Swift Kennedy Hires Chris Young Swift Kennedy is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Young as our Small Business Insurance Solutions Representative. Chris comes to Swift Kennedy with 12 years in the banking industry working with small businesses. He is passionate about ensuring that the needs of small businesses are met when they are offering group employee benefits & HR services. Chris will be responsible for the Mid-Atlantic region sales and services for Swift Kennedy’s Small Business Insurance Services Program. Small Businesses’ insurance needs have often been under-served when it comes to group employee benefits. Swift Kennedy has created a benefits platform to give clients more services and access to programs that help attract and retain employees, as well as provide much-needed guidance and service for day-to-day insurance and HR needs. President & CEO, Jerry Calistri, says the addition of an SBIS department will give clients and prospective clients the resources they need to help better run their businesses. Often groups in the 2-20 employee market don’t have a dedicated HR or benefits staff member to administer these programs. Much of this is due to costs, but simply not having a staff member who understands the market, has time to educate staff, answers questions, and negotiates renewals is costing business owners much more in the long run. Our Small Business Insurance Solutions department addresses these issues for business owners. Chris has the right mindset and understanding to fully help small businesses enjoy a better benefits experience!
FNCB Bank Donates to Vocational Training Programs at Allied Services FNCB Bank announced its support for Allied Services with a $5,000 donation to the Vocational Services Division. FNCB served as a co-presenting sponsor of the Allied Services 2023 Vocational Services Golf Classic. The charity tournament was held Monday, July 24, 2023, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, Pa. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the annual tournament benefits individuals with disabilities participating in training and employment programs provided by the non-profit health system. Allied Services Vocational Services Division serves over 500 individuals with disabilities each year. Individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program receive specialized training, development of work-related skills, and supervision and guidance in the workplace as needed. The goal of the program is to support and empower individuals with disabilities as members of the workforce.
Jewish Family Service of NEPA Receives Grant Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania was one of the recent recipients of a grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for the 2022 grant cycle. The grant in the amount of $10,000 will assist with General Operating Support for the organization. Grants from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation are administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Pictured in photo from left to right: Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW, JFS Executive Director; Atty. Jack Nogi, Robert H. Spitz Foundation Trustee; Marguerite Bushwick, LCSW, NCG, JFS Social Worker. Established in 1915, Jewish Family Service is a human service organization, which reflects the Jewish tradition of caring and compassion for all people in need. Through professional counseling, advocacy, and educational programming, our services seek to enhance and strengthen the quality of individual, family, and community life. It is this agency’s mission that drives all services and activities of Jewish Family Service. The Scranton Area Community Foundation has been working to enhance the quality of life for people across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region over the past 66 years, serving the community as a steward, a grantmaker, a charitable resource, and a catalyst for change and growth. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a public 501c3 community foundation with assets of more than $50 million and more than 215 charitable funds. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.
Doctor Joins The Wright Center The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education have named Dr. Richard Weinberger as deputy director for Allied and John Heinz Services and core faculty for the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs. He will oversee the development and execution of strategies to enhance The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s programs at Allied and John Heinz as deputy director. He will also assist the designated institutional official in assessing, implementing, and developing new graduate medical education programs and will serve on the Graduate Medical Education Committee. In addition, Dr. Weinberger will serve as a core faculty member of the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs. In that role, he will treat patients and supervise resident physicians, medical students, and interprofessional health learners at The Wright Center for Community Health and Allied and John Heinz clinical learning environments. He will also see patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn. Dr. Weinberger is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and American College of Osteopathic Internists. He has a long history with The Wright Center. After graduating from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency at the Scranton-Temple Residency program, the precursor to The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. For decades, he has worked in private practices in Lackawanna County, most recently with Horizon Medical Corp. For more information about the locations and services provided by The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. Call 570.866-3017 or email GMErecruitment@TheWrightCenter.org for more information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education.
Martina McBride Returns to the F.M. Kirby Center Country music star Martina McBride will return to the F.M. Kirby Center on Thursday, September 28th as part of the PNC Celebrity Series. Ticket Prices:$39.50, $59.50, $79.50, $89.50, and $99.50 plus feesKirby Member Presale: Thursday, July 26th at 10:00 A.M.Public Onsale: Friday, July 27th at 10:00 A.M.Tickets can be purchased online at kirbycenter.org, ticketmaster.com, at the F.M. Kirby Center Box Office during regular business hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., or by calling 570-826-1100. To become a Kirby Center member visit: https://www.kirbycenter.org/support/membership/ About Martina McBride Multiple Grammy® nominee Martina McBride has sold over 23 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits. Martina McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association, and won three Academy of Country Music for Top Female Vocalist. Martina has been awarded 14 Gold Records. Nine Platinum honors, three Double Platinum Records, and two Triple Platinum Awards. Martina was awarded the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and the Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts on behalf of domestic violence. Martina has released two cookbooks – the first, Around the Table, a full-color illustrated collection of her favorite recipes, hosting tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration. She released her second book, Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life, in October 2018. Most recently, Martina was honored with the Cliffie Stone Icon Award at the ACM Honors event for her impactful contributions to country music. When Martina isn’t in the studio, she focuses her time on charitable causes dear to her heart through her Team Music Is Love charity initiative. McBride resides in Nashville with her husband, John, and their three daughters. You can keep up with her on Facebook, as well as Twitter and Instagram. For tour dates, please visit her website.
Geisinger’s Young Doctors Receive Awards Three Geisinger providers have been recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) for achievement early in their careers. Interventional cardiologist Nicholas Ierovante, D.O., and family medicine physicians Joanna Kraynak-Appel, D.O., and Hans Zuckerman, D.O., are among PAMED’s Top Physicians Under 40 for 2023. They were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of PAMED members who yearly honor the best of the best early-career physicians in the state. “We had a lot of great nominations, but these candidates stood out among the rest,” said Kristen Sandel, M.D., PAMED president-elect and chair of the awards committee. “With their ambition and innovative ideas, they will shape and shine bright in the future of medicine.” Dr. Ierovante practices at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and also serves as assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine for Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He specializes in interventional and structural heart procedures, and he is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, nuclear medicine and echocardiography. His nominator said his “passion for patient care is unparalleled,” and that he “has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Pennsylvania and exemplifies the future of medicine.” Dr. Kraynak-Appel is the associate director of Community Medicine in Columbia County and assists in managing Geisinger Primary Care clinics in Benton, Berwick, Buckhorn and Elysburg. She is a board-certified physician who specializes in family medicine, and she has clinical interests in women’s health and chronic disease management. Her nominator called her an “incredible person” who “embodies and exceeds all the tenets anyone would want from their physician.” Dr. Zuckerman practices at Geisinger Pottsville and serves as division chief of the Department of Community Medicine for Schuylkill County and Geisinger Kulpmont in Northumberland County. He is a board-certified physician who specializes in family medicine, and he has clinical interests in preventive care, infectious diseases, obesity and women’s health. His nominator said, “as a leader, his patient-centric views and encouraging reminders on why we do what we do are contagious throughout his clinics” and that “he inspires everyone from the support staff to the providers to provide the best possible care to patients.”
Penn Foster Group Plans Largest Graduation Ceremony Penn Foster Group, a leading provider of digital learning solutions for high demand skills and jobs, will celebrate its largest-ever group of high school and career program graduates at its 2023 commencement ceremony on Saturday, July 29, 2023. This graduation ceremony will honor graduates from the past three years who have not had the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township, PA, this year’s commencement will honor more than 1,200 graduates—some who have traveled from as far as Iceland and the United Arab Emirates for the event—and will be witnessed by an estimated 4,000+ family members and supporters. Penn Foster Group’s largest-yet commencement will feature a number of special speakers and presenters, a live band, and a ton of energy. “Even though distance learning is an individualized journey, I am certain we all went through very similar, if not the same, emotional rollercoasters of getting the work done to get to this point. Being able to share the stage with these folks makes it even more special,” said Garrik Haynes, Ashworth College Graduate of the Year. Following opening remarks from Dr. Andrew Shean, Chief Learning Officer of Penn Foster Group, Dr. Tom Stewart, Vice Chancellor for Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at National University System, will serve as the commencement keynote speaker. With over 30 years of experience in education and criminal justice reform, innovation, and transformation, Dr. Stewart has devoted his career to providing development opportunities for underserved and underrepresented individuals and communities. This year’s graduation is also the first big milestone under the new Penn Foster Group name unveiled in April, marking the next phase of its 130+ year history. By bringing together its online education and career training brands, this celebration symbolizes a momentous step forward in Penn Foster’s unwavering commitment to nurturing vital skills for the future workforce. “This year’s graduation is so much more than a celebration—it’s a symbol of overcoming obstacles, defying odds, and unity,” said Stacy Caldwell, General Manager, High School and Career of Penn Foster Group. “Despite the challenges many of our students have faced on their journeys to graduation, they persevered to finish what they started. We are so proud to recognize our incredible students for the first time under the Penn Foster Group name.
Reasons to Get Your Child Involved in Y Afterschool Programming As another summer winds down and a new school year is on the horizon, the Greater Scranton YMCA wants to remind parents and caregivers that the Y’s afterschool program is a place where children can remain active and engaged during their time out of school – a critical time for all school-age children. Below, we’ve listed five reasons your child should get involved with Y afterschool programming once school starts! Physical Activity The Y’s afterschool program combines learning with play. Each day, we provide physical activity which is vital to the overall health and wellbeing of every child in our program. Some physical activities include pool time, outdoor play, gym time and more. Healthy Eating Habits Teaching children the importance of nutrition and healthy eating is key to their success – both in and out of school. The Y’s afterschool program ensures that kids in our community are provided with healthy afterschool snacks when they are in our care and are taught healthy eating habits Academics, Arts & STEMThe Y’s afterschool program helps fill gaps in schools and communities where some academic and recreational activities may be limited. Kids can improve their study habits and reading skills; gain exposure to the arts; find a love for STEM activities and much more. Character Building Kids in our afterschool program at the Y demonstrate improvement in the values, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed for success in school and in life. Kids and teens can achieve, feel a sense of belonging and explore new interests. Check out some of our social and teen programs here. Safety Standards It is vital that children have a safe, enriching environment for learning, both in and out of school. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s afterschool program upholds the highest level of safety standards. For more information about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Afterschool Program, contact Kevin Mellow, Afterschool and Summer Day Camp Director, at kmellow@gsymca.org.
Norwood Financial Corp Rejoins Russell 3000® Index Logo Mockup by Mithun Mitra Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwood Financial Corp (NASDAQ Global Market – NWFL) and its subsidiary, Wayne Banks pleased to announce that the Company has been included in the Russell 3000® Index, as part of the 2023 Russell U.S. Indexes annual reconstitution.The Russell 3000® Index encompasses and tracks the performance of the 3,000 largest traded U.S. stocks, based on market capitalization. “Norwood Financial Corp is honored to be a part of the Russell 3000 Index, alongside some of the top performing companies in the U.S. This distinguished designation shows our commitment to our shareholders and is a testament to our strong capital position and credit quality metrics. This inclusion will continue to drive awareness of Norwood Financial Corp as an appealing investment as we continue to execute our strategic plans for growth,” stated Mr. Donnelly. The Russell 3000 Index is comprised of the large-cap Russell 1000 and the small-cap Russell 2000 index. The top 1,000 companies having the highest market capitalization make up the Russell 1000, while the next largest 2,000 make up the Russell 2000.
Wright Center Names Deputy Chief Operating Officer The Wright Center for Community Health has named Marianne Linko, LPN, as the deputy chief operating officer and LPN care coordinator. Linko will oversee integrated service lines for dental, lifestyle modification, infectious disease, geriatrics, and behavioral health operations at The Wright Center’s practices, including our new North Scranton Practice and mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health, while providing direction and supervision to staff. She will supervise the director of dental operations and practice managers for the Mid Valley and Wilkes-Barre practices, the site coordinator at the North Scranton Practice, the nurse manager/site coordinator at the North Pocono and North Scranton practices, and the site coordinators for Driving Better Health and School-Based Health at the West Scranton Intermediate School. Linko earned her licensed practical nurse certification from Scranton’s Career Technology Center in 2009. She joined The Wright Center for Community Health in 2011 as a licensed practical nurse at the Mid Valley Practice. Since then, she’s served in several leadership positions, taking over as practice manager at the Mid Valley Practice in 2021. Over the years, she has been recognized many times for her excellent work, including being named as one of the “20 Under 40” by the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal in 2021. The Wright Center for Community Health’s patient-centered medical home has 10 locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties that serve more than 40,0000 unique patients annually and ensures everyone in the service area has access to integrated, high-quality, affordable health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. For more information about the services provided by The Wright Center for Community Health or the nearest practice location, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570.230.0019.
