PS Bank Adds Walter Sarafinko Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Walter Sarafinko as Commercial Loan Officer / Vice President. With over 40 years of experience in banking and more than 25 years specializing in commercial lending, Walter brings a wealth of expertise to the team, especially to the Northeast PA region. Walter joins PS Bank at an exciting time as it prepares to open its newest office on Keyser Avenue in Scranton, further expanding its footprint in Lackawanna County and surrounding markets. The new location aims to make PS Bank retail and business services more accessible to the Greater Scranton area. “I’m excited to join the team at PS Bank, a bank with a long-standing tradition of building strong relationships through community banking. This team has a great reputation within the business community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join them” said Sarafinko. “I look forward to helping our clients navigate their financial needs, and continuing to grow PS Bank’s presence in a market that I have called home for most of my career.” Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO of PS Bank, added, “Walter will play a vital role in increasing our presence in Lackawanna County and the surrounding markets, as we prepare to open our newest office in North Scranton. His vast knowledge of the region, combined with his extensive background in commercial lending, will be instrumental in helping us to better serve both new and existing customers.” A resident of South Abington Township, Walter resides with this wife, Robin, and has two adult children, Colin and Kelsey.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards Grantees in 2024 Employee Assistance Grant Program The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, in collaboration with AllOne Foundation & Charities and the Moses Taylor Foundation, gathered to award over $1.1 million to the recipients of the 2024 Employee Assistance Grant Program. Funds will assist nonprofit organization grantees in behavioral and mental health care across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. Employee Assistance Grants will help the recipient organizations sustain a sufficient level of qualified providers to meet community demand. Specifically, funds will alleviate financial-related stressors, minimize employee attrition, and serve as an additional recruitment strategy while supporting the long- term development of a sustained workforce for providers. The 2024 grantees are Allied Services for an enhanced assistance program for behavioral health team members; Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA for launching an employee assistance program to retain and attract behavioral health employees; Children’s Service Center for an employee tuition and loan assistance program; Friendship House for the Friendship House ABA Program Staff Recruitment Initiative; Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania for investing in social workers; Scranton Counseling Center for the Scranton Counseling Center Employee Assistance Program expansion; and Volunteers in Medicine for the development of an employee assistance program in a nonprofit free clinic setting. For more information about The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, contact NEPAHCF@safdn.org or visit www.nepahealthcarefoundation.org.
RailRiders University Community Series Begins on April 1 The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the ninth annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school teams and the Wyoming Valley Challenger League onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 25 different high school and two junior high programs will be represented with regular season games this year in addition to the PIAA District II Championships. PNC Field will host the Bill Howerton Media Day at PNC Field on Sunday, March 2, 2025. In conjunction with the American Cancer Society and The Howerton Organization, coaches and student-athletes from local softball and baseball teams will be present to discuss their upcoming seasons. Teams from the Wyoming Valley Conference will be on-hand from 11:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. At 12:30, there will be an awards ceremony and guest speaker in the Geisinger Champions Club. At 1, representatives from teams in the Lackawanna League will be available to the media. There is no parking charge or admission fee for any of the regular season games during the 2025 RailRiders University Community Series. The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on June 1, 15, 29, and July 13. RailRiders University will host three camps this summer—June 17–19, July 22–24, and August 19–21. Registration is open now for young athletes ages six to 14. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@ swbrailriders.com for additional information. The 2025 RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL. Date April 1 April 4 April 4 April 5 April 13 April 14 April 14 April 15 April 21 April 28 April 30 May 1 May 3 May 18 May 24–26 June 1 June 15 June 17–19 June 21 June 29 July 13 July 22–24 August 19–21 Time 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM TBD 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 1:00 PM TBD TBD 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Game/Details Hazleton Area High School vs. Nanticoke High School Holy Cross High School vs. Riverside High School Abington Heights High School vs. Valley View High School Dallas High School vs. Crestwood High School Towanda High School vs. Athens High School** Delaware Valley High School vs. North Pocono High School Pocono Mountain East High School vs. Pocono Mountain West High School Wallenpaupack High School vs. Abington Heights High School West Scranton High School vs. Scranton High School Wyoming Seminary High School vs. Hanover Area High School Mid Valley High School vs. Western Wayne High School Danville High School vs. Southern Columbia High School East Stroudsburg North High School vs. East Stroudsburg South High School Abington Heights Jr. High vs. North Pocono Jr. High PIAA District II Championships Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #1 Lackawanna County High School Senior All-Star Game Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #2 RailRiders University Summer Camp #3
Wright Center Doctor, Resident Physicians Named to Northeast Counties Medical Society Board of Directors A board-certified family medicine physician and medical director of The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre was appointed to the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board of Directors. Dr. Maureen Litchman joined The Wright Center in 2016. In addition to leading The Wright Center’s health center in Wilkes-Barre, she serves as associate program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. The Luzerne County native earned her medical degree from what is now Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed her medical residency at United Health and Hospital Services in Kingston, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. “I’m looking forward to becoming involved with the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board,” Dr. Litchman said. “This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships across the Northeastern Pennsylvania medical community. The potential to make a positive impact on the future of health care spurred me to seek a position on this board.” Drs. Tejas Nikumbh and Simran Bhimani, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program, were also appointed to serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board. Dr. Nikumbh, a graduate of Grant Government Medical College in Mumbai, India, and Dr. Bhimani, a graduate of Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, began training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2023. Both will serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board until they graduate in 2026. Dr. Litchman will serve a three-year term on the board. The trio will join more than 20 doctors, resident physicians, and students from across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties on the board. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org. For more than 150 years, county medical societies have represented physicians who live and work in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Their recent merger created the Northeast Counties Medical Society, producing an even stronger partnership with more membership benefits. Visit www.nepams.org to learn more.
University of Scranton Accounting Dept. Ranked No 2 in Education Research Productivity The University of Scranton Accounting Department ranked No. 2 (tied) internationally for accounting education research published in peer-reviewed accounting journals during the most recent six-year period, according to the 2024 Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings just published. The 2024 report also ranked Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. program, No. 2 in the world for accounting education publication volume in the past six years, and No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research. Accounting faculty members James F. Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor and director of the Master of Accountancy program, was ranked No. 10 (tied); and Amanda Marcy, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Ashley Stampone, Ph.D., assistant professor, were ranked No. 79 (tied) worldwide. Dr. Stampone was also ranked No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research. The Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings are considered to be the gold standard in accounting disciplines. “The international recognition for education research published by our Accounting Department faculty is a testament to their steadfast commitment to not only teach accounting students at Scranton but to advance further learning and knowledge for the betterment of the accounting profession,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the University’s Kania School of Management and professor of accounting, who noted that all four professors recognized are graduates of The University of Scranton. “It is also a testament to the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, which is embodied in each of these outstanding professors.” This is the fifth consecutive year the University’s Accounting Department was ranked among the top research publishers in the world in the prestigious Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings. The report ranks accounting programs and faculty throughout the world based on their success in publishing in top-tier, peer-reviewed accounting journals. The report is updated annually and includes ranks for specific categories of research and for specific time periods. Dr. Douglas Boyle is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with more than 30 years of industry executive experience. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009. An award-winning researcher and teacher, Dr. Boyle has received the Institute of Management Accountants’ (IMA) Committee on Ethics and Strategic Finance Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award three times and was also selected as the IMA Research Foundation Distinguished Scholar in 2022, among numerous other awards. At Scranton, Dr. Boyle earned Provost Excellence Awards for University Service and Leadership, Scholarship of Teaching and Scholarly Publication; and the Faculty Senate’s Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. He was named the Kania School of Management’s Alperin Teaching Fellow for 2015 to 2018 and received their Advisory Board’s Award for Curriculum Innovation for 2017-2018. He was twice recognized as the KSOM Teacher of the Year. He is the founder and director of the University’s Ph.D. in Accounting and Nonprofit Leadership Certificate programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, an MBA from Columbia University and a doctorate from Kennesaw State University. A Certified Public Accountant with significant professional experience working in public accounting and in internal auditing, Dr. James F. Boyle has taught part-time at the University since 2009 and full-time since 2012. He serves as faculty advisor for Accounting Internships at Scranton. He has co-authored articles published in many peer-reviewed academic and practitioner journals, including The Accounting Educators’ Journal, The CPA Journal, Strategic Finance, The Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, and Internal Auditing. He received several publishing awards, including the 2015 IMA’s Lybrand Silver Medal and the 2016 IMA Certificate of Merit Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from The University of Scranton and a D.B.A. in Accounting from Kennesaw State University. A Certified Public Accountant, Dr. Marcy has twice received the Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award from the IMA’s Committee on Ethics and Strategic Finance. She was named assistant professor of accounting at Scranton in 2018 and previously served as a faculty specialist in the department. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Accounting Association and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Dr. Marcy earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and a Ph.D. in accounting from The University of Scranton. An award-winning teacher, Dr. Stampone was selected by students of Scranton’s Business Club as the Kania School of Management Professor of the Year four of the last five years. Since joining Scranton’s faculty in 2016, Dr. Stampone has garnered numerous state and national awards and professional honors. In 2019, she was given the IMA’s Faculty Leadership Award, and in 2021, she won IMA’s Ursel K. Albers IMA Campus Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes a campus advocate/student chapter advisor who has made significant contributions to the IMA and student members in particular. Dr. Stampone earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and a Ph.D. from The University of Scranton.
The Office 5K Returns to Scranton in May The Office 5K, the wildly popular fun run celebrating the iconic sitcom “The Office,” returns to Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025, promising even more Dunder Mifflin-inspired fun and community spirit. Following a record-breaking 2024 event that drew over 1,500 registrants from around the globe, this year’s race is already off to a strong start with over 450 runners signed up internationally! The 5K course will wind through Scranton, passing by familiar locations featured in the show. Walkers can enjoy a shorter, one-mile course with interactive activities along the way. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Office characters for a chance to win prizes. The race kicks off at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 523 Linden Street in Scranton, in front of Backyard Ale House. Pre-registered runners can pick up their race bibs, t-shirts, and race information at Cooper’s Seafood House (701 N. Washington Avenue) on Friday, May 2nd, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Race day registration and packet pick-up will also be available from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the starting line. A post-race block party and awards ceremony will immediately follow the event. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in various age groups, as well as a variety of costume categories, including Best Group Costume, Most Obscure Office Reference Award, and Best In Show. Register by April 20th to guarantee your race t-shirt! The pre-registration fee is $30, and the day-of registration fee is $40. All proceeds from The Office 5K will benefit Valley In Motion, a local non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the sense of community across the Lackawanna Valley. Learn more about Valley In Motion at www.valleyinmotion.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @valleyinmotion. For more information about The Office 5K and to register, please visit www.theoffice5k.com.
Wayne Bank Promotes Tracie Young to Executive Vice President and Director Jim Donnelly, president, and chief executive officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Tracie Young to Executive Vice President and Director of Risk. “I am extremely proud to announce Tracie’s promotion. She consistently pushes herself and those around her to promote effective risk management here at Wayne Bank. Her extensive knowledge and dedication to safe, efficient operations help us safeguard the interests of the Bank, and we are lucky to have her leading the Risk Department,” said Mr. Donnelly. Young joined Wayne Bank in 2023 and has most recently served as a Senior Vice President, where she was responsible for overseeing the Bank’s risk management framework, which includes Audit, Compliance, Deposit Operations, Fraud, and Security & Facilities. With over 30 years of experience, Tracie is critical to proactively identifying and addressing potential risks to the operations of the Bank. Young resides in Honesdale, PA with her husband, Neal. They have two daughters.
Skills in Scranton Awarded Community Needs Grant To Expand Career Pathways Resources Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This funding will support the expansion and promotion of career pathways resources, providing invaluable tools to students, educators, and job seekers across northeastern Pennsylvania. The Community Needs Grant will enable Skills in Scranton to enhance its existing programs aimed at addressing the region’s workforce challenges. These efforts include expanding the Career Pathways Curriculum Guide and increasing the availability of the career pathways video resources that connect students and job seekers with high-priority occupations in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, construction, logistics, and business services. “This grant is a significant step forward in our mission to connect students, educators, and job seekers with the resources they need to thrive,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at The Chamber. “By expanding our career pathways initiatives, we are equipping the next generation with the skills and opportunities necessary for success in a dynamic workforce.” Through this grant, Skills in Scranton will also increase outreach efforts, ensuring that its career pathways resources reach a broader audience. The expanded programming will focus on equipping students and educators with actionable insights into local career opportunities and supporting businesses in building connections with emerging talent. The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grants aim to address critical community challenges and create impactful solutions that enhance the quality of life for residents.
2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Announced The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP, the president and chief executive officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, is the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Dr. Thomas-Hemak embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly. Dr. Thomas-Hemak joined The Wright Center in 2001, became president in 2007, and CEO in 2012. Concurrent with her responsibilities as an executive, Dr. Thomas-Hemak is also quintuple board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition and remains a healer at heart. “It is a true privilege to recognize Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak as the 2025 Athena Award recipient,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. “Her relentless commitment to her patients, hands-on leadership style, and deep dedication to the community set her apart as an exceptional individual. We are proud to honor Dr. Thomas-Hemak for the profound and lasting impact she has made on both healthcare and our community. Congratulations, Dr. Thomas-Hemak!” In the community, Dr. Thomas-Hemak is actively involved in multiple organizations, countless committees, nonprofit boards and workgroups aimed at benefiting the community, generating efficiencies in healthcare delivery, and promoting primary healthcare workforce development, both regionally and nationally. Additionally, she is a founding board member of the Scranton-based Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas-Hemak promotes the advancement of women by leading boldly and strategically, fostering inclusive opportunities and career advancement, and mentoring opportunities for female leaders to pursue meaningful, transformative careers in health care. The ATHENA Award will be presented to Dr. Thomas-Hemak at The Chamber’s International Women’s Day Breakfast, sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank, on Friday, March 7. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ScrantonChamber.com. The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan, and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture, symbolizing the strength, courage, and wisdom of the recipient. The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank.
The 2025 Workforce Summit Features Ryan Leckey and Marc Gonzalez in March Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces the upcoming 2025 Workforce Summit, set to take place on Thursday, March 20, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. This premier event is designed to empower students, job seekers, and business professionals with invaluable opportunities to connect, develop, and grow in their careers in northeastern Pennsylvania. The 2025 Workforce Summit will feature a robust lineup of activities aimed at fostering connections and career advancement, such as meeting with employers with available positions, professional development sessions like mock interviews and assistance in writing a resume, and featured presentations from Ryan Leckey, CEO and founder of Ryan Leckey Media, and Marc Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder of Site2. The Workforce Summit is tailored for high school students preparing for life after graduation, college students exploring career opportunities and seeking employer connections, job seekers eager to advance or change their careers, and business professionals looking to enhance their skills and hire for their open positions. Don’t Miss This FREE Opportunity: Join us on March 20 to Develop. Educate. and Network. Whether you’re a student charting your future or a seasoned professional seeking new opportunities, the 2025 Workforce Summit is the perfect place to prepare for what’s next. Learn more online at ScrantonChamber.com.