Outreach – Center for Community Resources Will Host 2024 Mighty Oak Awards Outreach – Center for Community Resources will host the 2024 Mighty Oak Awards on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic. The Mighty Oak Awards honor pillars in Northeastern Pennsylvania for their leadership and contributions to the community. This year’s event will recognize two individuals who exemplify Outreach’s mission: Attorney Tobey Oxholm III and Ms. Anne Quinn Butler. Attorney Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III will be awarded the Mighty Oak Award for helping individuals receive pardons as the creator of the Pardon Project of Pennsylvania. Atty. Oxholm has worked with Outreach to expand the Pardon Project to Lackawanna County. He graduated from Harvard Law and the Kennedy School of Government in 1979 and previously served as Chief Deputy Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia and General Counsel for Drexel University. He lives in Gouldsboro with his wife of forty-six years, Kim. Ms. Anne Quinn Butler is this year’s Beth Beh Community Spirit Award. Ms. Butler has been a part of the Outreach community for two decades. She previously was employed at Outreach as the Life Skills Program Manager at the Lackawanna County Prison. Since stepping down from her role, she has continued volunteering at Outreach by serving on various committees and is a Past President of the Board of Directors. She enjoys spending time with grandchildren and children in her free time, traveling, and gardening. Beth Beh Community Spirit Award recognizes and honors an individual or group with a long-standing devotion to community service through education, volunteer work, and citizen connections. Beth Beh founded the Women’s Employment Program (WEP) in 1986, the flagship program of the Employment Opportunity Training Center (EOTC), now Outreach. She devoted her life to developing and expanding community services that focused on single mothers and children in the region and provided mentorship to childcare professionals. The Mighty Oak Awards will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and basket raffles. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at www.outreachworks.org or by contacting Lori Ryan, Community Outreach & Resource Development Manager, via email at lryan@outreachworks.org or by calling 570-558-7565. Outreach Center for Community Resources delivers family educational and workforce development services and programs to the regional community to promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Outreach provides evidence-based early childhood programs that help families and children gain the skills to be healthy and productive community members. Outreach programs support families experiencing adverse life events, including economically disadvantaged families, individuals seeking services that are involved in the Women’s and Veteran’s Treatment Court System, residents at the Lackawanna County Prison, and justice-involved juveniles. Outreach improves the lives of over 5,000 adults and children annually with evidence-based family development, early childhood education, adult GED services, and workforce programs that support them as they navigate life’s challenges
NEPA Philharmonic and Queen on September 27 at the F.M. Kirby Center The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic opens the 2024-25 season with the music of the one and only QUEEN! On stage will be the Philharmonic orchestra under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet and the singers and dancers of Jeans’ n Classics. Also, enhancing the performance will be the voices of the Marywood Chamber Singers. On the set list will be “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “We Will Rock You,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and many other fan favorites. “The music of Queen is unique, and electrifying! The partnership between the NEPA Philharmonic and Jeans’ n Classics will ensure that Queen fans, and those being introduced to Queen for the first time, will have an incredible evening. This is a concert experience not to be missed,” notes Carol Nelson Dembert, Philharmonic Board President. Subscriptions for the 53rd season of the NEPA Phil, as well as single tickets, may be purchased at this time online at nepaphil.org. The season opens with Queen and closes in June with a Tribute to Tina Turner. Main Stage concerts take place from September through June and the concert series includes two Holiday concerts, and Masterworks by Bizet, Sibelius, Copland, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Orff’s beloved Carmina Burana, and more. Purchase tickets to two or more concerts and receive a discount of 15 -30% off, as well as first choice of seating. Prices begin at $42 and students K-12 are invited to enjoy the Masterworks at no charge. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Philharmonic tickets are affordable, especially when purchased with the Early Bird Discount before September 18. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is a fully professional symphony orchestra presenting evening and matinee concerts in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Concerts take place at the FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre; Scranton Cultural Center; Kirby Center for Creative Arts at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston; and Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please check out www.nepaphil.org or call the ticket hotline at 570.270.4444. The NEPA Philharmonic is a valuable community resource. A series of four intimate chamber concerts begin on September 19 at the Sordoni Art Gallery, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Educational programs include a juried mentoring program, a Young People’s Concert, Music in Our Schools, Once Upon a Library, and Music in our Senior Centers. For information about sponsorship for the concerts and educational programs, please contact the Philharmonic office.
Princeton Review Recognizes Scranton Science Labs, Service engagement Students say Scranton professors take an investment in each individual and truly care about their students in The Princeton Review Best 390 Colleges. The Princeton Review selected The University of Scranton among “The Best 390 Colleges” in the nation and ranked Scranton No.17 in the country for “Best Science Lab Facilities,” No. 23 for “Students Most Engaged in Community Service,” and No. 23 in the country for “Best-Run Colleges The Princeton Review has named The University of Scranton as one of the best colleges in the nation for the 23rd consecutive year. The well-known college guidebook also ranked Scranton among the “Best Science Lab Facilities” (No. 17) in the country. This is the eighth year Scranton has made this national list of just 25 schools deemed to have the finest laboratory facilities. The Princeton Review also ranked the school No. 23 in the nation for “Students Most Engaged in Community Service” and No. 23 in the country for “Best-Run Colleges.” Students quoted by The Princeton Review praise the University’s outstanding facilities, approachable faculty and supportive alumni network. Students noted the investment the University has made in laboratory and simulation spaces that resulted in “academic buildings [that] are the greatest strength of the school because most have nice classrooms and places to study that foster learning.” The students also mentioned the small class sizes, capped at around 35 students, that ensure “the professor [is] able to know your name and take an investment in each individual.” According to Princeton Review, many Scranton students describe professors as being “very easy to reach” and “truly [caring] about their students.” Students also said that alumni can be counted on to keep looking out for Scranton students and graduates, which the Princeton Review credited for helping to explain the University’s consistently high 99 percent graduate job-placement rate. Scranton is among just 14 percent of schools in the nation to be listed in the 2025 edition of the “Best 390 Colleges” guidebook to be selected and recommended by The Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the country. The Princeton Review does not include an overall ranking of the schools selected as the best in the country, however they do publish rankings of schools in 50 categories based on results of their surveys of 168,000 students at the 390 colleges included in the book. Information from the surveys is also used in the profiles included about each school in the publication. The 2025 edition of the guidebook published online on Aug. 27. In addition to The Princeton Review, U.S. News has ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 30 consecutive years, placing the University No. 5 among the “Best Regional Universities in the North” its 2024 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook.
Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Health Insurance Coverage? Now is a good time to review health insurance policies to ensure you will get the most out of plan benefits, especially if you have already met the annual deductible. Many insurance plans will cover most, if not all, costs for eligible medical procedures and treatments once an individual meets the deductible and out of pocket maximum, making the second half of the year an opportune time to schedule any necessary or elective medical procedures that may have been postponed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. We encourage everyone to take full advantage of the preventative care and medical services available through their health plans,” said Michael Curran, CEO of Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton. “If you’re contributing toward your premium, it’s a ‘use it or lose it’ situation, so make sure to utilize all of the benefits you’re entitled to before the year ends and deductible and out-of-pocket payment responsibilities reset.” For example, someone who has a $2,000 deductible and a $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum is responsible for paying for many medical expenses until they reach the $2,000 threshold. Once they pass this mark, the insurer begins paying a larger portion of the cost of services eligible through in-network providers. And when they reach the $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum, insurers will pay the total cost for eligible services. Remember, monthly premium payments do not count towards deductibles, and in most cases, copays do not count either. And once a new policy year begins, both deductible and out-of-pocket maximum contributions return back to zero. Dr. Rourke Decker, Family Medicine with Commonwealth Health Physician Network highlights another critical aspect of leveraging health insurance benefits: preventative care. “Regardless of whether your health insurance is through an employer, the Marketplace, or Medicare, preventative care is generally covered—including annual wellness appointments and immunizations,” said Dr. Decker. “Many people skip an annual physical because they ‘feel’ healthy, but these appointments can reveal underlying issues that might not yet show symptoms, when they’re easier to treat.” Key screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and elective surgeries, such as joint replacements and hysterectomies, may also be less expensive once you’ve reached your deductible. But, plan early since sometimes these services can be harder to schedule during the second half of the year as more people catch up on their healthcare needs. And, in the case of surgeries, there may be a process that takes time before the procedure can be scheduled. To check off one or more of these procedures from your to-do list, request an appointment today with your primary care physician. You deserve the best care.
UNC’s 8th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites the community to our 8th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10 am to 1 pm at 526 Cedar Avenue, at the corner of Alder Street, in Scranton. This fun-filled celebration is in conjunction with our South Side Farmers Market. Welcoming Scranton, a part of Welcoming Week, is a national celebration that warmly embraces long-term residents and newcomers, fostering a sense of belonging in our shared community. It promotes cross-cultural understanding and raises awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. Family, friends, and neighbors can look forward to a wide range of diverse activities at Welcoming Scranton. Enjoy the upbeat Latin sounds of Grupo Zona, free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream Truck, free face painting with local artist Monica Noelle, and free balloon animals with Becky Corby. Many other community resource organizations will also be joining us. Shop our 15+ Farmers Markets vendors and their one-day special $5 deal, purchase authentic Mexican food from El Buen Amigo, and challenge your mind with cultural trivia, activities, and games from UNC’s Community Revitalization and Education Departments for fun prizes. For more information, please contact Chrissy Manuel, UNC’s Director of Development and Communication, at 570.878.5643 or cmanuel@uncnepa.org.
Two Chamber Members Collaborate to Spread Joy this Month Two Chamber members who love to promote joy and positivity are collaborating on the event “Light and Laughter” to offer an evening of comedy and connection. Chamber members Jeannine Luby and Megan Alpert are working together through their respective businesses, Laugh to Live and Joy World Wealth Partners to present an evening of joyful laughter. Jeannine Luby is producing the stand-up comedy show on Friday September 20 that will feature comedians Micki Orlowsky, Mary Rapach, Luby and Pittsburgh’s high energy comedian and mental health advocate Gab Bonesso, that will be hosted by Joy World Wealth Partners at 125 N. Washington Ave. in downtown Scranton. Doors open at 6:30PM and the show begins at 7PM. This event is a nonalcoholic event for adults 18 and over. Both women are excited for this opportunity to collaborate on an event that will bring people together to share in the levity of laughter that helps to lower stress, lift moods and open minds. Given that September is National Suicide Prevention Month $10 from every $25 ticket purchase will be donated to the nonprofit John Malvizzi Foundation, an organization named after an area man who died by suicide a few years ago. The Foundation was started by his daughter Nina Judge with the mission to “provide families and communities with the resources needed to increase mental health awareness and improve their quality of life.” Nina says she also wants to encourage transparency when it comes to talking about mental illness so that we can remove the stigma and people who need help will seek it and feel comfortable talking with a friend or family member about their feelings. Seats are limited, so advanced ticket sales are encouraged at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/999356461077?aff=oddtdtcreator
Aging Together in PA Town Hall: Elder Justice & Dignity Pennsylvania is home to more than 3.4 million older adults, the fifth highest total in the country, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Currently one in four Pennsylvanians is age 60 and older. By 2030, this number will rise to one in three. In response to that, WVIA and WITF are assembling a panel of experts to discuss Pennsylvania’s 10-year plan to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s older adults and the circumstances that led to its inception. We’ll explore the challenges faced by older citizens and their caregivers, what services are currently available in our area, and how we can work together to ensure the safety, dignity and joys of aging in PA. Our panelists include: Jason Kavulich, Secretary, PA Department of Aging Patricia D’Antonio, Executive Director, National Center to Reframe Aging Velma Carter-Dryer, Advocate for Older Pennsylvanians Kristen Lees Haggerty, PhD, Project Director, National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment
The Wright Centers’ Doctor Earns State Award Chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers named 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City and State Pennsylvania Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was selected as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City and State Pennsylvania. The multimedia news organization acknowledged Dr. Sheth’s visionary leadership, strategic planning, research, and meticulous attention to detail in transforming 10 buildings across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties into The Wright Centers’ welcoming and comprehensive community health centers. These centers provide responsive and inclusive, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay, and have significantly enhanced care delivery and overall well-being for underserved populations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. “I’m honored to be recognized as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure,” said Dr. Sheth, who is dual board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated team, who share a commitment to creating spaces that truly serve our communities’ needs. Our goal has always been to ensure that our health centers are not just functional but also welcoming environments where patients feel valued and cared for. This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration, thoughtful design, and a patient-centered approach in transforming health care delivery.” City and State also highlighted Dr. Sheth’s focus on blueprints and designs, such as selecting the soothing color schemes of waiting and examination rooms, fiscal responsibility, and contractor coordination, as well as how he oversaw the projects while continuing to provide care to his own patients and ensuring that The Wright Centers’ community health centers maintained uninterrupted services despite the extensive construction. Dr. Sheth sees adult patients at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley location in Jermyn. The Wright Centers’ latest construction project, in Wilkes-Barre, reached a significant milestone in early August with the completion of the third phase of renovations at its community health center located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. This phase of the ongoing transformation of the 34,460-square-foot former office building, just blocks from the downtown, added about 7,700 square feet of new space. The expansion includes 10 dental operatories, a dedicated dental clinician room, 15 new behavioral health and clinician rooms, and a second reception desk that doubles the center’s check-in capacity to better serve patients. Dr. Sheth earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honors in biochemistry, medicine, and public health in 2004 from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, India. He later received a Master of Public Health with a specialization in health promotion in 2006 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. After completing his internal medicine residency in 2009 through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Sheth joined The Wright Center as an internal medicine primary care physician and lead physician for population management and reporting. Over the years, Dr. Sheth has pioneered innovative approaches that have significantly improved patient wellness and health care delivery. His contributions earned him several promotions at The Wright Center, including vice president for patient safety and quality in 2013, culminating in his current role as senior vice president and chief medical and information officer, a position he has held since 2018. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently presented the 2024 Innovative Research in Primary Care Award to Dr. Sheth. The award, which honors a health center clinician who has been active in primary care research or evaluation in community practice, prevention, public health, care coordination, or the clinical practice of medical services, was presented during NACHC’s 2024 Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo Conference held Aug. 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Sheth and his wife, Hetal Sheth, live in Clarks Summit with their children, Zian, 9, and Jiaa, 5. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves vulnerable and medically underserved populations, regardless of age, ethnic background, ZIP code, insurance status, or ability to pay. It accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program based on federal poverty guidelines that consider family size and income. No patient is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center operates 11 primary and preventive care community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, as well as a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums in the nation. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information, visit our website or call 570-866-3017.
Spot the Early Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer Knowing what to look for can help you catch ovarian cancer when it’s easier to treat. Scott Purinton, MD, PhD, Geisinger gynecologic oncologist Unlike other types of cancer with more obvious symptoms, ovarian cancer is sneaky. It tends to stay under the radar, showing few symptoms — or sometimes none — until it reaches an advanced stage. Typically, ovarian cancer is discovered in its later stages after the symptoms become more pronounced. What often happens is the cancer starts to affect other parts of the body, like the bladder or rectum, and that’s when a woman will visit her doctor. Because it’s tough to spot it in earlier stages when it’s easier to treat, arm yourself with knowledge so you can recognize the subtle signs of ovarian cancer. So what are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer? These minor changes in your body could be mistaken for another less-serious health issue. But if they don’t go away, don’t ignore them. Bloating Feeling like you’re about to burst out of your jeans every day isn’t always a sign you’ve had too much pasta. Bloating could be due to an issue with your diet, but if you make some changes and the bloating persists, talk to your doctor. If your bloating sticks around for more than a few weeks, it’s time to schedule an exam. Urgent bathroom breaks If you find yourself running to the bathroom more often than usual, it might be more than just your morning coffee at play. An increased need to urinate or feeling a sudden, desperate need to go could indicate a tumor pushing on your bladder. Eating less, feeling full Have you been feeling full faster than usual or having persistent indigestion or nausea? These could be subtle hints from your body that something’s going on. What’s common among all of these symptoms is their duration. If you notice that any of these symptoms last longer than a few weeks, you should see your doctor. Aches and pains Persistent lower abdominal and pelvic pain, especially if it’s outside your normal menstrual cycle, could be a red flag. And if you’re also having fatigue, back pain or discomfort during sex, these are other signs to watch for. Knowing these early signs of ovarian cancer can make a huge difference. Early detection can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment. And while these symptoms can be related to many different conditions, when they occur together with other signs, make sure you take them more seriously. If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for more than a few weeks, or any other changes in your body that last more than a few days, make that doctor’s appointment. Any physician will agree: It’s smart to play it safe and get checked out. For more health and wellness topics, visit Geisinger.org/balance.
Festival of Wood and National Public Lands Day at Grey Towers This one-day celebration is to be held on September 28, 2024, on National Public Lands Day at Grey Towers National Historic Site. The festival will run from 10am to 5pm. This family friendly festival is going back to the roots of conservation by highlighting goods from the woods. In lieu of a mansion fee on Saturday, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the local food pantry. Activities to enjoy on the grounds include: Free shuttle and parking Children’s activities in the Pool Terrace Smokey and Woodsy appearances at 11am & 2pm Free three floor museum and mansion open house 10am-4pm Wood vendors with demo’s (ongoing throughout the day) Educational exhibits Free visitor films Our educational exhibitors include the International Wood Collector Society, American Chestnut Society, Penn State Master Gardeners, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC),Delaware Highlands Conservancy, A Touch of Health (bees/honey), Forest Service entomologists from the Morgantown field office(invasive insects), The Gifford Pinchot chapter of the Audubon Society, The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Friends of the Delaware Water Gap. New for our 2024 museum tour season, come and visit our temporary exhibits Gifford Bryce “A playful Past for Gifford Byrce Pinchot” and the Cornelia exhibit “Elegance, Power and Change” during our first-floor open house. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds and extend your stay. Coupons have been provided by restaurant owners to be used September 28, 2024, at local food establishments. Coupons can be found by visiting the Grey Towers Heritage Associations hospitality tent. Entry to the grounds is free and the festival is rain or shine. For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers. A map and list of event times can be found at www.greytowers.org.
