Johnson College Hazleton Now Enrolling Students in Medical Assistant Program Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its evening Medical Assistant program. The class will be held at Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. beginning on November 6, 2023. This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Functions include preparing patients for examination, treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Plus, students will learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy & physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties required of a medical assistant. The class fee is $5,000 and is approved by PA CareerLink for those eligible for funding through their local CareerLink. To learn more or enroll call 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. To register for the course, visit http://johnson.edu/continuing-education/ About Johnson College Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 18 associate degrees, four academic certificates, and over 30 continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Woodloch Resort to Host 15th Annual “A Night for the Cure” On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Woodloch Pines Resort, an inclusive resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, will host the 15th annual A Night for the Cure. The tricky-tray fundraiser benefits The Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) as part of BK Hope Cures. Originally established 24 years ago by Bob Kiesendahl (BK), co-owner of Woodloch and leukemia survivor, the organization’s mission is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. Held in the Heritage Nightclub at Woodloch Pines from 5 to 8 PM, the family-friendly evening will feature over 150 items donated by local individuals and businesses, as well as wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert table, and a 50/50 raffle. Guests will enjoy live entertainment and have the chance to win dining gift certificates, unique gift baskets, and overnight stay packages at the area’s leading resorts and hotels. Admission costs $15, and 100% of the profits benefit The Penn State Cancer Institute breast cancer research and awareness efforts. The PSCI is a leading cancer facility centrally located in Hershey, PA. The dress code is casual, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. Last year, over 400 people attended and more than $23,000 was raised! “Each year, A Night for the Cure continues to grow and improve. It’s a special evening to raise money for a very important cause, demonstrate our solidarity with survivors, celebrate with friends and even win some fantastic prizes. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the local businesses and individuals who generously contribute their time and skills to create this exceptional event,” said Bob Kiesendahl. In addition to A Night for the Cure, Hope Cures also holds two other fundraising events each year, which include both a golf tournament and a 5K run/walk. Over the past 24 years, Hope Cures has raised over $1.5 million. These funds benefit cancer research and patient care at several worthy facilities and foundations. For more information about Hope Cures and this October’s great event, please visit: www.bkhopecures.org/trickytray. Additionally, table and room reservations can be arranged by calling Woodloch Resort at 570-685-8002.
University of Scranton Ranked in U.S Top 10 for 30 Years For three decades U.S. News & World Report has ranked The University of Scranton among the top 10 regional universities in the north, placing Scranton No. 5 in its 2024 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook, which became available online today. “From the beginning of its Best College rankings, U.S. News has advised colleges not to cheer – or jeer – about year-to-year position changes in the rankings, but rather to look for consistency of trends in the ranking achieved over the years,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “Well, I am pleased to say, through the talent and dedication of our faculty and staff, and the outstanding success of our students and graduates, we have achieved exceptional consistency in our status as a top 10 university.” U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 8 in its category for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” a selection of the top colleges in the nation that express a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. Several of Scranton’s programs were also included in national rankings, as opposed to listings by category. U.S. News ranked Scranton among the nation’s “Best Undergraduate Programs in Accounting” at No. 38 in the U.S.; among the “Best Undergraduate Programs in Finance” at No. 40; among the “Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs” at No. 112; and among “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” at No. 222 (where a doctorate is not offered). Scranton’s was also listed among the 554 “Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs” in the nation. Scranton also ranked No. 211 among America’s “Best Undergraduate Business Programs,” which just listed schools that hold accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). For these program listings, U.S. News only ranked schools holding the highest recognized national accreditations in their fields. The rankings were based solely on dean and senior faculty recommendations from peer institutions. In addition, U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 54 as a “Best Value Regional University in the North,” which compares academic quality of programs to cost of attendance. This is the tenth consecutive year U.S. News has recognized Scranton as a “Best Value” school. Scranton was ranked No. 115 in its category in “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” which looks at the success of schools that enroll and graduate students who were awarded with Pell Grants. U.S. News uses data on up to 19 measures of academic quality to rank bachelor’s degree colleges in America. For its rankings, U.S. News considers a range of quality indicators that include a peer assessment of academic excellence; faculty resources; financial resources; graduate indebtedness; freshman retention; graduation rates; Pell graduation rates, and graduation performance rates, which compares a school’s actual graduation rates with predicted graduation rates based on characteristics of the incoming class. U.S. News ranking analysis also includes student selectivity, as measured by SAT or ACT scores and high school ranking of students in the top 25 percent of their class. U.S. News categorizes colleges for their rankings based on the official Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classification of universities. The 2024 U.S. News “Best Colleges” rankings became available online Sept. 18.
Keystone College Ranks Top Tier by “Best Colleges” For the 17th consecutive year, Keystone College has been ranked as one of the nation’s best colleges in U.S. News & World Report. Keystone finished 29th overall in the Regional Colleges/North category. In other key listings, Keystone was also ranked 9th in Social Mobility in the Regional Colleges/North category. Social mobility measures the extent that schools enroll and graduate low-income students as defined by students who receive federal Pell grants. Essentially, the ranking demonstrates that Keystone provides opportunity, support, and personal attention for all students to be successful, regardless of economic circumstances and background. “Keystone College is once again honored to be ranked in U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best colleges,” said Keystone College President John F. Pullo, Sr. “The ranking is a tribute to our dedicated faculty, staff, and especially our students, who strive to excel in the classroom and on campus each and every day. In addition, our excellent ranking for social mobility clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to students from a wide range of social and economic circumstances by providing the resources, individual attention, and guidance needed for a successful college career.” Recognized as one of the best educational values in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Keystone offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, natural science, environmental science, and social sciences. Located on a beautiful 276-acre campus 15 minutes from Scranton, Pa. and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Keystone is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement.
Marywood University Recognized by “Best Colleges” Marywood University continues to offer the “Best Value” among Northeast Pennsylvania Universities, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking. Moving up one place from last year to #22 on the regional universities (North) ranked for “Best Value,” Marywood continues to demonstrate its affordability as the only local four-year private university included in this category. According to U.S. News, the “Best Value” ranking considers a school’s academic quality—the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included, because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically. Ranking #30 on the “Undergraduate Teaching” (Regional Universities North) list, Marywood is one of only two local universities to earn this distinction. This category, which covers nine states plus the District of Columbia, calls on top academics in the region to select and recognize institutions whose faculty and administrators are committed to teaching undergraduate students in a high-quality manner. Marywood University maintained its solid position on the “Best Regional Universities North” list, which includes institutions from seven states, ranking #50 overall. Marywood is one of only two local universities to attain placement on this list, demonstrating its enduring quality as a higher education provider in the region. For additional information about Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu. For additional information about Marywood’s rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, please visit usnews.com/best-colleges/marywood-university-3296/overall-rankings.
PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police and Safety Partners Announce Free Car Seat Checks Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) are encouraging drivers to take advantage of free car seat checks across the state as the agencies mark National Child Passenger Safety Week (CPSW) from September 17 through September 23. Additionally, Saturday, September 23 has been designated as “National Seat Check Saturday.” “Seat belts are your best defense in a crash, but they were created for adults,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “It’s important that parents and caregivers take time this week to ensure they are using the right car seat or booster seat for their child’s size and age.” Car seat checks will be held across the state the week of Child Passenger Safety Week. Visit PA TIPP’s webpage for a list of events. PSP personnel certified as Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians will be conducting free child seat fitting events across the state. Caregivers can have their car seats checked for suitability, receive instruction on the proper installation, have seat(s) installed, learn to properly harness a child in a seat and check seats for recalls. A full list of local free car seat fitting events is available on PSP’s website. “Properly installed child safety seats save lives, and it’s vital that Pennsylvania’s youngest passengers are safe when traveling,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “We encourage parents and caregivers to have their seats checked by a certified child passenger seat technician to ensure proper installation.” According to national statistics, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers; however,46 percent of car seats and booster seats are installed or used incorrectly. From January through June 2023, PSP members conducted 525 child safety seat inspections and discovered 207 incidents of misuse. PSP completed more than 1,000 checks in both 2021 and 2022 and found misuse rates of up to 40 percent. To advance their public safety missions, PennDOT and PSP invest in community resources across the state. PennDOT funds resources such as training and educational materials for more than 200 fitting stations across Pennsylvania. In coordination with CPSW and Seat Check Saturday, local police will focus on proper child seat usage during a statewide CIOT Child Passenger Safety enforcement running from September 10 through September 23. In addition, each PSP Troop has designated walk in days where drivers can have their child safety seats checked free of charge year-round. Pennsylvania’s primary seat belt law requires all occupants younger than 18 to wear a seat belt when riding anywhere in a vehicle. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday. A secondary law also requires drivers and front-seat passengers 18 or older to buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing their seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine. Because of the potential dangers associated with air bag deployment, children 12 and younger should always ride buckled in a vehicle’s back seat. “Car seats come in many shapes and sizes. The best way to protect your child is to select the right car seat for their age and size and to use the car seat correctly on every trip,” said PA TIPP Director Angela Osterhuber. “Child passenger safety technicians are available to help parents learn how to keep their children safe and secure in their car seat.” PA TIPP also offers the following tips: Select a car seat that is right for the child’s age and size. Fill out and return the registration card for your seat so you’ll know if it is recalled because of a problem. Read and follow the car seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual for information on correctly installing the car seat in the vehicle. Use the car’s seat belt or the LATCH system when installing the car seat. Make sure the car seat’s harness is correctly adjusted and fits snugly. Use a tether strap when installing a forward-facing car seat, following manufacturer’s instructions. For more information on how to keep passengers safe, or if you are unable to afford a car seat, call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit www.PAKidsTravelSafe.org to find the nearest car seat loan program. Information on Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations and Community Car Seat Checkup Events is also available on the website. For a list of state police car seat safety inspection locations and dates, visit the PSP Public Safety webpage. For more information on child passenger safety, visit PennDOT’s Safety Page.
The Wright Center Offers Updated Vaccines To help people guard against a potential triple threat of respiratory infections this fall and winter, The Wright Center for Community Health is offering access to newly updated vaccines for flu, RSV and the latest COVID-19 strain. “The vaccines are safe and effective, and they offer our best defense against these ‘seasonal viruses’ that can be extremely serious, even fatal, for very young children and other vulnerable populations,” says Dr. William Dempsey, deputy chief medical officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. To schedule an office visit that includes a vaccination, call 570-230-0019 or go online to use the express scheduling system at TheWrightCenter.org. Please note, shipments of the most recently approved COVID-19 vaccine are not expected to arrive at The Wright Center’s primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania until the week of Sept. 18. Here’s what to know about the availability at The Wright Center of each vaccine product. Flu vaccines. Updated flu vaccines for the 2023-24 winter season are in stock at all of the health center’s primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. Health officials recommend annual flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, with few exceptions. Experts advise that people in the United States get vaccinated between now and Halloween for maximum protection during the winter holidays when influenza cases tend to spike. All flu vaccines available in the U.S. for this season are the quadrivalent variety, meaning they are designed to protect against four different flu viruses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV vaccines. Earlier this year, federal health officials approved two vaccines for use in people ages 60 and older to prevent respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV. The Wright Center currently has the Pfizer-manufactured vaccine, Abrysvo, in stock at all of its practices to administer to seniors who decide, in consultation with a health care provider, if the shot is appropriate for them. Adults most likely to benefit from the vaccine include those living in long-term care facilities and those who have underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems. The new RSV vaccines for seniors might require a prescription from a doctor, according to published reports, and its cost may vary based on the patient’s health insurance plan. Some plans might not pay for the shot. Anyone concerned about coverage should reach out to their insurance company for guidance. COVID-19 vaccines. As shipments arrive of the most recently approved COVID-19 vaccine, which is effective against the now-dominant EG.5 strain, The Wright Center will release additional public announcements. Watch for details to be shared soon via the health center’s website and social media channels. Guidance about staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and proper dosing is available on the CDC’s website. If you have questions about any vaccine, talk with your primary care physician or another trusted health care provider. The clinical team at The Wright Center is available to provide fact-based advice and proven strategies for coping with respiratory viruses and other issues that affect health and wellness. Learn more about The Wright Center’s mission and integrated health care services by visiting TheWrightCenter.org.
Clarks Summit University Serves in the Abingtons after Flash Flood More than 200 volunteers from Clarks Summit University took an opportunity to serve in the Abington area, which was overwhelmed by flash flooding during the weekend storm. University leaders canceled daytime classes on Tuesday, September 12, to encourage students to serve the community in clean-up efforts and show the love of Christ tangibly. On Saturday, September 9, a severe storm hit the Clarks Summit region, producing torrential downpours and flash flooding. The storm washed out roadways, inundated homes and tragically resulted in one fatality. Some Defender athletic teams waited out the storm for hours, unable to return to campus even from just a few miles away. The storm left significant and widespread damage. Days later, debris was still prevalent; some roads remained closed, and landscapes were re-shaped from erosion. With great need in the towns surrounding campus, CSU administration reached out to see how the university community could help. As soon as needs were identified, leaders canceled on-campus classes to give students and employees the time to serve. “We want our students to learn that an education at CSU is, at its heart, a means to serve others,” explained Dr. Jim Lytle, CSU’s president. “This was all volunteer work, and I am very grateful for our faculty and staff that joined our students moving mud and tree limbs for the sake of our community. South Abington Township, Clarks Summit and Clarks Green have been our home for 55 years, and we love this place. I’m glad we can show our love in this practical way.” Nearly 180 students and 25 employees set out to help. They dispersed to South Abington Park, Hillside Park, Abington Little Leagues’ Ackerly Field Complex, local businesses and even residential homes. CSU students repair grounds damaged by storm waters at Ackerly Field Complex, home to Abington Little League. Little League – Huge Effort With a tree washed up through the outfield, fences destroyed, and erosion significantly damaging the complex, the Abington Little League was forced to close some of the baseball fields, batting cages and playground area due to the significant damage at Ackerly Field Complex. League officials shared photos of the damage with CSU’s head men’s baseball coach Joshua Knight, but the images couldn’t compare to seeing the destruction firsthand. “Going to see it for ourselves, we knew it would take a lot of hands to get the work done,” said Knight. The nearby creek burst through its banks and ran straight through one field, flooding more fields behind it. Knight led the Defender baseball team, softball team and other students in removing the debris along the fence. The logs, sticks and earth climbed up to four feet along the fencing, revealing the depth of the floodwaters. With debris removed, the fence could be more easily repaired. The baseball team has partnered with the all-volunteer Abington Little League in the past, which made it even sweeter for the student-athletes and coaches to help with the cleanup. “The team talked about it the day before and what it means for us and what it means to give back,” said Knight. “Christ sacrificed not only His time, but He gave His whole life to serve other people in situations which were not the greatest. We need to think about making that positive impact. Sure, we could be using this time for something related to baseball or academics, but we’re here to share the love of Christ.” Serving at the field was nostalgic for many players and coaches. Knight explained, “A lot of us, when we were younger, played Little League ourselves, so it was a positive experience to be back on a smaller field and to be reminded that we are helping a league that has 500 kids that need to play on these fields. It was good to give back to Little League and what it did for us when we were that age.” CSU students repair grounds damaged by storm waters at Ackerly Field Complex, home to Abington Little League. Community-Building Experience At South Abington Park, CSU volunteers raked and collected branches, trees, garbage—whatever the floodwaters brought in. They replaced mulch in the playground area and moved copious amounts of displaced soil. According to Marilyn Luster, director of student employment and career readiness, “Students really were willing to dig in the dirt and make the park look better than when we arrived.” Luster said the CSU community was equally encouraged by community members. “It was so sweet to see the response of the community. One woman dropped off donuts and told us she was grateful…Another woman mentioned how incredible it was that we came out to help…Community members were a huge encouragement to us!” Ryan Spinello, a sophomore Pre-Athletic Training major from Virginia, served at South Abington Park and Clarks Summit Elementary School. He said, “We want the Clarks Summit community to know that we care and more importantly that Christ cares for them…It was cool to see everyone rally around the cause; they jumped in and worked well together. It was a community-building experience for us too. It helped me get to know some people that I would not have known without this opportunity.” Light on the Hillside CSU students who reside in Loescher Hall have made it an annual tradition to help out at Hillside Park during the university’s Community Appreciation Day each fall. This time, the students went to the familiar place to see an unusual level of destruction. They focused their attention on the Dog Park area, shoveling gravel and debris away from the park and back into the parking areas. Loescher Hall Resident Director Holden Goehring also works on CSU’s facilities staff. As he served at Hillside, he realized what a tremendous physical undertaking the job required. “What we were able to do that morning would have been weeks worth trying to clean that mess up with a smaller staff. Having all of those hands really sped up the process for them to restore the grounds and driveway so people can use the dog park.” Goehring appreciated the opportunity for students to serve alongside staff and faculty members. “Students got to see the employees’ servants’ hearts and learn why this kind of impact is important. As a school, we teach them in classes: this is why and how you should serve. This was a unique opportunity to get to apply what they are learning in how to serve each other and the community. Some of the 200+ CSU volunteers gather at South Abington Park after cleaning up flood damage. More Opportunities on Mission CSU students helped residents rip carpet from flooded homes. One group shoveled mud and rock left behind by floodwaters in the parking lots of local businesses like Krispy Kreme and Armetta’s Restaurant and Pizzeria. “This is a rare occasion of a natural disaster that affected our Clarks Summit neighbors, and we have a resource of manpower that we could employ to help to serve our community,” said Dr. Bill Higley, vice president for academics. “It was an easy decision to send our students out to help where they could, and hopefully, to make a difference in people’s lives. That is who we are as Christ-followers, and it is certainly consistent with the mission of CSU.” The university’s goal is to prepare students to become Christ-centered, career-ready graduates. While some of that preparation takes place in the classroom, the faculty and staff are intentional about integrating that mission into every aspect of the student experience. The Christ-centered career preparation is also maximized in on campus employment, through NCAA DIII athletics and fine arts, within the residence halls—and, sometimes, through picking up branches and shoveling mud to be a light for Christ in their community. About Clarks Summit University Clarks Summit University offers Christ-centered academic distinction and practical, real-world experience in an exceptional mix of on-campus and online options for undergraduate, graduate and seminary students. To learn more, visit ClarksSummitU.edu or call 570.586.2400.
Commonwealth Health Physician Network Welcomes New Surgeon to Scranton Scranton, Pa. (October, 2023) – General Surgeon Christine Holloway, M.D., recently joined Commonwealth Health Physician Network at our office located in downtown Scranton. Dr. Holloway is a board-certified general surgeon that is fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery. She provides surgical treatment for a wide range of illnesses and injuries including appendicitis, hernias, acid reflux disease, gallbladder disease and thyroid disease. She earned her medical degree at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and followed that with a residency in Mercy Catholic Medical Center. Dr. Holloway recently completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at Jackson South Medical Center. Dr. Holloway sees patients at Commonwealth Physician Network’s office located at 743 Jefferson Ave. To refer a patient or to schedule a consult call 570-207-0433.
Dimeco, Inc. Declares Cash Dividend Honesdale, PA, September 14, 2023 / The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC) declared a dividend on September 13, 2023, of $0.38 per share to shareholders of record September 29, 2023. The dividend is payable on October 26, 2023, the anticipated date to release earnings for the third quarter of 2023. This dividend is an increase of $0.02 per share over the dividend declared in September 2022. This dividend of $0.38 per share produced a yield of 4.53% at the market value of $33.52 on September 13, 2023. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “We continue our commitment to provide the ultimate banking experience to our customers and our communities. This dividend is one way to thank our shareholders for their continued investment in and loyalty to Dimeco, Inc.” About Dimeco, Inc. Dimeco, Inc. is the parent holding company of The Dime Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Northeast Pennsylvania since 1905. Dimeco, Inc. reported balances on June 30, 2023, of $969 million in total assets, loans of $686 million, and deposits of $795 million. Dimeco, Inc. trades on the OTCQX Marketplace under symbol ‘DIMC’, operated by OTC Markets Group. For more information on Dimeco, Inc. and The Dime Bank, visit www.thedimebank.com.