‘The Good of the Hive’ Artist Master Class, Lecture and Mural As members of Scranton Tomorrow’s Mural Arts Committee and their partners prepare to unveil the latest in a series of public art works in downtown Scranton, two upcoming events will showcase the message behind Matthew Willey’s “The Good of the Hive” mural: A master class and lecture with the artist on Oct. 14 and a mural dedication at First Friday on Nov. 4. Willey is installing “The Good of the Hive” mural on the Scranton City Ballet Company building, Rear 234 Mifflin Ave., Scranton. A project of Scranton Tomorrow, presented by The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, “The Good of the Hive” is made possible with support from community sponsors, including the Lackawanna County Commissioners, Lackawanna Heritage Valley, The University of Scranton, Space Time Mead and Cider Works, Terrana Law Firm, and Lackawanna College. Willey is a world-renowned muralist who is raising awareness about the importance of pollinators through his art. He’s been painting the bee-themed mural in Scranton since late August, and the piece will be complete at the end of October. The project brings him closer to achieving his personal commitment to hand-paint 50,000 honeybees — the number of bees in a healthy, thriving hive — in murals around the world. “Matthew’s work is much more than an inspiring mural,” said Rose Randazzo, chairperson of Scranton Tomorrow’s Mural Arts program. “It’s a movement. Scranton is now connected to a global initiative to save the bees through public mural art.” As a gift to the community, Willey will present a master class and lecture, “The Good of the Hive” on Friday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m., at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine Street, Scranton. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first-served. Lackawanna College is the academic sponsor of this event. “We are honored to be the premier sponsor of this unique mural project that will be on display in our city for years to come,” said Kara Seitzinger, director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “Matt’s work is inspiring communities around the world to think collectively, in the same way that honeybees do. The health of a honeybee hive is the perfect metaphor for the health of a community. “We encourage the community to attend his lecture to hear his fascinating story and insights,” she added. The completed mural will be unveiled at a dedication ceremony at the Scranton Civic Ballet Company building, Rear 234 Mifflin Ave., on Friday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to the celebration. Willey has shared the stories of “The Good of the Hive” through speaking engagements around the world, at the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the German and French Embassies in Washington, D.C., Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Duke University, Georgetown University, the Planetary Health Alliance 2018 annual meeting in Scotland, many podcasts, including the National Education Association, and educational institutions throughout the U.S. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Reuters London, The Today Show, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, and countless other publications and media channels. Willey’s mission is to ignite radical curiosity and active engagement around planetary health issues through art, bees and storytelling. His vision is a world filled with people that see and experience the beauty and connectedness of all things. “The hive I’m creating is a metaphor for us all: no matter your color, nationality, religion, gender, age or economic status. This piece of art is an idealized picture of health to focus on as we work toward solutions,” Willey said. The worldwide mural project demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity. Six years into an estimated 20-year project, Willey has created 35 murals and installations with over 8,600 hand-painted bees. He has reached hundreds of thousands of people and created large-scale works at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C., Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York City and Burt’s Bees Global Headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. In 2021, Scranton Tomorrow launched its Mural Arts Program. Designed to transform the downtown landscape, and connect communities, murals reflect the city’s history and qualities that make Scranton unique. Featuring QR codes at each site, visitors are encouraged to use their smartphones to embark on brief, self-guided video tours to learn more about the history and theme of each piece. Through partnerships with professional artists specializing in mural art and conservation, a set of guidelines for public art projects has been developed as part of the program. To learn more, visit https://www.scrantontomorrow.org/muralart.
WVIA To Broadcast a Mind Over Matter Discussion WVIA will broadcast Mind Over Matter: The State of Mental Health in NEPA live from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, PA on Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Part of WVIA’s Mind Over Matter mental health initiative, The State of Mental Health in NEPA will feature Moderator Tracey Matisak and a panel of regional mental health experts to discuss the state of mental health in NEPA based on a critical needs assessment. Hear stories from people who are coping with mental health challenges and find out where to get help. Admission is free but limited. Panelists include: Dr. Sanjay Chandragiri, Associate Professor of PsychiatrySarah Wodder, Psy.D., LP, LPC, President, and CEO, Scranton Counseling CenterDawn Zieger, Associate Vice President, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Geisinger Reservations can be made at: wvia.org/mindovermatter
Barry Isett & Associates Adds to Staff Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. (Isett), a multidiscipline engineering firm with offices in Olyphant, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton and six other offices in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, welcomes eight new associates to three departments, including Project Management & Construction Services, Code Inspection & Plan Review and Transportation. Kristen Wolfe, NCIDQ, M.A., IIDA, CHID, of Jessup, joined as a Project Manager serving the firm’s Olyphant office. Previously of BDA Architects, she comes to Isett with over two decades of experience as an interior designer and project manager. Ms. Wolfe is skilled in all aspects of design and construction with an emphasis on the higher education, K-12 and healthcare markets. Since joining Isett, she has primarily served as a project manager and owner’s representative for commercial, government and educational projects. Jim Jones, BCO, of Langhorne, onboarded as a Code Specialist based in the Bucks County office. Mr. Jones brings almost 30 years of experience as a Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Inspector with Lower Southampton Township to his new role. At Isett, he will continue to focus on code enforcement and building inspections in our southeast PA region. Charles (Chip) Stalega, of Berwick, joined the Hazleton Office as a Property Maintenance/Zoning Inspector after a multi-faceted career in numerous market sectors. With experience in financial and insurance services, IT and insurance inspection, Mr. Stalega will continue to advance his career in code services by serving the Wyoming Valley region and its surrounding areas. Ronald Kimes, BCO, of Stroudsburg became a member of the Code Services & Plan Review Department as the Regional Municipal Code Manager in our Stroudsburg office. Mr. Kimes previously spent almost 14 years as the Code Enforcement Officer for Stroudsburg Borough where he specialized in specialized in administering and enforcing zoning, building, preservation, property maintenance, and subdivision and land development ordinances. At Isett, he will oversee projects under his jurisdiction and serve as a technical consultant on various code matters. Brian Focht, of Willow Grove, joined as a part-time Fire Inspector in our Bucks County office. A firefighter paramedic for Horsham Fire Company as well as Warrington Township Emergency Services, Mr. Focht brings extensive experience in emergency services training including fire prevention and protection. At Isett, he will conduct fire inspections throughout the southeast PA region. Vincent Miller, of Wilmington, DE, joined as a part-time Fire Inspector based in our Delaware Valley office. Mr. Miller has a long history as a firefighter and has training as an emergency medical technician. In conjunction with his new role at Isett, he also serves as a training administrator at the Delaware State Fire School. Truman Heberlig, of Mount Holly Springs, came on board as a Property Maintenance/Zoning Inspector in the Capital Region office. He holds previous experience with a local engineering firm performing quality control testing, construction materials testing and reviewing plans and specifications. Mr. Heberlig holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Dickinson College. Jerrid Dinnen, PE, PTOE of Moscow, was brought into the Transportation Department as a Project Manager based in the Greater Scranton office. He holds a 22-year background in project management, traffic engineering, transportation planning, highway design and municipal engineering for multiple firms in NY and NJ. Mr. Dinnen is experienced in large-scale projects for both the public and private sectors.
Misericordia University Hosts BOOM in the Night Event BOOM in the Night is Back at Misericordia University with the student organization Dead Alchemist Society. The society plans to present a spectacle with the annual event “Things that go Boom in the Night!” on Wednesday, October 26, from 6-8 p.m. in the Henry Science Center on campus. The event is open and free to the public. Students in the Dead Alchemist Society will offer new and expanded activities for children, including hands-on experiments such as making bath bombs, slime, shrinky dinks, and foam, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Henry Science Center. There will be giveaways and hands-on learning for kids and adults of all ages. The program will move to the Wells Fargo Amphitheater at 8:00 pm for the finale. This season’s popular event features new experiments and, of course, the famous puking pumpkins.
PS Bank Announces SBA Preferred Lender Status PS Bank is pleased to announce that it has received Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Achieving PLP status is another milestone for PS Bank and its lending team as its portfolio continues to expand throughout Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania. PS Bank was nominated for the designation by the Philadelphia SBA field office because of its experience and expertise with SBA lending. PS Bank offers a variety of SBA loan options for small business owners to meet expansion, acquisition, refinance, and working capital needs. As a preferred lender, PS Bank can close transactions in a more seamless way – removing documentation hurdles and speeding up the loan approval process. PLP accreditation is based on an SBA review that analyzes loan processes, loan servicing, loan package development, and overall performance. Banks are reviewed based on their risk rating, default rates, purchase rates, loss rates, on-site reviews, loan volume, and more. “Our lending team’s dedication to the success of each business customer, their customized approach to meeting business objectives, and their experience handling SBA transactions has led to our designation as a preferred lender,” said Anthony J. Gabello, President and CEO. For over 100 years, PS Bank’s experienced lending team has developed close relationships with business owners in a variety of sectors. “Our team was especially successful during the outbreak of COVID-19 in their ability to service nearly every business that sought financial support through the Paycheck Protection Program. Regardless of business size, the necessary support was provided to each and every customer,” said Gabello. Paul Walsh, vice president and commercial loan officer, has used the SBA program for over 20 years. “Put simply, SBA lending is good prudent lending. It benefits borrowers by providing lower down payments and longer terms than traditional bank financing, keeping money within the business instead of tying it up in fixed assets or other expenses,” said Walsh. “Throughout my career, SBA Lending has enabled me to provide small businesses with the best financing options available.”
The Dime Bank Promotes Michael D. Borick The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich announced the promotion of Michael D. Borick to Vice President, Controller. Michael Borick joined The Dime Bank in 2015 as a mortgage loan processor. He was promoted in 2016 to Accounting Supervisor. Prior to joining The Dime Bank, Borick worked as an assistant controller at a manufacturing company. Within his new role as controller, Borick will manage the finance department in accounting and regulatory functions including overseeing the bank’s daily accounting operations, providing insight to investment alternatives considering liquidity needs, yield, and conformance to asset and liability requirements and guidelines, producing all regulatory reports, and other related activities. Borick recently won the honor of the PA Bankers Future Under 40 Award and is currently enrolled in the PA Bankers Leadership Institute. Borick also holds a dual master’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Scranton. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich, “We are excited to promote Michael to this elevated role. His wealth of knowledge, capabilities, and dedication, coupled with his attitude to go above and beyond, make him a key contributor to the finance department. Please join me in congratulating Michael and wishing him continued success in his new role.”
PennDOT Urges Responsible, Safe Driving The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) encourage all Pennsylvania motorists to take responsibility for safety on our roadways and help “Put the Brakes on Fatalities.” In 2019, traffic fatalities dropped to 1,059, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1928. In 2020, even with less roadway traffic, fatalities increased to 1,129. In 2021, and in line with trends seen across the nation, traffic fatalities increased again, jumping by about 9% to 1,230. “Pennsylvania is not alone in seeing an increase in roadway deaths, but that doesn’t make it OK,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “In fact, everyone should find it unacceptable. Many traffic fatalities are completely preventable. We must work together – safety is everyone’s responsibility. We urge all drivers to follow these simple safety steps today and always: pay attention when you are behind the wheel, never drive impaired, slow down, and buckle up.” Nearly a dozen safety advocates from around the state, including PennDOT, PSP, and PTC, partnered to create a video urging safe driving. “Troopers are trained to spot dangerous driving behaviors and take a zero-tolerance approach, but we need the public’s help to put the brakes on fatalities,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick. “If you believe you’re sharing the road with an aggressive, distracted, or impaired driver, do not hesitate to call 911.” “Driving over the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions is among the leading causes of roadway incidents that become fatalities,” explained PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Since the pandemic, distracted driving is also a factor in many such fatalities. As drivers, we must take ownership of unsafe driving habits by paying attention and slowing down behind the wheel. It’s up to us to turn the tide.” “Early crash data estimates are showing 2022 traffic fatalities may be down slightly over 2021,” said Gramian. “While this is encouraging news, these numbers are still too high. Even one fatality is one too many.” Areas of concern within 2022 statewide crash data include pedestrian and motorcyclist fatalities, and fatalities in crashes involving distracted drivers. Whether walking or biking, pedestrians and motorists must share equal respect. Drivers should slow down when approaching a crosswalk or intersection, watch for pedestrians, and be prepared to yield to them. Pedestrians should cross only at a crosswalk and make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure they will stop before entering the roadway. Both pedestrians and motorists should obey traffic control devices, which help identify who must yield at an intersection. PennDOT is using data to identify high pedestrian usage routes and promoting infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian safety, such as medians, crossing islands, and increased lighting. Traffic signal upgrades are being planned across the state to add pedestrian countdown indicators. Riders and drivers must also work together to keep everyone safe. Motorcyclists are urged to use common sense by riding sober, obeying speed limits, and allowing enough time to react. Remember to wear all of your gear, all of the time, including reflective clothing and reflective tape on your riding gear to help improve your safety and make you more visible to motorists. Motorcyclists can be hard to see because of their smaller size. Drivers should watch for motorcycles and check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Following too closely is a major factor in crashes involving motorcycles. Vehicles should allow at least four seconds of following distance when following a motorcycle. Drivers are urged to always pay attention when behind the wheel. Research has shown that distraction from cell phone use while driving – either hand-held or hands-free – delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. Anything that causes a motorist to take their attention away from driving, take their eyes off of the road or take their hands off of the wheel is a distraction, including: Eating, drinking, and smoking,Changing the radio station,Talking on the phone, texting, or emailing,Reading or writing,Doing your hair or make up, andDozing/staring off at something along the side of the road.
Keystone College News Keystone College Selected as One of the Top Schools for Veterans Keystone College has been included among a group of colleges and universities that are doing the most to educate and serve our nation’s veterans. Keystone has been listed as a school which is “Best for Vets” by Military Times Magazine, a national publication which serves veterans and active military members. Keystone’s selection was compiled through the magazine’s extensive research to determine those schools which best serve veterans, their family members, and dependents through educational opportunities, financial assistance, and services. “Throughout our history, Keystone has been especially attentive to providing a quality education to the men and women who have served our nation,” said Keystone College Interim President John F. Pullo, Sr. “For that reason, we are once again honored to be included as a top school for veterans by Military Times Magazine.” In previous years, Keystone has also been listed as a top school for veterans by other national military and veterans publications. Founded in 1868, with a commitment to providing an education to Civil War veterans and their families, Keystone is home to the Elmer Hawk ’48 Veterans Center. The Center is now the East Coast home for Veterans Stand Together, a national non-profit organization dedicated to veterans’ advocacy and support and is also the home of the Keystone Armed Services Club. The Veterans Center offers a comfortable and convenient meeting place for this special group of Keystone students who have given so much to their country. Students can meet with each other, complete their school assignments, or simply relax, read, visit with friends and family members, or watch television while waiting for their next class. Recognized as one of the best educational values in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Keystone offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, natural science, environmental science, and social sciences. Located 15 minutes from Scranton, Pa. and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Keystone is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement.
The Wright Center News Wright Center Launches National Physician Assistant Program The Wright Center for Community Health recently welcomed eight master’s degree-level students who will be gaining knowledge and experience in its primary care practices as they complete a program to become physician assistants. The students are part of the first class to enroll in the Central Coast Physician Assistant program, a new initiative of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers and select health centers across the country. Participants in the 24-month program attend ATSU’s Santa Maria campus in California for one year during their pre-clinical phase. Then they enter a clinical phase, which includes 35 weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences at The Wright Center or other partnered community health center. “The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education are deeply immersed in and passionately committed to developing and inspiring our current and future interprofessional health care workforce,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We are excited to embrace an expanded role in preparing physician assistants to work in community-based teaching health center settings, where they will serve and care for historically underserved populations. “Our partnership with ATSU’s College for Healthy Communities will force-multiply the delivery of our shared mission to improve the health and welfare of America,” she added. “Future graduates of the program will be essential for the continued workforce renewal of safety-net community providers such as The Wright Center for Community Health, which depend on dedicated teams of caring, patient- and community-centered healers.” Physician assistants Bryan Boyle and Angelo Brutico, each of whom is a Marywood University alumnus and Wright Center employee, will provide on-site program supervision and leadership as ATSU’s regional directors of physician assistant education. The Central Coast Physician Assistant program prepares its graduates to be “highly competent professionals in the science of medicine” who are “steeped in the osteopathic tradition of body, mind, and spirit care for the whole person.” The Wright Center and ATSU have a long track record of successfully collaborating to conceptualize and launch programs that develop compassionate, skilled physicians and other health care professionals to help address workforce shortages in the nation’s rural and other underserved communities. Representatives from the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), based in Mesa, were involved in the planning stages of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency – a first-of-its-kind program that places resident physicians in one of four partner training sites in the U.S. In 2020, as part of a separate program, The Wright Center for Community Health became a rotational host site for aspiring doctors enrolled at ATSU-SOMA – which prides itself on being “the medical school of the future.” The school’s unique medical education model allows students to spend their first year on campus in Mesa, Arizona, followed by three years at a community health center, where an emphasis is placed on fostering community-minded physicians who will be advocates for equitable health care access. About 30 ATSU-SOMA medical school students are currently based at The Wright Center’s primary care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania. These programs, in combination with The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s existing residency and fellowship programs, have positioned The Wright Center nonprofit enterprise to be a true regional provider of interprofessional health care education. The inaugural cohort of physician assistant students is scheduled to complete its clinical rotation at The Wright Center in June 2023. To learn more about opportunities in the Central Coast Physician Assistant program, visit ATSU’s website at atsu.edu. Or contact Carla Blakeslee, The Wright Center’s coordinator of clerkships, by calling 570-591-5116 or sending an email to blakesleec@thewrightcenter.org.
Neighborworks Todd Pousley Named Neighborhood Revitalization Manager The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) named Todd Pousley, Neighborhood Revitalization Manager at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks), to participate in the 2022-2023 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently living and/or working in one of ARC’s 13 Appalachian states. The 2022-2023 class comprises a diverse network of professionals representing all 13 Appalachian states and a wide spectrum of perspectives and sectors, including tourism, healthcare, education, civil service, and more. The nine-month curriculum is anchored by six multi-day seminars across the Appalachian region focusing on each of ARC’s strategic investment priorities, which aim to strengthen economic and community growth in Appalachia. The fourth class will run from October 2022 through July 2023, focusing on skill-building seminars and best practice reviews to prepare fellows to: • Design effective economic development project proposals• Integrate community assets into long-term economic development strategies• Identify resources available to spark economic and community development• Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources• Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities• Use expanded connections and leadership skills to create strong regional partnerships “Congratulations to the incoming 2022-2023 class of Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows! These leaders are already growing their Appalachian communities and will be even better equipped to drive positive change after their work with this program,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I am eager to see this class of fellows collaborate across state lines to set big goals that will help the entire Appalachian region thrive.” Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows were selected via a competitive application process to reflect the Appalachian region’s wide range of economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Upon completion of the program, Pousley will automatically become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network, a peer-to-peer working group of experts helping foster collaborative solutions that will build a stronger future for Appalachia. “I’m thrilled for Todd to be included as a fellow in this year’s Appalachian Leadership Institute class,” said Jesse Ergott, President & CEO of NeighborWorks. “His deep experience and commitment to community development make him a great fit for this exciting program. We look forward to utilizing what he learns from the sessions in various communities to advance our work on behalf of our neighbors here in northeastern Pennsylvania.” Joining Pousley in representing Pennsylvania are fellow local area expert Holly Pilcavage, CEO of Coal Creative in Wilkes-Barre, and Amanda Craig Bradley, Business Outreach Manager of DRIVE in Danville.
