Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards Grant to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $10,000 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Funds will support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. The Navigation Program is a cancer screening initiative focused on education, barrier reduction and facilitation of screenings for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer while connecting or reconnecting all participants to a medical home to ensure ongoing preventative care. This initiative is dependent on a customized software program, an upgrade of which is required to more efficiently manage program work. “NRCI is extremely appreciative of this funding support from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. These upgrades will allow for program growth, increase the number of people screened for cancer, and help save lives through early detection, “said Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. This funding was awarded as part of the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation from Scranton High School Cheerleaders The Scranton High School Varsity Football Cheerleaders hosted a t-shirt fundraiser and dress down day for all students to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The cheerleaders raised $825. The funds will help to support the Cancer Institute’s mission of easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and its Board of Ambassadors will honor Dr. Christopher A. Peters as the 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 10, 2023, at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Dr. Christopher A. Peters is a partner in Radiation Medicine Associates of Scranton (RAMAS). He is medical director of Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) as well as its director of clinical research. In 2012, Dr. Peters joined the Board of Directors of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) and served as Board Chairman in 2017 and 2018. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Peters has served as the physician Co-Chair, Health Care Division, for the Annual United Way Lackawanna and Wayne County Annual Campaign from 2012 to 2022. He was elected President of the Lackawanna County Medical Society in 2016. Dr. Peters is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. After completing an internship in Internal Medicine at Case Western Reserve Metrohealth, he performed his Radiation Oncology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. Dr. Peters lives in Clarks Summit with his wife Jennifer, and their children Rose, Kate, and Gavin. The Board of Ambassadors is a group of individuals and business leaders in northeast Pennsylvania who have come together to raise funds & awareness to fight cancer in the local community through their support and promotion of a gala event. The Spirit of Hope Celebration benefits the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings. For more information about the upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration, please call the Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org. 2023 Spirit of Hope Board of Ambassadors – Seated, from left to right: JoAnn Romano Hallesky, Marta Gomes, Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors, Meghan Gagorik, Kristie Hynoski, Traci Fosnot, and Robin Long. Standing, from left to right: Joe Ferguson, Matt Beynon, John Heil, Vince Scarpetta, Dino Campitelli, Sonya Eddings, William Davis, Ed Cosgrove, Vito Pizzo, Nevin Gerber, and Steven J. Szydlowski, Ph.D.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $45,000 in ARPA Funds The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $45,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) nonprofit recovery grant from the City of Scranton to support the Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. Funds will be used for software upgrades to streamline Navigation Program operations and enhance data security. “NRCI is extremely appreciative of this funding support from the City of Scranton. These upgrades will allow for program growth, increase the number of people screened for cancer, and help save lives through early detection”, according to Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. This funding was awarded as part of the City of Scranton’s open applications for nonprofit organizations.
NRCI Announces 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree for Spirit of Hope Celebration The Board of Ambassadors will honor Dr. Christopher A. Peters as the 2023 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 10, 2023, at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Dr. Christopher A. Peters is a Radiation Medicine Associates of Scranton (RAMAS) partner. He is the medical director of Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) and its director of clinical research. In 2012, Dr. Peters joined the Board of Directors of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) and served as Board Chairman in 2017 and 2018. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Peters has served as the physician Co-Chair of, the Health Care Division, for the Annual United Way Lackawanna and Wayne County Annual Campaign from 2012 to 2022. He was elected President of the Lackawanna County Medical Society in 2016. Dr. Peters graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. After completing an internship in Internal Medicine at Case Western Reserve MetroHealth, he performed his Radiation Oncology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. The Board of Ambassadors is a group of individuals and business leaders in northeast Pennsylvania who have come together to raise funds & awareness to fight cancer in the local community through their support and promotion of a gala event. The Spirit of Hope Celebration benefits the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings. For more information about the upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration, please call the Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808 or visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org.
NRCI Names Chair for Annual Cancer Survivors Day Susan Drumgould, has been named chair for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s 31st Annual Cancer Survivors Day- Honoring, Remembering, Sharing. Susan Drumgould is a 13-year breast cancer survivor. Every year on July 23, she celebrates her survivorship anniversary by bringing breakfast goodies to different organizations. She is retired which allows her the time to volunteer for several organizations including Allied Services and St. Joseph’s Center in the aquatic program. She currently volunteers with Friends of the Poor’s Food Bank and with United Neighborhood Centers. Susan enjoys swimming, playing golf, and traveling with her husband, James. They reside in West Scranton. Susan has donated to NRCI in memory of her friends and has been an attendee at Cancer Survivors Day for several years. Cancer Survivors Day is a dual-location event set for Saturday, September 23 at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre and Saturday, September 30 at McDade Park in Scranton. The event registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. It’s free of charge although pre-registration is encouraged. The events feature the Circle of Survivors, an activity during which every person in attendance can share inspirational words and support about their cancer experience. Conversation and light refreshments provide an additional opportunity for connection and support. Cancer survivors, their families, and friends, as well as caregivers and healthcare professionals are invited to attend. For more information, go to www.cancernepa.org or call the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 904-8808.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Benefits from Healthcare Symposium The University of Scranton’s American College Healthcare Executives (ACHE) chapter hosted the 26th Healthcare Symposium on Thursday, March 30, 2023, entitled, Bedside & Administration: A Strategic Alliance. The event featured a panel discussion with several local healthcare professionals. Basket raffles were also part of the event. The proceeds from raffle and ACHE funds raised $1,000 to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The University of Scranton ACHE chapter chose NRCI as their benefiting organization for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to the symposium, they hosted a donut sale in December 2022 and raised $300 for NRCI. Overall, they raised $1,300 to support the organization. For more information about the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, please call (570) 904-8808 or visit www.cancernepa.org.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $1,775 Riverside School District hosted their own colon cancer awareness t-shirt fundraiser in March to sell to students, teachers, and families in the school district as a way to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s colon cancer education and awareness campaign, CASUAL (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day. The fundraiser was led by a Riverside School District Mother, Kim Owens. Mad Tees has been instrumental in the design creation and distribution of the products. Kim has been a longtime supporter of CASUAL Day as her husband Dennis passed away from colon cancer at a young age. She started her own CASUAL Day team to honor him. The school designed and sold their own colon cancer awareness t-shirt and donated the proceeds to support the work of the Cancer Institute. Several families in the Riverside school district have been affected by colon cancer. Proceeds from CASUAL Day benefit the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute efforts to raise colorectal cancer awareness and support colorectal cancer screenings for low income, un/underinsured individuals.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces New Officers and Board of Directors The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors elected new officers. Robert Cole, PhD, was elected as Chair of the Board of Directors, Holly Roever Carron, Secretary and John Ruddy, DPS, CFA, CPA, Treasurer. In addition to the new officers, the Board of Directors appointed three new Board members, Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD, Michael P. Curran, and Samuel Lesko M.D., M.P.H. Holly Roever Carron is President at HW Roever Inc, an independent, family operated franchisee of Dunkin. Holly is responsible for operating nine Dunkin in the Greater Scranton area and is extremely knowledgeable about quick service restaurant trends. Ms. Carron is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University at University Park with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business with a concentration in Spanish. She currently serves as Chair of the Board at St. Joseph’s Center, an organization designed to assist those with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. Ms. Carron is currently a member of the Dunkin’ Brands Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Ad Committee assisting in making marketing decisions for 78 stores. Robert Cole, PhD, is the Senior Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer at Allied Services Integrated Health System. He is a 25-year employee of the health system. The non-profit organization is the leading provider of healthcare and human services for northeastern Pennsylvanians with disabilities and chronic illness. Robert earned a Master’s and a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, NY and brings strong data analytics into the organization’s business lines. Robert Cole, PhD, lives in Duryea with his wife, Donna, and their daughter Carsyn. He grew up in Duryea, graduated from Pittston Area High School and earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Bloomsburg University in 1992. Michael P. Curran serves as the CEO of Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton. Prior to this role, Michael was the Vice President of Operations for the east region of Prospect Medical Holdings, where he was responsible for several acute care facilities. Michael also held executive positions at Crozer Health. He holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michael is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD serves as President and CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS), a non-profit health and human service organization working to improve the health of Pennsylvania women and children in 17 counties by offering programs that prevent disease, promote wellness, and empower individuals to make healthy choices. Dr. Montoro Edwards has a doctorate in Human Development, is a certified research administrator with a credential in protecting human subjects in research and has a certificate in Executive Leadership for Healthcare Professionals from Cornell University. She has taught grantsmanship and research methods on the graduate level. She serves as board member and secretary of the Alliance of Pennsylvania Councils and is a voting member of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) and the Family Planning Councils of America (FPCA). She is past Co-Chair of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance and currently serves as chair of the Nonprofit Community Assistance Center (NCAC) board and Vice Chair of Telespond Senior Day Services board. Dr. Montoro Edwards has more than 25 years’ experience in non-profit administration and a record of success in securing, implementing, evaluating, and stewarding public and private funding. Samuel M. Lesko, M.D., M.P.H. received his undergraduate degree from Drexel University and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, both in Philadelphia. Dr. Lesko completed residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut and has been certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He has also served as a Senior Staff Fellow with the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Public Health Service and has earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Lesko has more than 35 years’ experience conducting health research. He has held appointments at Boston University School of Public Health, Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He has been affiliated as Medical Director with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute since 2000. Dr. John A. Ruddy is an Associate Professor of Finance in the Economics and Finance Department of The Arthur J. Kania School of Management, University of Scranton. There he teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in Finance. Dr. Ruddy has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Scranton and an M.B.A. in Finance and Investments from The George Washington University. He also holds a Doctorate in Professional Studies, with a focus in Finance from Pace University. He holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. The University of Scranton has recognized Dr. Ruddy four times for his teaching. He was the recipient of the Kania School of Management Outstanding Professor in 2013 and 2017 and the University’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2014. Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2020-2021 KSOM Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He previously served on the Scranton Preparatory School’s Board of Trustees and the Howard Gardner Board of Directors. About the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving 7 counties in northeast Pennsylvania with offices located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Focusing on surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally. The mission of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is to ease the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives $2,605 Donation The Mountain View Girls’ Basketball Team hosted a fundraiser on Monday, January 30 during their basketball game. The event featured a memory board, a 50/50 raffle, a Cotton Candy and Sno Cones sale, and a variety of raffle baskets. This event raised $2,605 for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a local nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Mountain View Girls’ Basketball team hopes to continue this event next year.