The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

This will be the final extension for the following products’ expiration dates:

• The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.
• The expiration date for commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021, is extended through March 31, 2021.

Customers with commercial products that are covered by the extension but have not yet been renewed are encouraged to renew their CDL products as soon as possible by March 31, 2021.  No further extensions will be given on these products.

Expiration extension deadlines on non-commercial driver license, photo identification cards, learner’s permits and camera cards ended on August 31, 2020.

For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.  

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and schedule a driver’s exam. There are no additional fees for using online services.

PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will communicate any changes with the public.

Additional COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.

When COVID-19 swept the globe, it caught the collective health care world off guard. While the national news was largely fixated on the bath tissue shortage, health systems were scrambling to shore up their supply of personal protective equipment and other infection-control necessities. Educators at Geisinger realized that Geisinger itself could provide the perfect case study in pandemic response to ensure better preparation for any future plague.

As the coronavirus raged, educators and scientists at Geisinger developed a course,  COVID-19: Health Systems and Pandemics, for audiences ranging from graduate and medical students, to healthcare practitioners looking for relevant continuing education credits and even to the general public interested in infectious disease, how it spreads and what an effective response entails.

“The COVID course brings to bear the type of interactive, just-in-time learning that can only come from an integrated health system like Geisinger,” said V. Scott Koerwer, PhD, EdD, vice dean of GCSOM’s School of Graduate Education. “Our students learned about the pandemic through various lenses, from those of C-suite executives to infectious disease experts, population health professionals, basic scientists and healthcare administrators. Like the pandemic itself, the course changed week by week as our frontline healthcare teams worked to keep our population safe while learning about the virus. This effort is a great representation of learning in a team-based, integrated health system environment.”

“The course arose from misconceptions about the virus,” said William (Andy) Faucett, MS, LGC. “Initially, there was a lot of public confusion. We realized that most students, and even healthcare providers, haven’t had specific virology or pandemic training. Our COVID-19 course fills that gap.”

In October, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine graduate students were the first to enroll in the course. Now the course is available for professional seeking continuing education credits and to the general public, both of whom may pick and choose which sessions of the course they find most interesting and valuable. To view courses, visit https://www.geisinger.edu/education/academics/school-of-graduate-education/covid-19-health-systems-and-pandemics

The course is taught jointly by numerous GCSOM faculty members and an array of Geisinger physicians and scientists, including a module taught by Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, Geisinger’s CEO. Dr. Ryu’s session examines the healthcare system in pandemic and will provide insight into how to mobilize large systems during a crisis.

COVID-19: Health Systems and Pandemics introduces students to the evaluation, management, scientific underpinnings and impact of a pandemic. The emphasis is on COVID-19 to allow participants to engage in healthcare discussions and planning about the pandemic and future pandemics. Major topics include virology, viral testing, public health, modeling and predictions during a pandemic, clinical manifestations of SARS CoV-2, health system responses and impacts, ethical challenges, and research changes and impacts.

Lectures include:

• Virology, taught by Michael A. Sulzinski, PhD, of GCSOM. These sessions include an introduction to Virology and SARS CoV-2, as well as an examination of testing, antiviral chemotherapies, and vaccine design.
• Transmission Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, taught by Mushfiq Tarafder, PhD, MPH, MBBS of GCSOM. This module explores the basics of infectious disease transmission dynamics, and mathematical modeling of droplet transmission, particularly with SARS-CoV-2.
• Pandemic Preparation and Response, taught by Reema Persad-Clem, PhD, MPH of GCSOM. These sessions examine mitigation via quarantine and other strategies, in addition to the roles of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state, local and tribal authorities.
• Clinical Manifestations and Management of SARS-CoV2, taught by Stanley Martin, MD, Geisinger. Dr. Martin will discuss the diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2, antiviral therapy, risk factors for developing severe disease in COVID-19 and differing methodologies for preventing the spread of SARS CoV-2.
• The Healthcare System in a Pandemic, taught by Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, Geisinger’s CEO. Dr. Ryu will explore leadership, finances and planning, as well as the impact of a pandemic on healthcare providers and workers.
• Ethical Issues in a Pandemic – Public Health versus the Individual Patient, taught by Dan Davis, PhD, Geisinger. This module examines ethical issues surrounding the treatment of patients in isolation – limiting interactions with support systems.
• Research during a Pandemic, taught by Michelle N. Meyer, PhD, JD, Geisinger. The final session looks at the effect of a pandemic on research, recruitment changes and fair allocation of scarce drugs or trials slots in a pandemic.

To view courses, visit https://www.geisinger.edu/education/academics/school-of-graduate-education/covid-19-health-systems-and-pandemics

Paul Capoccia was recently named director of the new esports program at Marywood University. One of a select number of colleges and universities across the nation to offer a competitive esports program, Marywood is responding to the ever-increasing number of students seeking this option, as the esports industry continues to explode throughout the country.

As Marywood’s director of esports, Mr. Capoccia is responsible for launching and growing a competitive and exciting program. Planning to introduce three initial games, including Overwatch, League of Legends, and Rocket League, Mr. Capoccia is also looking to add sports simulation games and other single-player titles if room allows.

Giving students a better experience is at the heart of introducing esports at Marywood. Mr. Capoccia said, “Giving students a better overall experience through cutting-edge technology, while also continuing to grow our campus in innovative ways, is the optimal goal. Esports is a great opportunity for students who want to compete, as well as for students who are interested in participating in other capacities, including communications and art. It’s interdisciplinary in so many different ways.”

A graduate of Marywood University, Mr. Capoccia made his first step into esports while he was a student at the University. Through a business plan competition, Mr. Capoccia developed a business plan for esports, marketed the plan, and presented it to an audience of business peers. From that point, he never lost his love of esports, and he used the business plan competition as a learning experience.

Mr. Capoccia explains that the esports program will be housed in the athletics department at Marywood University and will be treated as an athletic team that is eligible for all the benefits of other traditional sports, including conferences, nutritionists, athletic trainers, team apparel, etc. Additionally, Mr. Capoccia will develop summer camps/conference experiences to assist with developing a healthy community of athletes. “The health and well-being of student esports athletes is as important as any other physical sport player,” he said.

Floor plans for the facility in hand, Mr. Capoccia and a team of University experts are working with a consulting firm to blend function and practicality into an exciting state-of-the-art gaming center. He said, “We want function at its highest level first and to establish a good culture in which students can interact and be supported. Visiting students and those competing will have a powerful experience. I’m excited for students to see the facility.”

Mr. Capoccia understands that the sport of gaming is community oriented, and the esports community will be identical to other athletic teams with a strong team environment and atmosphere. Teammates will work and socialize together on other projects in gaming, including other competitions and charity marathons—whatever Marywood students are passionate about.

Realizing that any coach or director who expects their student athletes to perform must be experienced in the field, Mr. Capoccia has been fortunate to have worked in esports long enough and hard enough to have tried nearly everything in the esports field, including functioning as a player, coach, administrator, manager, tournament organizer, caster, producer, observer, social media/marketing director, event lead, collegiate consultant, content creator, curriculum creator and coordinator, and more.

Patrick Murphy, director of athletics at Marywood University, said, “We are incredibly excited to welcome home Paul Capoccia as our esports director at Marywood University.  Paul’s experience, knowledge, regional contacts, and his passion and love for Marywood University make him the perfect fit for this position. Our esports program will be able to draw new and unique students, compete nationally, generate diverse revenue streams, and prepare our student-athletes for careers in the esports industry, because Mr. Capoccia understands how it’s done well, by knowing the industry inside and out.”

A graduate of Marywood University, Mr. Capoccia earned his bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in mathematics, and he earned his master of arts degree in communication arts with a concentration in media management. Additionally, he is a current student of the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD).

Mr. Capoccia’s association with Marywood goes back to his childhood. He grew up swimming in the facility that is now the Center for Architectural Studies, and he attended outdoor summer concerts on campus before he could walk. Mr. Capoccia said, “I knew where I wanted to go to college—it was never a question that I would attend Marywood, as it has always been home. I’m now excited for the opportunity to come home.”

Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) has announced the appointment of Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) to serve on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council for the 2021-22 Legislative Session.

“I am honored to receive this appointment by Speaker Cutler to serve on PEMA’s Council,” said Boback. “This council is instrumental in creating the policy for emergency management throughout the Commonwealth and leading its direction. As majority chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I look forward to coordinating these two positions regarding good policy and good legislation, ultimately supporting the protections people of the Commonwealth have come to expect.”

The council membership includes the governor; the lieutenant governor; the secretaries of the various state departments with emergency response and recovery capabilities; the leadership of the General Assembly; and representatives of county and municipal government associations, labor, business and industry, and the private sector. The council also acts as the State Emergency Response Commission which oversees the various hazardous materials emergency preparedness and response requirements contained in the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title III).

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our community, one of the realities that hasn’t changed is the fact that many people don’t have the resources to feed themselves or their families.

Fortunately the Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton remains able to alleviate this need. Since 1978, the Kitchen has been serving a free, hot, nutritious meal to approximately 250 men, women and children each day. In addition to the traditional daily midday meal, the Kitchen has also provided an evening meal on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5‑6 p.m.

In recent years the Mid-Valley Outreach Program was launched in conjunction with several parishes to offer weekly meals in Carbondale, Archbald and Olyphant. The Kitchen also operates the Saint Francis Client-Choice Food Pantry and the Saint Francis Free Clothing Store.

The Kitchen has been able to do all of this via the dedicated service of staff and volunteers, and with financial support from the community – primarily through the annual Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign. The 2021 campaign is now underway.

The Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign seeks contributions of $100 or more. This helps the Kitchen provide the daily meal.

In effect, each contributor becomes a “host” for a day. Contributors may then select a date on which they, or someone they designate, will be recognized as the provider for that meal.

During the pandemic, the Kitchen has modified its program by providing the daily midday meal in Scranton in take-out containers. The evening meals were suspended for a time but resumed at the end of July, also as take-outs. The Mid-Valley Outreach Program also had to be suspended, but meals in Carbondale resumed in December. The food pantry and clothing store are open, with safety precautions in place.

“Naturally this has been a challenging time and we have made changes to ensure the safety of our guests, staff and volunteers,” said Rob Williams, the Kitchen’s executive director. “Throughout this period, however, we have provided a meal in some fashion every single day. We are truly blessed!”

Michele Bannon, a member of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board, is chairing the campaign and leading the effort with her fellow board members.

“The community has always supported this campaign in a wonderful way,” she said. “This year the need is greater than ever, and we are hopeful that our supporters will again join with us to sustain the mission of the Kitchen.”

This year’s Host‑for‑a‑Day campaign is being conducted with safety precautions in place. Traditionally the members of the Kitchen’s Advisory Board contact supporters they have sold tickets to over the years. This year the majority of the past contributors to the campaign are receiving an appeal directly from the Kitchen through the mail.

Also, out of concern for the health and safety of benefactors and board members, the typical Appreciation Reception that concludes the campaign will not be held in a gathered way. Instead, the culmination of the campaign will be marked with a Virtual Celebration consisting of a pre-recorded program. The release date will be Wednesday, April 28, at 6 p.m. Information on how to view the program will be announced as details are finalized.

Anyone who does not receive an appeal through the mail can make a Host‑for‑a‑Day gift by calling the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556, or sending a check to Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Avenue, Scranton PA 18509. Donations can also be made online at: www.stfranciskitchen.org or facebook.com/stfranciskitchen

Those who would like to sponsor the Virtual Reception are asked to call the Kitchen at 570-342‑5556.

FNCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCB) (“FNCB”) today announced that James F. Burke will be joining FNCB Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer.

As Chief Banking Officer, Mr. Burke will be responsible for the oversight of the Bank’s Commercial Lending, Retail Lending and Retail Banking units.

Mr. Burke joins FNCB Bank with more than 27 years of managerial and sales experience in banking. Most recently he served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer at Wayne Bank where he was responsible for the overall sales, service, and operations of the Commercial Banking Division in Pennsylvania and New York.

“Jim is a great addition to our experienced leadership team,” said Jerry Champi, President and CEO. “His extensive community banking background and knowledge of the Northeastern Pennsylvania market will help FNCB Bank continue to grow and serve the needs of our community.”

He is a graduate of Wilkes University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Administration. He later earned an MBA in Administration from Marywood University. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership Executive Advisory Board at Wilkes University.

He resides in Clarks Summit, PA with his wife Jomarie, daughter Lauren and son Jimmy.

Pennsylvania American Water announced today its end-of-year investment total and system improvement recap for 2020. In just 12 months, the company invested $400 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across the Commonwealth – delivering on its significant capital investment plan despite the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“Our goal at Pennsylvania American Water is to provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible water and wastewater service to the 2.4 million Pennsylvanians who rely on us,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “From source to tap and back to the source again, our team of professionals works hard to maintain and improve our facilities to keep them operating efficiently, meeting regulatory standards and delivering high quality water and wastewater service. I am so proud of our team for achieving these results while operating under new protocols to protect the health and safety of each other and our customers during this unprecedented year.”

Each year, Pennsylvania American Water invests hundreds of millions of dollars in its infrastructure to maintain and upgrade treatment and distribution (pipeline) systems. This includes improvements to treatment plants, wells, tanks, pump stations, pipes, valves, fire hydrants and metering equipment to sustain current operations while supporting resiliency for the future.

Pennsylvania American Water customers can see how the company put their monthly bills to work in 2020 on the company’s 2020 Infrastructure Upgrade Map. This web-based user-friendly map provides public transparency to how the company is investing in water main replacement projects throughout its service area as part of its overall system improvements.

“This year’s investments demonstrate our continued commitment to constantly replace and upgrade aging water infrastructure so that clean, safe water is there when you need it,” Doran continued. “Not only are these investments critical to the public’s health and safety, but they also support the economic health of the communities we serve. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, more than 15 total jobs are generated throughout the economy, which means our investment in 2020 alone supported more than 6,200 jobs across the Commonwealth amidst a global pandemic.”

The company’s 2020 system improvement highlights include:

• Water and Wastewater Mains: Pennsylvania American Water invested approximately $130 million to replace more than 126 miles (667,747 feet) of aging water and sewer pipelines. Additionally, Pennsylvania American Water invested more than $3 million in automated leak detection equipment in 2020 to further enhance its ability to locate and repair leaks. As a result of this technology, the company found and repaired 369 non-surfacing leaks.

• Pennsylvania American Water invested more than $46 million for improvements to its water and wastewater treatment facilities across the state. Major projects included treatment upgrades at its Butler, Hershey, New Castle, Norristown, Silver Spring, Stony Garden, West Shore and Yardley water treatment plants and treatment and capacity upgrades at the Scranton wastewater treatment plant.  

• Hydrants, Valves and Service Lines: Pennsylvania American Water replaced over 1600 fire hydrants and 1300 valves across the state, an approximately $9.5 million investment, along with roughly 16,000 service lines totaling approximately $20 million.

• Tanks/Storage: Pennsylvania American Water rehabilitated five water tanks and one treatment unit as well as and conducted detailed inspections on more than 75 tanks, an investment totaling approximately $6 million.

Pennsylvania American Water also recently released its 2020 Community Impact Report, providing an overview of the company’s charitable giving and community engagement efforts throughout 2020. In total, the company contributed $848,000 to organizations in the community through grants, scholarships and COVID-19 relief donations as well as direct assistance to help customers pay their water or wastewater bill.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has granted The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s pioneering National Family Medicine Residency Program a full 10-year accreditation, the highest rating available.

The ACGME is a private, not-for-profit organization that sets quality standards for U.S. graduate medical education programs and renders accreditation decisions based on compliance with these standards of best practices.

Established in 2013, The Wright Center’s unique National Family Medicine Residency program was created to address America’s severe primary care workforce shortage and escalating rural healthcare disparities. Eighty-five family medicine doctors have graduated to date, with 50 more physician learners enrolled in the program that now spans four states and two coasts, with training locations in Tucson, Arizona (El Rio Community Health Center); New Richmond, Ohio (HealthSource of Ohio); Auburn, Washington (HealthPoint); and Washington, D.C. (Unity Health Care).

As the largest Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Consortium in the country, The Wright Center trains residents to provide care to the nation’s most vulnerable patients in high-performing, certified Patient-Centered Medical Homes, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and community-based hospitals. From humble beginnings in 1976 as the Scranton Temple Residency Program with just six internal medicine residents, it has blossomed into a physician-led, nonprofit organization with over 650 employees and close to 250 physician learners.

In earning full accreditation from the ACGME, The Wright Center has demonstrated compliance with ACGME’s rigorous standards and institutional requirements following initial accreditation in 2018 and a successful site visit this past September.

“For more than 45 years, The Wright Center has been committed to providing non-discriminatory, high-quality primary health care to the region’s underserved populations while creating the workforce pipeline America needs,” said Jumee Barooah, M.D., Designated Institutional Official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “There really is no other residency in the country that unites physicians across America like our national family medicine program, and I’m thrilled to see our efforts recognized by the ACGME.”

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have officially accepted their invitation to remain the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees after signing Major League Baseball’s Professional Development License (PDL). The 10-year agreement will keep Yankees Triple-A baseball in Scranton Wilkes-Barre through the 2030 season.

“We are so excited to sign the PDL and formally accept the New York Yankees invitation to remain their Triple-A affiliate for the foreseeable future,” RailRiders President John Adams said. “The Yankees brand is second to none and we are fortunate to be able to call them our partner for many more years to come.”

Under the new PDL system, MLB will govern all aspects of MiLB moving forward. Back on December 9, each MLB club invited four minor league affiliates to join their farm systems. MiLB clubs were given a February 10 deadline to accept the terms of the PDL after receiving the governing documents in mid-January. Under the new PDL system, all affiliation agreements between MLB and MiLB clubs will be 10 years in length.

“We just can’t wait to have the Yankees and our fans back at PNC Field playing games again,” Adams said. “We look forward to the long-term stability that the new PDL provides and are excited to continue to highlight Scranton Wilkes-Barre as the best market in MiLB.”

Under the new PDL structure, MiLB will feature 120 teams competing across four levels, Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A, a change from the previous structure that included 160 clubs competing across six levels. The Yankees farm system is rounded out by the Double-A Somerset Patriots, High-A Hudson Valley Renegades and Low-A Tampa Tarpons.

Additional information regarding RailRiders’ 2021 schedule, league structure, coaching staff, roster and ticketing procedures will be announced in the near future.

Marywood University’s School of Business and Global Innovation (SBGI) will hold a Virtual Information Session for prospective students on Thursday, March 4, 2021. This event is free and open to prospective students. To register, please visit admissions.marywood.edu/register/business. Registrants will receive the virtual meeting ID and pin prior to the event.

The University’s School of Business and Global Innovation faculty, along with current Marywood SBGI students, will be in attendance to answer any questions that prospective students may have as they decide which higher education institution they would like to attend.

Marywood University’s SBGI is committed to improving the world by enabling students to acquire and develop their leadership competencies to meet the dynamic challenges of a knowledge-based global society and by nurturing values conducive to ethical and socially responsible behavior.

For additional information about Marywood University’s School of Business and Global Innovation Virtual Information Session, please visit admissions.marywood.edu/register/business, or contact Amy Washo, M.B.A., Ph.D., instructor in the SBGI, at awasho@marywood.edu.