Telespond Senior Services Directors Attend AmeriCorps Conference Two Directors from Telespond Senior Services, Inc., attended the AmeriCorps Seniors Pennsylvania Directors Association (ASPDA) Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Jodi Catania, Director of the Senior Companion Program of Lackawanna County; and Colleen Garrison, Director of the Foster Grandparent Program of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, had an opportunity to engage with other program directors from across the Commonwealth and AmeriCorps Mid-Atlantic Portfolio Managers. They received valuable information on policies and procedures in order to maintain successful programs. In addition to the training, each director joined a committee. Catania is a member of the ASPDA Training Committee and will assist with training topics and speakers. Garrison is the Chairperson of the ASPDA Marketing Committee and will coordinate social media projects. For more information on Telespond’s Senior Companion or Foster Grandparent Program, call 570-961-1950.
PennDOT and Shapiro Administration Honor School Bus Safety Week Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver and Vehicle Services Director of the Bureau of Driver Licensing Dios Arroyo joined the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania school bus safety advocates to honor nine students for communicating important school bus safety messages through their submissions to this year’s School Bus Safety Poster Contest and to recognize three school bus drivers for their superior driving skills. The ceremony complemented the Shapiro Administration’s work to support and enhance Pennsylvanians’ safety, including Governor Shapiro proclaiming October 16-20 School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the federal observance. The week recognizes the potential to save young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the commonwealth. “Students’ return to school has meant the return of school buses to our highways, and the Shapiro Administration is focused on everyone getting home safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “School Bus Safety Week gives us all an opportunity to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect our most precious asset – our children.” The students, in kindergarten through eighth grade, were recognized for their winning entries in the 2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for this year’s contest – “Safely Rolling To My Destination” – reminds everyone of the important relationship between students and their school bus drivers, who are responsible stewards of our children as they deliver them safely to and from school and school-related events. “By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations,” said Arroyo. “This year’s entries reinforce the importance of school bus drivers in delivering students to and from school safely and the role they play in students’ well-being every day.” This year’s winners were chosen from 127 student entries from schools across Pennsylvania. The first-place entries will move on to the national competition, which will be judged at the end of this month. 2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest Winners include: Kindergarten – Grade 2 1st Place: Ananyasri Boddupalli, Franklin Elementary School, Sewickley, Allegheny County 2nd Place: Sophia Stroman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County 3rd Place: Lorelei Troutman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County Grades 3-5 1st Place: Ava Tsao, Marshall Elementary School, Wexford, Butler County 2nd Place: Emina Bernice George Michle, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County 3rd Place: Mya Carter, Sugar Valley Charter School, Loganton, Clinton County Grades 6-8 1st Place: Arjun Kairi, Boyce Middle School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County 2nd Place: Alexionna Kephart, Bald Eagle Area School District, Wingate, Centre County 3rd Place: Musfika Turi, Oak Park Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County There were no qualifying entries submitted this year for the Special Education and Computer Aided categories. Templeton and Sgt. Michael Pavelko, Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the Bureau of Patrol for the Pennsylvania State Police, presented certificates and small gifts provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to the students in recognition of their efforts to help communicate this important safety message. Time was also taken during the ceremonies to recognize the winners of the 2023 Pennsylvania statewide school bus competition, held June 24-25 at Mount Nittany Middle School in State College. The event hosted more than 30 drivers locked in competition to determine the top school bus drivers in the state. The winners in the conventional bus category this year were: First place – Tara Herman with Krise Transportation in Chester County; Second place – Ruth Del Vecchio with Krapf School Bus in Chester County; and Third place – Patricia Carey with Krapf School Bus in Chester County. This year’s competition was the first to be held in three years. There was no competition for the Transit style buses this year. “Bus drivers do an extraordinary job every day ensuring the safety of our children as they travel to and from school,” said Sgt. Pavelko. “Their continuing dedication to the safe delivery of their precious cargo reinforces the trust parents have in them.” The ceremony built on safety initiatives across the state. As part of School Bus Safety Week and in a collective effort to enhance students’ safety, local and state law enforcement agencies, school districts and student transportation agencies united for one day last week to raise awareness of the consequences of improperly passing school buses through “Operation Safe Stop,” a safety initiative conducted statewide. Police officers watched for motorists who violated the school bus stopping law. School bus drivers also documented any illegal passes occurring on their routes and will file reports with local police. State law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop when a divider, such as concrete barriers or grassy medians, clearly separates lanes of the highway. In 2022, more than 500 motorists were convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law. One hundred forty-eight law enforcement agencies and 45 school districts combined efforts last year to report violators of the School Bus Stopping Law during Operation Safe Stop. School bus drivers in Pennsylvania traveled over 412 million miles during school year 2021/22, transporting more than 1.4 million students daily. For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT the School Bus Safety page on its highway safety website.
NeighborWorks NEPA Receives Multiple Awards NeighborWorks Northeastern PA (NeighborWorks) was honored with two awards at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) housing counseling awards ceremony in Harrisburg on October 18, 2023. NeighborWorks won the Community Partnership Award, and Pamela Anslinger, HomeOwnership Center Manager at NeighborWorks, received the Best Housing Counseling Specialist award. The Best Housing Counseling Specialist Award recognizes counselors who provide value-added housing counseling services to their clients. Agencies are encouraged to submit nominations for their counselors who have completed all PHFA-based training prior to the nomination. Pam was selected based on her experience in the housing counseling industry, holding National Housing Counseling Certifications, consistently achieving outcomes such as “purchased home” or mortgages refinanced,” consistently receiving positive feedback from her clients, and initiating innovative ways for NeighborWorks to achieve desired results or improve efficiency in workflows. “I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award from PHFA. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team at NeighborWorks and the incredible clients we have the privilege to serve,” said Pam. “It is our mission to empower individuals and families to make informed housing decisions, and I am proud to be part of this transformative journey.” The Community Partnership Award recognizes an agency whose outreach efforts to local community organizations have helped improve its program effectiveness and delivery. Selection criteria is based on the structure of the partnerships, how the partnerships enhances ability to provide quality counseling, the impact the partnerships have on the number of clients counseled, and client success stories that occurred as a result of the partnerships. We also wish to congratulate all of our fellow award recipients, including our fellow NeighborWorks America and NeighborWorks Association of Pennsylvania member agencies in NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania and Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks. Housing counselors from across the state attended the ceremony, representing 63 counseling agencies. These counselors help PHFA achieve its housing mission by assisting state residents with questions about homeownership, home foreclosure, budgeting, personal money management, and their personal credit score so they can make better informed housing decisions
Wright Center Resident Earns 2023 PA-ACP Eastern Regional Professionalism Award Dr. Richard Bronnenkant, a resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, was honored with the 2023 Pennsylvania American College of Physicians (PA-ACP) Eastern Regional Professionalism Award at a ceremony in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 21. Dr. Ivan Cvorvic, a faculty member in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program and a primary care provider for The Wright Center for Community Health, presented Dr. Bronnenkant with the award. Dr. Bronnenkant, a Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine graduate, was selected for the honor because of his exemplary professionalism and compassion, as well as his commitment to teamwork and passion for whole-person care. “Richard has been an exemplary resident physician who is kind, caring, compassionate, and patient-centered,” said Dr. Timothy Burke, program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. “The ACP Professionalism Award recognizes a resident or fellow member of the American College of Physicians who has demonstrated qualities that exemplify the college’s mission to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.” Among his peers, Dr. Bronnenkant is known as a leader at The Wright Center, according to Dr. Burke. In June 2023, Dr. Bronnenkant received the Sandy Furey, M.D., FACP, Golden Stethoscope Award after his fellow medical residents selected him as the graduating medical resident who made the most significant contribution to their training. In addition, he joined several other resident and fellow physicians at The Wright Center in interacting with local legislators to advocate for various health care topics at the PA-ACP’s Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and at the American College of Physicians Leadership Day in Washington, D.C. He’s also led or participated in several research projects as a resident physician, including a review of outpatients with heart failure and Type 2 diabetes mellitus at The Wright Center for Community Health and the contribution of energy drinks to myocarditis/Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a young, healthy male. Dr. Bronnenkant completed his Internal Medicine residency in October and then began a Cardiovascular Disease fellowship at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. The PA-ACP has identified the importance of recognizing the hard work of residents in not only their research endeavors but also in their outstanding commitment to professionalism on a daily basis. Each year, one resident from each internal medicine training program is selected for the PA-ACP Resident Professionalism Award. ACP is the nation’s largest medical specialty organization, with 159,000 internal medicine physicians and medical students as members. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, is the governor for PA-ACP’s Eastern Region. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Johnson College Receives EITC Contribution from Peoples Security Bank & Trust Johnson College received a $12,000 EITC contribution from Peoples Security Bank & Trust to support the College’s Industry Fast Track program. Peoples Security Bank & Trust’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers businesses a tax credit for supporting state-approved educational improvement programs. Johnson College is approved to accept EITC contributions in support of its STEM outreach programs and Industry Fast Track program. Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students from participating area school districts an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing college-level courses. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes on the College’s campus. To learn more about Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program, visit johnson.edu/dual-enrollment-at-johnson-college.
Mohegan Digital Names Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing Mohegan, the world-renowned entertainment and gaming brand formally know as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, has named Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing for its iGaming division, Mohegan Digital. As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will drive the overall marketing strategies that support the expanding footprint of Mohegan Digital’s online gaming products, which include MoheganSunCasino.com in Connecticut and PlayFallsViewCasino.com in Ontario, Canada. “Guy Greene has a wealth of Marketing knowledge and experience in the gaming industry and Mohegan is thrilled to have him lead our Online Marketing team,” -said Rich Roberts, President of Mohegan Digital. “Our iGaming business has seen tremendous success and to carry that success forward, and to further evolve and meet new demands in this fast-growing industry, a proven leader like Greene will be vital.” Guy Greene will lead a dedicated Online Marketing team as they continue to develop brand positioning, unique advertising campaigns, guest acquisition efforts and product management for Mohegan’s iGaming and online sports betting offerings. Prior to taking on the VP of Online Marketing position, Greene served as the Director of Loyalty Digital Marketing for Mohegan where he was a crucial part of merging the brand’s Momentum loyalty program to its iGaming platforms like MoheganSunCasino.com and associated Android and iOS apps. This role also allowed Greene to work collaboratively with various high-level Mohegan Digital partners. As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will also lead new product launches, assist in CRM growth, and oversee promotion and incentive programs for Mohegan Digital. Greene’s career started at Mohegan Sun when it opened in 1996, where he was hired as Player’s Club Manager. Greene would soon be promoted to various director-level marketing positions for Mohegan Sun before being named the Strategic Account & Program Director for OverAbove Marketing & Advertising Agency, where he remained through 2020. Greene is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University and has professional certifications from the Project Management Institute and Six Sigma Global Institute. He resides in Old Lyme with his wife, Vimala Greene, who is the Executive Assistant for the Mohegan Tribe. For more information on Mohegan, please visit mohegangaming.com.
Marywood Offers Students Academic Program Exploration Days Marywood University is hosting upcoming on-campus experiences to help prospective students explore several academic program areas, set to take place throughout the fall semester. Programs holding special exploration days include: Dietitian Day, October 27: This is a great opportunity to allow students interested in the field to gain hands-on experience in several practice areas including sports, clinical and community nutrition, food science, and food service. Meet with admissions staff, faculty, current students, tour campus, and enjoy lunch prepared as part of one of the activities. Registration is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/DietitianFall23 Criminal Justice Day, October 30: Students interested in the field of criminal justice can meet with current students, recent alumnus and guest speaker Master Trooper David Peters, and learn more about Marywood’s program. Event includes light breakfast and tours of campus. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23CJ Music, Theatre, and Dance Day, November 2: Interested students will meet with faculty and current students, and choose from sessions focusing on music therapy, music education, theatre, instrumental music, and vocal/choral music. Attendees also will learn more about the various student organizations available within the department. Optional campus tour. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/MTDFall23 Art Day, November 6: Marywood’s Art Department Visit Day offers the perfect blend for the student eager to learn more about everything Marywood has to offer. Attendees will get a closer look at the department’s programs, meet faculty and students, tour the facilities, and participate in activities. Space is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23ArtDay Exercise Science Day, November 15: This is a day of immersive and hands-on learning in topic areas including sports performance and sports rehabilitation. The event also includes a program overview, meetings with faculty, a Q&A student panel, and breakout sessions. Breakfast and campus tour included. Registration closes on November 10. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/ExerciseScience23
Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. Earns 2023 Great Place to Work Certification Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. (BBLCA) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the first time. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at BBLCA. This year, 90% of employees responded, saying it’s a Great Place To Work. Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. “Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that BBLCA stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.” We are thrilled to become Great Place To Work-Certified™ as we consider employee experience a top priority every day,” said General Manager & Chief Operating Officer Neil Bresnahan. “We owe our continued success to our team of dedicated employees at BBLCA. We celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition.” According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Recognized for Excellence in Patient Safety Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton has received statewide recognition for its outstanding performance in patient safety. The Hospital and Health system Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is recognizing Regional Hospital of Scranton through its 2023 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program. The recognition honors Pennsylvania’s top-performing hospitals that have demonstrated low rates of health care-associated infections. HAP is recognizing 29 hospitals this year based on their performance during 2022. HAP identifies top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections. “HAP is proud to recognize the hospital teams with exemplary results from their efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said. “This year, more hospitals met the criteria to be recognized than any other year since this program began. This speaks to the Pennsylvania hospital community’s strong commitment to patient safety.”
Governor Shapiro Announces Planning of PA’s First Economic Development Strategy Moving at the Speed of Business: PA SITES Responding to outreach from businesses who see the benefits of locating or expanding in the Commonwealth, Governor Shapiro and Secretary Siger also unveiled the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) pilot program. PA SITES will make at least $10 million in grant funding available to help more sites across the Commonwealth become “shovel ready” to attract and retain more businesses. Eligibility for the program includes PA municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment and municipal authorities, and industrial development agencies. Don’t delay! Applications are due by November 8th. Please help us spread the word to any others that may benefit from this program. PA: The Place for Growth For the Shapiro Administration and DCED, September was a huge month for business investments and job creation, as two national companies highlighted major expansions in Pennsylvania. DCED Secretary Rick Siger joined top United Parcel Service (UPS) officials to celebrate the completion of the company’s new East Zone Regional Hub in Dauphin County, the company’s fourth largest domestic hub. The Commonwealth, through DCED, offered UPS more than $9 million in incentives to win that major expansion which has already created nearly 1,250 jobs. Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Siger joined Pratt Industries Executive Global Chairman Anthony Pratt in Carlisle to announce a new commitment by the corrugated packaging company to invest $500 million and create hundreds of jobs in Pennsylvania over the next ten years. Economic Opportunity for All Governor Shapiro gave small businesses a better shot at getting Commonwealth contracts when he signed an Executive Order making the procurement process more accessible for small and small diverse businesses to compete for state contracts, giving them a better chance to succeed, and create good-paying jobs. Investing in Our Workforce The Shapiro Administration believes our workers should have the freedom to chart their own course to success. Echoing that, Secretary Siger announced a $200,000 grant to support manufacturing programsto inspire students and connect manufacturing talent in Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties with regional employers. Reinforcing the priority of workforce investment, Secretary Siger also announced a $200,000 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant award to the Indiana County Technical Center to support a new Electrical Occupations Program for students in grades 10 through 12 in Indiana County. Investments in Tourism Fayette County’s Yough River Park was the perfect setting for Governor Shapiro and Secretary Siger to launch Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation and highlight the bipartisan 2023-24 budget’s $112 million budget investment in state parks and forests. That focus is also aimed at bringing outdoor recreation tourist revenue to Pennsylvania. World Cup soccer and the U.S. Open are bringing world-class athletes to the Commonwealth, and sports tourism will follow. Secretary Siger announced $5 million in grants through DCED’s Sports Marketing and Tourism Program to help bring nationally-known sporting events to Pennsylvania. The goal of the innovative investment is to capitalize on sports tourism which can increase sales to both large and small businesses in the surrounding area. Strengthening Communities The Commonwealth is always ready to help local communities stay on track. In September, new funding was awarded through the Municipal Assistance Program to support local governments in eight counties with planning for zoning and updating of comprehensive plans. Secretary Siger also announced three new low-interest loans through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to support business expansions and spur the economy in Beaver, Elk and Westmoreland counties. These newly approved loans build upon Governor Shapiro’s commitment to create a stronger economy across Pennsylvania.
