Women’s Resource Center to Hold Golf Tournament

The Women’s Resource Center is pleased to announce its Annual Golf Outing this September. Industry partners Erie Materials and Simplex Homes are teaming up to plan the WRC golf tournament at Pine Hills Country Club on September 15, 2023. WRC provides comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. The tournament is sponsored by Seven D Wholesale & Windows. The returning honorary chair this year will be Kurt Aaron of WNEP-TV 16 and his dog Ranger! 

FORMAT

Captain & Crew

Registration 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Shotgun Start 10:00 AM

Furthermore, WRC has received the National Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Youth Initiative from DomesticShelters.org, Alliance for HOPE. The Safe Dates & Healthy Relationships program supported primarily through EITC funding and grants was recognized as the top program across the USA. Using an evidence-based dating abuse prevention curriculum, specially trained teen/youth educators teach students about healthy relationships, communication, calming techniques, identifying feelings, red flags, boundaries, and how to help friends.

The Women’s Resource Center started in 2018 with one educator in the Scranton Area School District, and today have grown to serve thousands of students across all grade levels. They are now in 7 Lackawanna School Districts, 4 Susquehanna County School Districts, and 6 private schools! They also now have a program manager and three educators, with a need for another one.

The Dime Bank Announces Four Officer Promotions

The Dime Bank recently promoted four key team members to continue strengthening and developing their management team. 

Brian Haun to Vice President; Victoria L. Agazzi to Assistant Vice President; Nicholas Pomroy to Assistant Vice President; and Marcris A. Rueger to Assistant Vice President.

Brian Haun joined The Dime Bank seventeen years ago in September of 2006 as a member of The Dime Bank’s Wealth Management department. He then went through The Dime Bank management trainee program. Haun was promoted through various positions including mortgage collection advisor and loan officer. In 2019, Haun was promoted to Assistant Vice President. His current position as Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer affords him an opportunity to assist business customers.

Victoria L. Agazzi joined The Dime Bank in April of 2022 as The Dime Bank’s Greentown Branch Manager. Agazzi has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager, managing the overall operations of the Greentown branch to meet the financial service needs of The Dime Bank’s customers. She works with management in the strategic planning for the branch market area to assist with overall goals of The Dime Bank and her staff’s development. Agazzi is involved in the Greentown area and supports various initiatives throughout the community. Agazzi has been in banking for the last 14 years; starting as a teller right out of college and working her way up through various roles. She has been a branch manager for the last seven years. Agazzi states, “All the years of my banking career have been spent working for community banks and I believe supporting our communities is vital to our success. I have a true passion for helping people achieve their financial goals and providing excellent service.”

Nicholas Pomroy joined The Dime Bank team in September 2020 with several years of experience in information technology, specifically as an information security support specialist. As Assistant Vice President, Network Administrator, Pomroy is responsible for planning, coordination, design, installation, and connectivity of computer and network systems to ensure the stable operation of The Dime Bank’s information technology network and infrastructure assets. This includes developing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all new and existing network hardware, software, and communication protocols.

Marcris A. Rueger joined The Dime Bank’s Damascus team as branch manager in 2022. Rueger brought many years of banking experience to The Dime Bank including branch administration and training. With this promotion to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager, Rueger will continue to manage the Damascus branch, assisting customers to attain their financial goals. She will also take on increased project management roles for the overall bank. Rueger states, “The role of the Damascus manager is a wonderful experience. I have a certificate in accounting, and I enjoy learning new tasks. I am always up for challenging situations, and I believe each day is an opportunity to learn.”

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Please join me in congratulating this group of employees and wishing them the best going forward. At The Dime Bank, our journey is directed toward growth and prosperity. We are dedicated to creating authentic relationships with our customers, giving back to our communities, and enhancing our shareholders’ investment. To realize these initiatives, we need an advancing management team whose abilities and efforts will help us attain our goals, and whose enthusiasm and leadership will carry us into our future.”

The Wright Center Knows That Success in Recovery Takes a Village

Substance use disorder affects people in all walks of life, no matter their profession or socio-economic status. No one is immune from substance use disorder impacting their lives, whether it is a family member, friend or themselves.

September marks the 30th anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” could be the theme for The Wright Center for Community Health’s comprehensive recovery programs for people facing alcohol and substance use disorder in a nine-county area of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Wright Center for Community Health was recognized as a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence in 2016, accepting their first patient in February 2017. Since then, about 2,300 people have interacted with the program and 670 patients are currently actively involved in the Center of Excellence

“We’ve grown tremendously as an organization and as a recovery community. When you have a village mentality, you are tapping into every resource to meet the needs of patients. It’s about getting them on and keeping them on a recovery journey, regardless of their pathway,” said Scott Constantini, assistant vice president of primary care and recovery services integration at The Wright Center for Community Health.

Services to Support People with SUD

As an integrated health care organization, the Center of Excellence works with patients to ensure they have the proper medical care and treatments for their recovery to be successful. When a patient who hasn’t seen a doctor in 20 years enters the Center of Excellence program, they are offered access to medical, dental, behavioral health and other supportive service lines. Every patient is connected with a case manager and a certified recovery specialist (CRS) for support. Medication for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment is also available.

“We offer multiple pathways to recovery; what works for one patient may not work for another. We have grown both our Center of Excellence to expand patient capacity and we’ve also grown our collaborative partners in the community to meet the needs of our patients. It’s about a full circle of services,” said Constantini.

Together with these community partners, The Wright Center for Community Health connects patients with multiple recovery supports, treatment, and socioeconomic necessities.

The Healthy MOMS program

The Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) program supports pregnant women and mothers with substance use disorder. Launched in 2018, the program has treated 420 mothers, with 223 babies born during that time. Currently, 168 mothers are active within the program.

Healthy MOMS provides intensive case management services for expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy up until their youngest child is two years old. The program aims to stabilize this high-risk population and allows participants to receive the necessary support to manage their chronic condition in conjunction with pregnancy and the postpartum period.

“Many mothers in the program are considered high-risk pregnancies because of their prescribed MOUD. Our case management provides many services by connecting this population with resources including family planning, OB/GYN, pediatricians, and social services like transportation, housing and WIC,” said Maria Kolcharno, director of addiction services.

Efforts to Reduce the Stigma

An important function of the Center of Excellence is to work in the community to reduce and educate the stigma associated with addiction.

“We are doing a lot of work around stigma. People are no longer feeling alone in their recovery journey,” said Constantini. “Unfortunately, society doesn’t look at addiction as a chronic health condition. They tend to look at it as a moral failure or choice and we are working to change that narrative.”

The Wright Center for Community Health is a part of Project PROGRESS (Providing Recovery Opportunities for Growth, Education, and Sustainable Success), a multi-county recovery-to work program that connects people in recovery with employers in six counties.

The program works with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring people in recovery and coordinates training classes to make more CRSs available in the community.

Addiction Affects the Family

Families struggle with addiction as it is a family disease. Addiction is very powerful and no different than if someone was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Families are encouraged to also seek support to understand the disease through local Al-anon support groups or other family support organizations. In these groups, families will learn how to offer positive support and understand the symptoms of the disease.

For more information about recovery programs at The Wright Center for Community Health, visit TheWrightCenter.org.

Best Practices for Getting and Remaining Sober:

Sobriety is very personal and may mean different things to different people. By definition, sobriety means not being under the influence of a substance, whether alcohol or drugs.

It is estimated that 80% of people who experience long-term sobriety had at least one relapse during their journey to sobriety. Some people experience many setbacks before they find long-term recovery.

You have recognized your need for sobriety, which is the very first step. The more strategies you use for your recovery, the higher the chances are that you will remain sober. Below are some best practices to getting and remaining sober.

Identify your triggers.
The biggest part of preventing relapse is knowing what causes the relapse and avoiding them. Some common triggers include:

  • Stress
  • Environmental cues
  • People who are still using
  • Relationship troubles
  • Job or financial problems

Recognize warning signs.

A relapse can happen when you least expect it. Warning signs of relapse include:

  • Returning to addictive thinking patterns
  • Engaging in compulsive behaviors
  • Seeking out situations or people involved with drugs or alcohol
  • Thinking less rationally

Additional strategies for a successful recovery include:

  • Prepare for Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)
  • Avoid old routines
  • Build healthy relationships
  • Ask for help and seek local agencies that can assist you with getting the appropriate help.
  • Get support from new, sober friends and those who are successful in their recovery
  • Develop a structured routine to your day
  • Find employment and focus on your finances
  • Practice healthy living and exercise
  • Deal with past mistakes
  • Find balance in your life
  • Acknowledge your hard work and how far you have come towards your recovery

For more information on best practices to getting and remaining sober, visit The Wright Center Opioid Center of Excellence online at thewrightcenter.org

The Wright Center Announces New Executive Role for Longtime Leader

The Wright Center for Community Health has named a new vice president and chief clinical operating officer and director of certified registered nurse practitioner and physician assistant services.

Colleen Dougherty, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, will coordinate overall business operations for the health center and work to ensure all primary care and service line operations are aligned with The Wright Center’s mission and strategic objectives. She also will maintain her duties as director of CRNP and physician assistant services, including overseeing scheduling and participating in recruitment, orientation, and performance evaluation.

Since joining The Wright Center for Community Health in 2017, Dougherty has led several process improvements to improve the health center and the care offered to patients. She enhanced a screening process used by providers to identify behavioral health issues. Since implementing those changes in March, the practices have seen a 24% increase in the use of these potentially life-saving screenings. 

Dougherty earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Penn State University in 2014. Last year, she earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Scranton. 

The Wright Center for Community Health’s patient-centered medical home has 10 locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties, as well as a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, that serves more than 40,0000 unique patients annually and ensures everyone in the service area has access to integrated, high-quality, affordable health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health or the nearest location, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570.230.0019.

Broadway in Scranton Announces New Season

Broadway in Scranton (NAC Entertainment and Broadway Theatre League of NEPA) is proud to announce the 2023-24 Broadway in Scranton Season. This upcoming season is the biggest yet, with six shows on the lineup. See new productions of beloved classics, Tony Award winners, shows for the entire family, and three shows making their Scranton stage debut!

“We want to thank our subscribers and patrons for their support season after season. We’re excited to continue bringing the power and magic of live theatre to NEPA!” said Thomas Combs of NAC Entertainment.

The new season was heavily influenced by the votes of the local community. In a survey sent by Broadway in Scranton earlier this year, audiences answered a series of questions about potential show selections.

“Our audience response was instrumental in choosing this season’s productions. Not only will they be seeing their top-voted choices, but they also had a hand in choosing when to see these shows.” said Combs. The upcoming season will feature a change in performance times, with Friday and Saturday evening performances now at 7:30 PM.

Executive Director Frank T. Blasi stated “We believe that the increase in the number of shows and the new starting times will result in a record number of people in the seats this year.  The demand for Broadway is strong in our area, and we look forward to continuing our vital role and contribution to the quality of life in NEPA.”

New season tickets go on sale Thursday, July 20 at 10 AM

2023-24 Broadway in Scranton season features:

  1. Jesus Christ Superstar – October 27-29, 2023
  2. Hairspray – January 12-14, 2024
  3. Annie – February 16-18, 2024
  4. The Cher Show – March 1-3, 2024
  5. Come From Away – April 5-7, 2024
  6. Pretty Woman – May 17-19, 2024

Prices for this 6-Show season ticket package are $240, $330, $390, and $450. Season Tickets can be purchased online at BroadwayInScranton.com, in person at the Broadway Theatre League (BTL) office (345 North Washington Ave, Scranton, PA), or by calling the BTL office at (570) 342-7784. BTL Office Hours are Monday – Friday 10 AM – 4 PM.   

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.  

Peoples Security Bank Promotes Staff Member

Peoples Security Bank & Trust (PSBT) recently announced that Shane Ely (Scranton) has been promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of the Minooka Office. With this new position, Ely will take on a more active role in establishing a team-based culture and developing positive sales growth. A graduate of the North Pocono School District with certifications in NMLS, Ely has eight years of banking experience with Peoples Security Bank.

Ely will be responsible for ensuring area customers receive the best in banking services, offering personal financial guidance, and developing relationships with area businesses. “My number one priority is to serve this community that I care so much about and to build a team environment at the Minooka Office that will deliver exceptional financial services. Creating a strong foothold in our community gives customers the security of better community banking,” says Ely.

Johnson College to Hold Open House

Johnson College Hazleton will hold its first-ever student and community Open House on Thursday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. The event welcomes all interested students and community members who are eager to see the progress of the new college campus.

All visitors must register to attend the Open House by visiting johnson.edu/hazletonOH or contacting Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions with interested students about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts.

Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs with both students and the community.