WVIA Launches “Community Connection” to Spotlight Local Nonprofits WVIA is excited to announce the recent launch of Community Connection, a new interview series dedicated to celebrating the incredible work of nonprofit organizations across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Hosted by the esteemed Lisa Mazzarella, this dynamic series premiered on November 15 and will air each Friday on WVIA Radio during NPR’s Morning Edition at 8:45AM and All Things Considered at 4:44PM. As a cornerstone of community engagement, nonprofits play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our region. With over 60,000 nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania and more than 3,000 in the greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area alone, Community Connection seeks to highlight the impactful missions and tireless efforts of these organizations. Each week, listeners will hear first-hand accounts from nonprofit leaders, discover inspiring success stories, and meet the dedicated volunteers who make it all happen. “It is hoped the series will increase community awareness of our region’s nonprofits, and perhaps bolster an interest in volunteerism,” stated WVIA’s Lisa Mazzarella. Mazzarella continued, “Community Connection is a forum for our regional nonprofit organizations to talk about specific programs they provide, the varied missions of their organizations, and the positive impact they make in our communities. WVIA serves a 22 county radius, so the goal is to feature programs and services from organizations all around our listening area.” The premiere episode of Community Connection featured The Greenhouse Project, a nonprofit organization located in Scranton that operates a 3,000 square foot greenhouse and offers a variety of classes and educational resources focused on wholesome food and healthy living. In addition to the on-air interviews, an extended community profile will be available on WVIA’s website, featuring in-depth information about each highlighted organization, including contact details and resources. This initiative not only informs listeners but also empowers them to engage with and support the nonprofits that enrich our communities. For more information on upcoming segments and to listen to the premiere episode visit www.wvia.org/community.
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Expands Efforts to Support Animals The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, formed in 2019 by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is making significant strides in advancing animal welfare throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bringing together over 40 local animal shelters, rescues, advocates and sanctuaries, the Collaborative focuses on improving the lives of animals through innovative programs, partnerships, and expanded resources. Affordable Veterinary Care In March 2023, the Collaborative, in partnership with Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, launched the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic in Dalton. This state-of-the-art facility provides accessible and affordable veterinary care, addressing a critical gap in animal healthcare services in the region. Spay/Neuter Initiatives Additionally in March 2023, the Collaborative received a transformative grant from Bob Jones’ Dog Trust to promote canine spay/neuter initiatives. The funding enabled the distribution of over 150 spay/neuter vouchers, directly supporting responsible pet ownership and reducing the region’s stray dog population. Addressing Feral Cat Challenges In response to a rising feral cat population, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Collaborative launched a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) initiative in partnership with the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic. In August 2024, three dedicated clinic events provided free spaying, neutering, vaccinations and veterinary care for over 100 feral cats in Lackawanna County. The program has successfully mitigated concerns around disease transmission, wildlife interactions and neighborhood disruptions caused by feral cats. New Website to Enhance Regional Animal Welfare Efforts This month, the Collaborative will unveil a comprehensive regional animal welfare resource guide on its new website. The guide will feature essential contacts for shelters, rescues, veterinary care, trainers, and TNR programs, providing a one-stop resource for the public while easing the strain on local facilities. These initiatives are just the latest examples of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative’s commitment to improving animal welfare across the region. To learn more or get involved, visit nepaawc.org and follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook.
I Need A Speaker Offering Special Pricing on Public Speaking Workshops I Need A Speaker is offering public speaking training at a special price during December 2024 and January 2025. “Many companies have unused training funds at the end of the calendar year. Using that money to schedule one or two training sessions will benefit individuals on public-facing teams, such as sales, marketing, customer service, or related departments,” said Autumn Bohner, marketing communications manager for I Need A Speaker. The special rate of $3,800 includes one day with six hours of training, a workbook, and lunch for participants. Workshops will be taught by Tricia Richards-Service, PhD, who has taught public presentation for more than 20 years. She is the founder and president of I Need A Speaker, a global online platform for qualified speakers at all price points. This offer is valid for on- or off-site workshops for up to 12 people. Off-site workshops are available at your choice of two pre-selected venues: one in Wilkes-Barre, and one in Scranton. To be eligible, clients must book the workshops for dates in December 2024 or January 2025. A travel fee will be applied for clients who are more than 75 miles from Scranton, PA. “Professional development is a great way to motivate and reward employees,” said Bohner. “What a wonderful, practical way to end one year or begin another.” For more information or to book your training date, email info@ineedaspeaker.com.
MyBenefitAdvisor – Workers Consider Wellness Programs a Top Priority As companies are increasingly requiring their employees to return to the office, company leaders and human resource department personnel are hearing their workers and future talent prospects ask for programs and services that go beyond traditional benefits. Specifically, individuals are looking for those with a greater focus on benefits that will allow them to maintain and enhance their personal health and well-being. For many workers, wellness programs offer practical solutions to modern challenges, such as managing chronic conditions, coping with mental health issues, or achieving a better work-life balance. Benefits like gym memberships, increased access to mental health resources, flexible work hours, the ability to work at least part-time from a remote location, increased PTO, ergonomic support, nutritional advice, a robust health care program and even on-site physical amenities like gyms are all benefits that can improve wellness and boost employee well-being. Companies that prioritize wellness signal to employees that their well-being is valued, contributing to stronger loyalty and morale. Moreover, wellness programs help employees manage stress and avoid burnout, which has become especially relevant in the post-pandemic world. In a competitive job market, wellness programs are often viewed as a deciding factor when choosing an employer. As employees increasingly seek a holistic approach to health and well-being, these programs have become essential for attracting and retaining top talent while fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3536.
Loop Launches Fastest Fiber Internet Service in Downtown Scranton Scranton-based Loop Internet is proud to announce the launch of the city’s fastest fiber internet service, delivering symmetrical speeds up to 10 gigabits per second to the downtown business district. Loop’s high-speed internet is faster than any other local offering, setting a new benchmark for reliable, high-speed connectivity that will benefit both businesses and residents. The network, built to support remote work, video conferencing, and data-intensive applications, also delivers a stable, uninterrupted connection essential for today’s digital demands. Loop is already doing installations on Lackawanna, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Wyoming avenues along with Linden Street in the downtown area. Jason Wasmanski, General Manager of Loop, emphasized the value of local investment. “We’re headquartered right here in Scranton, and money paid by our customers for the service goes back into the local economy,” he said. “We believe in building up our community, not just serving it.” Loop has been in the area providing internet service for nearly a decade and recently expanded its network footprint in the City of Wilkes-Barre as well. Loop recognized the need for better connectivity in nearby Scranton as more residents and businesses move into the city so they began rapidly building out the network. Loop is investing millions of dollars into Scranton’s infrastructure which demonstrates its commitment to the region. In addition to bringing top-tier internet to the city, Loop focuses on local partnerships, contracting with nearby businesses for services such as marketing, printing, and events. The company’s founder and CEO, Chris Hacken, a Mountain Top native, remains actively involved, often seen working on network construction and connecting customers himself. Loop also remains dedicated to delivering lightning fast speeds to Northeast Pennsylvania residents without delay. “While other providers have contracts in place that will take years to complete, Loop is transforming the downtown Scranton business district in under a year,” Wasmanski explained. “Our team’s swift deployment ensures that businesses and residents can access cutting-edge speeds now, not years from now.” Wasmanski explained that fiber internet uses thin strands of glass to transmit data as light signals rather than relying on traditional copper cables that use electrical signals. Fiber signals travel close to the speed of light with less interference, which means fiber can carry data at incredibly high speeds with low latency over long distances without losing quality. Loop’s fiber network is built with room to expand, too, allowing even faster speeds as the demand grows. Plans are underway to expand the fiber network beyond the business district to serve more areas of Scranton, keeping pace with evolving needs. “We’ve already connected over 100 customers downtown and have businesses practically knocking down our door to sign up,” Founder and CEO Chris Hacken added. “Our fiber technology delivers the same upload and download speeds, so our users can work from home, stream, and share large files without the disruptions that are common with cable internet.” Interested residents and businesses can check service availability and sign up for updates by visiting loopinternet.com. For more information, please contact Cheryl Malak, Business Account Executive, by calling 888-808-5667, ext. 213, or emailing cheryl.malak@loopinternet.com.
Geisinger Serves Meals at Drive-Through Veteran Appreciation Dinners DANVILLE, Pa. – To thank local veterans for their service, Geisinger served approximately 2,500 meals during drive-through veteran appreciation dinners at 11 locations across its service area on Thursday, Nov. 7. The dinners were provided at no cost to U.S. military veterans and their guests. Meals were provided in Bloomsburg, Danville, Jersey Shore, Lewistown, Mifflintown, Muncy, Pittston, Scranton, Shamokin, State College and Wilkes-Barre. Members of Geisinger’s executive leadership team, regional leaders and volunteers attended the event to hand out meals to veterans. Members of leadership, along with staff and volunteers, distributed the meals with a smile and expression of gratitude for the veterans’ selflessness and sacrifice. At some locations, veterans also received homemade cards and notes from local students.
Marywood Named “Most Engaged Campus for Student Voting” Marywood University has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting, a designation that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. Marywood University joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: Sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. “As part of our ongoing efforts, Marywood continues to promote civic engagement every year, not just during major election years,” said Kevin Farrell, associate vice president for the student experience at Marywood University. “With our Pacers to the Polls initiative, as well as our participation in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the university has made a strong statement about its civic mission to prepare students to be engaged participants in our democracy. We are eager to continue engaging students, not just in major election years like 2024, but in all election years, because voting is something we should consistently do.” Pacers to the Polls is Marywood’s nonpartisan campaign focused on increasing voter registration, preparedness, and turnout among students. This year, voter registration drives were held on campus and in the community, and educational efforts and events, such as a Constitution Day talk, took place. Each of the different events and initiatives held throughout the year as part of this campaign are led and managed by a task force of students, staff, and faculty members. “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.” The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 1,075 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives, working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote.
Johnson College Hosts Annual Scholarship Breakfast Johnson College hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast today, November 13, at Fiorelli Family Catering in Peckville. The event recognized the scholarship recipients and honored the generous donors who made scholarships available to students. The College awarded 82 students with scholarships. Andrew Abrams, a second-year student in Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program and recipient of the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship and the Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship served as the student speaker at the event. “I deeply appreciate the financial support these scholarships provide for me and many other students who rely on this assistance to continue their education,” Abrams said. He stated that the generosity of the scholarship donors and the support from Johnson College allows him to pursue his studies and dream of helping pets lead long and healthy lives. Andrew Abrams, a Johnson College Veterinary Nursing program student, spoke at the College’s Annual Scholarship Breakfast at Fiorelli Family Catering. During the event, 82 students received scholarships from various community and industry partners. The event also featured keynote speaker, Dave Thomas, Secretary of the Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club incorporated, a club that has long supported the College and its Automotive students through scholarship opportunities. The event was sponsored by industry partners including Cardinal LG, SIMONA, Ball, and Mesko Glass. The breakfast concluded with the scholarship awards presentation by Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., president and CEO of Johnson College, and Jeanine Engelmann, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer of Johnson College. The presented awards included: AAA North Penn Annual ScholarshipIsaiah CasselAl Pantuso Automotive ScholarshipAndrew AdonizioAndrew Mazza Memorial ScholarshipChristopher RosaAnthony Ploskonka Memorial ScholarshipAlyssa Nicholas, Emma DanowskyBartolai Family Scholarship FundNico CarterChris Pambianco ’65 Vocational Education AwardJacob Holmes, Hanaa GohslerCMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament ScholarshipOlivia MustoDr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Ryan BoyanowskiIslyn Thomas Achievement AwardCameron HedgelonEd Vogel Memorial Scholarship of the NEPA Chapter of the Antique Truck Club of AmericaCamron McMillianEdgar A. and Ida M. Alekna FoundationNathan Dixon, Daniel Marcus, Hunter Smith, Michael ChapmanF. David Mercanti Memorial ScholarshipConnor AngeloFrank and Jean Hubbard ScholarshipChase Ferranti, Peter StefanelliHawk Family Foundation ScholarsDonald Church, Jordan StineIrene Ploskonka Memorial ScholarshipCole Chesna, Jarrel JohnsonJanie Lamberton Memorial ScholarshipAndrew AbramsJefferson Township Lions ScholarshipPeter StefanelliJohn K. & Mary E. Blackledge Memorial ScholarshipLogan Rehrig, McKenzie GavinJohn R. and Maureen J. Pesavento Johnson College Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Jacob MuraccoJohn T. Gerod ScholarshipEmma SheddenMargaret Briggs ScholarshipJonathan Merlen, Anthony MarsicoMoses Taylor Foundation Careers in Healthcare ScholarshipColleen Cannon-Augustine, Adam Rosencrance, Dilyara Akhmedova, Nicholas Novak, Amari Grey, Malana Vega, Stacey Turk, Hannah ChapmanMotorWorld Lexus ScholarshipHunter Landers, Bruce KohutNorth Eastern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Nursing ScholarshipBriana KaufmanNortheast Suicide Prevention Initiative ScholarshipGerard DolinskyP. Fricchione and Sons ScholarshipJames AndersonPocono Mountain Street Rod AssociationHunter Landers, Camron McMillanRoss Family Foundation ScholarshipWeston Nugent, Hanaa GohslerRuth Stitt Morgan Memorial ScholarshipAshlee CoeScranton UNICO Foundation ScholarshipMaximus FitzpatrickSean J. Calpin Automotive Technology Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Hunter LandersSebastian “Sebby” Amico Memorial ScholarshipCaiden StancikSociety of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter II ScholarshipMichael NovotkaThe John R. O’Hara ScholarshipAaron EvansThomas Hesser ScholarshipRobert RoaThomas J. Perry ScholarshipVincent RinaldiVernon “Terry” Decker ScholarshipMichael NovotkaVilla Capri Cruisers Car Club, Inc. ScholarshipCamron McMillanVince Bartolai Memorial Biomedical Equipment Technology ScholarshipAmari GreyOrlando S. Johnson Merit AwardJordan Bowen, Liberty GravesJohnson College Presidential ScholarshipAndrew Abrams, Michael Andrews, Carter Mistishin, Charlize BarhiteJohnson College Moffat Merit AwardDravyn Falsone, Keith RowlandsJohnson College Richmond Merit AwardEmma Danowsky, Holly ScielzoJohnson College Technology Merit AwardEthan Gardiner, Samantha WarnerFAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Program ScholarshipMatthew Alden, Benjamin Amaya, Joshua Ayala, Christopher Berroa-Mereno, Tahj Bond, Zachary Brown, Pierry Chatelain, Holsen Estime, Michael Fordham, Raphiel Garcia, Kyle Garofolo, Janitza Gonzalez-Caban, Frank Goodwin, Jaylen James-Thomas, Anthony Leombruni, Tanner Little, Logan Rehrig, Amara Rubino, Connor Steele, Amir Vernon
The Wright Center’s Research to be Published in Peer-reviewed National Journal A chief fellow of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program and his program director will have their work published in an upcoming edition of the peer-reviewed journal Catheterization Cardiovascular Intervention. L: Nischay Shah, R: Samir Pancholy The project began when Dr. Nischay Shah, one of the chief fellows of The Wright Center’s Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program, treated a patient with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MMVT). In this condition, the heart’s bottom chambers beat too fast. This abnormal rhythm can lead to severe issues, such as heart attacks. The patient was referred for cardiac catheterization, and Dr. Shah consulted with Dr. Samir Pancholy, the fellowship’s program director and an internationally renowned cardiologist based in Northeast Pennsylvania. “Going through the evidence-based decision-making process, we found a significant gap in the literature about whether procedures that improve blood flow to the heart by treating narrowed arteries or other common interventions would lead to reduced mortality or lower rates of ventricular tachycardia recurrence,” Dr. Shah said. “This prompted us to investigate further, ultimately leading to a comprehensive pooled analysis of existing studies.” Under the guidance of Dr. Pancholy and in collaboration with peers at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, an analysis of data from PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and other medical databases found that patients who had undergone additional tests for blocked arteries – such as stress tests – or had blockages treated with stents, did not show any significant improvement in survival rates or the recurrence of MMVT. “These further tests or treatments didn’t appear to make a difference in preventing death or the return of the abnormal heart rhythm in the select group of patients studied,” Dr. Shah explained. In November, Dr. Shah and Dr. Pancholy learned their manuscript detailing their methods and findings was accepted for publication by Catheterization Cardiovascular Intervention, an international cardiology journal. A publication date has not been announced. Dr. Shah expressed his gratitude for Dr. Pancholy’s guidance throughout the project, explaining that his mentorship made the achievement possible. Dr. Pancholy, who also serves as the cardiac catheterization lab director at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, holds 73 U.S. and international patents, has co-authored three textbooks, has published several practice-changing randomized controlled trials, and has developed multiple procedural techniques to increase the safety and efficacy of the procedure of cardiac catheterization and catheter-based intervention. In 2023, The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), the only professional medical society in the U.S. dedicated solely to interventional cardiology, named Dr. Pancholy a Master Interventionalist – an honor that fewer than 100 interventional cardiologists worldwide can claim. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
Geisinger Performs First Ever Lifetime Guaranteed Shoulder Replacement Geisinger, Medacta announce first shoulder replacement with lifetime guarantee. Program builds on the success of the health system’s ProvenCare® surgeries on hips, knees and spines Geisinger and the Medacta Group SA, a Swiss company specializing in innovative and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine and spine surgeries, announced the first lifetime guarantee for a recent reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Geisinger and Medacta will stand behind the full cost of care throughout the patient’s lifetime. Mark Pallis, D.O., Geisinger regional director of orthopaedic surgery, performed the first guaranteed reverse shoulder surgery at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. “This is the first reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a lifetime guarantee in the world,” Dr. Pallis said. “We used state-of-the art intra-operative navigation to more accurately place the implants, using sensors to guide pin placement, reaming depth and screw length and position. The postoperative results were nearly identical to the preoperative plan based on 3D modeling from a CT scan of the shoulder.” A reverse shoulder replacement is a specific type of total shoulder replacement commonly performed in patients who have arthritis as well as a torn or non-functioning rotator cuff. It is called a “reverse” because the ball portion of the shoulder is placed where the socket was, and the socket implant is placed where the head of the humerus was. Medacta and Geisinger previously partnered on groundbreaking guarantees for qualified patients for hip and knee replacement surgeries and spinal fusion surgery as part of Geisinger’s ProvenCare® program, which covers inpatient and follow-up care for patients, including visits due to complications up to 90 days after the procedure. “This new guarantee allows us to expand our ProvenCare® commitment to include patients who qualify for total shoulder replacement, offering those patients a sense of security when making the decision to have the procedure,” said Michael Suk, M.D., J.D., chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “Standing behind our world-class joint replacement and spinal surgeries demonstrates Geisinger’s commitment to making better health easier for our patients and communities.” A global leader in orthopaedic medical devices, Medacta provides unique resources to train surgeons — including those at Geisinger — in surgical techniques and the use of their specially designed hip, knee, shoulder and spinal implants for minimally invasive surgeries. Medacta’s innovative technologies are designed to enable a healthy and active lifestyle for every patient, reducing postoperative pain and shortening rehabilitation time. “The addition of the world’s first guarantee for reverse shoulder arthroplasty completes our robust offering of patient-focused guarantees for those undergoing hip, knee or spine procedures at Geisinger,” said Francesco Siccardi, CEO of Medacta International. “Through this initiative, we remain dedicated to improving outcomes for patients throughout their lifetimes.”
