Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces S&P’s Highest Credit Rating Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) has reaffirmed the highest credit rating possible, AAAm, for Treasury’s INVEST program pools. INVEST, managed by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, is an investment tool specifically designed for local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. “Earning S&P’s highest rating for our INVEST pools is a tremendous honor, and it reflects the hard work we’re doing to help local governments and nonprofits across Pennsylvania maximize their investment capabilities,” Treasurer Garrity said. “Many of these entities have extremely tight budgets, so helping them invest and grow their funds is important. Treasury is glad to provide this program to help organizations fund critical projects that improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.” INVEST participants include local government agencies and nonprofits including municipalities, counties, school districts, fire companies, libraries and many others. There are two pools in INVEST, the Daily Pool for local governments and the Community Pool for nonprofit organizations. Ratings affirmations were for both pools. Both pools provide daily liquidity, with no minimum balance requirements, no minimum deposit amounts and no limit on the number of transactions an organization can make. Treasury may also offer periodic custom investment opportunities for longer-term financial needs of participants. AAAm is the highest rating established by S&P. Criteria for this rating includes a fund that, according to S&P, “demonstrates extremely strong capacity to maintain principal stability and to limit exposure to principal losses due to credit risk.” Treasury’s investment staff has managed INVEST for over 30 years. In Fiscal Year 2023-24, participants shared more than $75 million in earnings. More than 450 INVEST participants currently have over $1.6 billion in assets. To learn more about becoming a participant with INVEST, visit patreasury.gov/invest or email investoperations@patreasury.gov.
Geisinger Cystic Fibrosis Patient Striving to Stay Healthy From Geisinger media Just three decades ago, cystic fibrosis (CF) was considered a terminal disease. Patients were only predicted to survive into their 30s. In recent years the life expectancy of patients born now with CF has jumped into the 70s. The inherited disease affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices causing the fluids to become thick and sticky. CF causes damage to a person’s lungs, digestive tract and other organs. The disease requires an incredible amount of self-care with patients undergoing daily airway clearance, breathing treatments, special diet and supplement considerations and numerous medications. Through medical advances, Geisinger offers modulator therapies, like the medication Trifakta, that helps stabilize clinical courses, improve lung function and nutritional status and allow for a better quality of life. “For some of our oldest patients, it was believed that they would not live to adulthood, but for many of our patients, we no longer believe that to be true and expect them to live a normal lifespan,” Brosius said. “We have several patients in their 60s and even 70s. We are now able to talk to our patients about going to college, careers, retirement or starting a family.” Kaitlyn Strohl of Friendsville, Pa., never expected to have the ability to have a family. “Honestly, I always wanted to be a mom, but I tried not getting my hopes up because I didn’t know if I’d be well enough. Nor did I think I’d find a man that would love me despite my condition,” the 23-year-old said. After graduating from Bloomsburg University in 2022, Kaitlyn was married to her husband, Allen Michael, in 2023 and shortly after had a beautiful, healthy baby girl, Slyvie, who is now 9 months old. Slyvie does not have CF but is a carrier of the gene. Although pregnancy can be difficult, more CF patients have had babies in recent years, with more than 600 pregnancies each of the last three years nationwide, according to Brosius. “We attribute this to patients remaining healthier and living longer, in large part due to the modulator therapies available,” she said. Kaitlyn had a relatively easy pregnancy with good lung function and overall health, but after delivery, she felt the effects on her body. She was tired, rundown and had difficulty finding time for self-care while caring for her baby. She became sick and was admitted to Geisinger Medical Center a couple of times last year. “One of the biggest problems we encounter is after delivery; mothers focus their baby and tend to neglect their own care,” Brosius said. “Many struggle to find a balance between providing for their baby while also having the time to care for themselves. Our goal is to continue supporting Kaitlyn through her journey of motherhood so she can be there for Sylvie and watch her grow up.” Kaitlyn is doing her best to find the balance, caring for her baby as a stay-at-home mom. “I’ve learned that having a baby is one of the best reasons to take care of myself. I’ve learned that I need to do my best, so I can be here for her as she grows up,” Kaitlyn said. “I look forward to watching my daughter grow into a kind, respectful, and sassy individual. Growing old with my husband. All the laughs we will share. I am taking it day by day, cherishing every moment I get to spend with my family.” Kaitlyn (Hentschel) Strohl was a 2015 Geisinger Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Kid.
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.”
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Praises General Assembly Treasurer Stacy Garrity today praised the General Assembly for unanimously approving legislation to enact Pennsylvania Money Match, which will allow the Pennsylvania Treasury Department – for the first time ever – to automatically return unclaimed property to its rightful owners. Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Sen. John DiSanto (R-15), was sent to Governor Josh Shapiro for his signature last week. Similar legislation, House Bill 2092, was introduced by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-3) in the House. “This is a huge and exciting step forward,” Treasurer Garrity said. “With Pennsylvania Money Match, we’ll be able to return unclaimed money directly to thousands of hardworking Pennsylvanians. Government isn’t known for removing red tape – but that’s exactly what this bill will do. I want to thank Sen. DiSanto for his strong leadership in the Senate and Rep. Bizzarro for the great work he did in the House. Money Match absolutely deserves the bipartisan support it received.” “I am pleased to have partnered with Treasurer Garrity on drafting SB 24 to make it easier for the Pennsylvania Treasury to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners,” Sen. DiSanto said. “And I am thankful to my legislative colleagues for passing this commonsense legislation that makes government work better.” Pennsylvania Money Match will authorize Treasury to automatically return single-owner properties valued up to $500 after a thorough identification and verification process. At least 14 other states have successfully implemented similar programs. Pennsylvania Money Match will not affect claims for properties valued above $500 or those that have multiple owners or other complexities. Those claimants will still need to file a claim and provide any required supporting documentation. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed some of the $4.5 billion in unclaimed property being safeguarded by Treasury. The average value of a claim is about $1,600. Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has returned more than $700 million in unclaimed property and has implemented multiple improvements to the unclaimed property program, all designed to make the process easier and faster, including: Completing a total system upgrade for the first time in more than 15 years. Implementing a fast-track process for many claims; and Allowing direct deposit payments for many claimants. To search Treasury’s unclaimed property database, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
The Wright Center Names VP of Population Health The Wright Center for Community Health created a new position that will focus on improving patients’ health and well-being by ensuring they have access to integrated, whole-person primary health services, inclusive of medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Kelli Zimmerman, the new vice president of population health and practice transformation, has more than 16 years of experience as a health care professional, focusing on operations management, strategic planning, value-based care, and staff development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business and health care administration and a master of health leadership degree from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also a licensed practical nurse. In the new role, Zimmerman will serve as a key leader for The Wright Center’s population health strategy. As part of The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services, she will work to implement and monitor a continuity of care structure to ensure patients receive the treatment they need – from annual well-visits and preventive care to chronic care management and integrated, specialized health services. She will also assure and monitor the completion of population health screenings and social determinants of health assessments and, based on findings, ensure patients’ timely access to primary care, behavioral health, dental, addiction and recovery services, and basic needs, including food, clothing, and transportation to and from medical appointments. In addition, Zimmerman will focus on improving physician efficiency and satisfaction and utilize information technology and data analytics to drive The Wright Center’s strategies and tactical plans. Before joining The Wright Center, Zimmerman was the director of operations for primary and urgent care at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She also served as the regional manager for health and wellness at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP Code, or ability to pay. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Geisinger Patients Receive Blankets from Local Subaru Dealerships Geisinger cancer patients recently received the gift of warmth and comfort from area Subaru dealerships. In partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Subaru of Wyoming Valley and Minooka Subaru delivered blankets and messages of hope to the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Centers at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Geisinger Community Medical Center, respectively. Part of the Subaru Loves to Care campaign, the donations took place Friday, June 21, when representatives from LLS and the Subaru dealerships met Henry Cancer Center staff members and Geisinger leaders at both medical centers. “We’re grateful to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Subaru of Wyoming Valley and Minooka Subaru for these heart-felt donations,” said Renee Blakiewicz, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer for Geisinger’s northeast region. “Patients in cancer care can have difficult days, and gestures of kindness like this can make all the difference when someone needs it most.” Cutlines: 2024 Subaru blanket delivery GWV: Representatives from Subaru of Wyoming Valley and the Leukemia & Lymphoma society met Geisinger leaders and Henry Cancer Center staff members June 21 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center to deliver blankets and messages of hope to cancer patients. 2024 Subaru blanket delivery GCMC: Representatives from Minooka Subaru and the Leukemia & Lymphoma society met Geisinger and Henry Cancer Center leaders June 21 at Geisinger Community Medical Center to deliver blankets and messages of hope to cancer patients.
Marywood University Captures Gold Award Marywood University, through its partner, Gourmet Dining, recently won the gold award in a national dining contest for “Catering – Special Event of the Year,” putting the university in contention for the grand prize in this category. Marywood captured the top prize for last year’s galaxy-themed 10th annual Community Leadership Celebration, which was held on May 4, 2023, a date that has become known as “Star Wars Day” in pop culture. The signature fundraising event of the year proved to be a perfect setting for this stellar theme. The Gourmet Dining team worked diligently to highlight the powerful vision of the university celebration in a futuristic way through the menu and decorations chosen. “This event and this award is a true testament to the synthesis of how collaboration with many amazing professionals helped to make the night a success, blended with creativity and culinary artistry that transported our guests on an out-of-this-world culinary experience and created an unforgettable night,” said Jinny Savage, Director of Dining Services at Marywood University. The prestigious recognition was part of the 2024 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, sponsored by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS). The Horton Dining Award is considered the ultimate professional tribute in college and university culinary arts. Named after a NACUFS founder, past president, and highly regarded innovator, the award celebrates exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts. Grand Prize winners will be announced on Saturday, July 20, during the NACUFS 2024 National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Geisinger Discusses What to do When Taking Antibiotics By: Kelly Guza, PharmD, associate vice president of acute pharmacy services, Geisinger When you feel sick, rest, fluids and over-the-counter medication are in order — and maybe a visit to your healthcare provider. And in some cases, they’ll prescribe something stronger: antibiotics. What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections and work by killing bacteria in the body and preventing bacterial growth. When you’ve got strep throat or a pesky UTI, antibiotics can bring fast relief. And they prevent infection as you heal after surgery or an injury. But when you’re taking them, there are a few things to do (and not do) to make the experience a smooth one. What to do while taking antibiotics When starting your course of antibiotics, keep these do’s at top of mind to limit side effects and get back to feeling better. Using antibiotics properly can also help prevent antibiotic resistance. Tell your provider about other medications Before your provider prescribes you antibiotics, tell them about any other medications you’re taking. This can help avoid potential drug interactions or side effects. Not sure what to mention? Think prescriptions, over-the-counter meds and any vitamins or supplements. Take them as prescribed When they write your prescription, your provider will include instructions for how to take the antibiotics. Some are meant to be taken at the same time every day. Others may need to be taken with (or without) food. Follow those directions exactly as they’re written for maximum effectiveness. Watch for side effects Some antibiotics can cause side effects like an upset stomach or diarrhea. These are common and will go away when you finish your medicine. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice more serious side effects, like: Persistent or severe diarrhea Abdominal pain Fever These can be symptoms of a serious infection called Clostridium dificile, or C. diff. If you do develop C. diff, your healthcare provider may prescribe a different type of antibiotic to combat that infection. Another thing to look for with antibiotics? Allergic reactions. Common antibiotic allergy symptoms include: Skin rashes (although not all rashes are true allergies) Hives Shortness of breath Swelling of the tongue, face or lips If you do have symptoms of an allergic reaction, contact your healthcare provider right away. Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room if you have severe symptoms like shortness of breath or face swelling. Try a probiotic Because they kill good as well as bad bacteria, antibiotics can wreak havoc on your stomach. Some can also lead to a yeast infection. To minimize stomach upset and restore healthy bacteria, try taking your antibiotic with a probiotic. Start your probiotic the same day as your antibiotic — and for maximum effectiveness, take it two hours after your antibiotic. Continue the probiotic for a few weeks after you finish your antibiotic to build healthy bacteria back up. The array of probiotics available is huge, so if you’re not sure which to use, talk to your pharmacist or other healthcare provider. They can help you find the right one. What not to do while on antibiotics Taking antibiotics properly can smooth your path to recovery. That’s why knowing what to avoid matters, too. Consider these don’ts the next time you have a prescription. Don’t take them unnecessarily Have a cold? Antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, they won’t work on viruses, like colds or flu. Using them improperly can raise your risk of antibiotic resistance. This means future infections won’t respond as well when you do need antibiotics. Don’t use medicine that’s old or not yours Thinking about using that old penicillin in the back of your medicine cabinet? Think again. Medicine loses effectiveness over time. So those old pills you’ve had since the last time you were sick may not work as well as they did before (or at all). Another no-no: taking an antibiotic prescribed for someone else. But because your partner’s antibiotic wasn’t prescribed to tackle your toothache, it may not be the right dose or the right kind. Or you could be allergic. Play it safe and talk to your provider instead. Don’t stop taking antibiotics too soon You may start to feel better before you finish your prescription. But keep taking your antibiotics until they’re gone, even if your symptoms have cleared up. Symptoms can start improving before the infection is cleared. Stopping your medicine early could leave you feeling sick if the infection isn’t entirely gone. And it can make you more likely to have future drug-resistant infections that don’t respond to antibiotics. When in doubt, ask If you have questions about antibiotics — what they’re for, how they work or how to take them — start by talking with your pharmacist. They’ll guide you through the do’s and don’ts of these bacteria-busters so you can get back to feeling like yourself again. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Munley Law Lawyer Included in 2024 Edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Munley Law is pleased to announce that truck accident lawyer Marion Munley has been included in the “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List, the Top 100 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and the Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers lists in the 2024 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. This is the second year that Marion, consistently selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the past 21 years, has been featured in the “Top 10” Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania. She was named to the Top 100 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in 2022 and 2023. Only 5% of attorneys in the United States are selected to Super Lawyers. To be included in Super Lawyers, an attorney must be nominated by his/her peers, or identified by the Super Lawyers research department; lawyers cannot nominate themselves nor can they pay to be recognized on the list. Nominated attorneys are subjected to a thorough evaluation and selection process Marion is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and respected personal injury lawyers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She has won many multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for injury clients throughout the United States, including one of the largest truck accident settlements in history. She is triple board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial Law, Civil Practice Advocacy, and Truck Accident Law. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and is currently the AAJ Treasurer. She was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion has also served as President of the Melvin M. Belli Society. She has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America® since 2013 and was named the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She was recently named a 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Results of Spring Unclaimed Property Auction Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that Treasury’s Spring unclaimed property auction brought in more than $262,000. All proceeds are carefully logged by Treasury and will remain available for the rightful owners to claim no matter how much time passes. “This is another tremendously successful auction, and I’m pleased that it generated such an incredible result,” Treasurer Garrity said. “We work for at least three years to find the rightful owners of every item that comes to Treasury’s vault. But eventually, we have to auction items to make room in our vault for incoming property. All auction proceeds are held in perpetuity at Treasury for a rightful owner to claim anytime – whether that’s tomorrow, a few months from now, or many years down the road.” Nearly 4,400 items were sold during the auction that took place online in March this year. Treasury partners with Pook & Pook, Inc., of Downingtown for auctioneer and appraisal services. The top price for an item was $18,000 for 27.22 ounces of palladium (a form of platinum). Other high-price items included: 18K yellow gold bracelet with 14K yellow gold charms sold for $4,600 14K white gold ring with an old European cut diamond sold for $3,200 18K yellow gold wristwatch, with .40 ctw of round brilliant cut diamonds sold for $3,000 Platinum ring with 1.71 carat diamond sold for $3,000 “This was another successful collaboration between Pook & Pook, Inc., Auctioneers and Appraisers and the Pennsylvania Treasury,” said Deidre Pook Magarelli, President of Pook & Pook. “Across the board, in all categories of coins and jewelry, we saw strong prices. The Pennsylvania Treasury puts forth a heroic effort each year to reunite unclaimed property with its original owners, but, when that’s not possible, they make sure the monetary compensation for that unclaimed property is available to those individuals in perpetuity. It’s a huge undertaking, and Pook & Pook appreciates playing a small part in this important process.” Treasury expects to net $262,840.16 after Pook & Pook receives its 12 percent commission of the full auction total, $298,682.00. The proceeds from the auction were nearly $80,000 over the high estimate. Items that are not sold at auction, or those not paid for by a winning bidder, are returned to Treasury to be listed in future auctions. Treasury receives unclaimed property from businesses if the property has been dormant for three years. Tangible property, most often the contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes, is stored in Treasury’s vault for another three years while Treasury tries to find the rightful owners. Treasury never auctions military decorations or memorabilia. More than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property is available to be claimed. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,600. To learn more about unclaimed property or to search Treasury’s database, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
