Geisinger Doctors Recognized as America’s Best Vascular Surgeons Geisinger Vascular surgeons James Elmore, M.D., and Christopher DeMaioribus, M.D., were named to Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Best Vascular Surgeons list for 2024. The recognized physicians were announced on June 12. “Our vascular teams continue to deliver the highest quality of care every day, and these recognitions are a testament to our physicians who continue to make better health easier for our patients in central and northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Alfred S. Casale, M.D., chief medical officer Surgical Services and chair of the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute. The list was compiled using the following four data points: Physician performance data from Medicare An online survey of medical experts A quality-of-care score from peers of each surgeon Consideration of their American Board of Surgery certifications This is the first time Newsweek and Statista have recognized the top vascular surgeons. To learn more about vascular surgery at Geisinger, visit geisigner.org/vascular.
UNC Receives Support for Pine Brook Revitalization United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received an investment of $300,000 from Coterra Energy through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This annual contribution of $50,000 for six years will help rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook community, which is a designated Elm Street Community through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program. Photo attached L-R: Martin Fotta, UNC Chief Operating Officer; Lisa Durkin, UNC Chief Executive Officer; and William desRosiers, Manager of External Affairs for Coterra Energy.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In June, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $7,000 Youth Sports Access Grant from YMCA of the USA. Grant funding will be utilized to provide 125 children with one free session (one month) of youth sports programming. Funding will also support the purchase of much-needed youth sports equipment, including equipment for youth basketball, youth soccer and youth pickleball. Through this project, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to increase access and equity in youth sports. Thus, scholarships for low-income and/or underserved youth 14 and under will be prioritized. “Here at the Y, we believe all children should have equal access to youth sports,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “For many families, though, the financial resources are not available. Thanks to grant funding from YMCA of the USA, we are so proud to provide children in our community with the resources needed to participate in youth sports programming at our YMCA.” The Greater Scranton YMCA has created a form that families who are interested in participating in youth sports can complete. After 125 responses have been received, the YMCA will close the form. The form will open on Monday, June 24th and it can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLOTfmBC3xNvYYbxTd6meCCWgrMtcis-K9QBd6g0Ydi0JJ5g/viewform?usp=sf_link. For more information about this scholarship opportunity and youth sports at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Marywood University Dedicates the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O’Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign on Monday, June 17, 2024, at a 10 a.m. ceremony in The Colonels Lorraine and Richard Breen Atrium. The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University’s mission of fostering excellence in education. Students are already taking classes in the new facility, which was finished early and under budget. Congressman Matt Cartwright, who played a significant role in securing Community Project Funding for the project, spoke at the dedication about Marywood being a leader in educating the healthcare workforce in the region. The new pavilion, an exciting space where health professions students can learn and grow together, sharing simulation labs, exam rooms, and the latest equipment and technology, was designed by hc architects, engineered by Highland Associates and LaBella Associates, and constructed by Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., who are also major benefactors of the EMPOWER Campaign. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pascucci Family and all donors who have played a vital role in supporting the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion. This dedication is not only about a building but increasing Marywood’s ability to provide much-needed healthcare professionals for our region,” said Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President of Marywood University. The dedication ceremony coincides with the announcement that Marywood University has successfully reached its $30 million goal in the EMPOWER Campaign. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the incredible support from donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Marywood, as well as the Campaign Steering Committee, which was co-chaired by President-Elect Lisa Lori, J.D. and Robert Tamburro, Marywood Trustee. The campaign has secured crucial funds for scholarships, cutting-edge facilities, the endowment, and innovative programs. “While we celebrate reaching our goal, we acknowledge our donors who have empowered us to enhance learning environments, provide scholarships, and make Marywood a hub of innovation and excellence in education. Their belief in our mission propels us toward an even brighter future for our students and the positive impact they will make in our communities,” noted Renée Zehel, Ph.D., Vice President for University Advancement. Individuals interested in contributing to the EMPOWER Campaign are encouraged to do so by June 30, 2024, as Marywood aims to exceed its initial goal and continue the legacy of transformative education. Go to marywood.edu/empower to give and learn more.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Employees of the Quarter Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recognizes one junior and one senior member of its world-class workforce with an Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Great candidates are easy to come by as there are many talented and hard-working artisans supporting TYAD’s vast and varied missions. For the 2nd Quarter of FY24, it is Michael Benner of the Installation Services directorate and Michael Rudick of the Production Engineering directorate receiving the honors respectively. Benner joined Team Tobyhanna as a firefighter in October 2020. He began his career in 2004, serving as a volunteer firefighter alongside his uncle and two cousins near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He earned a Fire Science degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, where he lived in a firehouse opposed to a traditional dorm. A native of Blakeslee, PA, he also served as a police officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and an emergency medical technician with Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services. Benner is no stranger to the United States Army and its values as he joined the Army component of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2012. One of the Army core values, “selfless service,” goes hand-in-hand with the type of work he performs on a daily basis. He said that helping people is something he feels naturally compelled to do. “It’s something that I’ve always done,” said Benner. “I’m very familiar with the Army values and selfless service. I feel like everybody should have these values and help their fellow persons.” Daryl Gebhardt serves as Chief of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Branch. He lauded Benner for his commitment to team cohesion and his strong sense of duty and dedication. “Firefighter Benner exemplifies selfless service through his unwavering commitment to the Army values. He consistently prioritizes the needs of others above his own, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience for the greater good,” said Gebhardt. “Whether it’s volunteering for challenging assignments, offering support to fellow firefighters, or going above and beyond to assist the community, Mr. Benner’s actions reflect a deep sense of duty and dedication. His selfless service not only enhances team cohesion and morale but also strengthens the overall effectiveness for the F&ES Branch.” Benner recently led a small team tasked with developing the F&ES Branch’s Box Alarms, a system that ensures a structured and standardized response posture when dealing with emergencies. To do so, Benner met with mutual aid partners in the counties surrounding TYAD to develop a better understanding of what emergency response capabilities they were prepared to provide. He worked with them to ensure they knew exactly what was expected of them should the alarm rise to their level. The partnership works both ways so that TYAD’s emergency responders may also be dispatched should an emergency occur outside the gates of the installation. Gebhardt added that Benner’s efforts have made a lasting impact on the F&ES Branch’s capabilities. “Implementing Box Alarms under firefighter Benner’s leadership streamlined resource deployment, improving response efficiency. His initiative set a precedent, inspiring others to adopt similar structured approaches,” said Gebhardt. “By optimizing response protocols, Mr. Benner exemplified proactive leadership, enhancing overall departmental productivity. His innovative strategies not only expedited emergency responses but also fostered a culture of excellence. His commitment to efficiency sets a standard for operational effectiveness within the department, while his dedication to continuous improvement drives ongoing enhancements, ensuring sustained efficiency in emergency response.” Benner said he was grateful that leadership within the F&ES branch provided him the opportunity to lead a project so early into his depot career. “The fire department is really great in letting junior members really take projects and run with them,” said Benner. “When I noticed the alarm system needed to be revamped worked on, I presented it to the chief and he gave me the full power to run with it. Strong teamwork is a concept vital to the job of a firefighter. Benner credited the individuals he worked with on the project for its success. “The team always works better when everybody puts the team ahead of themselves. Everybody benefits from it. If the team is winning, everybody is winning,” said Benner. “The people I work with, I feel like we’re all on the same page. They made it easy to take the lead because they knew what to do and when to do it. Rudick is being recognized for his efforts dealing with the AN/TPQ-53, a multi-mission radar system, and the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder system. When Army leadership needed a quick response for the evaluation of a AN/TPQ-53, he immediately took the lead to perform the necessary testing and provide a detailed report ahead of the requested deadline. Knowing they would be required to install and upgrade the AN/TPQ-53 system software, Rudick earned his CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certificates. Getting out ahead of this requirement was critical to TYAD being able to complete the AN/TPQ-53 Pilot Program repair effort and provide technical support to fielded systems ahead of planned Depot maintenance. He also took the initiative to better himself and increase his effectiveness at TYAD by achieving his Certified Electronics Technician and Engineer-In-Training certificates. Rudick volunteered to support another requirement by developing a test capability to validate digital phase shifters, a part critical to AN/TPQ-37 Power Amplifier Modules. He developed an automated program to reduce the amount of time required for manual measurements and also worked with the Original Equipment Manufacturer to develop a better understanding of AN/TPQ-53 testing. He then provided training to fellow engineers and C4ISR technicians in order to complete depot transition efforts within the contract timeline. Mike Sherin serves as a Supervisory Electronics Engineer and works closely with Rudick. He said his efforts have made an impact on the entire team around him. “Mike consistently dives head-first in new technical challenges. His self-motivation, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are inspiring to his peers. Mike volunteers for additional work assignments demonstrating a mission-first attitude to his team members and his hands-on approach allows him to lead by doing,” said Sherin. “Mike truly puts his best foot forward each and every day and encourages others to do the same. Mike is recognized by his peers as someone who is always willing to help others solve challenging technical issues, and takes any Pathways students under his wing to ensure they have a fulfilling experience at TYAD.” The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Investing In Our People line of effort. The plan aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project Receives Grant Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project received a generous $10,000 grant from The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant. The Rejuvenation Project aims at equipping individuals experiencing homelessness with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. Through this project, Keystone Mission is establishing the Seeds of Hope Community Garden, expanding access to showers, and offering comprehensive training through the Pathfinders’ Vocational Program. Thanks to the generous funding, the Rejuvenation Project has a tangible impact on homeless individuals, providing them with the resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives and regain independence. “We are grateful for the partnership of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Together we are creating a greater impact on the lives of our guests.” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “It is essential for the unsheltered community and those experiencing economic hardship and food insecurity to have access to the necessary tools required for their betterment.” Keystone Mission is thankful for community partners like Scranton Area Community Foundation for supporting the mission to bring help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northeast PA.
Johnson College Earns Gold Military Friendly School Designation Johnson College has earned the 2024-2025 Gold Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunities for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit https://johnson.edu/veterans/.
The Wright Center Welcomes New Workers The Wright Center for Community Health and residents of Northeast Pennsylvania are offering two new community health workers (CHWs) with specialized services to patients, thanks to a unique program through the National Health Corps (NHC). Harry Yanoshak of Plains Township to work with The Wright Center’s geriatric care teams and Kristin Zaorski of Covington Township will collaborate with The Wright Center’s behavioral health teams. Both CHWs are funded through the NHC’s Community Health Fellowship, a grassroots community health service program that trains local community residents as CHWs. The new employees are committed to addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations and honing their skills as community health leaders. The Wright Center employs CHWs to help connect patients and community members to various resources. In addition to connecting them to food pantries and helping them find safe, affordable housing, CHWs can also help patients address utility bills, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, health insurance applications, and a variety of other needs. “They bridge the gap,” said Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services at The Wright Center. “They help address basic needs so patients can focus on their health and medical needs. This ties in directly to The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services.” The NHC program funds CHWs to work in specialized areas to facilitate integration with The Wright Center for Community Health’s whole-person primary health services. “This is one more step in offering whole-person, integrated care,” said Lou Strazzeri, community and agency referrals coordinator for The Wright Center. “We can now offer a CHW who can focus specifically on what a patient being seen by our geriatric care team might need or what one of our behavioral health patients may need.” Nicole Lipinski, director of The Wright Center’s Geriatric Service Line, looks forward to the unique resources and support Yanoshak will be able to offer to patients and their families. “We are able to help this vulnerable population navigate through the care continuum as they age in place or require additional assistance with care in facilities,” she said. “Having a CHW will only enhance what we can offer.” CHWs are one of the fastest-growing occupations in today’s health care field, with a projected 12% increase in jobs between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participants in the AmeriCorps-funded NHC program must complete 1,700 hours of service within a term spanning 42-46 weeks. They also must complete a CHW training course offered by the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. They receive a living stipend and are eligible for food and child care assistance, tuition reimbursement, and access to health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Geisinger Hospitals Recognized for Maternal Healthcare Five Geisinger hospitals were recipients of the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PA PQC) inaugural Designations Awards. The awards, presented May 22 at a ceremony in Harrisburg, recognize hospitals for establishing multidisciplinary teams that have demonstrated improvements in maternal and newborn care by sharing best practices in their hospital and community. Hospitals could earn a designation for each 2023-24 PA PQC initiative in which they actively participated, including: the availaibility of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPLARC); maternal substance use disorders (SUD) identification and treatment; and standardizing the treatment of the substance exposed newborn (SEN) to reduce the need for drug therapy. The awards are based on meeting quality improvement milestone criteria from April 2023 through March 2024. “These recognitions are a reflection of the focus that our Obstetric and Pediatric teams place on high quality and equitable care across the Geisinger system,” said Sandra Culbertson, M.D, chair of Geisinger’s Women and Children’s Institute. “Responding to the opioid crisis and providing easy access to effective contraception are priorities that reflect the needs of families in our communities.” Geisinger Medical Center earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital earned a gold designation in SEN, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center earned a gold designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Lewistown Hospital earned a silver designation in SEN with a patient voice focus, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze IPLARC designation. Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. A gold designation signifies a hospital’s proven commitment to health equity and patient voice in their quality improvement work. A silver designation signifies the hospital’s proven commitment to incorporating health equity OR patient voice into its quality improvement work. A bronze designation signifies the hospital met the required quality improvement submission criteria for at least two of the four quarters. In Pennsylvania, perinatal health issues persist, including racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes, higher than average maternal sepsis rates, and drug overdose deaths during pregnancy and postpartum. The PA PQC addresses these challenges through various initiatives, including Maternal Opioid Use Disorder, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Maternal Sepsis, and Safe Sleep. Through collaborative efforts, the PA PQC aims to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the state. “All Geisinger delivery hospitals have taken an active role in the PA PQC since its inception in 2019. The work is conducted by hospital staff (nurses, care managers and providers) who have shown tremendous dedication to improving care for mothers and babies,” said James Cook, M.D., Geisinger director of newborn services and co-chair on the PA PQC for pediatrics. “This work has been rewarded by the PA PQC with funds to purchase equipment and provide further education to our staff. “Future PA PQC initiatives for 2024-25 will include a focus on reducing the incidence of both maternal sepsis and sudden unexpected infant death across the region,” Dr. Cook added. The PA PQC is administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and WHAMglobal, and it is affiliated with the Northeastern PA PQC (NEPaPQC).
MFHS Donates Diapers and Baby Wipes to Families in Need Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) is pleased to announce that a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive organized by Penn East Federal Credit Union collected 7,500 diapers, 7,000 baby wipes, 177 baby outfits, and $2,000 in cash donations for the families enrolled in their Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program. The Penn East FCU Community Involvement Committee (CIC) coordinated the activity at all five Penn East FCU branches during the month of April, with the goal of collecting over 2,000 diapers. “We are so grateful to the staff and customers of Penn East FCU for supporting our Nurse-Family Partnership clients,” said MFHS President and CEO, Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD, “The response was incredible, and will make such a difference to the at-risk mothers and children we serve.” The Nurse-Family Partnership program pairs specially trained nurses with at risk, often young, mothers-to-be, beginning early in the pregnancy and continuing until the child’s second birthday. NFP nurses help families prepare for their child, and help them lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Penn East has been an integral part of the community in Lackawanna to, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties for over eighty years. Penn East FCU’s team believes that by assisting and being involved in their membership counties, they can help to create and be a part of a more positive future for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Through the diaper drive, the community-minded credit has made a positive impact in the lives of the local families that MFHS serves.
