Geisinger Encourages Ordering Free, At-Home COVID-19 Tests Geisinger is encouraging the community to take advantage of ordering free, at-home COVID-19 tests through the new federal website. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests at CovidTests.gov and have them shipped right to their doorstep. “COVID-19 testing is an essential tool in stopping the spread in our communities,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “Over-the-counter tests can save you a trip to your doctor’s office, an urgent care clinic or a testing center. In fact, if you have mild or no symptoms, at-home testing is your most convenient and safest testing option, especially with the long wait times at urgent care clinics and testing centers. Due to high demand and limited supply, the easiest way to find at-home tests is through CovidTests.gov.” Tests available through the federal website are rapid antigen at-home tests. They can be taken anywhere and give results within 30 minutes, with no lab drop-off required. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been around someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID — you meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for testing. If you have mild or no symptoms, at-home tests are an appropriate first step. If you test positive on your at-home test, follow the latest CDC guidance for isolation. If you test negative, you should test again within a few days with at least 24 hours between tests. Learn more in our Coronavirus Resource Center at geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Stephanie Mihal, CPA, Named Partner at McGrail Merkel Quinn & Associates McGrail Merkel Quinn & Associates, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Consultants is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie M. Mihal, CPA to Partner. Joining MMQ in 2005 as an intern, Stephanie has more than 16 years of experience with our firm in a vast number of areas including audit, tax, consulting, and compliance. She specializes in audits of not-for-profit organizations, employee benefit plans and foundations and also focuses on the health care, retail and manufacturing industries. She manages firm recruiting for internships and new hires and oversees career development for the firm. As a Partner, Stephanie uses her communication and relationship building skills to provide exceptional client service, increase firm visibility and provide growth opportunities. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Scranton in 2006. She is a member of the AICPA and PICPA. Stephanie is currently on the Board of Directors of Outreach – Center for Community Resources and has been a member of the board for 11 years. She served as Board President from 2017-2019. Stephanie is a member of the University of Scranton ADPAC (Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council) since inception in 2015. She also volunteers her time with the University of Scranton Career Coaches Program and other student mentor programs. Stephanie volunteers with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to provide informational sessions with participant programs, learning conferences, and donor education seminars. “We are very excited for Stephanie and her family as she elevates to partner within our Firm” said Dan Gerrity, MMQ’s Managing Partner. “Stephanie’s skills and expertise have become very valuable over the years. We look forward to her continued contributions to the growth of our firm.”
Geoffrey Mesko, CPA, MT, Named Board Chair at Drucker & Scaccetti Drucker & Scaccetti, a CPA and advisory firm based in Philadelphia, PA, and dedicated to providing specialized tax, business, and financial consulting to families and their closely held and entrepreneurially driven businesses, has appointed its next generation of leadership to take the firm beyond its founders, effective January 1, 2022. For the first time in its 31-year history, the firm’s leadership will consist of all non-founding shareholders and, uniquely, an all-women C-suite. “From our inception in 1990, the goal of the founders has been to offer to our up-and-coming team the same opportunities that we were provided,” states CEO & Co-founder Jane Scaccetti, “which is a purpose of building a legacy and continuing Drucker & Scaccetti into the future. I’m incredibly excited and positive about this next chapter in our firm’s future.” The newly appointed Board Chair, Geoff Mesko, will serve as the liaison between the board and the chief business officers. He will be responsible for overseeing firm vision, strategic planning, external communication, and community interface, while continuing client responsibilities. Mesko joined Drucker & Scaccetti as an intern in 2004 and he became a shareholder in January 2012. Mesko has extensive tax experience in serving private clients and their family enterprises while bringing a strategic business acumen to complement Drucker & Scaccetti’s tax focus. Mesko serves on several educational and civic boards in Philadelphia and Scranton and hails from a multi-generational family business. “The new leadership team will build upon the legacies of Drucker & Scaccetti caring about the professional integrity of our services, our team members, and the clients we serve in an advisory role. We are very excited about this next chapter of Drucker & Scaccetti’s future and the impactful work we will do together,” said Mesko.
FNCB Bank Donates $7,500 to United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $7,500 donation to United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. The United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. FNCB Bank’s donation will touch the lives of many individuals and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The support of United Way is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
P. Timothy Kelly, Esq. of Needle Law Named to 2021 Super Lawyers P. Timothy Kelly Esq. of the Scranton law firm, Needle Law, PC, has been named to the 2021 Super Lawyers list. No more than 5% of the lawyers in Pennsylvania are selected by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in their practice of law. Mr. Kelly has been named to the Super Lawyers list each year since 2008.
Golden Technologies Appoints New Chief Financial Officer Golden Technologies is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Yurko as Chief Financial Officer to help lead dynamic growth within the organization. Paul is responsible for the financial management and information technology strategy of the organization and improving processes to achieve profitable growth. “As a key member of our executive management team, Paul will serve in a strategic role in the overall management of the company. We welcome his contributions as he assumes the primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial-related activities of the company,” said Rich Golden, CEO. “I am confident that Paul will be an excellent match for this position and a strong asset to the organization,” he added. Paul has more than 25 years of financial management experience in the service, foods, transportation, and manufacturing industries. He has held various executive-level positions at large companies, including Metz Culinary Management, Martz Group, Kraft Foods, Nabisco, and Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP. In addition to his extensive experience, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wilkes College. Visit www.goldentech.com for more information.
You’re Invited: Scranton Economic Development Town Hall The City of Scranton is developing a Strategic Economic Development Plan which will serve as an actionable and forward-looking vision to build upon the initiatives already underway throughout Scranton. The City and their partners at Fourth Economy Consulting are taking a stakeholder driven approach to the planning process by incorporating numerous community engagement opportunities, including one-on-one interviews and small group discussions. A summary of the team’s key quantitative and qualitative findings to-date can be found here. In December, Fourth Economy hosted a series of Build Sessions – interactive workshops where community stakeholders came together to brainstorm and build solutions that will shape the Strategic Economic Development Plan. The workshops covered the following topic areas: IndustryTalent Attraction & RetentionCommunity Identity & Neighborhood ReinvestmentInfrastructureHousing As follow up, the City of Scranton and Fourth Economy will be hosting a town hall meeting to share outputs from the Build Sessions and gather feedback on the initiatives that have been identified to date and insights into what may be still outstanding. You’re invited to participate in this Town Hall on Thursday, January 20 at 8:30 a.m. It will be a virtual session open only to our collective membership. REGISTER HERE Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a calendar invite.
HNB Celebrates 185 Years of Supporting Local Communities On December 26 The Honesdale National Bank officially celebrated 185 years in business. The Bank recognizes the milestone as an example of its achievements, but considers it more a testament to its ability to support the financial needs of the local area for years to come. Earlier in December, Thomas E. Sheridan, Jr. rejoined HNB to reprise his role as president and CEO of the oldest financial institution headquartered in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Back at the helm, his sights are set on establishing the course for the Bank’s promising future by harnessing tradition. The historical financial institution based in Honesdale, Pa has done anything but remain stagnant since its inception, often bringing the first of improved customer experience offerings to the area such as the first TV Auto Bank Drive-Up system in 1968, to its most recent deployment of a checking product suite that focuses on benefits that enable their customers to take advantage of all aspects of their life, including protection, wellness and promotion of shopping in our local communities through exclusive deals and discounts. “The benefits that community banks bring to the areas we serve is a point of pride,” said Sheridan. “The directors, management team, and staff at HNB have done an outstanding job in moving the bank forward. They have targeted their efforts on helping our area to prosper by focusing on what is best for our customers. In each and every role, HNB’s people are truly concerned with assisting our customers and willing to provide the extra effort to help.” Sheridan believes that bankers serve a unique and important role in helping communities grow. Ultimately, aiming to elevate all of the factors that make our communities such a desirable place to live, play and work In the Bank’s historic service span, Sheridan noted there have been many extreme challenges to the economy. He shared how HNB not only persevered, but more importantly, helped improve many difficult situations for local businesses and families to help the area forge new beginnings. “Experience has taught us that the greatest innovations are often the result of the need to overcome some significant challenge. The pandemic has forced many of us to face changes. With many people being relieved of the need to live within commuting distance of work, our area is now a residential option for telecommuting. We are very fortunate to live in an area that still embraces the spirit of community. We look forward to providing banking services for the business opportunities of an expanding area and new customers providing that growth,” he said. “The HNB team spends their time and talents thinking of ways for the Bank to better meet the needs of our customers at every stage of life,” said Sheridan. Facing what could be a turbulent year ahead with prospects of inflation, recessions, regulatory scrutiny and more, HNB bodes confidence in its service model as it also prepares to crest $1 billion in assets. Echoing the steps that have been taken in recent years by the Bank’s leadership team, Sheridan stated, “We will continue our quest to stay ahead of the technology curve. With each advancement in technology the ease, speed and security of meeting our customer’s needs is improved and with that comes a better banking experience. Most importantly, we will not lose sight that personal service will always be important in meeting our customer’s needs.” “Our concern for the wellbeing of the people and businesses who bank with us has been the foundation upon which we have built such a long history,” Sheridan said. “This is the standard that has been set and passed on throughout the years among employees and board members. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to contribute to progressing that mission.”
Geisinger Hospitals Awarded for Treatment of Severe Heart Attacks Three Geisinger hospitals have been recognized by the American Heart Association for adhering to proven care guidelines that benefit patients suffering the most severe type of heart attack. Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre have received the Mission: Lifeline ® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award, and Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton has received the Mission: Lifeline Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award. The hospitals earned honors for implementing specific quality improvement measures in treating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack. Each year, more than 250,000 Americans experience a STEMI, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. The Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to swift treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Coordination among EMS, hospital and health system is key to providing optimal care to heart attack patients. “We pride ourselves in always implementing and following the latest, evidence-based methods of treatment, because we know it leads to better outcomes for our patients,” said Cinde Bower-Stout, RN, MHA, manager of cardiovascular quality for the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute. As Mission: Lifeline Heart Attack Receiving Centers, the hospitals have shown they meet or exceed quality of care measures for restoring blood flow in STEMI patients, and their achievement awards are the result of maintaining a standard of performance in delivering quick, appropriate, lifesaving care to patients coming into the hospitals directly or by transfer from another facility. “Our hospitals are committed to providing the best possible care for heart-attack patients,” said Vishal Mehra, M.D., Ph.D., director of cardiovascular quality for the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute. “Geisinger’s STEMI program was designed to achieve these same goals, and we’ve been honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication and achievement in cardiac care since Mission: Lifeline was launched.”
