Moses Taylor Foundation Hosts Biennial Event, Recognizes Leadership Moses Taylor Foundation Hosts Biennial Event and Honors Teri Ooms with the Douglas G. Allen Leadership Award Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, hosted its biennial meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation, shared a strategic update on the Foundation’s four focus areas of Health Care Access and Quality, Older Adult Health, School-Based Health and Nonprofit Effectiveness. Pictured L-R: Douglas G. Allen, Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moses Taylor Foundation; Teri Ooms, President & CEO, The Institute Teri Ooms, President & CEO of The Institute, was recognized as the recipient of the Douglas G. Allen Leadership Award. The award was established in 2019 to honor Doug Allen’s 35 years of leadership as Chair of the Moses Taylor Foundation Board of Directors. It is awarded biennially to a community leader who shares in his commitment to improving the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Ooms has led The Institute — a non-profit research organization dedicated to identifying opportunities, issues, and challenges unique to the region and finding innovative ways to solve problems — since its inception twenty years ago. Under her leadership, The Institute has become an integral support for regional nonprofits and legislators, providing the unbiased local data necessary to create jobs, programs, and legislative changes. At the event, Allen spoke of Ooms noting, “Teri approaches her work humbly and with a genuine commitment to the betterment of our area. She is always generous with both her time and knowledge, and on behalf of the Board and staff, I am delighted to recognize Teri today.”
Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes New Finance Director Emily Clifford, CPA, has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Finance Director. Over the past decade, Clifford honed her skillset as a Certified Public Accountant at MMQ & Associates, P.C., working closely with many of the area’s nonprofits. She earned a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wilkes University’s Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. “In addition to more than a decade of experience serving local nonprofits with audit and tax services, Emily is a lifelong resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania with deep community roots. As Finance Director, she is responsible for managing and implementing all aspects of the Foundation’s accounting and investment functions. I am confident she will provide the leadership and expertise necessary to continue to advance our mission,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. Clifford will also support the Foundation’s payroll/human resources, grants management, and activities related to previous hospital system business. She assumed her responsibilities in late August 2024.
Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes New CFOO Tom Bisignani has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Chief Financial and Operations Officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the Foundation’s financial and business operations, along with supporting strategy development, program implementation, and grants management within the Foundation’s 11-county service area. Bisignani is a highly accomplished, results-driven financial executive with 20 years of experience in hospital operations and finance. He brings notable expertise in the healthcare sector with demonstrated success in blending quality and fiscal management to improve outcomes and satisfaction for physicians, patients, and team members. Most recently, Bisignani served as Commonwealth Health’s Market Chief Financial Officer – Scranton Market, overseeing fiscal operations for its two-hospital integrated healthcare delivery system and Physicians Health Alliance. Bisignani previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. “Tom has built an impressive career in healthcare leadership and is deeply familiar with our regional community health needs. In this new role, Tom will provide leadership and expertise as we continue to advance the Foundation’s mission across our service area,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. Bisignani assumes this role in advance of the planned July 14, 2023, retirement of the Foundation’s long-time Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Kelly, Jr. Bisignani holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Scranton. He assumed his responsibilities at Moses Taylor Foundation on June 12, 2023.
Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes Tom Bisignani as CFOO Tom Bisignani has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Chief Financial and Operations Officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the Foundation’s financial and business operations, along with supporting strategy development, program implementation, and grants management within the Foundation’s 11-county service area. Bisignani is a highly accomplished, results-driven financial executive with 20 years of experience in hospital operations and finance. He brings notable expertise in the healthcare sector with demonstrated success in blending quality and fiscal management to improve outcomes and satisfaction for physicians, patients, and team members. Most recently, Bisignani served as Commonwealth Health’s Market Chief Financial Officer – Scranton Market, overseeing fiscal operations for its two-hospital integrated healthcare delivery system and Physicians Health Alliance. Bisignani previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. “Tom has built an impressive career in healthcare leadership and is deeply familiar with our regional community health needs. In this new role, Tom will provide leadership and expertise as we continue to advance the Foundation’s mission across our service area,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. Bisignani assumes this role in advance of the planned July 14, 2023, retirement of the Foundation’s long-time Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Kelly, Jr. Bisignani holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Scranton. He assumed his responsibilities at Moses Taylor Foundation on June 12, 2023. Moses Taylor Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to building healthy communities and providing opportunities for people in Northeastern Pennsylvania to lead healthier lives. The Foundation was endowed in 2012 with the net proceeds from the Moses Taylor Health Care System sale to Community Health Systems of Franklin, Tennessee. Since its formation, the Foundation has grown to support approximately $4 million in annual grantmaking in Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. For more information, visit www.mosestaylorfoundation.org.
Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes Program Officer Lisa Savero-Mooney has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Program Officer. In this role, she will direct and oversee Moses Taylor Foundation’s community needs responsive grantmaking portfolio within the Foundation’s 11-county service area. Grantmaking priority areas under Savero-Mooney’s direction will include primary healthcare, mental health and behavioral health, dental care and oral health, healthcare workforce, and human services. Savero-Mooney will also provide support as needed to the Foundation’s capacity building, supporting school-based health, and reducing older adult isolation initiatives. Savero-Mooney built her career in the nonprofit, health, and human services sectors. Most recently, she served as Scranton Primary Health Care Center’s Compliance Director, lending her expertise to mission-focused quality and continuous improvement initiatives. Before joining Scranton Primary, Savero-Mooney spent nine years at United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties, establishing strong professional relationships with community partners and the regional community. As United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties’ Director of Education, Savero-Mooney was directly responsible for every aspect of the organization’s education work, including its Success By 6 community-wide initiative and the development of robust collaboratives and campaigns. “As a native of Northeastern PA, Lisa is deeply committed to this community. Her career has focused on strengthening and enhancing the quality of life for all, particularly the most underserved. We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to Moses Taylor Foundation, and I’m excited for her to continue expanding her professional impact as part of our team,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. Savero-Mooney holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services Administration from the University of Scranton. She assumed her responsibilities at Moses Taylor Foundation on March 20, 2023.
Johnson College Receives Grant Johnson College has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the development of a new Biomedical Equipment Technology laboratory to be housed in the new campus gateway building, Ideal Saldi Hall. The new laboratory will provide critical hands-on learning on the latest technology available and in use throughout the region in healthcare facilities. The program trains students as entry-level biomedical technicians with medical terminology and human physiology principles, as well as the maintenance and support, planning, and installation of medical equipment according to standards and guidelines. The future promises revolutionary advancements in the biomedical equipment technology industry. New technology such as 3D printing, computer miniaturization, and nanotechnology, will provide exciting new opportunities for biomedical equipment technology graduates. The construction of the new gateway building is one of the four pillars of the College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work. The building will highlight students’ future career potential by showcasing various industry training opportunities within classroom and laboratory spaces such as a Biomedical Equipment Technology laboratory. In recognition of its support, the new biomedical equipment technology laboratory will be named in honor of the Foundation. Campus visitors will have the opportunity to see students actively learning within the new lab through large glass viewing areas. The two-year Biomedical Equipment Technology associate degree program prepares students as entry-level biomedical technicians with skills training that include medical terminology and human physiology principles, as well as the maintenance and support, planning and acquisition, and installation of medical equipment according to standards and guidelines.
Moses Taylor Foundation Announces New Board Officers Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has announced its newly-elected officers for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The officers were elected at the Foundation’s annual meeting in June and will assume their roles beginning July 1, 2022. William R. Lazor, CPA/PFS, CFE, has been elected Chair of the Board. Lazor joined the Foundation as a board member in January 2016 and served as Vice Chair from July 2019-June 2022. Along with his service to Moses Taylor Foundation, Lazor has contributed in a variety of roles within local government and nonprofit sectors to ensure appropriate oversight and stewardship of resources. As a director with the certified public accounting firm of Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co. PC, he concentrates in the area of taxation, with expertise in local and multi-state taxation. Lazor earned his bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from Wilkes University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania and New York. Lazor assumes the role of Chair following the tenure of Judge Robert A. Mazzoni, who served in the role from July 2019-June 2022. Mazzoni will remain on the Foundation’s board as a general director. Maria Marsili, Esq., has been elected as Vice Chair of the Board and will also Chair the Governance Committee. Marsili is one of the Foundation’s original board members, beginning her service in 2012. She is currently a Vice President and Special Assets Officer at First National Bank of Pennsylvania while maintaining a limited private law practice. Marsili is a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Scranton and has served on the boards of directors of NeighborWorks NEPA, Moses Taylor Health Care System, and Mid-Valley Hospital. Kimberly Santarsiero has been re-appointed to the role of Treasurer. Santarsiero joined the Foundation’s board in January 2016 and has contributed her time and expertise to many local nonprofit organizations, including St. Joseph’s Center and Dress for Success Lackawanna. Santarsiero is an Investment Executive for the Santarsiero Investment Group at LPL Financial in Dunmore and has provided financial planning and investment management services for individuals, businesses, pension funds, foundations, and endowments for the past 20 years. Mary F. Sewatsky, M.D., has been re-appointed as the Foundation’s Secretary. Dr. Sewatsky has served on the Foundation’s board since its inception in 2012 and, prior to the appointment of the Foundation’s current President and CEO in 2022, led the organization as Interim President and CEO for eight months. Sewatsky earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and has served the Northeastern Pennsylvania community as an internal medicine physician and community-minded servant leader for decades. She is an affiliate faculty member of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and volunteers her time and talents with multiple organizations. “The Moses Taylor Foundation has been through tremendous change during the past two years, including a leadership transition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his role as Board Chair, Judge Mazzoni directed the organization during this period, and I am grateful for his leadership and his plans to continue serving as a board member. I appreciate Mr. Lazor’s acceptance of the Board Chair role and Ms. Marsili’s willingness to step into an officer role as Vice Chair. Mr. Lazor and Ms. Marsili are sincerely dedicated to the mission and vision of the organization and will capably guide the Foundation, complemented by the continued service of Dr. Sewatsky and Ms. Santarsiero,” stated Danielle Breslin, President and CEO, Moses Taylor Foundation. In response to his recent appointment, Lazor shared, “As a lifelong resident of the area, it is important to me to give back to my community in a variety of ways. Moses Taylor Foundation works with nonprofits throughout NEPA that are providing necessary services to those living in 11 counties. I am honored and look forward to continuing my work with the board and staff in this new role; and, most importantly, continuing to build healthy communities.” Moses Taylor Foundation’s officers hold their positions for a one-year term and may be re-elected.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grant To Support Addition of Birthing Simulator at Marywood University A grant of $79,054 from the Moses Taylor Foundation is supporting the addition of a Laerdal SimMom Birthing Simulator at Marywood University, which will enable the University to better prepare nursing and physician assistant students for entry to practice.
Moses Taylor Foundation Board Approves Grant for Lackawanna College Scholarships The Moses Taylor Foundation Board of Directors has approved a five-year grant of $250,000 to support Lackawanna College students pursuing degrees in Health Sciences and Human Services. This gift established the Moses Taylor Foundation Annual Scholarship in honor of LaTida Smith, the Foundation’s President and CEO from 2015 to 2021. The Foundation and Lackawanna College have a successful history of collaborating to improve the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania residents. This generous contribution will provide scholarships to support the success of students preparing for health and human services positions in our region.
Moses Taylor Foundation Names New President and CEO Philanthropy executive Danielle Breslin has been appointed as President and CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Breslin has more than 25 years of experience optimizing health outcomes, with a focus on historically marginalized communities. Throughout her career, she has built an extensive network within the healthcare, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Currently, Breslin is Vice President of Operations and Learning for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation experienced significant growth resulting in a robust portfolio of more than 1,200 grants with $173.8 million invested in communities across North Carolina. Before she transitioned into philanthropy, Breslin spent six years within the Health Care Services Division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “Danielle’s qualifications and experience are exceptional, but more importantly, her heart and passion for philanthropy and her dedication to those she is entrusted to serve will raise the work of the Moses Taylor Foundation to the next level,” said Maria Marsili, Search Committee Chair. “We believe she is the perfect fit to guide the Foundation and work with our community partners to continue ongoing initiatives and identify and address exciting new philanthropic opportunities for generations to come.” Breslin is a graduate of Leadership North Carolina, a Fellow of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations’ Change Leaders in Philanthropy, and a Fellow of the Southeastern Council of Foundation’s Hull Leadership Program. She has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, Farmer Foodshare, and Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal Pines. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to work alongside the Moses Taylor Foundation Board and staff to build upon their outstanding reputation and to advance the important work happening throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Breslin. “The organization’s core values mirror my own, and we share a foundational commitment to listening to, and learning alongside, the communities we serve. I am thrilled for what lies ahead and look forward to making this area my home for years to come.” Breslin will assume her responsibilities as President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation on March 14, 2022. For more information, visit www.mosestaylorfoundation.org.
