The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, in partnership with Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates and the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI), hosted its inaugural skin cancer screening clinic on May 17, providing screenings to more than 60 individuals at its community health center in Scranton.

Clinicians from Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates teamed up with 10 Internal Medicine resident physicians from The Wright Center to screen 64 people for skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed annually.

The clinic identified positive findings in 21 patients, with 15 requiring biopsies and six needing cryotherapy. Following the clinic, a nurse from The Wright Center contacted each patient’s primary care physician to ensure appropriate follow-up care.

“We’re thrilled the clinic was so well-attended and that we were able to help so many participants who have suspected skin cancer,” said Dr. Michael J. O’Donnell of Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates. “Clinics like these are so important to community health, because we know that early detection can significantly increase survival rates.”

Dr. O’Donnell added that he was happy to provide The Wright Center’s medical residents a hands-on learning opportunity about how to screen patients for skin cancer so they can better serve their patients now and in the future.

Dr. Kirelos Younan, a second-year internal medicine resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, organized the program after hearing about two local cases: a young patient who died after being diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and another patient who survived after doctors detected the melanoma early. He called the clinic an incredible success.

“While we anticipated strong interest, the turnout exceeded expectations,” Dr. Younan said. “We saw patients across various age groups with identifiable skin cancers, reinforcing the urgent need for accessible dermatologic services in our community.”

Medical residents also appreciated the chance to work with staff at Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates.

“The dermatology team, led by Dr. O’Donnell, provided exceptional education in distinguishing between benign and cancerous lesions. We also learned how to use a dermatoscope, which will undoubtedly be a valuable tool in our daily clinical practice,” Dr. Younan said. “Beyond clinical skills, we had the opportunity to navigate discussions regarding risk factor modification to prevent skin cancer.”

In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May, the event focused on promoting early detection and prevention, encouraging individuals to take proactive steps to protect their skin health. NRCI hosted an informational table during the clinic, offering multilingual materials on skin cancer types, risk reduction strategies, and self-examination techniques, among other key topics.

“Patients expressed their appreciation for the event and information provided,” said Karen Ryczak, RN, NRCI’s vice president of programs and surveillance. “We also had the opportunity to discuss our Cancer Screening Navigation Program with staff.”

The program works to remove barriers to screenings for breast, cervical, colon, and lung cancer, she explained. The Wright Center has participated in the program for more than a decade, helping thousands of patients access critical health care services.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019. 

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