Fourth Annual Workforce Summit and Carrer Fair Landed Success The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its workforce development affiliate, Skills in Scranton, hosted the SKILLS 2024: Workforce Summit & Career Fair. The event was held at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel and served as a platform for connecting high school students, job seekers, and regional employers, facilitating invaluable networking opportunities and fostering career development and pathways education. Lackawanna County was the main event sponsor. The SKILLS 2024 event hosted more than 100 high school seniors looking for employment upon graduation, career pathways exploration, and the opportunity to engage with industry professionals. Additionally, the Summit drew numerous job seekers from across the region, all seeking employment opportunities, with the 50 regional employers in attendance. Scranton School Board President Ty Holmes shared, “The Workforce Summit and Career Fair is a great resource for high school students. I heard one student say, “I didn’t know this…” and it was in reference to a student talking with an employer about their career options.” “We were pleased to have been able to add unique elements to this year’s Workforce Summit. Public employment resources, access to regional workforce data, and connections to students from area high schools added to the core components of the job fair, with over 50 local employers on hand,” shared Robert Durkin, president of The Chamber. Throughout the day, attendees had the chance to interact with representatives from a diverse array of industries, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and more. Employers showcased their organizations, shared information about available job opportunities, and engaged in meaningful conversations with prospective candidates. The SKILLS 2024: Workforce Summit & Career Fair not only provided attendees with a platform to connect and network but also featured informative sessions on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, and professional development. Keynote speaker Teri Ooms, president and CEO of The Institute, paved the way for attendees and employers to learn about the status of the workforce. Identify pros and cons; Ooms shared the research The Institute has done to evaluate top-priority careers and the shortage of workers vs. employers. As the event concluded, both employers and attendees expressed enthusiasm about the connections made and the opportunities presented. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Skills in Scranton look forward to building on this success and continuing to support workforce development initiatives in the region.
Wright Center Gets AI Grant The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education received a 2024 American Medical Association (AMA) Innovation Grant, one of only 14 medical teaching facilities nationwide to secure the prestigious $25,000 one-year education grant. As part of the grant, The Wright Center will join the AMA’s ChangeMedEd Consortium — a forward-thinking group committed to developing, implementing, and disseminating bold and innovative projects that promote systemic change to better train future physicians. Grant recipients will focus on the application of precision education across the medical education continuum — from medical school and residency to continuing medical education. The Wright Center’s project aims to make health care more personalized and equitable by leveraging data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) to tailor, and thereby improve, how family medicine residents learn about population behavioral health, aligning with medical standards and correlating their performance with patient outcomes in a community health center setting. There is potential for AI-enabled tools to support physician faculty in the education of resident and fellow trainees by analyzing performance and correlating it with practice and population health metrics. Ideally, the direct connection of trainee performance and these additional metrics will improve the education of physicians-in-training, which in turn will improve patients’ health, well-being, and experiences. Project leads for The Wright Center for Community Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, and its affiliated entity, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, include Stephanie A. Gill, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician and Family Medicine Residency program director, and Meaghan Ruddy, Ph.D., senior vice president of enterprise wellness and resiliency, assessment and advancement, and chief strategic research & development officer. “Through the integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence, there is opportunity to potentially revolutionize how family medicine residency faculty approach teaching interventions in behavioral health,” said Dr. Ruddy. “By aligning with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies and diving deeply into the social determinants of health, we aim to personalize education and assessment, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Our goal is not only to enhance individualized care but also to champion health equity through innovative, data-driven approaches in medical education.” As one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education consortiums in the nation, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, a physician-led nonprofit, offers comprehensive, community-focused residencies throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and the United States in three disciplines – family medicine, internal medicine, and physical medicine & rehabilitation, as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. The residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the ACGME and train residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance its shared mission with The Wright Center for Community Health to provide whole-person primary health services regardless of a patient’s insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Since its inception in 2013, the AMA’s ChangeMedEd Initiative, formerly known as the Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium, has engaged dozens of U.S. medical education institutions in developing innovative strategies to revolutionize medical education and training. The objective is to equip a new generation of physicians with the skills necessary to deliver exceptional care tailored to evolving patient demographics. Its Innovation Grant Program has awarded $1.5 million in grants since 2018. Additional 2024 Innovation Grant recipients include California University of Science and Medicine; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Oregon Health and Science University; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; University of California, Irvine School of Medicine; University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix; University of Colorado School of Medicine; University of Virginia School of Medicine; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; and Wayne State University School of Medicine. Go to TheWrightCenter.org to learn more about how The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s physician workforce pipeline is educating and training the next generation of physicians and interprofessional providers.
Lackawanna College to Host Spring Pop-up Lackawanna College’s 409 on Adams has transformed again! Welcome to Wisteria, our Spring Semester dining experience! Wisteria is an amazing, built from scratch concept in collaboration with Marywood University School of Architecture. Wisteria, a storybook come to life, where reality dissolves and magic blossoms, will feature a full bar and menu. There will be heated outdoor patio seating, as well as indoor seating with many magical spaces to see and explore. Dining Options are available from April 4th through May 9th on Wednesdays and Thursdays Wisteria’s gates open at 5pm Dinner and food service until 9pm Drinks and fun until the dragon sleeps While reservations are encouraged, walk ins are always welcome. Please click the link below and fill out the form to submit your reservation request. https://forms.gle/sPKzVqNGcyueE8AX9
The University of Scranton Hosts “Scranton’s Story” Spring Exhibition Over the past two years, The University of Scranton and Scranton community has explored themes of history, belonging, and identity through Scranton’s Story: Our Nation’s Story, a series of humanities-based programs that culminated in an oral history initiative called “Scranton Stories.” First launched in fall 2023, this exhibition showcases portraits taken by photographer Byron Maldonado and personal statements and interview links from 33 community members to give voice to a broad array of Scranton experiences and connect them to our national story. At the public reception, attendees will have the opportunity to meet members of the Scranton Stories team and oral history interviewees and discuss the project. For more information and to view all 25 Scranton Stories video interviews, visit www.scranton.edu/stories and via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsV7qLR2tZL78bScN3YbLnMRazF083yw. The exhibition is free during library hours. For more information contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or Michael.knies@scranton.edu. For April 4th event information, visit this page or RSVP here.
Jeannine Luby to Help Celebrate National Humor Month by Raising Fun and Funds Laugh your stress away at Jeannine Luby’s, aka Funny Wine Girl’s stand-up comedy show on Friday, April 26 at Groove Brewing in Scranton. The show will feature Luby, one of NEPAs funniest Mary Rapach, and NEPA native Tim Conniff. You can feel good not only from the laughter but from knowing that a portion of proceeds will benefit the Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Crisis Intervention Team that offers training and programs for area first responders with the following goals: improving interaction between law enforcement and persons with mental illness; preventing the inappropriate restraint, incarceration, and stigmatization of persons with mental illness; reducing injury to officers, family members, and individuals in crisis; and linking individuals with mental illness to appropriate treatment and resources in the community. Ticket price of $30 includes comedy show and contribution to fundraiser. Beverages at Groove Brewing are sold separately. Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/850113691937?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Dime Bank Announces Cash Dividend On March 21, 2024, The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC) and its subsidiary The Dime Bank declared a dividend of $.40 per share for the first quarter of 2024, which represents a dividend yield of 4.64% based on the closing stock price of $34.50. The dividend is payable on April 25, 2024, to shareholders of record on April 1, 2024. This dividend is an increase of $0.02 per share, or 5.26% over the dividend declared for the same period 2023. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich, stated, “Our shareholders play a crucial role in the success of Dimeco, Inc. Their investment empowers us to be innovative within our industry and bring the best financial services to our communities. This dividend shows our gratitude for their unwavering commitment and trust in our company.”
Wayne Bank Announces Cash Dividend James O. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwood Financial Corp (NASDAQ Global Market – NWFL) and its subsidiary Wayne Bank, announced that the Board of Directors has declared a $0.30 per share quarterly cash dividend payable May 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2024. The $0.30 per share represents an increase of 3.5% over the cash dividend declared in the first quarter of 2023. Mr. Donnelly commented, “The Board is extremely pleased to provide our shareholders with this quarterly cash dividend. It reflects the Company’s financial strength and strong capital position which has contributed to our solid performance.”
NEPA Philharmonic to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue with All Gershwin Concert The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet, will present an ALL GERSHWIN Concert on Friday, April 12, at 7:30 PM at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Avenue. The program will feature three Gershwin masterpieces: Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and selections from Porgy and Bess. Soloist for Rhapsody will be international pianist, Ron Stabinsky, who was born and raised in NEPA. Ron studied classical repertoire with concert pianists Ilya Itin and Thomas Hrynkiw. Introducing the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic from the stage will be President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Robert Durkin. This will be an incredible evening of music by the innovative genius, George Gershwin. Pianist Lara Downes said, that when we hear Rhapsody in Blue, we are somehow connecting with Gershwin, his enthusiasm, his open heart, and his wanting to show us the best of what our country can be-whether we know it or not. Vocalists Michael Preacely and Marquita Richardson will be soloists for songs from Porgy and Bess. Baritone, Michael Preacely, and soprano Marquita Richardson, have worked with numerous major and regional opera houses and orchestras in the United States and have consistently garnered critical acclaim. George Gershwin, 1898-1937, was an American composer and pianist whose eclectic compositions spanned popular jazz and classical genres. Among his other compositions were Swanee, Concerto in F, Overture to Strike up the Band, I’ve Got Rhythm, the scores to Shall We Dance, Girl Crazy, and many more. Unfortunately, his career was cut short at the age of 38 when he died from a brain tumor. Tickets may be purchased at nepaphil.org, through the Philharmonic box office, 570.270.4444, at the Scranton Cultural Center Box office, or at the door on concert night. Reserved seats begin at $38. Student tickets are $16 Sponsoring this ALL GERSHWIN evening are PNC Foundation, Dr. Seth and Caroline Fisher, Munley Law, Louis and Barbara Nivert, Toyota of Scranton, and The Atkins Family. Our media sponsors are WNEP TV, WVIA, Happenings Magazine, Halibut Blue, Lamar Advertising, and Discover NEPA Our Philharmonic concerts would not be possible without sponsorship by our friends in the corporate community and individuals who are committed to keeping the music playing. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is a fully professional symphony orchestra, performing in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. In addition to main stage concerts, the Philharmonic performs chamber concerts, “Music in Or Schools”, “Once Upon an Orchestra for tots in public libraries, and programs in local senior centers. At the center of the Philharmonic’s music programs is a juried mentoring program that offers talented high school students the opportunity to study with Philharmonic musicians throughout the year and perform side by side with their mentors in the annual Young People’s Concerts. For additional information about tickets, programs, sponsorships, or special events, please call 570.270.4444
Episode Ten: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The Spring Business Card Exchange is on Wednesday, April 4, at Kost Tire on Route 6 in Eynon. Register to attend and come network with Chamber members. Did You Know? Chamber members can benefit from having their business or organization promoted through Chamber marketing channels for FREE. Submit your news to editor@ScrantonChamber.com to be included in the Member eBlast and Momentum Magazine. Momentum Magazine Check out April’s Momentum Magazine. Now available online. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement to Hold Charity Golf Tournament The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement (PCE) will hold its second annual charity golf tournament on Monday, May 13 at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic to support patients throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. The captain-and-crew Dr. William Waters Golf Tournament will feature a shotgun start at 10 a.m., following registration from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. The driving range opens at 8:30 a.m. For more information visit TheWrightCenter.org/golf-tournament-2024. The tournament is in honor of the late John P. Moses, Esq. a Wilkes-Barre native, influential attorney, and longtime philanthropist whose leadership was key in helping facilitate the establishment of The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre Practice, the largest primary health center in the nonprofit’s network of 10 locations in Northeast Pennsylvania. The new Luzerne County location opened on Jan. 9, 2023, after the urgent relocation of its clinic from First Hospital in Kingston, amidst the hospital’s closure. The Wright Center plans to name the Wilkes-Barre Practice building, at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., after Moses, who passed away on Oct. 31, 2022. Moses’s son, Wilkes-Barre attorney Peter J. Moses, is honorary chair of the golf fundraiser. Co-chairs are: Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education; and Mary Marrara, co-chair of PCE and secretary of The Wright Center for Community Health Boards of Directors. “Renowned for his dedicated and generous service to multiple nonprofits in Northeast Pennsylvania, and also on the national stage as CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, Attorney John Moses exemplified a remarkable life of integrity, generosity, and boundless dedication to making a difference,” said Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “We are excited that our charity golf tournament will spotlight his tremendous legacy in business, educational, legal, and community enrichment efforts. His many meaningful contributions to the nonprofit sector can never be overstated. It is a privilege to raise resources in his honor to ensure everyone has equitable access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.” PCE aims to improve the health of our communities through education, advocacy, and patient-centered services that help individuals overcome food insecurity, homelessness, and other factors known as the social and economic determinants of health (SDOH). Factors also include limited access to educational opportunities and a lack of financial resources. To address SDOH in regional communities, PCE’s team and volunteers hold community outreach activities, including nutritious food distributions of nonperishable items and fresh produce, coat and winterwear giveaways, back-to-school distributions of backpacks and classroom supplies, health fairs, blood drives, and other special mission-driven projects. Last year’s inaugural charity golf tournament raised more than $40,000. The tournament is named after the late William M. Waters, Ph.D., who served as vice chair of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Board of Directors and co-chair of PCE. He passed away on July 21, 2022. The entry fee for golfers is $275 or $1,100 for a foursome, which includes a golf cart, green fee, lunch, and beverage service on the course, followed by a 3 p.m. cocktail hour and 4 p.m. dinner. Tickets for the dinner only are $100. Prizes will be awarded for closest to the pin, longest drive, and hole-in-one, including a special prize for a hole-in-one on a designated hole: a 2024 Honda Accord LX, courtesy of Matt Burne Honda, an event sponsor. Other event sponsors are: Audacy; Community Bank, N.A.; and PNC. Various sponsorship levels, starting at just $300, are available for the tournament. For sponsorship details and inquiries, please contact Holly Przasnyski, PCE board coordinator, at przasnyskih@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-209-3275.
