The Wright Center’s Jignesh Sheth Reflects on National Doctors’ Day

March 30 was National Doctors’ Day – a perfect opportunity to celebrate all the great physicians out there, including those who practice locally.

The annual observance honors the “dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities worldwide,” according to the American Medical Association.

The first National Doctors Day was held all the way back in 1933 by Dr. Charles B. Almond in Winder, Georgia. Now it’s observed by health care organizations across the country, offering institutions and patients the chance to express their appreciation for physicians working in all facets of medicine.

At The Wright Center, we take immense pride in our doctors. Since our beginnings in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, we have been dedicated to providing high-quality primary and preventive care to the residents of Northeast Pennsylvania. Today, our doctors uphold a twofold mission: delivering comprehensive, whole-person primary health services to all – regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay – and educating the next generation of physicians and interprofessional health care professionals.

And as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, or FQLA, we’ve been able to expand our local network’s locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne and Wyoming counties, as well as our Driving Better Health mobile medical and dental unit, that all told serve tens of thousands of patients annually.

Our doctors follow a patient-centric model, with an emphasis on overcoming barriers to care by delivering coordinated and comprehensive services, including primary and preventive care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental care, infectious disease services, lifestyle medicine, obesity medicine, and addiction recovery services. Through that full spectrum of care, we strive to improve access to care by emphasizing care management of patients with numerous medical needs, as well as through the use of key quality improvement practices, among them health information technology.

Given the topic, I’d like to take the opportunity to boast about some recent accolades we received.

In February, our president and CEO, Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, received the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award, presented by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants. The award 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 certainly embodies all of these fine qualities.

Meanwhile, our community health centers in Clarks Summit, Jermyn, South Scranton Wilkes-Barre recently received the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificate of recognition. The award recognizes our locations’ commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services through the patient-centered medical home model. In addition to strengthening patient-clinician relationships and enhancing the management of chronic conditions, the patient-centered medical home model also increases staff satisfaction and reduces health care costs. It’s wonderful to receive awards and certifications like these, which reaffirm the first-rate, cutting-edge work our physicians are carrying out every day. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Northeast Pennsylvania.