported. Visiting students and those competing will have a powerful experience. For additional information about the Esports Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, or for questions about the Esports program, please visit marywood.edu/esports, or contact Paul Capoccia, director the Esports program at Marywood University, at pcapoccia@marywood.edu.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grants Support Marywood University Health and Wellness Initiatives Marywood University has received two grants from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the University’s comprehensive Health and Wellness initiatives. Marywood, ranked among the 2021 Best Allied Health Professions Schools according to Health Care Degree Search, prepares its Health and Wellness students for a variety of healthcare fields. The first of these grants supported students participating in “The Healthcare Discovery Camp: An Interprofessional Camp,” which ran from June 29-July 1. This program offered middle school and high school students an opportunity to learn more about a variety of healthcare fields and how each discipline works together to provide optimum care for their clients. The second grant, in the amount of $79,054, will support Marywood’s College of Health and Human Services in the purchase of a Laerdal SimMom Birthing Simulator. The equipment will be used by the Nursing and Physician Assistant Programs. This advanced full body simulator, with accurate anatomy and functionality, will facilitate training for teaching prenatal, birthing and postpartum care, and will allow students to gain more experience with more complex and unpredictable circumstances that may not be common in a traditional hospital setting. The healthcare field is rapidly growing, demanding well-prepared professionals and practitioners. Marywood University’s comprehensive focus on health and wellness programs, including nearly 30 programs of study, prepares students for these in-demand careers. For additional information about the Health and Wellness programs at Marywood University, please contact the Office of Admissions at www.marywood.edu/admissions/, or call (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University Honors Jim and Cathy Gavin for Inspiring Social Justice Marywood University’s Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration, Inspiring Social Justice, took place on Thursday, June 10, 2021, and honored Jim and Cathy Gavin of Scranton. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden to celebrate as Marywood proudly bestowed the Lead On Award to Jim and Cathy Gavin, honoring them for their community leadership, their selfless work for the benefit of Marywood students and the greater community, and for making our area a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Guests of the event were welcomed by Richard McLane, bagpiper. Entertainment was provided by Isabella Snyder ’22, student vocalist, accompanied by Stephen Murphy, pianist and vocalist. Barbara Cawley ’63 and Mary Ellen Coleman ’68, served as committee co-chairs of the event. Funds raised at this year’s Community Leadership Celebration (CLC) exceeded $325,000. To date the CLC has raised nearly 3 million dollars. Marywood University’s CLC event provides special support to Marywood students. Proceeds from this year’s event, as in the past three years, will support the President’s Innovation Fund, a fund that supports Marywood students through initiatives that enhance the academic experience in the IHM tradition. The Gavins have had a lifelong relationship with the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, beginning in grade school at Chapel and Holy Rosary schools in the 1950s. This relationship has flourished over several decades. Mr. Gavin graduated from the University of Scranton in 1971, following three years of active military service. He earned graduate degrees in Social Work and Management from Marywood in 1973 and 1985. A professional social worker, Mr. Gavin worked in the behavioral health field for 47 years in clinical as well as management positions. He recently retired after 21 years as President/CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, a UPMC insurance company, and is currently a Senior Advisor to executive leadership. Elected to Marywood University’s Board of Trustees in 2014, Mr. Gavin is a member of various committees serving as Treasurer and Chair of Finance since 2016. Mrs. Gavin began a lifelong career in the restaurant business at Stirna’s Restaurant in 1967. After a short stay at The Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency she returned to her true passion, Stirna’s Restaurant. In 1980, with the support and assistance of a friend and attorney, she purchased the business and remains its sole proprietor today. During the next 40 years, Mrs. Gavin began and managed what is today a thriving catering business. She also negotiated and managed the food service contract for Lackawanna College. In 2008, on the 100th Anniversary of Stirna’s Restaurant, and with the help of her son, Michael, she totally renovated the West Market Street facility. Today, the restaurant and catering business continue to thrive under their management and supervision. During Jim and Cathy’s fifty years of marriage, their focus has been on family, church, and community. They have two children, Kate and Michael, and two grandchildren, Gavin and Grace. They are proud members of the Gavin/Walsh families, who are collectively committed to the missions and work of the IHM Congregation. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gavin are active on numerous boards dedicated to the health and welfare of the citizens in Lackawanna and Allegheny counties. To learn more about Marywood University’s Annual Community Leadership Celebration, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call (570) 348-6238.
Marywood University Professor Co-Authors Article Sunny Sinha, Ph.D., associate professor in Marywood University’s School of Social Work, recently co-authored an article titled, “Community-Based Strategies for Harm Reduction Among Sex Workers in Kolkata, India.” In the article, Dr. Sinha and her co-author explore research that was conducted with diverse groups of sex workers in India as well as around the globe, which has shown that decriminalizing sex work can promote the health, safety, and security of sex workers. Nonetheless, in many countries, including India, legislations criminalizing buying of sex—that is punishing clients of sex workers—have gained momentum with the accompanying rationale of rescuing/saving women trapped in sex work. These legislations ignore the reality that sex work is an economically viable vocation for a majority of women, men, and transgender people in India—especially when compared to low-paying jobs with long, fixed hours of work. Consequently, such legislations have also not deterred people from choosing sex work as a livelihood option. In addition, little information is available about the community-based harm reduction responses. In addition to her role as an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Marywood University, Dr. Sinha is also a Fahs-Beck Scholar, a doctoral dissertation grant program that helps support dissertation expenses of students in the U.S. and Canada. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Social Work form the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Her research and scholarship focus on a wide range of global issues, including HIV prevention, trafficking, and issues related to gender, race, class, and sexuality. She has published mostly on the issues of non-brothel-based female sex workers in Kolkata, India. Dr. Sinha is also the recipient of the Michael H. Agar Lively Science Award for 2018. For additional information about Marywood University’s School of Social Work, please visit marywood.edu/ssw, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234. To read the paper, “Community-Based Strategies for Harm Reduction Among Sex Workers in Kolkata, India,” please visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-021-00588-5#author-information.
Marywood University Announces New VP for Finance and Administration Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, announced that William McDonald has been appointed by the board of trustees as the university’s new vice president for finance and administration (VPFA), effective July 1, 2021. In his new role as Marywood’s VPFA, Mr. McDonald will serve as the university’s chief financial officer and will oversee a range of administrative and business operations that support Marywood and facilitate the advancement of its academic mission. He will be a key member of the executive leadership team, helping to define the strategic direction of the institution and providing leadership in the development and implementation of its financial and administrative infrastructure, along with its operational procedures. “Bill is a seasoned vice president and has a thorough working knowledge of all the fiscal and related operations of an institution of higher education,” said Sister Mary Persico. “He resonates strongly with our mission and culture.” Mr. McDonald comes to Marywood from Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, N.J., where he focused his entire career on higher education finance, planning, and administration. During his more than three decades at Bloomfield, he worked his way through the ranks in fiscal roles and responsibilities, beginning as an accountant and ultimately becoming the institution’s vice president for finance and administration. Mr. McDonald’s sound financial and administrative management during his career at Bloomfield resulted in operating efficiencies, revenue enhancements, and cost reductions in the areas of finance, technology, recruitment and retention, facilities, and vendor negotiations. His work and dedication have been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from Bloomfield College, a Gold Award from the Downtown N.J. Excellence Awards for Franklin Street Residence Hall, and a Development Recognition Award from the Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Mr. McDonald twice merited the Dedicated Service Award from Livingston National Little League and Softball. His community affiliations include the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus-Military Wounded & Veterans Project. Mr. McDonald was previously involved in the Bloomfield Business Advisory Board, Livingston American/National Little League and Softball, and Project Children. Mr. McDonald holds a master of science degree in management from Thomas Edison State College (Trenton, N.J.) and a bachelor of science degree in accounting and administration with a concentration in finance, from Bloomfield College (Bloomfield, N.J.) Additionally, he completed the College Business Management Institute Program of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers at the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.)
