Johnson College Enrolling for New Pharmacy Technician Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its new Pharmacy Technician program, beginning at both its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. The program will run at Johnson College Scranton on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 7th. The program will run at Johnson College Hazleton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 15th.

This comprehensive 50-hour program will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement.

This program meets the requirements needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam as well as the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician (PTAC) exam.

Participants of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to participate in an optional, 80-hour clinical externship. Requirements for the externship include a resume; waiver; release form; statement of health; vaccines for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, Tdap (within the last 10 years); a TB test (within the last 12 months); background check; drug screen; and state registration if applicable.

The total cost of the course is $1,650, which includes textbooks, a PTCB exam voucher, and a PTCB prep course.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/pharmacytech/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Providence Engineering Announces Leadership Transition

Providence Engineering, a leading provider of building engineering services, is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition. Effective January 2025, David Bernhardt, PE, the current President and CEO, will maintain the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Dana Ziegler, PE, will be promoted to President.

Leadership Transition Reflects Strength from Within

David Bernhardt, PE, has been an integral part of Providence Engineering for many years, joining the firm in 2003, becoming an owner in 2009, and most recently serving as President and CEO since 2015. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its service offerings, strengthened its market position, and transitioned to a 100% employee-owned company. As David continues in the role of CEO, he will provide strategic oversight and visionary leadership for the company.

David commented, “I am excited to continue driving Providence Engineering’s strategic vision and collaborating with my colleague and friend, Dana Ziegler. When Dana takes over as President in January, he will be the third President in our firm’s history. This promotion is a testament to his management and leadership skills and to the operational strength of our employee-owned company structure. I am confident that Dana’s leadership, as President, will not only strengthen and expand our ability to deliver dependable and innovative solutions to our clients, but will also provide an increasingly rewarding workplace for our employee owners.”

Dana Ziegler, PE, who has been with Providence Engineering in varying capacities for over 14 years, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture to his new role as President. Dana’s promotion from within the organization is a clear indication of Providence Engineering’s commitment to nurturing talent and recognizing the achievements of its team members. Dana earned his Bachelor of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology from The Pennsylvania State University, and before returning to Providence in 2014, he was Vice President of Engineering and Operations at his family’s construction firm.

Dana expressed his enthusiasm, “I am excited and honored to step into the role of President at Providence Engineering. Having grown within this remarkable company, I am deeply committed to our values and mission. We have always strived to be the engineer of choice, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to continue delivering comprehensive building engineering solutions to our clients.”

A 100% Employee-Owned Company

One of Providence Engineering’s distinguishing features is its 100% employee-owned structure. This ownership model fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Each employee-owner is invested in the company’s long-term prosperity, ensuring a high level of dedication and engagement. This structure not only benefits the employee-owners but also enhances the service quality provided to clients.

For More Information

As we progress through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, please follow the Providence Engineering social media channels to keep updated on this exciting leadership transition and learn more about Providence’s third President, Dana Ziegler.

Marywood Students Nominated for Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy

A group of students in Marywood University’s Multimedia Communication program have been nominated for a student Emmy Award in the Mid-Atlantic Region’s College/University Student Production Live Sporting Event/Game category. The student awards program is conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The students were nominated for their work in sports media production, and the entry being considered is “Marywood University Pacers Basketball.” The team of students involved includes: Vincent Goldschmidt, Announcer; Felix Lettini, Technical Director; Soren Svanson, Camera; Corey Iyoob, Reporter; Cameron Gorman, Audio; Bernard Roedel, Videographer/Editor; Benjamin Galko, Camera, and John Downey, Sportscaster.

The students are advised by Jim Donnelly, Assistant Coordinator of Broadcast Operations. Winners will be announced on September 21 at the Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh, PA.

Outreach Center Hosts Children’s Career Fair

Outreach – Center for Community Resources will host its fourth annual Children’s Career Fair at Outreach, 431 North 7th Avenue, Scranton, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

This exciting Children’s Career Fair will ignite young minds and offer opportunities for kids of all ages to explore various career options and discover their passions in a fun and interactive environment.

Children and parents will have the opportunity to explore over 30 careers through fun and interactive activities. Several local companies will also be offering information on current employment opportunities within their companies. The Outreach Children’s Career Fair is free and open to all families with children interested in interacting with businesses and exploring future career possibilities!

It’s never too early for children to think about their future careers! Last year’s event featured hands-on activities like fishing for recyclables, creating their own house floorplan, bubble blowing, creating a mural with the Outreach staff, seeing emergency vehicles up close, and so much more!

We aim to spark curiosity, stimulate creativity, and broaden horizons as children engage with professionals from various industries.

Event Highlights:

Diverse Career Booths: Children will have the opportunity to visit exciting career booths representing professions like science, technology, arts, healthcare, engineering, and more. Volunteers from each industry will be on hand to share their experiences, answer questions, and demonstrate exciting aspects of their professions.

Hands-on Activities: The event will feature numerous interactive activities that allow children to explore different careers. Each activity will be educational and entertaining, from creating art masterpieces to conducting simple science experiments.

Back-to-School Supplies and Haircuts: To add to the excitement, back-to-school haircuts, and back-to-school supplies will be available. Career materials will also be available to promote learning and creativity.

“We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and aspire to greatness,” said Lori Chaffers, Executive Director. “The Children’s Career Fair is a perfect platform for children to explore various professions, ignite their imaginations, and gain valuable insights into different career options. By exposing them to diverse possibilities, we hope to motivate and prepare them for a bright future.”

We are grateful to all the volunteers, partners, and sponsors whose support has made this event possible.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow! Parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend with their children and participate in the activities together.

For more information, please call Liz Ratchford at the office: (570) 558-7562 or cell: (570) 954-6755

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Publish 2025 Home Schedule

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce their home schedule for the 2025 International League season. The RailRiders will begin their season on the road on March 28, 2025, with the home opener scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The 2025 season is once again slated with 150 games, split evenly between PNC Field and the road. 

“As we close out the current season with great crowds and more RailRiders wins, we can also start looking ahead to what is next,” said Scranton/Wilkes-Barre General Manager Katie Beekman. “It’s going to be a busy off-season with renovations and upgrades. Our front office staff is excited to start planning the next season of fun to help complement the experience everyone has nightly when they come to PNC Field.”

The 2025 home schedule is comprised of 12 six-game series and one three-game set. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will host Buffalo (Toronto), Charlotte (Chicago White Sox), Indianapolis (Pittsburgh Pirates), Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Phillies), Nashville (Milwaukee Brewers), Rochester (Washington Nationals), Syracuse (New York Mets) Toledo (Detroit Tigers) and Worcester (Boston Red Sox) at PNC Field.

Highlights of the 2025 home schedule include:
April 8 thru 13: Opening Week at PNC Field against the Rochester Red Wings

April 22 thru 27: Charlotte Knights return to PNC Field for the first time since 2019

May 13 thru 18: SWB hosts the Toledo Mud Hens

June 10 thru 15: First 2025 match-up at PNC Field with Syracuse Mets

July 4 thru 6: Three games at PNC Field against the IronPigs beginning on Independence Day
July 8 thru 13: Nine-game homestand continues with Buffalo Bisons in town

July 29 thru August 3: First Nashville Sounds series in Moosic since 1991

August 12 thru 17: Indianapolis Indians journey to NEPA for the first time since 2019 

September 9 thru 14: Final home set of regular season as Lehigh Valley returns to close 2025 IronRail Series

Road opponents, game times, and promotions will be announced at a later time, and the 2025 schedule remains subject to change. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL. 

WVIA Conversations for the Common Good: Trust in Our Elections

WVIA Free Event

September 19th, at 6:30 PM at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Fair and secure elections are the bedrock of our democracy. However, many members of our community have little information about what happens after they cast their ballots. As we head into the general election in November, WVIA, and Keep Our Republic invite you to attend this informative, nonpartisan event dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the 2024 election process and equipping our community to combat misinformation surrounding election integrity.

At this event, experts from across the state and from our community will talk about what’s new for Pennsylvania’s elections in 2024, how votes are counted, certified, and audited, and answer questions on topics like mail-in ballots, the role of the courts and media in elections, how technology impacts election security, and what federal, state, and local governments are doing to combat election interference. This event will provide valuable insights to help you stay informed for the upcoming November 5th election. We hope to see you there.

REGISTER HERE

Leadership Lackawanna Launches Applications for 2024-25 Executive Program

July 29, 2024— Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces applications are open for the Executive Program.

The six-week Executive Program deeply engages high-level professionals in the greater Scranton area, broadens their social network, and increases their overall knowledge of the community. Participants meet key business and community leaders as they receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history and culture, economic and political structures, community events, civic groups, recreational activities, and nonprofit organizations.

The Executive Program accepts applications from advanced-level professionals with a tenured career path and extensive leadership experience. Applicants must live, work, or play in Lackawanna County.

Sessions are held one evening per week for six consecutive weeks starting Monday, September 23. The sessions are held at various locations and include cocktails and dinner.

Applications are now open and will be accepted through August 31. To learn more about the Executive and all other Leadership Lackawanna programs, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.