Wright Center’s Associate Director Elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians Dr. Mark Madhok, associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, has been elected a fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP). ACP fellows are a distinguished group of doctors dedicated to continuing education in medical practice, teaching and research. More than 31,000 physicians have earned this mark of distinction since 1975. It represents the pinnacle of integrity, professionalism and scholarship for those who aspire to pursue careers in internal medicine, according to the college. “The Wright Center is extremely proud of Dr. Madhok’s accomplishments and dedication to the advancement of his resident physicians and patients in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, designated institutional official of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “His contributions to the field of medicine extends to his noted scholarly research and broader community involvement.” A board-certified internal medicine physician, Madhok also is a primary care and internal medicine physician at the Scranton and Scranton Counseling Center practices. In addition, he is a clinical associate professor of medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and an adjunct clinical associate professor of medicine at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, A.T. Still University. “The FACP status that you now hold reflects your commitment and accomplishments within the internal medicine community,” Dr. Saba A. Hasan, chair of the ACP Credentials Committee, wrote to Madhok. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, call 570.343.2383 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center Shares Tips for the Winter Season The winter of 2020-21 will not soon be forgotten. Not only was Northeast Pennsylvania coming to grips with the global COVID-19 pandemic, but we also were shoveling, salting and cindering seemingly nonstop due to heavy snow, sleet and ice. It was a winter to remember, or dare I say – forget. A year later, COVID-19 and its variants continue to make us behave cautiously, while we also prepare for wintry weather and how the global pandemic has affected the rest of our lives. There is little we can do to ward off eventual snow and slick roadways and sidewalks other than to stockpile cinders and rock salt, and make sure our shovels are handy and fresh gasoline is in our snowblowers and generators. The supply chain disruption that is fueling inflation and shortages in various products, though, will be felt a little more during the winter months. Sharply higher gasoline, electric, heating oil and natural gas bills will hit consumers in the wallet just as we’re preparing to pay off our holiday shopping sprees. As a registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist for The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, I have a few tips to keep you warmer, safer and healthier as you turn your thermostats down a few degrees to save on energy bills or pick up a shovel to help family and neighbors dig out of another near-record snowfall. It is important to remember the following are just tips for overall wellness and prevention of injury during cold weather months and related weather events. My tips include: Maintain adequate hydration: Stretch your back and legs in preparation for strenuous exercise before donning your winter gear and reaching for that snow shovel. Just as important, though, is hydration. Research has shown that cold weather alters our thirst mechanism, which results in the decrease of fluid intake and eventually, dehydration. It is important to maintain your hydration level, especially when you are outside carrying firewood, clearing an ice dam in rain gutters or performing any seasonal activity. Consuming regular water remains one of the best ways to keep hydrated. Wear layers: Layers of light, warm clothing underneath a windproof winter coat will do wonders for your mindset as you struggle to clear driveways and walkways – or enjoy outside activities with kids. The importance of proper headwear and footwear also cannot be understated. They work in tandem to keep you warm and dry, preventing heat loss, hypothermia and even frostbite from setting in. Remember: A good winter hat keeps a cap on your body’s heat! Plan ahead: Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages. Stockpile bottled water and nonperishable food that cannot be spoiled by lack of refrigeration. You never know how long you may be without power during a winter storm. Do not forget the importance of storing shelf-stable foods. Keep a variety of fruit and nut bars, aseptic packaged beverages, vacuum sealed proteins, dried fruits and pickled vegetables. Keep an up-to-date emergency kit: An emergency kit should be a staple in every home and vehicle. It includes extra batteries, a flashlight, weather radio, first-aid kit, cell phone and extra medicine. You should adjust this list based on your individual needs, especially if you are on a regular regimen of medication. Plan before you travel: Winter is also a season filled with travel to friends and family due to the holidays. For safety’s sake, it is important to be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Avoid travel when the National Weather Service has issued advisories. If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival. Be a good neighbor: Everyone knows a friend, relative or neighbor who needs a special hand during the winter months. Check on those who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards, such as young children, older adults and the chronically ill. Also, if you have pets bring them inside or provide them with adequate warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink. No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready when it arrives. Walter Wanas, LDN, a licensed dietitian nutritionist, is director of lifestyle modification and preventive medicine for The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program.
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Resident Physicians Presenting Scholarly Research in Puerto Rico Dr. Navharsh Sekhon Dr. Anshul Patel Dr. Shams Tasnim Dr. Yamini Patel Four resident physicians at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education have had their scholarly research abstracts accepted for presentation at the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s 51st Critical Care Congress Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in February. Dr. Yamini Patel will present, “Recurrent Bowel Angioedema Diagnosed Retrospectively after Oropharyngeal Angioedema,” and “Double Trouble Presentation of Lung Cancer: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome and Cardiac Tamponade.” Both abstracts are based on case reports. Dr. Shams Tasnim will offer the scholarly presentation, “A Case Report on Human Babesiosis in a Nonendemic Region.” Dr. Anshul Patel will share his abstract, “Unmasking Babesiosis in a Cirrhotic: A Diagnostic Dilemma,” which is based on a case report. Dr. Navharsh Sekhon will present, “Hemorrhage into Neurofibroma with Anticoagulant use in Neurofibromatosis Type I.” It is based on a case report. The Society of Critical Care Medicine’s annual meeting is the largest critical care event. It brings together members of multiprofessional teams to explore the latest in critical care. Overall, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education have had 71 scholarly abstracts, written on a wide array of topics in medicine, accepted for presentation at professional conferences during the 2021-22 academic year.
The Wright Center for Community Health Announces Open Enrollment Event to Assist with Applying for Health Insurance Coverage Area residents buying health insurance on Pennie, the state’s marketplace exchange, will have more plans to choose from and may pay lower premiums this year thanks to pandemic relief efforts. In order to help community members understand benefits available to them, The Wright Center for Community Health will offer free, in-person assistance on Friday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave. Wright Center certified assisters will provide free advice on health care coverage and help people sign up for a plan that meets their needs through Pennie, the replacement for healthcare.gov as Pennsylvania’s official site for choosing health insurance plans. Enrollment is open through Jan. 15, 2022, though plans must be purchased by Dec. 31 for coverage to begin Jan. 1 of next year. At the Dec. 10 event, Wright Center enrollment assisters will: Explain benefit options;Find the best plan to fit every budget, andCheck eligibility for financial assistance. To schedule an appointment, call Kristen Welch, outreach and enrollment navigator at The Wright Center, at 570.209.3737 or email WelchK@thewrightcenter.org. Please include your full name and phone number. Attendees are asked to enter the event through the patient entrance of the Scranton practice, located on the parking lot side of the building, where an enrollment table will be set up inside the lobby. The Wright Center’s enrollment assisters are trained to help people identify and enroll in trusted affordable health insurance coverage options, providing them with a financial safety net and greater access to care. The confidential face-to-face meeting will help people better understand their options and assist them in the enrollment process. “We know there are many residents in our area who remain uninsured and may not be offered coverage through work. Health insurance coverage is a basic human right and enrollment events like ours provide answers to the community regarding affordable health care options,” said Welch. Anyone who suddenly lost their employer-sponsored coverage or is currently not insured should contact The Wright Center’s Enrollment Department as soon as possible by calling 570.591.5253. These individuals might qualify for a special enrollment period. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike. All patients are provided access to health care regardless of their ability to pay. People who are not insured or lack adequate coverage might be eligible for the sliding fee discount program, which allows The Wright Center to reduce fees for eligible patients, depending on household income and family size. Visit thewrightcenter.org/sliding-fee-scale for more information.
The Wright Center for Community Health Receives Federal Funding to Support Telehealth Services The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau recently awarded a nearly $500,000 grant to The Wright Center for Community Health in collaboration with Endless Mountains Health Systems to support telehealth infrastructure that serves patients in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The $491,814 grant was made available through the federal COVID-19 Telehealth Program: Round 2. The Wright Center was also the recipient of $629,051 in grant funding for Round 1 of the program. The new round of grant funding supports the purchase and installation of secure telehealth devices and supporting systems. The new technology will expand and enhance telehealth capacity for both health care systems, including check-ins, triage, care delivery and follow-up appointments with video conferencing and telehealth audio calls at regional community health practices in Northeast Pennsylvania. “We are extremely grateful for this generous federal award to enhance access to and the delivery of essential health services related to COVID-19,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and chief executive officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “These crucial resources will have a long-term, positive impact on enhancing access to primary preventive care and chronic disease management services for patients, including those with substance use disorder. “We are equally thrilled to have partnered with Endless Mountains Health Systems on this initiative and to be delivering these critical resources to the rural community they serve.” Endless Mountains Health Systems, a federally designated critical access hospital, is a not-for-profit 25-bed acute care hospital with emergency services and ancillary services. Critical access hospitals, while vital to the health and welfare of the communities they serve, are challenged often in accessing the resources and capacity to set up their own telehealth infrastructure. Including Endless Mountains Health Systems as a strategic partner and pursuing support for their technology needs enhanced The Wright Center’s grant application and vital regional health system connectivity. A successful FCC Round 1 recipient, The Wright Center’s partnership with Endless Mountains Health Systems further extends impactful telehealth reach in rural Pennsylvania during the pandemic. The new funding stream enhances access for patients served by Endless Mountains Health Systems by providing them an opportunity to tele-connect with their health care providers. In addition, the technology will be compliant by federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards for patient-doctor interaction. Telemonitors, kiosks and related mobile devices will serve as the patient-doctor platform for the exchange of electronic health records, telehealth visits and information services, while enhancing the platform between patient portals and digital applications that support scheduling, show rates and follow-up telehealth visits for COVID-19-related services. Overall, telehealth services facilitate public health strategies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, by increasing social distancing and offering additional flexibility for patients and providers that can save time and resources. E-visits also afford continuity of care, which can prevent negative consequences due to delays in preventive, chronic and routine care.
The Wright Center Names New Associate Vice President of Development and Patient & Community Engagement The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education recently named Laurie LaMaster as associate vice president of development and Patient & Community Engagement. A veteran of the regional media market, LaMaster spent 12 years as vice president of promotion and marketing at WNEP-TV 16. Most recently, she was director of marketing and promotion at KMTV-3 News Now in Omaha, Nebraska, where she oversaw marketing, advertising, promotion, public relations and creative services. “I am excited to work collaboratively with my colleagues and members of the community to ensure everyone has access to health care so they can live their life to the fullest,” said LaMaster. “Our efforts will raise community awareness and also raise the necessary funds to deliver preventive and primary care to the communities that need it most.” At The Wright Center, LaMaster will pilot a proactive model of community fundraising and awareness, and create and implement a fundraising and community engagement strategic plan to increase awareness of the organization and grow revenue. She will identify, create, launch and execute fundraising opportunities and special events with oversight from the Patient & Community Engagement board. Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement board is comprised of resident physicians, physician faculty, administration and staff. Members focus on improving access to health care while addressing the negative social and economic determinants of health, such as food and housing insecurity, poverty and access to education that negatively affect the overall well-being of people. Volunteers provide oversight, direction and support for Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement team members. “We are excited to welcome Ms. LaMaster to our team and community,” said William Waters, co-chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement board. “Her familiarity and knowledge of the region will benefit our growing network of community health centers and resident physician learners that are dedicated to providing comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the citizens who need it most in Northeast Pennsylvania.” Overall, LaMaster’s role will support the regional nonprofit’s mission and vision to improve the health and welfare of the community through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce of physicians.
The Wright Center Launches Lifestyle Smartwatch Program with AllOne Charities’ Giving Tuesday The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is launching a new high-tech program with the support of AllOne Charities’ annual Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 30 that will provide long-term benefits for patients with chronic health conditions. Held annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, AllOne Charities is sponsoring Giving Tuesday to incentivize supporters of regional nonprofit organizations and agencies to support their favorite charities through this special fundraising effort. AllOne Charities boosts fundraising efforts by matching the first $1,000 raised by each participating charitable organization and also offering an additional incentive of $1,000 each for the organization that raises the most money and secures the most unique donors. Donations can be made in support of Giving Tuesday beginning Thanksgiving Day. All donations made from Nov. 30 until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1 will be eligible for the bonuses from AllOne Charities. The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is purchasing the Fitpolo H709 smartwatch for patients who could not otherwise afford them. The smartwatch uses built-in features to track and monitor key aspects of the user’s life for a personalized health care data experience. The mobile technology features full touch screen capabilities that can also be accessed via a smart mobile app. The smartwatch’s life assistant monitors in real-time the user’s heart rate, steps, blood pressure and more. The watch collects data and transfers it to the patient’s electronic health records with the assistance of Humhealth technology that features 4G, Bluetooth integration. The overall goal of the smartwatch program is to improve patient education, understanding, engagement and implementation of a healthy lifestyle. With remote patient monitoring, primary care providers are able to see how their suggestions have had a positive impact on their patients’ overall health, according to Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, The Wright Center for Community Health’s chief medical officer and senior vice president. “Gathering data in real time and compiling it is beneficial for our providers and residents as the entire empanelment team will have access to their medical data in between visits instead of just monitoring them at their office visits,” Sheth explained. “With the help of technology, we, as care providers, will be able to remotely monitor patients’ activity level, calorie intake and other vital data necessary for effective lifestyle change.” The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement serves patients in a five-county region through The Wright Center for Community Health’s eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. The fundraising effort for Giving Tuesday will benefit the new Lifestyle Medicine program’s initiative to provide select patients who have chronic illnesses with healthy lifestyle smartwatches. To support the new initiative on Giving Tuesday, go to allonefoundations.org, scroll down and click on the Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement logo. “By donating to The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, and contributing to our smartwatch campaign, you’ll be helping some of our patients to manage chronic diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Laurie LaMaster, associate vice president of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, “and provide our care teams with the data they need to serve our patients more effectively.” The smartwatches program is part of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine program that was introduced in 2020. The initiative works to prevent and reverse chronic debilitating diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, by focusing on healthy lifestyles based on the six pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships and the avoidance of risky substances. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, call the Scranton Practice at 570-941-0630 or go to thewrightcenter.org/services.
The Wright Center Offering Holiday Pictures with Santa Claus and COVID-19 Vaccinations The Wright Center for Community Health is combining holiday tradition and spirit with an important public health initiative in December to ensure every family member in Northeast Pennsylvania can safely celebrate the joyous holiday season. “Pictures with Santa,” will enable children of all ages to carefully recite their wish list to the jolly old elf, as parents snap pictures of the treasured moment and participate in one of the vaccine clinics. The Wright Center will be offering the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5-11, with their parent’s permission, and vaccines for adults. The holiday-themed events will be available free to the public at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, on Friday Dec. 3 from 2-5:30 p.m., and Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The pediatric Pfizer vaccine will be available at both vaccination clinics. The Moderna vaccine will be administered at the Scranton Practice and the Mid Valley Practice will have the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for people who are 12 and older. To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Scranton or Mid Valley practices, please go to TheWrightCenter.org and click on the “make an appointment” link at the top, center of the page and follow the directions. The vaccine clinic will be available simultaneously at both locations during “Pictures with Santa.” Parents can choose to have their children vaccinated before visiting Santa or after the annual tradition. The special event enables children and their families to participate in the holiday festivities in a safe and socially-distanced manner and meet Santa for a picture. Guests are invited to capture the special moments with their personal cameras. COVID-19 masking will be required for everyone who participates in the event. “Vaccination is the best tool to keep ourselves and our children safe from COVID-19,” said Geraldine McAndrew, the director of Patient & Community Engagement “We carry our mission directly into the communities we serve, and hope to take the opportunity to encourage children and families to get vaccinated.” To reserve a time for a photo with Santa, please call McAndrew at 570-267-4199 or email her at McAndrewG@TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center Receives $50,000 Federal Grant to Provide COVID-19 Testing to Underserved Populations The Wright Center for Community Health announces it has been selected as a recipient of $50,000 in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve access to COVID-19 testing for the region’s underserved and vulnerable populations, including rural residents. The NIH made the funding available through its Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) initiative. Organizers of the federally supported project aim to ensure that all Americans, especially populations most affected by the pandemic, have access to COVID-19 testing. The Wright Center plans to use the funding to deploy its mobile medical unit, called Driving Better Health, to expand testing availability in rural areas of Susquehanna and Wayne counties. The mobile unit also will build upon its current COVID-19 outreach in southern Luzerne County, serving residents of Greater Hazleton including its significant Spanish-speaking population. Since March 2020, The Wright Center’s practices have conducted about 29,000 COVID-19 tests. The Wright Center’s proposed grant-funded activities in Northeast Pennsylvania will be overseen by the RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center (CDCC), led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine’s Center for Health Equity Research. The data – and the lessons – compiled during this RADx-UP CDCC Community Collaboration Mini-Grant Program will assist in bringing an end to the pandemic, addressing the nation’s long-standing health disparities and preparing for future public health challenges. “The COVID-19 crisis is far from over,” according to information on the RADx-UP website. “Although vaccines are available for most people, testing remains a life-saving tool for many communities as the percentage of people who are vaccinated varies from place to place. Beyond the pandemic, the strategies public health leaders use to address testing (and vaccine) equity may inform how we address the larger structural inequalities and consequently improve health and save lives in the long term.”
Wright Center Student Physicians Present Scholarly Work at Regional Conference Dr. Omar SyedDr. Peter IskanderDr. Brihant SharmaDr. Mohammed Musa NajmuddinDr. Viren Raheja Resident physicians at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education recently presented their scholarly research abstracts at the Society of Hospital Medicine’s Central Pennsylvania Virtual Conference. The Society of Hospital Medicine’s regional conferences enable global hospitalists to present their research in the scientific abstract competition. Overall, the state conference accepted five abstracts for presentation from Wright Center of Graduate Medical Education student physicians in the internal medicine program. The abstracts are: Dr. Brihant Sharma presented, “Lemierre’s Syndrome: The Forgotten Disease.” “A Case of COVID-19 Pneumonia Superimposed by Stubborn Burkholderia” was presented by Dr. Viren Raheja. Dr. Mohammed Musa Najmuddin offered his work, “Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism Following Paper Wasp Bite in an Adult Male.” Dr. Omar Syed presented, “Internal Jugular Vein Thrombus in the Setting of Prothrombin Deficiency.” “Myasthenia Gravis Masquerading Cranial Nerve Deficits: A Diagnostic Challenge” was presented by Dr. Peter Iskander. Overall, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education have had 71 scholarly abstracts, written on a wide array of topics in medicine, accepted for presentation at professional conferences since the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year.
