WRC Receives Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation The WRC (Women’s Resource Center) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The SACF utilizes Community Needs grants to enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County by supporting nonprofit programs in a variety of fields including education. The Empowering Youth through Healthy Relationships grant will significantly enhance WRC’s prevention education programs focused on healthy relationships including friendships that is offered in schools across the county. Last year, WRC reached over 2,500 elementary, middle, and high school students. Pictured are (L-R: Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Foundation President & CEO; Katie Gilmartin, Treasure, SAF Board of Governors; Patty McLain, WRC Teen Educator; Sarah Dawgert, WRC Education Manager; Frank Caputo, SAF Grants & Communications Coordinator and Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Foundation Director of Grants & Scholarship.
Settlers Hospitality Welcomes Veterans This Veteran’s Day, military personnel were invited to enjoy a complimentary night’s stay at one of the properties of Settlers Hospitality. The program was part of Settlers Hospitality’s annual Veterans Appreciation, which made approximately 200 guest rooms available to veterans at no cost across its properties. On November 11, The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort in Hawley, and Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale hosted American service members, both past and present. The salute began with a Veteran’s Day Breakfast Buffet on Monday, November 11, at Hotel Anthracite. The event, which started at 11 a.m., was free for military members and $15 for all others. The program featured a presentation by Camp Freedom, including a keynote address from Executive Director Matt Guedes. Located in nearby Waymart, Camp Freedom is a non-profit organization that provides access to 1,800 acres of countryside for disabled veterans to enjoy activities like hunting, shooting sports, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and more. Later that day, The Settlers Inn hosted a welcome wine and cheese event for service members, followed by a fireside chat by Steve Pratt and a military exhibit. The tradition of honoring veterans began over 10 years ago at The Settlers Inn and has since been carried on at sister properties Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort, and Hotel Anthracite. “It’s our honor to welcome veterans and treat them to an overnight getaway in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “Each year, we look forward to this opportunity to extend our signature brand of hospitality in gratitude to veterans of every branch of America’s military.” Complimentary lodging was offered to military men and women in tribute to their service, with reservations required.
UNC Receives Donation from Topp Business Solutions United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is proud to be the designated Lackawanna County agency for the WNEP Feed A Friend campaign’s 40th Annual drive. This year, UNC is committed to helping make the holidays brighter for more than 1,500 families in Lackawanna County through non-perishable food donations and monetary contributions. We are deeply grateful to Topp Business Solutions for their generous donation of $250 to support the Feed A Friend program. This contribution will directly assist in providing holiday meals to local families in need. Topp Business Solutions has been a valued community partner for over 60 years and continues to demonstrate unwavering support for our mission. Pictured (L-R): Chrissy Manuel, UNC; Karen Prokarym, Topp Business Solutions; Sue Lasota, Topp Donate to Feed A Friend and help families in our community enjoy a warm meal and the joy of the season, go to uncnepa.org/one-time-donation/ If you are a family in need with children in Lackawanna County, you can register to receive a $50 gift card for a local grocery store to choose items consistent with your traditions and cultures to celebrate Thanksgiving. For a complete list of locations to register, go to uncnepa.org/thanksgiving UNC is coordinating with over 70 locations in Lackawanna County that collect non-perishable items for our Angel’s Attic Food and Clothing Pantry at 410 Olive Street in Scranton; for a list of participating agencies, visit us on Facebook.
I Need A Speaker Presents Free Webinar with Dr. Roger Firestien The most revolutionary ideas often emerge from unexpected connections. On November 15, Dr. Roger Firestien, a global expert in creative problem-solving, is hosting a free live webinar designed to help participants unlock the power of these connections and spark creativity that drives innovation. In just one hour, attendees will learn practical, proven techniques for deliberately making these creative connections, turning ordinary ideas into extraordinary innovations that outpace the competition. Dr. Firestien’s methods have helped over 600 organizations worldwide enhance their creative capabilities, with his work featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and INC. Key webinar takeaways include: Learn how to spark creativity on demand to drive innovation Discover how unexpected connections can lead to groundbreaking ideas Walk away with 100 actionable ideas to enhance events, meetings, and classes Participate in a live problem-solving session to generate real-world solutions Answer the question: Can bathtubs really fly? Co-sponsored by I Need A Speaker, this session is ideal for event planners, business leaders, and anyone interested in creating more engaging, meaningful experiences—whether in-person or virtual. As an added bonus, all attendees will receive a list of the creative ideas generated during the session, providing a treasure trove of actionable insights to use immediately.
Allied Services Announces Grand Finale of Fundraising Campaign Over $500,000 Raised to Support Pediatric Rehab Programs Allied Services celebrated the grand finale of its annual fundraising campaign after months of training, unveiling an impressive fundraising total of $553,908 to support pediatric rehabilitation programs at their John P. Moses, Esq. Pediatric Rehab Centers. The event, hosted live on WNEP with Chelsea Strub, highlighted inspiring stories from patients, runners, and donors, bringing together a community dedicated to making a difference for children in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. from left, Jim Brogna, Vice President, Allied Services; Bob Cole, Sr. Vice President, Allied Services; Atty. Bill Conaboy, President & CEO, Allied Services; Hunter Benson, pediatric patient, Allied Services; Cari Snyder, Clinical Dietitian, Allied Services; Chris Langley, Vice President, Allied Services. Each year, Team Allied Services takes on the iconic New York City Marathon to raise funds that provide life-changing therapies and support to over 1,200 children who rely on Allied Services for specialized pediatric rehab care. This year’s campaign brought together a passionate team of runners, generous donors, and a supportive community, creating a powerful impact for families in need. “Our mission at Allied Services is to make life better for those we serve, and our community’s incredible support this year has allowed us to do just that in a remarkable way,” said Atty. Bill Conaboy, President and CEO of Allied Services. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, donors, and every individual who joined us in this effort. Thanks to their generosity, children in our community will continue to have access to the rehabilitation and specialized care they need to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.” Allied Services extends heartfelt thanks to its media partners WNEP TV and Lamar Advertising, and major sponsors, including Mohegan Pennsylvania, Motorworld Toyota, Northeast Rehab, Scanlon, Howley, & Doherty, Lopatofsky Auction, Mueller Family McDonald’s, Stella-Corbin Family McDonald’s, United Concordia Dental, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Peoples Security Bank, Crothall Healthcare, the Hawk Family Foundation, Weis Markets; signature event sponsors Aon, Topp Business Solutions, and Quantum Rehab; and the many donors for their for their unwavering support. Their contributions have been instrumental in driving the campaign’s success, helping Allied Services provide innovative therapies, advanced technology, and comprehensive care to the children who need it most.
The Wright Center Promotes Lung Cancer Awareness Month By now, we all know the terrible risks smoking poses to your long-term health. But we’re also all too aware of how hard it is for people to kick this most destructive of habits for good. Awareness campaigns like November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month are certainly a good way to encourage people to be proactive about protecting their lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, killing more people than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. This year will see about 234,580 new cases, and roughly 125,070 people will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). About 80% of lung cancer deaths are believed to be caused by smoking. Which makes events like the Great American Smokeout another key November awareness event. Held on the third Thursday of November, the Smokeout encourages people across the country to take that first crucial step toward a smoke-free life by providing information on the many resources the ACS has to support those looking to quit. Its mission has helped spur the smoke-free laws of the past few decades that have significantly curtailed smoking-related deaths in the United States. Since the event’s inception in the early 1970s, we’ve significantly reduced the smoking population in the U.S., from about 42% in 1965 to 14% in 2019. Of course, there’s still a long way to go, given about 34 million American adults currently smoke. Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world, with an estimated 480,000 deaths annually, according to the ACS. Certain populations tend to have larger numbers of smokers, among them people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, those without college degrees, Native Americans, African Americans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, military personnel, and people with behavioral health conditions. That’s why we must continue doing our part to promote the virtues of a tobacco-free life. This improves people’s health immediately and, over the long term, diminishes their chances of cancer and cardiovascular and lung diseases. The path to quitting comes with proven cessation methods, among them prescription medications and counseling. And, of course, lots of support. Here at The Wright Center, we’re doing our best to decrease Northeast Pennsylvania’s smoking population through our promotion of the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Program. The program focuses on FDA-approved medications that can help people quit, lifestyle changes that can make quitting easier, coping strategies to manage stress and avoid weight gain, and methods to stay tobacco-free permanently. Individual and/or group sessions for the Freedom from Smoking Program are determined by the number of participants at any given time. To learn more about the program, contact Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services, at doylek@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-892-2966. Meanwhile, our Lifestyle Medicine program takes an evidence-based approach to helping individuals and families improve their health and quality of life by adopting and sustaining lifestyle behaviors, including eliminating tobacco use. Our team is trained in both conventional medicine and lifestyle medicine, and we work with patients to create personalized lifestyle self-care plans that are sustainable and can help manage or prevent a number of chronic diseases. Smoking and lung cancer go hand in hand, so let’s continue to do our part to bring down the rates for both.
The Wright Center Geriatricians Recognized for Boosting Vaccination Rates The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) highlighted the accomplishments of two geriatricians with ties to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education in its recent quarterly publication, AGS News, for their efforts to improve vaccination rates among older adults. Dr. Edward Dzielak, director of The Wright Center’s geriatrics fellowship program, was recognized for his leadership in incorporating the AGS Older Adults Vaccine Initiative into The Wright Center’s geriatrics care service line. The initiative, backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to increase immunization rates among older adults eligible for routine vaccinations in the U.S., with a focus on four key vaccines — COVID-19, influenza, shingles (zoster), and pneumonia. Dr. Muhammad Ishaq, a 2024 graduate of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Geriatrics Fellowship Program and an internal medicine resident physician at Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Hospital in upstate New York, was lauded for spearheading a quality improvement project and initiatives to boost older adults’ vaccination rates at The Wright Center’s primary care community health centers. Along with his colleagues, Dr. Ishaq, who received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan, established a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) goal framework to help seniors take charge of their health and lives, integrated electronic medical record changes to prompt providers about patient vaccination statuses, and increased educational outreach and awareness. A Carbondale native board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics medicine, Dr. Dzielak, of Greenfield Twp., has dedicated more than four decades of his life to medicine, specifically in internal medicine, critical care, and geriatrics. Following his residency in internal medicine at the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now called The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, he served as the Residency Program coordinator from 1981 to 2015. He also served as the director of both medicine and the intensive care unit at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, from 1982 until his 2017 retirement. He returned to The Wright Center in October 2019 after being asked to serve as the founding geriatric fellowship program director. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Scranton in 1974 and his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. Dr. Dzielak accepts patients over the age of 60 at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave. Jermyn. To make an appointment, to schedule a vaccine, or for more information on The Wright Center’s geriatric services line, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call (570) 230-0019. The Wright Center’s geriatric services line has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System Partner, offering a full range of comprehensive, safety-net primary care and support services for older adults. A cornerstone of the program is the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Clinic, which provides thorough evaluations and testing accessible to all patients, regardless of their primary care provider. Additionally, The Wright Center is one of just 10 health systems nationwide selected to implement the innovative Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program developed by UCLA. Founded in 1942, the AGS is a New York-based nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members that is dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults.
Misericordia Hosts Conference on Pathways Out of Poverty Misericordia University invites attendees to participate in a one-day conference on poverty, titled “Pathways Out of Poverty.” The event will bring together state and national leaders, educators, community-serving non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education to discuss the implications of poverty for northeastern Pennsylvania and its most vulnerable families. Click here to RSVP: https://www.misericordia.edu/admissions-aid/ruth-matthews-bourger-women-with-children-programs/pathways-out-of-poverty-conference
Marywood Sets Virtual Info Session for Dual Enrollment Program Academically focused high school students can get a head start on college by participating in Marywood University’s pre-collegiate program, Momentum. Courses in the Momentum program are offered at a special rate of $95 per credit, providing students with a head start on their collegiate career at an affordable price. To provide program details to students who are interested in taking dual enrollment classes, Marywood is hosting a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 20, from 6-7 p.m. Students should be ranked in the top 50% of their high school class or have a 2.75 High School GPA (80%) to participate in the Momentum program. Students can register for the virtual session at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Momentum. Marywood University’s dual enrollment program provides qualified high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits while completing requirements for high school graduation. Students choose from a wide variety of courses during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Dual enrollment courses use the same curriculum, assessments, and instructional materials as other college-level courses. Momentum students are eligible to receive: Privileges to utilize Marywood University’s academic and recreational resources (e.g. library and fitness center). Free parking on campus. A Marywood University ID (This can be used for local university student discounts!) Free admission to most Marywood University athletic, musical, social and cultural events.
Laugh to Live: Laughter Yoga to Relieve Holiday Stress During a season known for generosity and gift-giving, the one person who needs to be at the top of your list but is often forgotten, is you. Two Scranton-area organizations are collaborating to offer residents the gifts of stress relief and a boost to their well-being on Saturday, November 23 at 10 a.m. at Connell Park in Scranton. Laugh to Live, a Scranton-based business founded by Jeannine Luby, is teaming up with Valley in Motion’s Connell Park Walking Club to provide stress-reducing laughter yoga activity before the Club’s weekly walk around the park. Luby said she suggested the inclusion of laughter yoga to Walking Club Manager Roxy Brown because this time of year can feel overwhelming. A 2015 survey conducted by Healthline, a consumer health information site, revealed that 62 percent of respondents described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays, while only 10 percent reported no stress during the season. Among the holiday stressors listed by respondents were the financial demands of the season, negotiating the interpersonal dynamics of family, and maintaining personal health habits such as an exercise regimen. Luby said, “We all experience stress in our everyday lives, but the holidays can add extra pressure as many of us feel the need to live up to family traditions or what we see others doing on social media. It is often more than we have the capacity for whether it is because of time constraints, limited financial means or our emotions. So it’s important to set manageable expectations but also build in time for stress relief like walking outdoors, talking to a good friend and laughing.” Luby received an ARPA (American Rescue Plan) Creative Grant from the City of Scranton in 2024, in part to deliver laughter yoga to Scranton residents, and when she met Gus Fahey, president of Valley in Motion, and learned about the nonprofit’s weekly walking club at Connell Park that incorporated special guests on wellness-related topics, she coordinated with him and Brown to plan laughter at the park. “The Connell Park Walking Club is a great way to connect with friends, get some exercise, and learn new ideas for healthy living. Partnering with Laugh to Live provides our participants with a fun and innovative way to both enjoy the outdoors and lower stress levels,” said Gus Fahey, president of Valley In Motion. Laughter therapy has been around for a long time, but it seemed to gain credibility and the attention of the medical community when magazine publisher Norman Cousins’ article “Anatomy of an Illness (As Perceived by the Patient)” was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1976. Cousins would later publish a book with the same name in 1979 to fully detail his experience of how laughter provided him with relief from pain caused by connective tissue disorder. Luby explains thatLaughter Yoga isnot the same as traditional yoga or what people picture when they hear the word “yoga.” Laughter Yoga was created in 1995 by a medical doctor in India named Dr. Madan Kataria who believes in the researched health benefits of laughter that include lowering the stress hormone cortisol, improving blood flow and immune system performance, boosting brain chemicals and endorphins that help to manage pain and so much more. In the laughter yoga that Luby will lead on November 23, participants will not use a yoga mat, need to wear fitness clothes, or even touch their toes; they will follow Luby’s instructions to breathe, clap, laugh and repeat. You can learn more at www.laughtolive.net for follow Laugh to Live and Connell Park Walking Club on Facebook. The Connell Park Walking Club meets every Saturday at 10am at Connell Park at 800 Gibbons St. in Scranton and is free and open to everyone.
