Johnson College Now Enrolling Students in Fundamentals of Welding Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its next Fundamentals of Welding course, scheduled to run from Monday, February 28, 2022, to Friday, April 22, 2022, in Weaver Hall on its campus in Scranton. Space is very limited. To learn more or enroll, contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. Students will learn the basics of the major welding processes. After fundamentals, students can enroll in an intermediate class in either Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). Each of these classes works toward plate certification to a common welding code. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
MiLB Expands Triple-A Schedule to 150 Games Minor League Baseball has announced that six additional games will be added to the 2022 Triple-A season, expanding the slate to 150 games. The additional games help Triple-A baseball better align with the Major League season and push the end date of the Minor League campaign to September 28. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was slated to close the season with a three-game set at Lehigh Valley from Monday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 21. That series will now begin on Tuesday, September 20, and run through Sunday, September 25. The RailRiders will now close the 2022 season at PNC Field with a three-game series against the Buffalo Bisons from Monday, September 26 through Wednesday, September 28. Each of those three games will begin at 6:35 P.M. Full season ticket members will have tickets for the additional three home games added to their accounts while all other plans will have the ability to exchange unused tickets or vouchers for these games per the RailRiders exchange policy. This 150-game schedule will be the longest for any Minor League team since 1964. International League franchises played 154 games that season while the Pacific Coast League clubs played 156. Tickets packages for the 2022 season are available now. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact a ticket sales representative at (570) 969-BALL.
Nicole Strauser – EMPOWER Conference Moderator Vice President, Beneficiary Fulfillment, Prudential Enabling Solutions Presentation Moderator: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Nicole Strauser, vice president, beneficiary fulfillment, has over 20 years of experience with Prudential. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for delivering final promises for group insurance, individual life insurance, annuities, and retirement customers. She has been focused on strengthening Prudential’s operational discipline and empowering associates via ideation and customer obsession to transform our customer experience. Prior to her current role, Nicole held various roles across Prudential’s retirement organization including the contact center, client services, and all back office operations from money in, money out, to complex record keeping. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marywood University. She is a Series 6, 99, and 26 registered principal. Nicole currently sits on the board for Leadership Northeast, a local non-profit focused on creating servant leaders in the community. Nicole also serves as the Prudential executive site lead for the Scranton office and the executive sponsor of the Scranton PRIDE BRG. GET TICKETS
Brooke Lipperini – EMPOWER Conference Panelist Regional Manager, Human Resources, CANPACK US Presentation: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Brooke Lipperini, SHRM-SCP, has over 15 years of professional experience in human resources, primarily in manufacturing organizations. Currently, she is the regional manager, human resources at CANPACK US, a manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans. Prior to joining CANPACK US, she was the human resources manager at The AZEK Company, a manufacturer of premium building products in Scranton. Lipperini holds a SHRM-SCP certification and has been awarded the Veterans at Work Certificate by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation. She has served on the NEPA SHRM board of directors since 2017 and currently holds the role of president elect. Brooke also serves on the board of directors of Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Brooke lives in Olyphant with her two children, fiancé, and two dogs. GET TICKETS
Chamber Announces 2022 EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference The Chamber is pleased to announce its 2022 EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference will be held on Thursday, April 28 at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA, sponsored by Geisinger. This year, EMPOWER will be bigger and better than ever! Themed Resilient, Together, the 2022 conference will feature even MORE dynamic speakers, total of 18, who will arm attendees with information, encourage them to pursue new opportunities, and inspire them to conquer current challenges. Offering multiple tracks, this year’s conference will also offer a new interactive wellness studio, an ever-growing vendor marketplace, small group meet-ups, mini sessions and an engaging event app. Some of this year’s speakers include Katie Leonard, Ed.D., president and CEO, Johnson College; Marianne Gilmartin, Esq., shareholder, Stevens & Lee; Sarah Effertz, owner, Blu Elefante Events; Lisa Rigau, RN, certified lifestyle medicine professional, and owner, Healthy Lifestyle Management; Elika Almeida, motivational speaker and life coach; Chelsea Manganaro, owner, Nearme Yoga and Nearme Café; Karen Darby, wealth management advisor, Jacobi Capital Management; plus more. EMPOWER is the premier Women’s Leadership Conference in NEPA and highlights the ability all women have to create positive change in their communities and in their own lives – both professionally and personally – while recognizing the extraordinary power that exists when women come together to support each other. Tickets sell out every year! Get them today. Tickets, speaker bios, and more information are available at here.
Keystone College Names Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Keystone College has named Andra Basu, Ph.D. as its new provost/vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Basu has had an accomplished career as an administrator at several colleges and universities. Prior to coming to Keystone, she served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at East Stroudsburg University. She was also dean of Adult and Professional Studies at Albright College and associate academic dean, interim dean of academic services, and dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Lehigh Carbon Community College. She has served as a faculty member, instructor, or lecturer at East Stroudsburg University, Albright College, Moravian College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh University, Kutztown University, Muhlenberg College, Bates College, Hunter College, Queens College, and the University of Minnesota. Her writing has been published in numerous academic and professional journals and she has received a wide variety of awards and grants. Dr. Basu received a bachelor of arts degree from Tufts University, a master of arts degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a doctorate in social personality psychology from the City University of New York Graduate School and University Center.
Outreach Center for Community Resources Welcomes New Executive Director A new year marks a new chapter in the history of Outreach Center for Community Resources in Scranton as members of the Board of Directors announce Lori Chaffers has been named Executive Director. Outreach is a non-profit organization serving thousands of people of all ages in northeastern Pennsylvania through a variety of programs supporting family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Chaffers brings a wealth of experience in social services and advocacy to her new position, including a decade of service with Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services, where she fulfilled various roles. Most recently, she was the agency’s program director in the Office of Social Service Research and Development. Prior to that, she was a supervisor for its Independent Living Unit, an independent living coordinator, and a caseworker. Her career encompasses human services, strategic planning and education at social service agencies, religious organizations and educational institutions in Scranton, Philadelphia and surrounding communities, and New Jersey. A stalwart advocate for social justice, her experience will enhance efforts to fulfill the mission of Outreach, and meet the growing needs of the populations it serves. Chaffers is affiliated with a number of professional and community organizations. Highlights of her community involvement include serving as board secretary of the Center for Health & Human Services Research & Action, and as executive committee member of Transforming Children’s Future. Past service includes volunteering as chairperson for the Youth & Education Sub-Committee of Lackawanna County Housing Continuum, and as a member of the Lackawanna Recovery Coalition. She also served as an adjunct instructor and field instructor for the Master of Social Work program at Marywood University in Scranton. In 2017, Chaffers was honored with the Murray Fox Practicum Educators Award presented by Marywood University’s Field Education Department. Chaffers has participated in numerous professional and educational conferences as a guest lecturer at Temple University, Marywood University, The University of Scranton, SWAN statewide conference, and TCOM/CANS conference, and CWRC: Older Youth Webinar Series Collaboration for Transition Planning. She holds a bachelor of social work degree from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and a master of social work degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Chaffers resides in Dickson City with her husband, Alexander (A.J.), and her two children, Angela, age 9, and Joseph, age 6. Chaffers begins her service on January 10, following the retirement of Executive Director Linda Ciampi, who joined the Outreach staff in 2014 as operations director. She was named executive director in 2015 and appointed in 2016, marking a period of growth for the organization. Under her direction, the center underwent a name change and rebranding from Employment Opportunity and Training Center (EOTC) to Outreach Center for Community Resources to better reflect the variety of services and programs the center offers. In addition, the organization was recognized by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce as the SAGE Award Non-Profit of the Year in 2018, and designated a Blue-Ribbon Parents as Teacher® National Affiliate in 2021. An active member of the community, Ciampi served on multiple non-profit boards during her tenure, including: leadership roles on the Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board; the Lackawanna County Opioid Reduction Coalition, as a member of the Leadership Committee and co-chairperson of the Professional Education Committee; member of Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy initiative; coach for The University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program; and chairperson of the Pardon Project of Lackawanna County.
Johnson College Receives $25,000 from Kenworth of Pennsylvania Recently, Johnson College received a $25,000 contribution from Kenworth of Pennsylvania to support its Diesel Truck Technology program and students. Kenworth of Pennsylvania has been a strong industry partner with Johnson College for fifteen years. They consistently support the College and its students by making cash and in-kind contributions, participating in the Diesel Truck Technology program advisory committee, hosting student interns, and inviting students to take part in their live program labs inside their facility in Dunmore, PA. This year’s contribution will help maintain the quality of the hands-on education Kenworth values to prepare students to enter their industry’s workforce as well qualified and trained technicians. Motor Truck Equipment Company was founded in 1933 and is the parent company of Kenworth of Pennsylvania, Motor Truck PacLease, Motor Truck Thermo King, and TRP of Allentown. Motor Truck spans three generations of leadership from the Mitchell family. They offer the sale of new, medium and heavy-duty Kenworth trucks, as well as a selection of used models. Kenworth of PA has 10 parts and service locations across the state of Pennsylvania to serve all their customers’ transportation needs. To learn more about Kenworth of Pennsylvania, visit kwofpa.com. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Geisinger Honors 195 Providers for High Patient Satisfaction Ratings Geisinger recently honored 195 caregivers for being named among the best in the country by their patients, according to national surveys. Geisinger providers — including physicians, physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners — were recognized for ranking in the top 10% nationally for patient experience at the health system’s annual Top Patient Experience Clinicians Awards, which were held virtually this year. Scores were based on Press Ganey survey results, which gives patients an opportunity to grade the service and care they received from a provider. “There’s no better indicator of being a truly exceptional provider than to hear it from your patients,” said J. Edward Hartle, M.D., Geisinger’s executive vice president and chief medical officer. “Each year we have more Geisinger providers ranking in the top 10% nationally for patient experience, all while the standards keep getting tougher. The bar keeps getting higher, and our care providers continue to excel in making better health easier for our patients.” Among the 195 clinicians honored, three were spotlighted for exemplary work, receiving Geisinger awards for going above and beyond when it comes to compassionate patient care. Shane Daniel Newhouser, DOAkiko Kawamura, MDDebra Kaleta, PA-C Shane Daniel Newhouser, DO, family medicine physician at Geisinger State College, and Akiko Kawamura, MD, pediatrician at Geisinger Mount Pocono, received the Victor J. Marks Award for best Primary Care Physician and Outpatient Specialty Physician, respectively. The award was established in 2002 to honor Dr. Victor Marks, who served as Geisinger’s interim CEO from 2000 to 2001, and his commitment to making patients the primary focus of the health system. It is given to the primary care physician and the outpatient specialty physician at Geisinger who have the highest overall scores on the care provider section of the patient satisfaction survey. Debra Kaleta, PA-C, in family medicine at Geisinger Mount Carmel, received the Christina Appleman Award. The award is named in honor of Christina Appleman, certified registered nurse practitioner, and is given to the advanced practitioner at Geisinger with the highest overall score on the care provider section of the patient satisfaction survey. The 90th percentile Geisinger winners are: Central region:Robin L. Adams, CRNP, Obstetrics/GynecologyKenneth Wayne Altman, MD, OtolaryngologyMadiha Mubarik Alvi, MD, EndocrinologyChristina Jo Appleman, CRNP, Obstetrics/GynecologyAmy Gregory Barrett, PA-C, PediatricsMaria C. Bermudez, MD, NephrologyJudith Bianchi Bowser, OD, OphthalmologyThomas J. Bules, CRNP, Cardiovascular DiseaseGreg F. Burke, MD, Internal MedicineJoyce A. Burnside, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseRonald Byerly, PA-C, Internal MedicineJames Tran Connolly, PA-C, Orthopaedic SurgeryMichelle Annabella Cornacchia, MD, Internal MedicineNicole Deckard, LGC, GeneticsDevin M. Conrad, PA-C, ConvenientCareKendall Dobbins, MD, OphthalmologyDan Lawrence Dometita, DO, Internal MedicineCassondra A. Ellison, MD, DermatologyJames R. Elmore, MD, Vascular SurgeryMatthew A. Facktor, MD, Thoracic SurgeryTammie Christine Ferringer, MD, DermatologyHenry F. Fesniak, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseBrant R. Fulmer, MD, UrologyChristine Anne Gallagher, OD, OphthalmologyTullika Garg, MD, UrologyKeith Gibson, MD, Family MedicineNathalie M. Guibord, MD, OphthalmologyMichael John Halupa, Dental SurgeryCharles Eugene Heid, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseEric John Hodgson, MD, Maternal & Fetal MedicineNeil Robert Holland, MD, NeurologyDawn R. Hornberger, CRNP, EndocrinologyElyssa M. Johnson, PA-C, Family MedicineDebra M. Kaleta, PA-C, Family MedicineRosalind L. Kellum, CRNP, Cardiovascular DiseaseJoel C. Klena, MD, Orthopaedic SurgeryErin Elisabeth Kohrherr, PA-C, Reproductive Endo/InfertilityBenjamin Robert Kuhn, DO, Pediatric GastroenterologyLauren Elizabeth Samuels, PA-C, Convenient CareMark R. Lentz, MD, Internal MedicineJenna Marie Lindenmuth, PA-C, Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports MedicineLindsay Anne Hauser, CRNP, ConvenientCareKevin Carl Long, MD, Colon & Rectal SurgeryRobert Blake Lowe, DO, Family MedicineMichele S. Maroon, MD, DermatologyShannon M. McShea-Johansson, PA-C, GastroenterologyRobert Alain Meloy, MD, Internal MedicineBrittany Eve Meyer, PA-C, Obstetrics/GynecologyO. Fred Miller III, MD, DermatologyBrian Richard Monroe, MD, Anesthesiology, Pain ManagementMegan Marie Moran, DO, PediatricsDonald C. Moyer, DO, PediatricsMisha Matongo Mutizwa, MD, DermatologyEric D. Newman, MD, RheumatologyJess W. Oren IV, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseMatthew Lee Palmer, MD, DermatologyRajiv P. Panikkar, MD, Medical OncologyLori A. Parke, CRNP, General SurgeryMayur A. Patel, MD, Medical OncologyPriyanka Pathak, MD, HematologyHoward B. Pride, MD, DermatologyJohn Stephen Quick, MD, AnesthesiologyArsalan Rafiq, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseMarylou Rainone, DO, General SurgeryJodie Alton Reider, MD, EndocrinologyWells T. Reinheimer, DO, OphthalmologyDavid D. K. Rolston, MD, Internal MedicineDana L. Rubin, PA-C, Plastic SurgeryLisa Lorrae Schroeder, MD, Internal MedicineElizabeth Keslar Scott, CRNP, Cardiovascular DiseaseMark Alan Seeley, MD, Orthopaedic SurgeryJohn A. Semian, MD, General SurgeryKeith E. Shalongo, OD, OphthalmologyMatthew J. Shellenberger, DO, GastroenterologyCatherine Terese Shoff, DO, Pulmonary DiseaseDennis Randall Smith, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseJordan Bennett Southern, MD, UrologyRandle H. Storm, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseAlexis Svokos, MD, Obstetrics/GynecologyJill Susan Sweigard, CRNP, PediatricsJohn Robert Tomedi Sr., MD, Family MedicineTyler William Baran, PA-C, ConvenientCareTyler Raymond West, DO, Anesthesiology, Pain ManagementCaitlin Jean Wiscount, MD, PediatricsSandrina Dawn Womer, CRNP, Cardiovascular DiseaseJessica Gidaro Yancoskie, CRNP, OphthalmologyKathya Michelle Zinszer, DPM, Podiatry North-central:Mark Judson Rockwell, PA-C, ConvenientCareMelissa Jean Kireski, CRNP, ConvenientCareTena Delores Miller, PA-C, Family MedicineNicholas Showman, PA-C, DermatologyDana M. Smith, DO, PediatricsRoy Erroll Tuller, DO, OphthalmologyJessica Ann Zozos Stehman, PA-C, Obstetrics/Gynecology Northeast:Christian Stephen Adonizio, MD, Medical OncologyAlexander M. Piczon, PA-C, Ortho & Sports Medicine Urgent CareJoseph Patrick Bannon, MD, General SurgeryLouis C. Blaum Jr., MD, General SurgeryElizabeth A. Bordy, PA-C, Family MedicinePranjal Kumar Boruah, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseMary Catherine Brady, MD, DermatologyLaurie Campfield, DO, PediatricsJose I. Castillo, MD, Medical OncologyPeter Joseph Cawley, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseCharlea Natasha Pedro, CRNP, ConvenientCareStacy J. Conway, OD, OphthalmologyKelly Jo Dalton, OD, OphthalmologyBrian A. Delvecchio, DO, RheumatologyLaurel Foxworth Dodgson, PA-C, Anesthesiology, Pain ManagementMitchell J. Gross, MD, NeurologyCollin Douglas Hair, MD, OphthalmologyMegan Ward Harris, PA-C, DermatologyJulia Ann Zafia Carey, PA-C, ConvenientCareKarla Grace Dalious, PA-C, ConvenientCareAkiko Kawamura, MD, PediatricsAmanda Katherine Keegan, PA-C, UrologyEric J. Kemmerer, MD, Radiation OncologyKimberly Kaminsky, PA-C, ConvenientCareDavid J. Kolessar, MD, Orthopaedic SurgeryKimberly A. Kovalick, DO, Family MedicineMichael A. Kovalick, DO, Family MedicineMelissa Laporte, CRNP, EndocrinologyLeopoldo Legaspi, MD, PediatricsLauren Nicole Polanin, PA-C, ConvenientCareKara Anne Levandoski, PA-C , Cardiovascular DiseaseMaya Lillyan Lichtenstein, MD, NeurologyPaul R. Long, MD, DermatologyBenoit Mapa, DO, Obstetrics/GynecologyDavid R. Mariner, MD, Vascular SurgeryVernon H. Mascarenhas, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseMartin Eugene Matsumura, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseEvan Lee McClennen, DO, Obstetrics/GynecologySandeep Mehrok, MD, Family MedicineElizabeth Erin Miller, DO, General SurgeryCarl Andrew Nieweld, MD, Pulmonary DiseaseKathleen Marie Noss, DO, PediatricsFrank C. Olshemski, MD, Family MedicineMark Peter Pallis, DO, Orthopaedic SurgerySandra L. Pensieri, DPM, PodiatryJohn Mark Prater, MD, Family MedicineBrogdan Protyniak, MD, Colon & Rectal SurgeryJohn Robert Ramey, MD, UrologyWaqarun Nisa Rashid, MD, Obstetrics/GynecologyJamian M. Ryan, DO, PediatricsLakshmi Neeharika Saladi, MD, Pulmonary DiseaseThomas Spencer Samuelsen, MD, Obstetrics/GynecologySarah Ann Brown, CRNP, Urgent CareKenny Alan Schwartz, MD, NeurologyShreya Sinha, MD, Oncology, MedicalAlessandro G. Smeraldi, MD, Surgery, VascularJohn Joseph Sobuto III, DO, Critical Care MedicineJames A. Tricarico, DO, Family MedicineCassandra Lynn Tunis, DO, Family MedicineJustin Gerard Tunis, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports MedicineDaniel William Upton, MD, OphthalmologyPugazhendhi Vijayaraman, MD, Cardiovascular DiseaseKathleen Iezzi Walsh, MD, PediatricsMary Rachel Wolf, PA-C, Surgical OncologyJason Raymond Woloski, MD, Family MedicineJoseph Alexander Wong, MD, Physical Medicine & RehabilitationSarah Ann Worsnick, PA-C, Cardiovascular DiseaseBonnie Tong Young, CRNP, Cardiology (Interventional)Shane Steven Young, MD, Family Medicine West:Lorraine L. Rosamilia, MD, DermatologyTrevor Sherrick Smith, DO, Family MedicineNatalie Rebeccah Steffen, PA-C, Family MedicineMichelle Jane Thal, PA-C, Allergy & ImmunologyKathleen Mary Zazzali, DO, Cardiovascular Disease
