Misericordia University Hosts Doctor of Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony Misericordia University recently celebrated the achievements of its newest Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates during the annual Hooding Ceremony held on campus. The event marked a significant milestone for the graduates, signifying the culmination of years of rigorous academic and clinical training. Misericordia University’s DPT program, known for its commitment to excellence in education and clinical practice, continues to prepare students for impactful careers in healthcare. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 DPT graduates as they embark on their journeys to make a difference in their communities! To learn more about the program, click here. Names and hometowns of graduates: Jillian Rogers, Denville, NJ; Andrea Carlson, Newton, NJ; Tara Sweeney, Jessup, PA; Matthew Myers, Hughesville, PA; Kaylee Sturans, Fredericksburg, VA; Eric Jeffies, Nanticoke, PA; Shannon Williams, Hellertown, PA; Brianna McPeak, Warrington, PA; Brianna Fox, Laurel, NY; Zoee Farr, Vestal, NY; Katrina Redline, Dallas, PA; Nicholas Toronzi, White Haven, PA; Micaela Fasolino, Poughkeepsie, NY; Sean Burg, New Castle, DE; Zackary Jayne, Towanda, PA; Matthew McCaffery, Simpson, PA; Katelyn Butczynski, Nanticoke, PA; Shelby Brittain, Milford, PA; Jacqueline Stack, Mahopac, NY; Samantha Lubin, Doylestown, PA; Ashlynn Fitzgerald, Dallas, PA; Brandon Istvan, Dover, NJ; Spencer Sundeberg, Lynbrook, NY; Thomas Vaccaro, Montrose, PA; Justin Occhipinti, Dunmore, PA; Devin Dougherty, Shavertown, PA; Kristen McCloskey, Lumberton, NJ; Alexa Wagner, Elmira, NY; Cheril Parmar, Scranton, PA; Kaden Martell, Canton, PA; John Kelley, Levittown, PA; Kyle Romanofski, Swoyersville, PA; Alexandrea Steele, Nanticoke, PA; Alanna O’Malley, Mays Landing, NJ; Zachary Johnson, Nanticoke, PA; Jason Winters, Palmer, PA; Jarod Cipriano, Scranton, PA; Wayne VanNewkirk, Honeoye Falls, NY; Dane Frantz, Lehighton, PA; Tyler German, Allentown, PA;
I Need A Speaker CEO Appointed on Two International Committees Dr. Tricia Richards-Service, founder and president of I Need A Speaker, has been appointed to serve on two prestigious advisory committees for Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the premier global organization for meeting and event professionals. Starting January 1, 2025, Dr. Richards-Service will serve on both MPI’s Event Program Review Advisory Board and Research Advisory Board. In these roles, she will help shape the future of the meetings and events industry through educational programming and research initiatives. As a member of the Event Program Review Advisory Board, Dr. Richards-Service will review and validate speaker proposals for MPI’s signature event, World Education Congress (WEC). She will also provide strategic input on topics, speakers, and educational formats for the organization’s programming. On the Research Advisory Board, she will contribute to MPI’s research initiatives focused on education, industry advocacy, and thought leadership. The role includes developing white papers and conducting analysis of the business events sector. “I’m excited to serve the organization in these international roles,” said Dr. Richards-Service. “I look forward to contributing my expertise in both public speaking and strategic leadership to advance MPI’s educational and research objectives.” Dr. Richards-Service brings more than 20 years of communication experience to these roles, having worked with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local non-profits. An accomplished international speaker herself, she has presented at conferences across North America and Europe, including Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Romania. She earned a Ph.D. in strategic leadership and business administration, a master’s degree in healthcare administration, and a bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism. Through I Need A Speaker, she continues to advance the speaking industry by providing a global platform that connects speakers of all price points with event organizers while also offering public speaking training.
Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Upcoming Events Women in Distinction Celebrating those who lift others in our community Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania’s Women of Distinction Gala identifies five women of influence who serve as inspirational figures for girls and young women. These women are members of our local communities and represent the core values we instill in girls through Girl Scouts. Please join us on March 26, 2025, at the Harrisburg Hilton for our 2025 celebration. Discover more about the event. 2025 Embracing Ambition Conference Join us for a powerful day of inspiration at our Embracing Ambition Conference! The conference is centered around the book, “Embracing Ambition: Empowering Women to Step Out, Be Seen, & Lead,” which shares the stories of twelve remarkable women leaders who have overcome challenges, broken down barriers, and paved new paths across various industries. Together, they reveal insights on addressing perception barriers, integrating personal identity with professional success, embracing new challenges, and leading with a visionary spirit. The authors, including Girl Scout in the Heart of Pennsylvania’s President and CEO, Janet Donovan, will bring these themes to life, offering invaluable advice and encouragement for women ready to make their mark. Attendees will leave motivated, empowered, and ready to turn their own ambitions into action. March 26, 2025 | Harrisburg Hilton | Harrisburg, Pa. Discover more about the event
Geisinger Wyoming Associate Chief Medical Officer Selected for Carol Emmott Fellowship Alison Brodginski, D.O., associate chief medical officer and associate chief quality officer of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, is among 24 women health leaders chosen by the Carol Emmott Foundation for its Fellowship Class of 2025. The flagship program of the Carol Emmott Foundation, the Carol Emmott Fellowship works to accelerate gender and racial equity in health care leadership by providing women leaders a platform for national visibility and a continuously growing network of peers, mentors and sponsors in the industry. “I am privileged to be part of this program, joining an inspiring cohort of talented and dedicated health care professionals,” said Dr. Brodginski. “The fellowship offers an incredible opportunity to collaborate and grow with exceptional leaders dedicated to advancing equity and innovation in health care.” The program equips participants with the necessary resources and connections to lead innovation and create equitable health care systems and governance. The Fellowship Class of 2025 comprises a remarkable group of health care leaders who have demonstrated their commitment to driving change within the industry and beyond. During the 14-month program, fellowship recipients are paired with hand-selected mentors who are nationally recognized senior executive leaders. Each fellow pursues an impact project, which they plan in coordination with their health organization, that promotes sponsorship opportunities and visibility within the organization. Fellows are also afforded opportunities to publish and present their work to the extensive foundation community. Fellows were nominated by senior executive leadership at their institutions and carefully selected through a competitive process focused on the inclusion of professionals with diverse backgrounds, expertise and experiences. The Class of 2025 represents a range of disciplines within health care, from clinical care to financial analysis, education, operations and strategy, bringing a comprehensive perspective to the cohort. Among Geisinger leaders who have participated in past Carol Emmott Fellowship Classes are: Cindy Sheridan, J.D., Geisinger’s associate chief legal officer of litigation services Karlyn Paglia, M.D., chief medical officer of Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Andrea Wary, R.N., B.S.N., vice president of Geisinger’s Women and Children’s and Cancer institutes Sandra Culbertson, M.D., chair of Geisinger’s Women and Children’s Institute Christa Lese Martin, Ph.D., Geisinger’s chief scientific officer Rachel Manotti, M.H.A., Geisinger’s associate chief strategy officer Denise Torres, M.D., chair of Geisinger’s Surgery Institute
Geisinger Chair of Pediatrics: Rising Theat of Marijuana Edibles Between legalization in many surrounding states and the increased amount of people with medical use cards, the use of tetrahyocannabinol or THC, has increased dramatically in the past decade. The surge in popularity of edible cannabis products has allowed users to be discreet, while eliminating odor and potential harm to the lungs. However, the packaging of these products is appealing to children. Most people don’t know, that THC, the principal psychoactive compound found in cannabis, can be extremely toxic to children. In our communities and at our children’s hospital, there has been an alarming rise of accidental poisonings of children due to synthetic marijuana. It is a growing threat that demands our attention and immediate action. In 2024, we had more than a dozen children brought to our hospital for THC poisoning. We recently admitted two young children to our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the same day with life threatening consequences from cannabis exposure. Young children who unknowingly ingest THC-laced products often present with significant medical emergencies, including profound lethargy, respiratory depression, seizures, and, in severe cases, coma or even near-cardiac arrest. Nearly 10 percent of children suffering from these ingestions require support in a PICU. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a dramatic increase in the rate of overdoses. In 2017, there were 207 reported cases of accidental edible cannabis exposure for kids under the age of 6. By 2021, the number skyrocketed to 3,054, and these numbers continue to increase. Toddlers are disproportionately affected due to their small size and developing metabolism, making even small quantities extremely toxic. In June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration released a consumer alert warning that THC-containing edibles are easily mistaken for products that might appeal to children. By Frank Maffei, Geisinger chair of pediatrics
Crystal Windows Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer John Christie, Experienced Financial Leader, Joins National Manufacturer National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is pleased to welcome Mr. John P. Christie to its leadership team as the new Chief Financial Officer. He joins Crystal Chairman and founder Thomas Chen, CEO Jeffrey Smith, and President Steve Chen to guide the company in its future growth and expansion. “John comes to Crystal with vast experience in the financial aspects of construction, building products, and manufacturing,” said Jeff Smith. “He has served as CFO for multi-national manufacturers, investment companies, and construction firms, providing strong leadership for vital corporate functions. John will build on Crystal’s track record of success and position the company for ongoing growth and prosperity in the future.” Christie will be responsible for all accounting, budgeting, financial, and IT operations of Crystal Windows and its subsidiaries. Crystal operates five manufacturing facilities across the country and has 750 employees. The company is expanding in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with a new manufacturing facility and has additional expansion plans in North Carolina. “I am excited to join this award-winning company at this time and help shape its strategic direction,” said Christie. “Crystal has a great record of steady growth and financial stability, and I will build on that. My focus will be on increasing profitability and cost efficiencies across all operations and enhancing cash flow to ensure Crystal is well positioned for its expansions in the coming years.” Prior to joining Crystal Windows, Christie was CFO for Keystone Sports Construction in Pennsylvania, implementing financial management and profitability analytical tools for greater strategic oversight. He was CFO for Universal Atlantic Systems, a national security systems provider headquartered in Pennsylvania, establishing internal control systems and measures to improve profitability. Christie was CFO for Fleetwood Acquisition Corporation, a global manufacturer for the retail construction industry headquartered in Pennsylvania, and he held senior managerial accounting positions with the exterior products division of CertainTeed Corporation in Pennsylvania. In addition to accounting and financial oversight, Christie led IT and Human Resources functions at previous companies. Christie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Villanova University (Villanova, PA), and an MBA from West Chester University (West Chester, PA). Throughout his career he has specialized in key areas such as profitability, best accounting practices, staff professional development, and cost reduction strategies.
Shapiro Administration Makes Fast Progress on Scranton to New York City Rail Corridor Project PennDOT leading plan identifying projects, engaging with public, and outlining potential service options. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that – after receiving federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments to expand passenger rail across Pennsylvania – the department is now taking the next step in making the transformative Scranton to New York Penn Station (NYP) Passenger Rail Corridor project a reality. This project is among the first five in the nation to reach this milestone. PennDOT is now developing a Service Development Plan (SDP) which will include: Stakeholder engagement with railroads, agencies, and the public; Service options analysis and transportation planning; Capital project identification, conceptualization, and cost estimating; Environmental analysis; and Financial and implementation planning. “Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, PennDOT is aggressively putting additional federal and state transportation investments to work for Pennsylvanians, whether it’s fixing our roads and bridges or restoring and improving passenger rail service,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Advancing this project ensures we will leave no stone unturned as we grow the northeastern region’s economy and mobility. We are steadfast in our commitment to the public, business leaders, and many more who look forward to restoring this passenger rail connection.” The Scranton to NYP Passenger Rail Corridor project will restore intercity passenger rail service between Scranton, Pennsylvania and NYP, providing access to New York City, northwestern New Jersey, and Scranton for employment, business, leisure trips, tourism, recreation, and opportunities at higher education institutions along the route. The Corridor has been the subject of numerous studies, including the Amtrak Connects US Corridor Vision Plan, and long-range transportation plans that show growing demand for intercity passenger rail service along a corridor that has heavy auto traffic and unpredictable travel times for commuters. The Corridor will provide an intercity transportation option for historically under-served northeastern Appalachian Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. The corridor study and development is made possible by the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the goal of developing formal planning studies and perform preliminary engineering for new intercity passenger rail corridors as well as enhancements to existing passenger corridors. The SDP milestone follows the FRA’s approval of PennDOT’s SDP scope. The SDP scope’s $500,000 investment was fully funded by the program, and the SDP development’s estimated $5.46 million cost will be 90 percent federally funded with PennDOT matching 10 percent. With PennDOT as the lead agency and Amtrak as the proposed operator, the owners of the route – Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority (PNRRA), New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Amtrak – are all project partners in working to restore passenger service to this corridor. “Amtrak looks forward to supporting PennDOT and PNRRA as they advance the proposed Scranton to New York City route through the federal planning process,” said Amtrak Vice President of Network Development Nicole Bucich. “This is an important next step to better understand the costs and benefits of this new service and to serve new communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited about the future of this, and other, new routes across America!” “I commend the experience, financial support, and leadership of PennDOT in advancing this vital Amtrak Corridor after many years of acquiring and developing this crucial Transportation and Economic Development Corridor,” PNRRA President Larry Malski said. The route from Scranton to New York City last served passenger trains in 1970 as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Today, the entire right-of-way is still intact, with the majority in active use by various public rail operators. Starting in Scranton, the 60-mile segment of the route in Pennsylvania and across the Delaware River is owned by the PNRRA and currently used for freight rail service between Scranton and Slateford. One mile of track south of Slateford Junction was previously removed and will need to be reconstructed. The Lackawanna Cutoff, a segment of the route between Slateford, PA, and Port Morris, NJ, carried its last freight train in 1979 as part of the Conrail network and subsequently had its track removed. The portion of this segment in New Jersey is owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. NJT is actively reconstructing about seven miles of track at the east end to extend its commuter service from Port Morris to Andover, NJ. The other 20 miles from the Delaware River to Andover will need to be restored. From Port Morris, the route will run over existing NJT commuter lines to Kearny, NJ. At Kearny, the route connects to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor for the last eight miles into New York Penn Station. “We at NJ TRANSIT look forward to continuing our participation with project partners PennDOT, NJDOT and Amtrak on this endeavor,” said NJ TRANSIT Chief Planner Jeremy Colangelo-Bryan. After the SDP is completed and federally approved, the projects identified in the SDP will begin preliminary engineering and environmental review in coordination with the FRA. More information on passenger rail in Pennsylvania can be found on PennDOT’s website.
Comcast (Xfinity) Mobile Speed Improved by 150 Percent “PowerBoost,” a Feature Available to All Xfinity Mobile Customers that Delivers WiFi Speeds Up To 1 Gig, is Credited for Delivering the Superfast Speeds Xfinity Mobile Consistently Ranks Faster Than Competitors in Comcast Markets Ookla’s latest Speedtest Intelligence® research credits Xfinity Mobile’s PowerBoost for delivering customers 150 percent faster speeds since the innovative feature launched in 2024. PowerBoost delivers speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) over WiFi at home or at millions of WiFi hotspots across the country. The feature is free to all Xfinity Mobile customers. “Xfinity Mobile combines its WiFi network resources, 5G capabilities, and PowerBoost technology to enhance the connectivity experience for its customers,” said Kerry Baker, Industry Analyst, Ookla. “The integration of these technologies reflects the ongoing industry focus on creating better solutions for evolving user demands.” PowerBoost provides Xfinity Mobile customers with more than enough speed to stream, game, video call, or browse and have a high-quality experience. Xfinity Mobile is one of the fastest growing mobile services in the industry with more than seven million customers and counting since the service launched. “From the very beginning Xfinity Mobile has delivered an unparalleled wireless experience for the way consumers use mobile today, to get online,” said Kohposh Kuda, senior vice president, Xfinity Mobile, Comcast. “The superfast speeds delivered by PowerBoost are the latest in a long line of game changing features that our customers can enjoy, whether that is saving hundreds of dollars1 by switching from the Big Three mobile providers, customizing their account to fit their unique household needs, or keeping loved ones safe from cyber threats with our advanced cybersecurity features.” Nearly 90 percent of Xfinity Mobile smartphone data travels over WiFi and because Comcast delivers the best WiFi experience, now with speeds up to a gig, that is the primary reason why the service consistently ranks faster than competitors in Comcast markets2. Xfinity Mobile customers with the latest devices automatically connect to millions of WiFi hotspots across the country and receive up to gig speeds delivered by PowerBoost. And, as the Ookla report notes, Xfinity Mobile speeds will continue to get even faster as consumers upgrade to new devices capable of taking advantage of the faster speeds. PowerBoost is another innovation made possible by Comcast’s state-of-the-art network, designed to provide an exceptional Internet experience to more than 63 million homes and businesses and across more than 23 million WiFi hotspots. It represents years of research, technological advancements, and significant investments, including over $20 billion in the past five years, in development and infrastructure. 1 Xfinity Internet req. Compares 2 Xfinity Mobile Unlimited lines and lowest price 5G plans of top 3 carriers. Data thresholds and actual savings may vary. 2 Based on consumer testing of mobile WiFi and cellular data performance from Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data in Q1-Q2 ’24 for Comcast service areas, including its WiFi footprint, verified by Ookla for Comcast’s analysis.
The Wright Center: Give blood – it saves lives! As we settle into 2025 and leave the holiday rush behind, you might find your schedule has a little more breathing room. If so, consider making a difference by donating blood at a local blood drive. Early in the year, blood supplies often dip to critically low levels nationwide and locally. Several factors contribute to this: donations decline during the busy holiday season, many people are sidelined by seasonal illnesses like the flu or COVID-19, and inclement weather frequently disrupts scheduled blood drives. It’s fitting, then, that January is National Blood Donor Month – a time to spotlight the urgent need for blood donations. This marks the 55th annual observance of National Blood Donor Month, first proclaimed in January 1970 by President Richard Nixon and supported by a U.S. Senate resolution. Decades later, raising awareness remains as important as ever. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets every two seconds – for surgeries, cancer treatments, traumatic injuries, and more. A single blood donation can save up to three lives. Each year, about 6.8 million Americans donate blood, resulting in the collection of approximately 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells. However, only about 3% of the eligible population participates. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially those with type O blood, which is most frequently used by hospitals. In Northeast Pennsylvania, there are many opportunities to give blood. The local Red Cross chapter hosts regular blood drives, and is Bloodmobile frequently travels across the region. The requirements to donate are straightforward: you must be at least 16 years old, in good health, and weigh over 110 pounds. The Wright Center is proud to partner with the Red Cross and other community organizations throughout the year to host blood drives. These events have a significant impact. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, donations at our blood drives saved up to 582 lives. Our next event, the “Students Save Lives” blood drive, will take place on Monday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our community health center at 501 S. Washington Ave. In collaboration with students from Scranton Preparatory School, this drive will support area cancer patients undergoing treatment. You can sign up to donate at RedCross.org. Beyond donating, the Red Cross also welcomes volunteers to serve as blood donor ambassadors. These individuals greet and register donors, answer questions, and provide support at the refreshment table, helping ensure a positive experience that encourages repeat donations. Other volunteers act as transportation specialists, delivering lifesaving blood products to hospitals. Please consider using some of your free time to donate blood or volunteer at a drive. It’s easy, virtually painless, and immensely rewarding. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a free cookie! Maura Longstreet, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is certified registered nurse practitioner at The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton, 1721 N. Main Ave. She is accepting new patients of all ages.
Stone House Investment Celebrates New Office in Clarks Summit Stone House Investment Management is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office location at 103 West Grove Street, Clarks Summit, PA, below Kelly Dental. This expansion marks an exciting milestone as Stone House continues to grow and extend its services to the Lackawanna County area. To celebrate this grand opening, Stone House will be hosting an open house on January 24th, starting at 1:00 PM. Guests are invited to visit the newly renovated office space, meet the team of financial advisors, and learn more about their services such as retirement income planning, business investment services, and personal wealth management. The open house will run until 6:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for community members to drop by at their convenience. In addition to the open house, Stone House is proud to sponsor a live ice carving at the Clarks Summit Ice Festival that evening. The ice carving will take place at 6:00 PM in the pocket park on Depot Street. “It will be great to kick off our grand opening around such a treasured, community event,” says Mike Cravath, a Lead Advisor on the Stone House team. The Advisors are also excited to be extending into Lackawanna County with a holistic strategy, focusing on more than just how much you have saved for retirement. Advisors also consider key areas such as tax, estate, and generational planning, which provides a comprehensive approach for your financial wellbeing. “We’re excited to start working with more clients in the valley and look forward to serving the community with a local office presence,” said Ryan Vassil, a Lead Advisor at Stone House. “Our team is committed to helping everyday people feel secure with their financial plans.” For more information about the open house or their services, please contact Stone House at 570-507-8946 or visit their website at stonehouseinv.com.
