Wright Center Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New Community Health Center The Wright Center for Community Health hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to celebrate the opening of its newest community health center in Dickson City. The new full-service, family-friendly office at 312 Boulevard Ave. opened for patient care on Tuesday, Sept. 3, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house held at 5:30 p.m. Along with members of the public, Dickson City Borough Councilmen Jack Horvath and Richard Cesari; Borough Manager Cesare Forconi; Drew Popish, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s northeast regional director; and Thom Welby, state Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski’s district director, attended the event. Drs. Supriana Bhandol and Ajit Pannu, who will lead the new location, offered health center tours during the open house. Both doctors are graduates of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency and began providing care to patients at The Wright Center for Community Health in Scranton in November. The new location occupies the former medical offices of Drs. Cynthia M. Oleski and Giovanni Ramos. After deciding to relocate, the doctors contacted The Wright Center, which has been providing responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services across the region for decades, to ensure that patients would not experience any interruptions in care. The Wright Center for Community Health in Dickson City will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering affordable, comprehensive whole-person primary health services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Services will include checkups, physicals, screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries, and more. To make an appointment, call 570-489-4567 or visit TheWrightCenter.org. In addition to the Dickson City location, The Wright Center will also open its first primary care community health center in Wyoming County on Monday, Sept. 9, at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital, 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401, Tunkhannock. With these new locations, The Wright Center will operate 12 community health centers, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, serving patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program. Based on a family’s size and income level, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures everyone has access to affordable, whole-person primary health services.
The Wright Center Shines Light on Substance Use Disorder The Wright Center agrees that most of us know someone who has struggled with substance use disorder. For too many people, it’s a battle that ends in tragedy. Clearly, we need every possible resource we can muster to fight this ever-evolving public health crisis that affects our communities, and awareness campaigns like International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) play a prominent role. Observed every Aug. 31, IOAD not only raises awareness about overdose but also promotes evidence-based overdose prevention measures and drug policy. More poignantly, it also recognizes the overwhelming grief felt by the families and friends of those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to an overdose. The theme of this year’s IOAD is “Together we can,” which illustrates the power of communities to stand together and lessen one of the world’s biggest public health crises through collective action. It’s a great, hopeful message. The Wright Center for Community Health works every day to deliver hope to the individuals and families touched by substance use disorder and overdoses. Our Pennsylvania-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence has been one of the local leaders in providing community-based substance use disorder treatment since 2016 when it was among the 45 flagship centers named by the state. Patients qualify for Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence care if they have an opioid use disorder, have co-occurring behavioral/substance misuse and physical health conditions, require assistance navigating the health care system, and need guidance to stay engaged in treatment in order to avoid relapse. Services are offered regardless of the patient’s insurance status or ability to pay, with a sliding-fee discount program available to those who qualify. Unlike a traditional inpatient rehabilitation facility, we offer an outpatient services model that allows patients to receive exceptional care while attending to the other aspects of their lives. We employ a “whole-patient” philosophy centered around medications for opiate use disorder, a truly innovative concept that combines medical and social supports to guide an individual on their recovery journey. Patients are cared for by a first-rate and highly committed team of recovery and behavioral health specialists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, certified recovery specialists, and medical providers, who collaborate closely to counsel and support individuals coping with a variety of substance use disorders – not just opioids, but also alcohol, cocaine, and other addictive drugs. We also help them find stable housing, navigate insurance barriers, and repair family and community relationships. The Wright Center for Community Health also works to reduce opioid-related deaths and has been approved as a Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program (POPP) site. Through this program, The Wright Center distributes naloxone kits and drug-checking strips to individuals in the event they experience an emergency with a family member, friend, or in the community. Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is free to the community at any of our regional community health centers. We’re also very proud of our Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) Program, which recently received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand its services. The grant came via the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution. Healthy MOMS, co-founded by The Wright Center in 2018 and modeled after a program in Ohio, is a multi-agency effort that assists pregnant women and new mothers in achieving and maintaining sobriety. It was first launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but now serves women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. To date, the program has served more than 500 mothers and 282 babies. Participants are offered blanket services that include medications for opiate use disorder and other addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice, and other forms of support. Based on the available evidence, mothers who join Healthy MOMS and participate in recovery services well before their delivery dates are less likely to give birth to babies who experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a potentially painful and costly medical condition caused when a newborn withdrawal from opioids or other drugs that the baby had been exposed to in the womb. We see addiction as a lifelong disease requiring a long-term commitment to recovery. Rest assured, we’ll continue improving upon that commitment in the years ahead. Together, we can save and enhance the lives of many people in our communities.
The Wright Center’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support Program The Wright Center discusses how Shannon Sharkazy has always felt a calling to help others. First, though, she had to help herself. A 36-month prison sentence for cocaine distribution and related charges proved to be the impetus for her recovery from substance use disorder in 2006. While incarcerated, Sharkazy helped some of her fellow inmates learn to read and take other steps to change their lives, igniting her passion for helping others. “After I came home from prison, I knew I was not cut out for my old life,” the 41-year-old Honesdale, Pennsylvania, resident said. “I didn’t want to be that person, so I had to make some changes.” Today, Sharkazy is a devoted mother of five children, ranging in age from 16 months to 11 years old. When she isn’t working as the administrator of a church in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, she operates Gypsy Hollow, a transition home for rescued farm animals, where she is in the process of developing the mentorship program, Second Act, to help women – especially moms – learn and improve relationship, communication, and mindset skills. She also speaks publicly about her recovery journey, attributing her success to those who supported her, including The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support Program, known simply as Healthy MOMS. “I needed support,” Sharkazy said. “They immediately saw who I really was and what I needed.” Healthy MOMS focuses on helping mothers-to-be and mothers with substance use disorder, bringing together health care, legal, housing, and social services organizations from more than seven counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. Participants can join before giving birth and remain in the program until the child turns 2. An assigned case manager helps with a range of support services, including medications for opiate use disorder, counseling, primary and OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice, and more. The program has served mothers as young as 14, but most are in their late 20s and 30s. Named after a similar program in Ohio, it was introduced in this region as a pilot program in two counties, with initial grant funding secured by the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Today, it assists women in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Since its launch in 2018, they’ve helped more than 500 mothers and welcomed more than 280 infants. “As we know too well, it takes a village to raise a child. The complex struggles surrounding opioid addiction can make pregnancy an even tougher time,” said Maria Kolcharno, Healthy MOMS Program manager and director of addictions services at The Wright Center for Community Health. “The evidence suggests that mothers who join the program and participate in recovery services well before their delivery dates are less likely to give birth to babies who experience neonatal abstinence syndrome, a potentially painful and costly medical condition caused when a newborn withdraws from drugs the baby had been exposed to in the womb.” ‘I need help’ Despite Sharkazy’s commitment to sobriety after her release from prison, chaos ensued. She was married to an abusive alcoholic, far away from her family. She gave birth to her daughter, Blake, who is now 11, followed by her son, Carter, who is now 10. She divorced her husband, moved back home with her two children, and eventually began dating a man who was recovering from substance use disorder. Unfortunately, he relapsed, and soon after, Sharkazy realized she was pregnant with her second daughter, Mason, now 5, who was born with cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome. Over time, Sharkazy started taking prescription medication to manage pain caused by several debilitating, chronic issues. “My doses kept increasing,” Sharkazy said. “And then I got pregnant again, and I thought, ‘I can’t be on these ridiculous doses anymore. I need help.’” She became aware of The Wright Center for Community Health offering medications for opiate use disorder through her ex-husband’s experience at the community health center in Jermyn. Aware that Suboxone, a prescription drug for managing substance use disorder, could also provide pain relief, Sharkazy started her treatment with The Wright Center in November 2019. She found the staff, especially Ed Walsh, a case manager in The Wright Center’s state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, and Dr. Charles Burns, a former Wright Center doctor board certified in addiction medicine, to be exceptionally supportive and free of judgment. Sharkazy then became one of the first clients in the Healthy MOMS Program to access the specialized health services she needed. Healthy MOMS Case Manager Michele Coyle has worked with Sharkazy for four years, celebrating her successes and helping her through life’s challenges. Over the years, Sharkazy has served as a keynote speaker at Wright Center events and shared her story at several other programs around the region. “It’s been beautiful to see her maintain her sobriety and to act as an advocate for her children and herself,” Coyle said. ‘In the right place’ Although she was putting in the hard work with the support of Coyle and other staff members in the Healthy MOMs Program, Sharkazy’s use of Suboxone, along with other complications, led to an extended hospital stay for her newborn daughter, Emerson, who is now 4. “Because of the medication I was prescribed, hospital staff assumed I was an IV drug user, even though I have never once put a drug in my veins and had been sober for years,” she said. “They treated me terribly, but the Healthy MOMS staff made it a lot easier. They advocated for me, in and outside of the hospital.” Sharkazy remained in the Healthy MOMS Program for the birth of her fifth child, Ethan, who is now 16 months old. When she had similar problems with hospital staff over the stigma of using Suboxone, Healthy MOMS staff again advocated for her, including producing paperwork. “I can’t imagine being a mom newly in recovery or a mom without a support system, facing these challenging situations,” Sharkazy said. “I knew I could just call Michele, and she would be there to talk to, do check-ins, and just to make sure I was mentally in the right place.” Coyle said that, over the years, Sharkazy has become a resource to other clients, especially those with children who have special needs. “I’m supporting her needs, but sometimes, I go to her for advice. She’s navigated the system and is willing to share what she’s learned,” Coyle said. “I think we’ve learned a lot together.” ‘Pay it forward’ Since its inception in 2018, Healthy MOMS has experienced significant growth, according to Coyle. As word spreads about its many success stories, The Wright Center has expanded the program’s reach and now collaborates with more than a dozen partner agencies, including Maternal and Family Health Services, Outreach Center for Community Resources, St. Joseph’s Center, Geisinger, Commonwealth Health, and several county agencies. “We have a lot of opportunities now to do more with and for the moms in the program,” Coyle said. “Every case is different, but we’re ready to meet the needs of each client.” These days, Sharkazy is thriving, thanks to the continued support of the Healthy MOMS Program. “It’s amazing to see her succeed,” Coyle said. “This is why I do what I do. It’s nice to think about how I had a small part in her journey to where she is today.” Sharkazy has also found myriad ways to fulfill her goal of helping others. In addition to raising her children, caring for her ailing father, and looking after a variety of rescued farm animals, she works at Beach Lake United Methodist Church. She has also shared her story while serving as an advocate for varied topics, including children with cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome, the lack of rural health care resources, single mothers, and mothers with substance use disorder. “I tell my story to everyone. It’s a way to pay it forward,” she said. “Working with and being a voice for moms in recovery is something I want to continue to explore.”
The Wright Center to Observe National Health Center Week The Wright Center for Community Health will host a week of activities aimed at improving the health and well-being of communities in Northeast Pennsylvania as part of National Health Center Week from Aug. 4-10. The Wright Center, one of nearly 1,400 community health centers in the country, served more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24. Community health centers represent the largest primary care network in the nation, delivering care to more than 30 million people annually, or one in 11 people nationwide. Of those served, one in three people live in poverty and one in five are uninsured, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers, which organizes National Health Center Week. This year’s National Health Center Week theme is “Powering our communities Through Caring Connections,” an important reminder of the critical role that community health centers play in strengthening the delivery of responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services to underserved populations across the nation. The Wright Center will kick off National Health Center Week a day early by offering vaccinations, dental screenings, free backpacks and school supplies for children, Narcan kits, and more at the second annual NEPA’s Latino Fiesta on Saturday, Aug. 3, from noon to 6 p.m. at Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Other National Health Center events organized by The Wright Center include: Monday, Aug. 5: Distributing care packages for people experiencing homelessness from 5-7 p.m., at Keystone Mission, 90 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre. Monday, Aug. 5: Distributing coloring books, crayons, vaccine information, and more from noon to 3 p.m. at the Co-op Farmers Market, 900 Barring Ave., Scranton. Tuesday, Aug. 6: Distributing backpacks and school supplies for children, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Hawley, 103 Spruce St. Wednesday, Aug. 7: Serving lunch and distributing backpacks and school supplies for children, noon to 2 p.m., at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Thursday, Aug. 8: Distributing backpacks and school supplies for children, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in South Abington Township, 1145 Northern Blvd. Friday, Aug. 9: Distributing backpacks and school supplies for children, 3-4:30 p.m., at the Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St. Saturday, Aug. 10: Distributing backpacks, school supplies, and dental kits for children, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Jermyn, 5 S. Washington Ave. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, has a growing network of 10 Teaching Health Centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. 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 Receives Grant to Expand Dental Services The Wright Center for Community Health has received a $148,400 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to expand dental services at its health center in Wilkes-Barre. The Wright Center will use the grant to purchase three dental chairs and related equipment. The health center at 169 North Pennsylvania Ave., continues to expand dental and whole-person primary health services to meet the needs of Luzerne County residents. The Wright Center provides affordable, nondiscriminatory, comprehensive dental services, including routine check-ups and cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, X-rays, oral cancer screenings, extractions, emergency services, and denture care. “We are deeply honored to partner with the Moses Taylor Foundation and most grateful for its trust and investment in The Wright Center,” said Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This generous grant will enhance our regional efforts to expand affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory oral health services to people of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. “The Moses Taylor Foundation is one of our most cherished, mission-driven community partners. This most welcomed contribution supports our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.” The Wright Center began offering weekly dental services at the downtown Wilkes-Barre health center in July 2023 and will begin providing daily dental care from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday starting on Monday, August 5. Expansion work continues at the 34,460-square-foot Wilkes-Barre health center with plans to house 45 medical examination rooms, 30 behavioral health rooms, 10 dental operatories, and more. When completed, the 10 dental operatories will significantly increase much-needed access to dental care, reduce wait times, and accommodate the growing demand for oral care services in Luzerne County. “The Wright Center will be able to offer a comprehensive suite of whole-person primary and dental services under one roof, promote holistic patient well-being, and provide an expanded training ground for future dentists and allied health care professionals, contributing to a skilled health care workforce,” said Kimberly McGoff, The Wright Center’s director of dental operations. To ensure high-quality oral care is available to everyone, The Wright Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, accepts most dental insurances and offers a sliding-fee discount program to those who qualify based on federal poverty guidelines that take family size and income into account. No patient is turned away because of an inability to pay. The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer whole-person primary health services. 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.
Wright Center Physician Selected as an Emerging Leader Institute Scholar Claudine Nwadiozor, D.O., a resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency, was selected as an American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP) Emerging Leader Institute Scholar, which helps grow the family medicine specialty and provides scholars with valuable leadership experience. Dr. Nwadiozor is one of 30 select resident physicians and medical students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students from Aug. 1-4, in Kansas City, Missouri, where they will learn more about family medicine, explore residency programs, make connections, and learn about leadership opportunities with the Student and Resident Congress. The scholars then continue learning and networking after the conference by attending the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute’s in-depth workshops in one of three leadership tracks: Policy & Public Health, Personal & Practice, and Philanthropic & Mission-Driven. The weekend concludes with a Project Management session. Dr. Nwadiozor has been chosen for the institute’s Philanthropic & Mission-Driven Leadership track. She is training at Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency trains community-minded physicians in a unique educational partnership with four FQHCs from coast to coast in Washington, D.C., Ohio, Arizona, and Washington. “Through my work in clinical settings, I have witnessed the impact of access barriers and health disparities on patients’ lives, which motivates me to advocate for systemic change,” Dr. Nwadiozor wrote in her essay. “My medical journey has equipped me with the skills and unique perspectives necessary to address these challenges.” In her essay, Dr. Nwadiozor specifically addresses the importance of training, recruiting, and retaining diverse providers, as well as the role mentorship plays in recruiting underrepresented pre-medical and medical students. “While deeply passionate about dismantling barriers to care and advancing health equity, I recognize that I cannot do it alone,” added Dr. Nwadiozor, a Nigerian American. “I embrace lifelong learning and am committed to engaging with viewpoints that challenge my assumptions and broaden my understanding of health care issues. I believe in creating spaces where individuals feel empowered to voice their opinions and contribute their unique insights, fostering a culture of inclusivity and intellectual exchange.” The scholars will also participate in a yearlong program that focuses on ensuring the future of family medicine by increasing the number of leaders in the field and providing training for this important role. At the program’s conclusion, the leadership projects are evaluated, and an additional $1,000 award is given to select recipients. Winning projects are presented at the next AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. A Best Leadership Project Award will also be named for each of the three tracks, with recipients receiving an additional $3,000 award for participation. “We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding residents and medical students into the Emerging Leader Institute family, and I look forward to seeing their contributions to our specialty,” said Tomas Owens, M.D., FAAFP, president of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. “These scholars have shown tremendous leadership potential and embody the core qualities of a family physician: empathy, scholarship, and the ability to do the hard but rewarding work of improving their communities and our health care system.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education is one of the nation’s largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Centers. The nonprofit’s Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium effectively addresses the national shortage and misdistribution of primary care physicians and related health disparities by maximizing the impact of primary care services, physician and interprofessional workforce development, and public health efforts. The Wright Center’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
The Wright Center Expanding Access to Whole-Person Primary Health Services The Wright Center for Community Health will open a new health center in Dickson City on Tuesday, Sept. 3 as part of its efforts to expand access to responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services across the region. Drs. Supriana Bhandol and Ajit Pannu will lead the new location at 312 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City. Both are 2023 graduates of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency and currently treat patients at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Scranton. The Wright Center for Community Health has provided safety-net primary and preventive care services across the region for decades. The Dickson City location will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offer whole-person primary health services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. In addition to primary care services, including checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries, the new community health center will offer community-based addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment. To make an appointment, call 570-489-4567 or visit TheWrightCenter.org. The location is the former medical offices of Drs. Cynthia M. Oleski and Giovanni Ramos. After deciding to relocate, the doctors contacted The Wright Center about stepping in so patients would not experience care interruptions. “Opening an office in Dickson City is another example of how we are fulfilling our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services,” said Marianne Linko, deputy chief operating officer at The Wright Center. “It’s also a great opportunity for two of our Regional Family Medicine Residency graduates to take on a larger role as physicians in the community.” The Dickson City location is one of two new health centers The Wright Center will launch in September. On Monday, Sept. 9, The Wright Center’s first health center in Wyoming County will open at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital, 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401, Tunkhannock. The location will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offer a full slate of primary care services as well as addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment. With these new locations, The Wright Center has 12 community health centers, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, serving patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Wright Center treated more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike with a growing network of community health centers throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 31.5 million people across the nation receive affordable, high-quality health care each year at community health centers like The Wright Center, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The community health center initiative, founded by leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, was envisioned as a way to deliver care in underserved areas such as low-income urban neighborhoods and rural settings. Promoters saw it as a means to improve people’s health while also empowering communities and reducing poverty, as health centers offer access to low-cost or no-cost services as well as family-sustaining employment opportunities. Today, there are more than 1,400 community health centers and look-alike organizations in the U.S., according to NACHC. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-489-4567.
The Wright Center Announces Monthly ‘Walk with a Doc’ Events The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne counties to put on their walking shoes and take a step towards improved health by joining one of the three regional, monthly Walk with a Doc events. This doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and community members together for an invigorating walk with doctors and other health care professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to exercise, engage with health care professionals, and connect with new people. The Walk with a Doc event in Lackawanna County is held on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., now at its new location at Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Walkers should gather at the park’s main entrance. The upcoming event is on Aug. 3. In Wayne County, the Walk with a Doc event takes place on the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. All walks are a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities. The next event is on Aug. 10. The Luzerne County Walk with a Doc event is scheduled for the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park, 280 Market St., Kingston. The next event is on Aug. 17, with walkers meeting at the park’s main entrance. These doctor-led group walks are open to the community, accommodating people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and no pre-registration is necessary. Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring communities through movement and conversation. According to the American Heart Association, walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and lower the risk of osteoporosis. The Wright Center for Community Health, based in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Their practices provide integrated, whole-person primary health services, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care, along with community-based addiction treatment and recovery services, all in one location for patient convenience. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center to Open Clinic in Tunkhannock The Wright Center for Community Health is expanding access to comprehensive whole-person primary health services in Wyoming County with the opening of a new health center in the former Tyler Memorial Hospital on Monday, Sept. 9. The Wright Center for Community Health has been providing safety-net primary and preventive care services for underserved populations and communities for decades. Family doctors and advanced care practitioners will offer services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics, at the full-service, family-friendly office at 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401. Based in the Wyoming County Healthcare Center, The Wright Center’s community health center will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299. Primary health services include checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Addiction and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, will also be available. Wyoming County businessman Bill Ruark bought the former Tyler Memorial Hospital through a limited family partnership in 2023 and began developing the building as a nonprofit medical facility called Wyoming County Healthcare Center Inc. “It is critical to have these medical services back in the area,” said Sara Ergott, outreach coordinator for Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The goal is to make this space a hub for all types of health care services that are not easily accessible for those in our rural region. With the loss of the hospital in 2021 and the retirements of many local health care providers, there is a great need for this building to curb those deficits. The goal is to fill the space with the types of services that are in demand and, in turn, create a happier and healthier community.” The Ruark family approached leadership at The Wright Center in the fall to discuss adding more services at the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The Wright Center for Community Health responds to the needs of underserved communities in Northeast Pennsylvania by improving access to nondiscriminatory, comprehensive whole-person primary health services,” said Kathleen Barry, deputy chief operating officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “The Wright Center is proud to be able to treat patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. No patient is turned away for lack of health insurance or an inability to pay. “Our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services aligns perfectly with the Ruark family’s goal for their hometown. We are privileged to work on this mission-driven project with the Ruark family and other community partners,” added Barry. The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program. Based on a family’s size and income level, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures everyone has access to affordable, whole-person primary health services. With the opening of the Tunkhannock location, The Wright Center for Community Health now has 12 locations in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike with a growing network of community health centers throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 31.5 million people across the nation receive affordable, high-quality health care each year at community health centers like The Wright Center, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The community health center initiative, founded by leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, was envisioned as a way to deliver care in underserved areas such as low-income urban neighborhoods and rural settings. Promoters saw it as a means to improve people’s health while also empowering communities and reducing poverty, as health centers offer access to low-cost or no-cost services as well as family-sustaining employment opportunities. Today, there are more than 1,400 community health centers and look-alike organizations in the U.S., according to NACHC. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299.
The Wright Center’s North Pocono Location Celebrates Two Years In just two years since its opening, The Wright Center’s health center in North Pocono has seamlessly integrated into the community, with its health center and staff becoming essential parts of the region. The Wright Center operates a network of community health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Since opening in April 2022, the staff at the health center in North Pocono has welcomed more than 3,500 patient appointments, including nearly 300 patients who used Medicare, CHIP, or medical assistance. The care team, under the direction of Amanda Turoni, a certified nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing degree, includes Jamie Ramos, LPN care coordinator; Samantha Tomala, medical assistant; and Amanda Granville, clinical administrative assistant. In the beginning, Turoni’s vision for the health center was fueled by the declining number of primary care providers in the region. She gathered information, including community demographics, information from health care professionals and social service workers, and surveyed parents about their families’ medical needs. That grassroots effort resulted in a twofold aim: improving the health and welfare of her hometown while also addressing the social determinants of health by holding regular food pantries and clothes closets that provide nutritious foods, seasonal clothing, school supplies, and much more for community members in need. “We knew that access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services remain a barrier for many in the area, especially in the communities that make up North Pocono,” said Turoni, noting that before the North Pocono health center opened, there were only about 12 primary care doctors in the community. “There was a need for timely, affordable treatment to address the larger issues, including chronic diseases, as well as preventive care and overall health.” According to the 2024 County Health Rankings, 19% of Lackawanna County residents report they smoke, 17% say they drink excessively, and 33% are obese. In addition, about 7% of residents do not have health insurance. For every one doctor in the county, there are 1,201 residents. The U.S. Census data adds that about 14.2% of the county’s population lives in poverty. Convinced of the community’s need, leaders at The Wright Center chose a location: a former medical practice that had closed after one provider retired in 2019 and the other relocated in 2021. With the support of a $110,855 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, they initiated efforts to open the health center in North Pocono. Overall, The Wright Center served more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24, offering an integrated care model that typically allows patients the convenience of going to a single site to receive medical, dental, and behavioral health care, including addiction treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorders, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Like many patients, Nazer Ali of Covington Township initially chose the health center because it was near his home. He continued as a patient because of the personalized care provided by the care team. “Besides the convenience of the location, Amanda has been terrific,” he said. “She takes the time to listen and ask questions.” Turoni said one of the benefits of a small clinic is that she and her staff can take more time with patients to build relationships. She’s enjoyed watching the clinic’s patient population grow as she and her staff gain the community’s trust, noting that she often bumps into patients as she runs errands and attends community events. “I think we’ve accomplished what I set out to achieve in the community,” she said. “We’re growing steadily, but we still can take our time with each patient to really get to know them.” In addition to offering whole-person primary health services, Turoni is proud of the clinic’s outreach events, which address food insecurity and other essential community needs. She hopes to partner with other community groups to expand those offerings, pointing to an upcoming farmers market organized by The Wright Center with support from state Senator Rosemary Brown’s office. Scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Company, the market will feature local farmers and artisans, including beekeepers, bakers, crafters, and more. The market will also offer information booths about local health and social services, demonstrations with the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department K-9, and a basket raffle to benefit The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, which organizes food pantries and other community events at the North Pocono health center and across the region. The farmers market, which Turoni and her colleagues hope will become a regular event, is just one of the new ideas the practitioner is exploring as the clinic grows and evolves. “I want to explore the idea of home visits to better meet the needs of our older patients and non-ambulatory patients,” Turoni said. “We want this clinic to be an essential community resource for everyone.” For more information about the health center in North Pocono, call 570-591-5150 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
