NEPIRC Releases 2023 Impact Study Results Throughout 2023, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) provided assistance to 183 regional small and mid-sized manufacturers. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program office recently released a report summarizing the one-year financial and operational impacts of those services based upon voluntary surveys completed by a sampling of those companies over the past 12 months. In total, 74 companies participated in the survey process. Collectively, they reported dynamic results. The 74 companies attributed a total of $157.9 million of incremental revenue in 2023 to the assistance and advisement they obtained from NEPIRC. These additional revenues, coupled with $12.8 million of annual savings, allowed those same companies to create and retain 1,051 regional manufacturing jobs and invest more than $56.4 million in expansion, modernization and workforce training. More than 93% of the companies surveyed felt that NEPIRC’s services improved their overall competitiveness and nearly 91% indicated that they would refer NEPIRC to other manufacturing firms in need of technical assistance in the areas of continuous improvement, leadership development, technology integration, safety or industry certification. “Throughout 2023, we saw strong demand of our services and training programs and were optimistic that the impact we’re generating for our clients and region would be impressive,” explains Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s president and CEO. “But these results exceed even our most lofty internal expectations, and we’re very proud of our staff, the manufacturers we serve and their workforce for being so successful.” Based upon the impact reported by its clients, NEPIRC’s performance places the organization as a top-performer across the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Network and within the top six of more than 50 MEP affiliates nationally in key metrics, such as client reported cost savings, new revenue, retained revenue, regional investment, job creation and job retention. In addition to providing manufacturers with expert services, training programs, and on-site assessments to enhance their resiliency, profitability, workforce practices and long-term growth, NEPIRC also supports the manufacturing community through its Manufacturing Jobs Board, Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team, Manufacturer of the Month campaign and other efforts that support the industrial community. More details regarding NEPIRC’s regional impact and its programs to bolster manufacturing growth are available by contacting Eric@NEPIRC.com.
WVIA News Awarded Grant for Full-Time Journalist WVIA was recently awarded a grant through the Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania to support the addition of a dedicated, full-time WVIA News reporter to exclusively cover Williamsport and the Lycoming County region. The position has now been filled by Chase Bottorf, a Lock Haven native, providing dedicated WVIA News coverage to the area. Bottorf is a graduate of Lock Haven University and holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. Having previously been a reporter for the Lock Haven news publication, The Express, he comes with an existing awareness of the unique issues in the Lycoming County region, and has ties to the local communities. “I am extremely excited to work for WVIA in bolstering community-based reporting in Northcentral Pennsylvania,” said Bottorf. “While working with the station, under the NPR/PBS umbrella, I hope to achieve greater transparency within the community and tackle stories that will benefit the area as a whole. This, and at the same time, garner experience that will help push my boundaries in the field of journalism overall.” Mr. Bottorf will be responsible for reporting and producing stories exclusive to the Lycoming County region on WVIA’s radio and digital platforms. He will focus on the many complexities of the Williamsport area by providing in-depth coverage of local issues and community engagement opportunities with residents of the region. Bottorf will work out of the WVIA Studios Lycoming County Bureau in the Community Arts Center on West 4th Street in Williamsport. Bucking the national trends of shrinking staff and non-local ownership groups, WVIA has grown – and is quickly becoming the source for balanced, local news throughout the 22-county region it serves. Founded in 2022, WVIA News has grown to a team of six full-time journalists in less than two years. “First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania is thrilled to support WVIA’s continued expansion into Lycoming County,” stated Betty Gilmour, Director of Grantmaking, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. “With a dedicated journalist closely involved in the greater Williamsport and surrounding area, residents will become more knowledgeable about the place they call home, opening new avenues to a more connected community.” This is the second grant-funded news position for WVIA News since its founding in 2022. These additions to WVIA’s growing news department are evidence of the level of support from donors and the community for local non-profit journalism, and the level of commitment from WVIA to fill the need for such.
Marywood Architecture Student Recognized by AIA Pennsylvania Rye Ahronson, Scranton, a Marywood University Architecture student, was recently recognized by AIA Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, with its 2023 Architectural Excellence Student Award. Each year, AIA Pennsylvania recognizes one architecture student from each of the seven Pennsylvania schools offering an accredited architecture program, as determined by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Mr. Ahronson, a Dean’s List student, who will earn his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from Marywood in 2024, represents the Marywood University School of Architecture (MUSOA) in this prestigious awards program. He earned the AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Student Award based on his exceptional accomplishments and proficiency in academics and design and his readiness to meet the challenges and responsibilities of a career in architecture. The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Pennsylvania, represents nearly 3,000 members across the Commonwealth working at the forefront of a nearly $17 billion construction industry. AIA Pennsylvania advocates for the value of architecture and policies that promote economic prosperity and the health, safety, and welfare of the public. As a membership organization, the chapter provides architecture professionals with the statewide community, advocacy, and knowledge to affect positive outcomes through the power of design. For more information about Marywood University’s School of Architecture programs, please visit marywood.edu/architecture.
Geisinger Recognized in Gartner’s Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 For the third consecutive year, Geisinger’s supply chain operations were named among the nation’s top healthcare organizations in the Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 for 2023. “Supply chain challenges continue to wreak havoc across the industry, and health care supply chain is no exception. Geisinger’s response has been vital in keeping our staff supplied with what they need to support the communities we serve,” said Kate Polczynski, Geisinger’s vice president of enterprise supply chain services. “Our position in this national ranking is a credit to the team’s commitment to making better health easier, and it highlights the industry leadership Geisinger as a whole represents.” Some of Geisinger’s top focuses include strategic partnerships with suppliers, data quality and standardization and technology innovation — all of it centered around patient care. Now in its 15th year, the Gartner Healthcare Supply Top 25 helps guide supply chain leaders of health systems to build stronger operations to improve patient outcomes and control costs. The rankings program highlights supply chain excellence, recognizing investment in technologies, talent retention and innovation. It is a renowned annual ranking of global supply chains.
Ufberg & Associates: COVID-19 Vaccination Status is Confidential Under ADA A Federal District Court in Pennsylvania recently issued a decision that provides a valuable reminder that an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered a medical record which employers must keep confidential. In Purvenas-Hayes v. Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bedensky, P.C., a paralegal was required by her law firm employer to provide her COVID-19 vaccination status, which she did. The paralegal later sued the law firm, initially alleging she was not being paid for overtime work. A few days later, a lawyer in the firm disputed the paralegal’s allegations by informing the Legal Intelligencer, a newspaper that covers the law practice industry, that the paralegal left the firm because she did not wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The paralegal then sued the law firm again, this time alleging a violation of the confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to that disclosure. The law firm defended the suit by arguing that the disclosure did not violate the ADA because: (1) the confidentiality requirement only applied to disability-related inquiries; and (2) the law firm only disclosed her political views. The Court disagreed with both arguments, holding that when an employer’s inquiry of an employee yields information “regarding the medical condition or history of any employee,” the employer must treat the information as a confidential medical record under the ADA. When the employer asked the paralegal for her COVID-19 vaccination status, it requested information about her medical history, which she provided. The employer therefore had an obligation to keep her COVID-19 vaccination status confidential under the ADA. This decision provides an important reminder that an individual’s decision not to receive a vaccination is nevertheless medical information that must be kept confidential. It is also a valuable reminder that organizations should be very careful when making statements to the news media about active litigation – or about human resources issues in general. If you have any questions about this case or the ADA’s confidentiality requirements for employee medical information, please call our office. This Client Alert provides a general overview of new legal developments. It is not intended to provide legal advice. If you have any questions or would like more information about how these developments may affect your business, please contact us at (570) 341-8800.
Dentist at The Wright Center Receives Faculty Appointment with Partner Organization Dr. Surbhi Abrol, a board-certified dentist at The Wright Center for Community Health, has been appointed as a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine. In her new role, Abrol will mentor dental residents in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, sharing her clinical knowledge in general dentistry and background in prosthodontics. Each academic year, two dental residents train at The Wright Center’s primary care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania as part of an affiliation established in 2021 with NYU Langone Dental Medicine. The organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., operates the world’s largest postdoctoral dental residency program of its kind, training about 400 residents annually at partner sites, including community health centers, hospitals, and other affiliates in nearly 30 states. The Wright Center is currently the only organization in Pennsylvania to partner with NYU Langone to offer its AEGD program. Through the affiliation, The Wright Center is able to attract additional health professionals to the region to address the community’s pressing need for dental services. “I am pleased to receive this faculty appointment and contribute to The Wright Center for Community Health’s vision in clinical training and dental education,” said Abrol, who joined The Wright Center in 2022. “As a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine, I am excited to help shape the next generation of dentists, particularly those committed to serving in rural and medically underserved communities. This role aligns perfectly with my passion for dental education and community health.” Abrol earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing since 2021 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center for Community Health operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, 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. The Wright Center accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To schedule a dental appointment at the Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, call 570-230-0019. To schedule a dental appointment at the Scranton Practice in the city’s South Side neighborhood, call 570-941-0630. For more information about The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
NEPIRC’S Dream Team Expands Outreach to More Than 7,700 Students The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center’s (NEPIRC’s) Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team program continued its mission to educate and inspire the region’s future workforce with more than 40 speaking engagements in 2023. Since the program’s launch in January 2023, NEPIRC’s Dream Team Ambassadors participated in 16 career exploration days, 23 in-school presentations and two summer camps. Collectively, these activities engaged with students from more than 40 schools and led to more than 7,700 student interactions and exchanges at high schools, colleges and organizations throughout NEPIRC’s 11-county region. “In its first year of existence, NEPIRC’s Dream Team has surpassed the PA Department of Education and PA Department of Community and Economic Development goals for the program by more than 100% while recruiting twice as many Ambassadors from twice as many companies and presenting to more than ten times as many students as expected,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of NEPIRC. The Dream Team Ambassador program has also exceeded the expectations of students and school administrators from throughout the region. “The Dream Team program has exceeded every expectation and goal set forth since its inception. Through student surveys and positive feedback from school administrators, the Dream Team has proved successful in its objective to change the conversation and perception regarding modern manufacturing careers,” said Jenelle Osborne, Dream Team program coordinator. “Every school our Dream Team has been involved with in either classroom presentations or career exploration days has asked us to come back again to speak to another group of students or participate in an upcoming career fair.” Gabrielle Pidgeon, career counselor at the Carbondale Area High School, has had several interactions with Dream Team Ambassadors. She sees firsthand the positive impact the program is having on her students. “I’ve seen how NEPIRC’s Dream Team Ambassadors are connecting with our students in a real way. To date, our school has engaged with the Dream Team several times, with additional presentations scheduled for this school year. The first Dream Team engagement at Carbondale High School consisted of an ambassador coming in to speak with a small group of students. That student group had such a positive response to the presentation. It also helped reframe my thinking of what manufacturing is, so it was a learning experience for all of us in the room that day,” said Pidgeon. “As a result of the numerous Dream Team visits, the Carbondale High School students are having real conversations with the ambassadors instead of just listening to someone talk to them.” Ambassadors typically bring samples of their company’s products with them — including cans, boxes, military helmets, or sections of heavy construction cables — to the classroom and career exploration day events to help spur interest and conversations with the students. Ask any ambassador and they will say they benefit from the student interactions as much as the students do. Dream Team Ambassador Max McCabe, project manager at Cheetah Chassis in Berwick, had the opportunity to speak with high school students at Northwest Area High School where his grandfather was once the principal. He credits his grandfather’s strong work ethic along with his mother’s advice for the reasons behind pursuing a career in manufacturing. McCabe knows the future of manufacturing in the region rests on the interest of today’s high school students pursuing careers with manufacturing companies. “I think it’s important to recognize that if I am going to have a future in manufacturing, I will need the generations after me to be interested as well. That means getting out there and showing people what goes on in the factories and what type of great opportunities are available to them. I take pride in being a voice that advocates for manufacturing careers, and being an ambassador is a great way to do it,” said McCabe. The PA Department of Education recognized the Dream Team’s efforts and invited NEPIRC to present during a virtual Career Ready PA Coalition Best Practices seminar last June. “The Career Ready PA Coalition team serves to support career and workforce readiness opportunities across the state. Their connections are invaluable in creating awareness statewide to build career pathways for all learners. Our topic of discussion was ‘NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team: An Innovative Approach to Career Exploration and Awareness,’ where we shared the Dream Team’s objectives to raise awareness of the amazing products made in our region, modern technologies used by manufacturing companies and the great careers available in the manufacturing sector,” said Esoda. The Dream Team program gained an overwhelming amount of support from school districts and manufacturing companies in year one. The program has also formed partnerships with multiple regional economic development and workforce partners, including the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, the Berwick Industrial Development Association, the Lackawanna County Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act Board and the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. The Dream Team was also recognized as a best practice at conferences led by the Northeast Intermediate Unit (NEIU) 18 as well as the PA Department of Education. NEPIRC’s school outreach efforts are made possible by the Pennsylvania Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant approved by the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) in 2022. Information about the NEPIRC Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team Program can be found on the program’s new website, NEPIRC.com/DreamTeam. School faculty and administrators interested in having a Dream Team Ambassador speak at a career fair, at a specific classroom or other school event should contact Jenelle Osborne, Dream Team project coordinator, via email at Jenelle@NEPIRC.com.
Wright Center Physician Receives Board Certification in Obesity Medicine Dr. Nirali Patel, a board-certified internal medicine physician at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice, recently earned board certification in obesity medicine, increasing the number of physicians in the network who are prepared to better help patients manage obesity, its many comorbidities, and to lose weight. Patel is accepting adult patients at the primary care practice at 501 S. Washington Ave. A Scranton resident, Patel is also a core faculty member for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency program. She earned her medical degree from Medical University of Lublin, Poland, and completed her internal medicine residency and geriatrics fellowship training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. Obesity is one of the nation’s most prevalent chronic diseases and is associated with many of the leading causes of preventable, premature death. The condition is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, certain cancers, and many additional comorbidities. The certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine gives physicians the insights and tools to help patients who are struggling with the complex issue of obesity. Drs. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Jumee Barooah, and Manju Mary Thomas are also board-certified in obesity medicine and see patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. In addition, Barooah accepts patients at the Scranton Practice. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health and its network of primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Dentist Receives Faculty Appointment with Partner Organization Dr. Surbhi Abrol, a board-certified dentist at The Wright Center for Community Health, has been appointed as a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine. In her new role, Abrol will mentor dental residents in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, sharing her clinical knowledge in general dentistry and background in prosthodontics. Each academic year, two dental residents train at The Wright Center’s primary care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania as part of an affiliation established in 2021 with NYU Langone Dental Medicine. The organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., operates the world’s largest postdoctoral dental residency program of its kind, training about 400 residents annually at partner sites, including community health centers, hospitals, and other affiliates in nearly 30 states. The Wright Center is currently the only organization in Pennsylvania to partner with NYU Langone to offer its AEGD program. Through the affiliation, The Wright Center is able to attract additional health professionals to the region to address the community’s pressing need for dental services. “I am pleased to receive this faculty appointment and contribute to The Wright Center for Community Health’s vision in clinical training and dental education,” said Abrol, who joined The Wright Center in 2022. “As a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine, I am excited to help shape the next generation of dentists, particularly those committed to serving in rural and medically underserved communities. This role aligns perfectly with my passion for dental education and community health.” Abrol earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing since 2021 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center for Community Health operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, 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. The Wright Center accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To schedule a dental appointment at the Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, call 570-230-0019. To schedule a dental appointment at the Scranton Practice in the city’s South Side neighborhood, call 570-941-0630. For more information about The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
Geisinger Working to Make all Emergency Rooms Ready for Kids When emergency rooms are equipped to care for children, outcomes are significantly better for young patients — which is why Geisinger is preparing every ER in the system to specifically treat children. The effort is led by Sarah Alander, MD, Geisinger director of pediatric emergency medicine, who has made readying Geisinger ERs for the 45,000 kids seen each year, systemwide, a priority. “A 2019 landmark study found that if an emergency room is trained and equipped to care for children, they are four times less likely to have a child die in their care,” Dr. Alander said. “It is important to provide the training to our emergency room staffs so they’re equipped to treat children safely and effectively and not treat them as small adults.” A nationwide program called the National Pediatric Readiness Project offers a voluntary survey to assess a trauma center’s level of preparedness for children’s care. Beginning in June 2025, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation — the trauma center accreditation body for state hospitals — will require hospitals to conduct pediatric readiness assessments and have plans to address gaps. Geisinger has already voluntarily participated in the survey and created a council to help improve gaps at its hospitals. Geisinger’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Council, led by Dr. Alander, focuses on six areas improve pediatric readiness: Identifying personnel as “pediatric champions” at each emergency department Educating nurses and providing a pediatric critical care course and simulation training for physicians Joining national quality improvement programs on pediatric sepsis and airway management Attending regular safety meetings and reviewing safety events Compiling a collection of policies and procedures for children Working to standardize specialized equipment for the emergency care of children The council’s work on these priorities has yielded remarkable results. “In 2019, our system participated in the national pediatric readiness survey for the first time and had scores ranging from 40% to 68%,” said Megan Zelonis, RN, pediatric emergency care coordinator. “In the repeat 2021 assessment, our scores significantly improved to a range of 83% to 94%.”
