The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Resident Appointed as AMA Delegate Dr. Urvashi “Urvi” Pandit, a resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency Program, was appointed to represent the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) as a delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Resident Section. Dr. Pandit, who is completing the third and final year of her residency at Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., will serve in this role through Sept. 30, 2025. During that time, she will work with members of the AAFP staff and attend the AMA Interim Meeting in November in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and the annual meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in June in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Pandit was inspired to apply for the position after attending the AMA Annual Meeting in June 2024 as a resident representative of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, where she now also serves as co-chair of the Early Career Physicians Section. “I look forward to serving as the collective voice of family medicine residents and advocating for the specialty in this new role,” she said. “I am applying for a postgraduate fellowship in health policy and plan to use my training in a teaching health center and public health and research, and my experiences at the AMA to help inform any future work I may do in the graduate medical education space and, more broadly, in advocating for primary care.” Her appointment was recommended by the AAFP Commission on Education and confirmed by the Board of Directors. AAFP’s mission is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving members’ needs with professionalism and creativity. “The faculty and I are very proud of Dr. Pandit for stepping into a national leadership role to represent family medicine and her resident colleagues at the American Medical Association,” said Dr. Lawrence LeBeau, program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency Program. “It’s another great example of how our residents are fulfilling the mission of The Wright Center and our National Family Medicine Residency Program by being strong advocates for their profession and the communities they serve.”
Scranton Counseling Center Receives Grant Scranton Counseling Center (SCC) has been awarded a $300,000, 3-year grant from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, in collaboration with the Moses Taylor Foundation and AllOne Foundation and Charities. This grant will support the expansion of SCC’s Employee Assistance Program, providing counseling to our direct-service staff as well as focusing on physical wellness, mindfulness and professional training for non-direct service staff. With over 260 employees, Scranton Counseling Center serves over 9,000 consumers in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and surrounding counties each year. Staff often suffer from compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout. It is our goal with this grant to provide the tools necessary for all staff to live healthier lives, reduce stress and burnout, and have the opportunity to grow through attending in-house seminars. We are very thankful for the NEPA Health Care Foundation for recognizing the importance of providing employee mental and behavioral health services and for this grant which will allow us to impact the lives of all our staff.
Geisinger Health Plan announces Medicare Advantage plans for 2025 Seniors have until Dec. 7 to sign up for a plan that helps fill coverage gaps Geisinger Health Plan announced its Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans for 2025 include benefits designed to make better health easier for its members with premiums starting as low as $0 per month. “Health care should be at the top of everyone’s mind — especially seniors,” said Kurt Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan president. “Now is the time for older adults to review their Medicare coverage plans for 2025. Everyone’s health looks different, which is why Geisinger Gold offers plans that fill the gaps that might be missing in their current coverage. People can live healthier lives when they have access to extra services and programs that make managing health easier and more affordable.” The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7, providing a seven-week window for eligible seniors to evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2025. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, prescription benefits and long-term care. As an added perk, all Geisinger Gold plan members can join Geisinger 65 Forward, a program that delivers concierge care focused on older adults. At a 65 Forward Health Center, members enjoy: Same-day appointments to see the doctor faster Longer 1:1 time with the doctor Social and educational activities A personal wellness plan, including state-of-the-art fitness equipment, exercise classes and wellness coordinators Access to mental health resources, including therapists and online tools Geisinger’s program data indicates participation in programs like 65 Forward lowers emergency room visits by 40% and lowers inpatient admissions by 15%. Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans.
Geisinger’s Pediatric Neurologist Recognized for Patient Advocate Award Anne Marie Morse, DO, director of pediatric neurology and pediatric sleep medicine at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, was recognized with the Patient Advocate Award by the organization Wake Up Narcolepsy. The award is given to individuals who have touched the lives of patients living with narcolepsy and other rare sleep disorders and who have set a high benchmark for their unwavering commitment to patient partnership and advocacy for health and well-being of children and adults living with narcolepsy. Dr. Morse is passionate about the need for transformational healthcare change that empowers the patient and delivers on achieving outcomes that the patient values. She executes on this belief using channels within the healthcare system and through research, but also via social media platforms, public appearances and patient interactions and partnerships. “My commitment and mission for healthcare progress starts and ends with the person on their own healthcare journey. Every effort is centered on empowering people living with any chronic disease, but especially those living with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia,” Dr. Morse said. “My intention is to augment understanding, awareness and knowledge, while combating stigma about sleep disorders. And finally, I want to advance care through personalized treatment that allows every patient to live fully despite a chronic medical condition trying to limit them.” Dr. Morse has been the director of pediatric neurology since 2018 and has grown the department from 5 providers to 15 to serve more families throughout the region. She also created and is the director of the Department of Pediatric Sleep Medicine and is the program director for the child neurology residency program. Her commitment to growth and development extends into the community. She founded with her pediatric residents a program called LEAP (Launching the Empowerment of Adolscents Program), with a mission to provide social support and decrease stigma for teens living with a chronic disease. She created a school-based program called Wake Up and Learn that empowers teens, families and schools to learn about using sleep as a tool for wellness, health and performance and helps identify teens struggling with sleep wake difficulties. The program has been a success in many central Pennslyvania middle and high schools. She replicated this success with the development of Sleep to Be Well, a-first-in-the-country program that educates people about sleep as a resource for better health. Morse received the award during Wake Up Narcolepsy’s Shadows to Light Gala held in New York City on Sept. 20. Wake Up Narcolepsy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving narcolepsy awareness, education and research toward improved treatments and finding a cure.
Scranton Counseling Center Drives Change with New Subaru Scranton Counseling Center (SCC) was awarded grants from the Moses Taylor Foundation and MileOneCares, the philanthropic arm of MotorWorld|MileOne Autogroup, to purchase a 2025 Subaru Legacy for SCC’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. Since this is a fully community-based program, ACT team members will use the car to travel to consumer appointments. ACT is a way of delivering a full range of services to people who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. ACT’s goal is to give consumers adequate community care and to help them have a life that is not dominated by their mental illness. With ACT, consumers get help taking care of all their needs to maintain a happy, healthy and safe life in the community. This includes a full range of services, such as medication management, medical oversight, therapy, drug and alcohol treatment, peer support, vocational and educational counseling, housing support, crisis services and any other services that would be beneficial and desired by the consumer. Pictured L to R: Janice Mecca, ACT Program Director and Doug Hein, SCC Director of Development. We are very thankful to MileOneCares and the Moses Taylor Foundation for their continued support of our programs and staff.
Geisinger Going Pink, Hosting Health Talks to Combat Breast Cancer The system will also deploy mobile mammogram bus This October, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Geisinger is doing its part to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection. Geisinger hospitals across central Pennsylvania will be lit up in pink, and the mobile mammogram bus will bring screenings to patients in underserved communities. Geisinger will also sponsor two free public education events: PA Health Talk: Genetics and Risk of Developing Breast Cancer will be held virtually Oct. 9 from 6 – 7 p.m. PA Health Talk: Comprehensive breast care, a discussion of breast cancer prevention and treatment, will be held at Geisinger Woodbine, 16 Woodbine Lane, Danville, Oct. 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. A virtual link will be available. To register for either PA Health Talk, visit events.geisinger.org. The pink mobile mammogram bus will be available at the following locations: Sept. 30 – Oct. 4: 1525 N. Church St., Hazle Township Oct. 7 – 11: 1 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville Oct. 14 – 18: 35 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top Oct. 21 – 25: 1 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville Oct. 28 – Nov. 1: 1525 N. Church St., Hazle Township Patients can schedule mammograms through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-271-6000. “Early detection is one of the best ways to win the battle against breast cancer,” said Robin Skrine, M.D., director of breast health for Geisinger. “The American Society of Breast Surgeons and other leading health groups agree that lives are saved through annual mammograms beginning at age 40 — or earlier if there’s a history of breast cancer or other risk factors in a patient’s medical history.” Along with scheduling mammograms, Dr. Skrine urged women to attend the PA Health Talks to learn more about breast cancer and genetic risks. To learn more about breast cancer care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/breastcare.
Don’t Miss Pennsylvania Senate Debate Live on NEXSTAR! NEXSTAR to host an exclusive live telecast of the debate between the candidates for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania on October 3 AT 8 P.M. ET Nexstar Media Group, Inc. announced today that it will host an exclusive live multi-market telecast of a debate featuring the candidates for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania. Democrat Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick have committed to attend and all candidates who meet eligibility criteria will be invited to participate. “DEBATE NIGHT IN PENNSYLVANIA: RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE” will take place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET, at the studios of WHTM/abc27 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and will be telecast and live streamed across the Commonwealth. Nexstar’s cable news network, NewsNation, will carry a simulcast of the debate nationwide. The one-hour debate will be available via broadcast or digital live stream to every Pennsylvania voter in every county of the state. The debate will bring together millions of viewers and will air on six Nexstar-owned or operated local stations serving the state: WHTM-TV (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster, Lebanon, York, WPHL-TV (CW) in Philadelphia, WTAJ-TV (CBS) in Johnstown/Altoona/State College, WBRE-TV (NBC) in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, WFXP-TV (FOX) in Erie, and WYTV-TV (ABC) in Youngstown, OH. In Pittsburgh, the debate will be carried by KDKA+. WETM2 in Elmira, New York, will live stream the debate, as will PIX11.com in New York City. Additionally, all radio stations throughout the Commonwealth will be provided free access to the debate. The debate will be moderated by WHTM/abc27 News anchor Dennis Owens, who will pose questions to the candidates focused on local and regional issues impacting communities across Pennsylvania. The election for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 5th. Voters must register to vote by October 21st. To register to vote, please visit https://www.vote.pa.gov/Register-to-Vote. For more information regarding the upcoming elections, including early voting dates, polling locations and voter identification requirements, please visit https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov. Anyone requesting media access should contact Leisha Beard at lbeard@abc27.com Your Local Election Headquarters: Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Senate Debate Thursday, October 3, 2024 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EDT The U.S. Senate Debate will be carried on the following stations and websites: Station Network Market Station Website Social WHTM-TV ABC Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, PA Abc27.com @abc27news WETMNBCElmiramytwintiers.com@wetm18newsWFXP-TVFOXErie, PAYourErie.com@jetfoxyourerieWYTV-TVABCYoungstown, OHWytv.com@33wytvWBRE-TVNBCScranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, PAPahomepage.com@eyewitnessnewstvWTAJ-TVCBSJohnstown, Altoona, State College, PAWearecentralpa.com@wtajtvWPHL-TVCWPhiladelphia, PAPhl17.com@phl17KDKA+INDPittsburgh, PA Kdka.com @kdka WPIX-TVCWNew York City Pix11.comPIX11+ stream WIVBCBSBuffalo, NYWIVB.com@wivb
Greater Scranton YMCA Appoints Next President & CEO On September 26, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Board of Directors appointed Rich Surridge as the organization’s next President & CEO. Rich has worked at the Greater Scranton YMCA for 17 years, beginning his YMCA career in July of 2007. During his time with the YMCA, Rich served in various roles at the Greater Scranton YMCA and Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA. Previous to being appointed President & CEO in September and Interim CEO in June, Rich served as the Greater Scranton YMCA’s CFO from 2007-2015; the CFO for both the Greater Scranton YMCA and the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA from 2015-2021; and, most recently, the CFO and COO at the Greater Scranton YMCA from 2021 through June of this year. “On behalf of the board of directors, we are thrilled to name Rich as President and CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA,” said Megan Wolff Galko, Chief Volunteer Officer, Greater Scranton YMCA. “His passion and dedication to the Y makes him the perfect person to continue our legacy of serving a critical need within the Northeast PA community by offering healthy meals for children and seniors, training in water safety, encouraging healthy habits, and offering a safe place for residents of all ages to spend time with their friends.” As President & CEO, Rich’s primary focus will be ensuring the Greater Scranton YMCA’s successful operation, including membership, program development, volunteer recruitment, staff supervision, community relations, collaborations, budgeting, and financial results. “I am honored to serve as the next President & CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA,” said Rich. “I will work diligently to not only continue the important work of our YMCA, but also to grow our programs to meet the changing needs of our community. Working alongside our dedicated staff team, I am so excited to be a part of the impact the Greater Scranton YMCA will continue to make on the lives of children, adults and families from across our community.”
Greater Scranton YMCA Announces Retirement of President The Greater Scranton YMCA announces the retirement of its esteemed President & CEO, Trish Fisher, due to health concerns. Trish’s unwavering dedication to the development of the Greater Scranton YMCA during her ten years of service will forever be appreciated, and they express gratitude for her. During Trish’s tenure, the Greater Scranton YMCA underwent nearly $10 million in capital improvements, including the renovation of the welcome center and the creation of a commercial kitchen, teaching kitchen, universal locker room, power cycling room and more. Under Trish’s leadership, enrollment in its Early Childhood Education Programs has more than tripled, which motivated the opening of its second Early Learning Center in Olyphant in April of this year. The YMCA’s membership has also tripled during this time, fully rebounding from the hardships incurred during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Throughout the pandemic, Trish was proud to continue paying all staff, even during the times when the facility was forced to shut down. Since Trish joined the Greater Scranton YMCA, $10,963,376 has been raised to support these efforts and continue fulfilling the mission of turning no one away for an inability to pay. Trish played an integral role in the establishment of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-Round Food Program, which provides daily breakfast, lunch and snacks to the children in their care. Understanding the importance of year-round education for all children, Trish spearheaded the implementation of the Summer Scholars Program at the Mid Valley and Dunmore School Districts. The program operates for six-weeks during the summer months, is free of charge and is targeted to rising first, second and third grade students who are struggling with reading. The members, staff, and volunteers are profoundly grateful to Trish for her cause-driven leadership and wish her all the health and happiness in the world as she enters her well-deserved retirement!
