Allied Hosting Adaptive Dance Event and Seasonal Community Celebration

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Residents, Jackson Carney, D.O., and Rayan Islam, D.O., were inspired to create the “Rumba & Roll” event after realizing the lack of adaptive dance services in their area. The Residency program, created in 2022 in partnership with Northeast Rehab and Allied Services Integrated Health System, now includes twenty-four Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residents in two nationally recognized rehabilitation hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Both residents were recently certified in adaptive dance by American DanceWheels, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization that teaches adaptive ballroom and Latin dancing to people with and without disabilities. The certification was an intensive 3-day training course focusing on safety, musicality, movements, and technique. Aubree Marchione, Creative Director, led the certification classes.

The medical residents saw an opportunity to bring back what they learned from their courses, and share it with Scranton area wheelchair users. They believe the physicality, innate connection, and fun that dancing provides is an area of disability care that is often skimmed over, and not taken seriously in the care community. The doctors believe the adaptive community has much more potential, and much more to give.

The event being held on December 6th at the Allied Services Corporate Center is the culmination of all of that belief and passion. It is run entirely by the medical residents, with help from Allied Services staff, including therapists. There will be an all-inclusive adaptive dance lesson, finger foods and drinks, dancing on a real dance floor, and an opportunity to connect with others for a fun, seasonal outing celebration.